New to the land of POI with some foolish questions

Once loaded to the gps you can not modify them.You make all the changes on your computer for the files before running poiloader.It will overwrite all the files on the gps everytime you run poiloader.When you download the files from the site you can named them what you want.Just right click mouse and select rename.If you want your custom poi files more organized you need to use subfolders.Here is the outline for that plus using wav files for alerts.The 265 will not play mp3's so if you want voice alerts you have to use wav files and it requires some set up on your computer.

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), and wav (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 wav or icon for. The Nuvi 2x0 and 2x5 series can use wav files for the alerts but not mp3’s.
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. Many wav files available on PoiFactory listed under sounds at top of page.

5.Now go to each subfolder and name the csv, bmp and wav 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.wav
>>>Sears.csv
>>>Sears.bmp
>>>Sears.wav
>>>Targets.gpx
>>>Targets.bmp
>>>Targets.wav

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

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

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 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.

One of the best tools I have found to use is Extra Poi Editor http://turboccc.wikispaces.com/Extra_POI_Editor

Nice detail.

Foolishami, welcome to the site.

Following CharlesD's instructions will get you quickly started on loading and enjoying your 265. As you begin to explore what you can do and install as custom poi, one question that will rise is what's the difference between a GPX and a CSV file?

As far as the unit - or Garmin's POILoader - there is none. They both contain lists of points of interest. A GPX file can contain more information than a CSV and provide dialable phone numbers if your device supports Bluetooth.

Some of the most common problems we are asked to help 'newbies' troubleshoot have to do with setting alerts and displaying icons. File names have to match - letter for letter - with the exception of the extension. POILoader must be run in manual mode to set alerts where you can set either a distance or speed alert when POILoader runs. And one final thing about file names - no digits. Putting numerals in a file name causes POILoader to interpret that number as an automatic speed alert so if you approach the poi going faster than the number in the name, the system will give an automatic 'urgent' alert until you slow down below that speed.

Two other things, Gary Hayman has put together a great site on Nuvi Tips and Tricks. Take the time to read through the site. (It will take about a week as there is just so much information we older folks can stuff into our brains at a time.) The other 'toy' you will probably want is Extra_POI_Editor which is a very powerful tool for modifying POI files (and even creating them.)