POI Folders

sadievan, put "folders" in the search bar then find the forum in the subject line above. I think you'll find it has all you need to get organized.

Go down to around the May 15th posts, I think.

Good luck!

Yes you can use subfolders and name them as needed.Here is a outline I use.Didn't see on your profile what model Garmin you have.So make sure it will play mp3's if you plan to use voice alerts.Otherwise you will need wav files.

How to make subfolders, download files and develop categories.

1.Go to my documents on your computer and make a folder and name it My poi’s.
2.Click on My poi’s folder. Now right click and make subfolders naming them based on type of files you plan to download. Example: Food, Alerts, Parks, Attractions and etc.
3.Go to POI Factory main page and click on poi files. Scroll down until you see View all poi files ( listed alphabetically) .Click on first file you want to download and save it in one of the subfolders you created. Repeat process until you have downloaded and placed all the csv or gpx files into the correct subfolders.
4.Now if you want to add bmp (icons) or mp3 (sounds) files select icons or sounds from the POI Factory main page. The process is the same for all to download. Click on the title and when you see attachment just right click on it and pick save target as. Save it in the correct subfolder you want the mp3 or icon for. Make sure gps has the capability for mp3 before downloading. .

5.Now go to each subfolder and name the csv, bmp, and mp3 file the same name except for the extensions. The biggest problems with the alerts and 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.

This is how it should look.

>My pois=main folder

>>Department stores=subfolder
>>>Pennys.csv
>>>Pennys.bmp
>>>Pennys.mp3
>>>Sears.csv
>>>Sears.bmp
>>>Sears.mp3
>>>Targets.gpx
>>>Targets.bmp
>>>Targets.mp3

>>Restaurants=subfolder
>>>Cracker Barrel.csv
>>>Cracker Barrel.bmp
>>>Cracker Barrel.mp3
>>>Sonny's.csv
>>>Sonny's.bmp
>>>Sonny's.mp3

>>Alerts=subfolder
>>>Redlight cameras.csv
>>>Redlight cameras.bmp
>>>Redlight cameras.mp3
>>>Speed cameras.csv
>>>Speed cameras.bmp
>>>Speed cameras.mp3

6.Connect your GPS to your computer using the usb cable.
7.Now run poi loader http://www8.garmin.com/products/poiloader/ .
8.When you see screen find device make sure you select the proper one. If using sd card use the pull down window .The arrow located across from device and select the sd card.
9.Click next and put mark in Install new custom Poi’s onto your device.
10.Click next. Using Browse make sure to select the folder location for My poi’s not the subfolders. Looking below on same screen you will see selection for either express or manual mode. If you plan to set alerts for your custom poi’s select the manual mode . This will allow you to set alert by speed or distance. Click next.
11.Now you should get message so many points of interest has been installed to your device.
12.Based on model. Touch where to, extras or my locations if you don’t see extras and touch custom pois last and you will see the ones you downloaded.
13.Each time you run poiloader it will over write the existing files.
14. On the Nuvi 8x5 series. After you load the pois to your Garmin you will need to remove the battery or hold the off switch in the off position for 10 seconds to clear the memory before your new pois will take effect.

Charles, I see your post similar to this one (if it's not exactly the same) almost every single day.

Wouldn't it be great if this is made a sticky or FAQ? Perhaps there's already a FAQ for it but users are ignoring them.

They are also looking for more subfolders inside food -> fast food
sit down
etc......

Charlie,

I do my downloading a little different but same results. When I download a file I put it in a folder for that indidvidual type (best buy, costco, wal-mart, etc.) with the name of the site and date of the file in the file name. I also put the bmp file in this folder. Then I go back and make sure the names are the same for csv and bmp files. Then copy those files to my 'Custom Poi' folder that gets loaded to my Nuvi (presently a 350. 765T should be here today). This helps to keep me organized.

I guess I wasn't making myself clear. What I was asking was if you could have more than 1 level of subfolders. From what I've read when doing a search for 'folders' as ZenHiker suggested, there is a limit to only 1 level of subfolders. The post was old so don't know if it has changed with newer models. I was asking if this could be done. Example:

Custom POI (main folder)
\\Shopping (1st layer sub folder)
>>>>Computer Stores (2nd layer sub folder)
-------Micro Center (csv file)
-------Frys (csv file)
>>>>Department Stores (2nd layer sub folder)
-------Penney's (csv file)
-------Sears (csv file)
\\Food & Beverage (1st layer sub folder)
>>>>Fast Food (2nd layer sub folder)
-------McDonald's (csv file)
-------Burger King (csv file)
>>>>Italian Restaurants (2nd layer sub folder)
-------Buca De Bepo (csv file)
-------Olive Garden (csv file)

Hope this explains what I want to do a little better.

Carol

Search for no.

I tried a search for 'no' 'number' 'number of layers' etc. nothing showed up with what I want to do.

I will try to load it on my 350 and see what happens.

Carol

Thanks ZenHiker,

I guess I can only have one layer of sub folders.

Don't ask my why, but I tried the search for 'folders' when you first posted, but I thought the dates I saw on the posts were from back in 2008. I guess not enough (or too much) coffee for me.

Anyway, thanks for the help

Carol

Bummer.

Only a 32 file limit in folders. Does this include the bmp files also or is it just csv files?

You can have 32 csv files.

Thanks for that info

http://bit.ly/garmin_gps_tricks

This is Gary Hayman's very, very helpful, detailed and fun! web site. Check it out and I think you'll find what you're looking for.

^^^ cool site.
good tips on that site