Pre-Loaded vs. Custom POIs
|
17 years
|
Hello new to this site and GPS units for that matter. I have just purchased a Garmin Streetpilot i5. It came already loaded with the entire US map and x number of POIs. I would like to make my own custom POIs using Excel and the Garmin POI loader. I think I understand how to do that, but my question is how will these custom POIs get loaded onto my unit? Is there additional memory in the unit itself or will these custom POIs need to be put onto a card? If they get loaded into the unit itself will this erase the pre-loaded POIs? If a card is needed, what is a decent size card to hold a good amount of info data. Sorry for all the questions, but I just didn't want to try installing my own POIs and screw something up on the unit. Plus the owner's manual doesn't have much detail on POIs. Any help appreciated.
Pre-Loaded Vs. Custom POIs
While I have a different model Nuvi 680 I think your Streetpilot is similar to my Nuvi. There is some internal memory available for custom POI (how much I don't know) and no the custom POIs will not erase the preloaded ones.
I picked up a 1 GB micro SD memory card with adaptor by Kingston from Newegg.com for about $12.00 including shipping! I also found a 2 GB SD memory card at local Best Buy store for $29.95. POI files are pretty small and 1 GB should hold more than enough.
To load the file:
After you create your .csv file in Excel save the file and make note of where you saved it.
Run the Garmin POI loader.
After your unit is detected click the browse button and locate the file you saved.
Click on the folder and then click ok.
Set your desired units.
Click Express mode to load the files.
That's it. You should get a message that X number of points loaded.
I hope this helps. There are others here that have more experience and knowledge than I have and you are sure to get answers to all your questions.
Stan
Officer I'm sorry I was going the wrong way on that one-way street but my GPS told me to turn left ... Oh, I'm still getting a ticket, okay then the GPS will see ya in court!
Thank you! That helps a
Thank you! That helps a lot.
the I and C models / SD
the I and C models can't use the SD Card slot to read or load poi's, they have to be loaded onto the internal memory which is 2MB.
The only thing your card slot can be used for is to load Maps.
Example: European Maps
If you have any more question feel free to ask.
I know a great deal about the I and C models.
I don't really know to much about the Nuvi's but a lot of people love them. A 350 may be my next unit.
Orbital
Thanks Orbital. So the card
Thanks Orbital. So the card is only useful for maps? I have a 1gb card that came with it (I bought it used). Can you give me examples of maps that I could load using the card on this model. I don't see myself ever leaving the country, so if that is all it is good for, it would basically not be advantagous to keep the card. But if I can load, say like topo maps or other data, that would be useful to me. Also, if you or someone else can tell me how do I mark a location that I have driven to as a POI or favorite (waypoint???). I visit a lot of jobsites that I would love to be able to save their location in my unit. Can this be done on the i5? Thanks.