TourGuide Alert Troubles

Which model GPS unit are you using? Is it MP3 and TourGuide compatible? If not MP3 compatible, it is probably uses wav files instead. I didn't notice you mentioning anything about loading an MP3 (or wav) to go along with your TourGuide files. The TourGuide files play an MP3 file when you get at your distance (here 5 miles). If you just want an alert and no MP3, you can switch the word TourGuide to redlight or safety and you should get an alert.

That might explain my recent failure on a trip to get Rest Areas set up as a TourGuide. I was happy with the bong-bong notification, so I didn't bother with an MP3 file. Never got any alerts, even though they showed in the custom POI as .25 miles away and the alert distance was 10,500 feet (2 miles). On last year's trip this worked just fine, but now that I think about it, I included a "Rest Area Ahead" MP3 file to go with it last year.

Back to the original poster... Did you then go into the setup menu and turn ON TourGuide Alerts? You have to enable them in the setup menu in addition to what you did. (And perhaps include an MP3 file, too)

Based on your post you have the files named correctly.I see that you have a Nuvi 205 so it will not play mp3's but you can use wav files to get your voice alerts if you want.I don't see it listed so you will get the built in bong alert.If you want to do a wav file just add it to the example below for each one you want the alert for.You will need to add a sox.exe file to your Garmin folder on your computer.

Things to check.Do you have the files all in the same folder?For example.

>My pois=main folder

>>Bigfoot Sightings =subfolder
>>>Bigfoot Auditory Reports TourGuide.csv
>>>Bigfoot Sighting Reports TourGuide.csv
>>>Bigfoot Track Reports TourGuide.csv
>>>Bigfoot Auditory Reports TourGuide.bmp
>>>Bigfoot Sighting Reports TourGuide.bmp
>>>Bigfoot Track Reports TourGuide.bmp
>>>Bigfoot Auditory Reports TourGuide.wav
>>>Bigfoot Sighting Reports TourGuide.wav
>>>Bigfoot Track Reports TourGuide.wav

The biggest problems with the wav and bmp(icons) not working are the files not being named the same except for extensions and having double extensions. Double-check each of them. The best way to prevent double extensions is to go to your folder options in the control panel and click view then find hide extensions for known file types and remove the check mark. Click ok.

If you decide to use wav files here is how to do that.

a.Download the latest PoiLoader file at http://www8.garmin.com/products/poiloader/ .
b. Download Sox Exe at http://rapidshare.com:80/files/139638423/sox.zip .
c. After un-zipping Sox Exe file place it in your Garmin folder where the PoiLoader exe file is located on the computer.
d. The wav file for alerts will be named the same as the CSV or GPX file except for the extensions.
e. You can make your own wav files by going to http://www.research.att.com/~ttsweb/tts/demo.php and typing in what you want it to say or use a program to convert mp3 files to wav. When using the conversion it must be saved as PCM, 44.100 kHZ., 16 bit, Mono. Wav files are also on site for download.
Select manual mode on poiloader to set speed or distance for alert.

If you need more information let me know.

Awesome. Thank you guys so much. I wasnt aware that the tour guide alerts didnt use the default sound on the garmin. I havent tried it yet but I know how to load the .wav file. Does anyone know where I can find the default alert sound though? I'd rather just use that than anything else. Its just that Bong bong noise. Also, with the TourGuide alerts, is there an alert banner that pops up or is it just a sound that is made? Thanks again!
-Dustin

Nevermind, I used that sound splitter on one of the voices and extracted the default *Bong Bong* sound. Thanks again for the help guys! I want to post these bigfoot files on the site but I want to ask permission from the person who created the google earth file from which I created them first. Ill let you guys know how it goes.

Do you have tools>settings>proximity points>proximity alerts>change>custom pois checked? Also select Audio>Continuous Tone.

I think the default sound should work - not sure - I have wav files with mine.

You should get a grey alert box with tourguide name listed on the top left of map.

Thank for the help guys. The TourGuide alert works great now. Im driving through the mountains tomorrow and cant wait to be alerted of bigfoot sightings that have taken place in the area!
-Dustin