How do I install the Rest Stop Icon, etc.

 

I downloaded all of the POI files for the rest stops combined as well as the icon and the voice that says "Rest stop ahead" I have installed the file with POI loader but is there a way to get the icon up when you hit points of interest? And . . . is there a way to have it tell me (proximity alert) when I get near one? Thanks for helping a newbie out!
Jim in WV

What Garmin do you have?

herd72 wrote:

I downloaded all of the POI files for the rest stops combined as well as the icon and the voice that says "Rest stop ahead" I have installed the file with POI loader but is there a way to get the icon up when you hit points of interest? And . . . is there a way to have it tell me (proximity alert) when I get near one? Thanks for helping a newbie out!
Jim in WV

On the 7xx series, click on
Where to
Extras
Custom Pois
It should be listed there.

Proximity alerts can be adjusted only when you load the file in the manual mode. Set your own distance for the alert.

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You can walk a horse to water, but a pencil has to be led.

You can also set a proximity alert with Extra_POI_Loader

Welcome to the POI-Factory. You've found the right place!

This has worked well for me. Search this site for strings containing Extra_POI_Loader and then download the latest version. If you get a missing file error when trying to run the program, go back the website and scroll down and you'll see how to install the file if needed. Browse the help files for EPE to get acquainted with some of the things this application can do for you. You may find many more uses for it besides setting proximity alerts.

The rest area file you downloaded was a .csv file. Open it with EPE. If curious, you can then press F9 (if you have Google Earth installed) and it will display all these points on the map... You can do the same with MapSource if installed.

Now go to Edit, Replace Field, use the pull-down to highlight Proximity and then enter a value and apply to all. You might start with 5000 (feet) and then adjust it up or down to your liking. This will set a radius (of 5000') around the point and as you cross into the circle you will get an alert. Save the file as a .gpx and then replace the .csv file in your folder with this one. Insure that your icon and mp3 or wav (depending on which model you have) is named exactly as the data file. If you don't have a sound file, you will get a boing boing sound. The icon is only visible when zoomed in very close, so some skip the icons. Re-run POI Loader in express mode.

Take if for a spin and check out the nearest rest area, or to save gas, put the nuvi in simulator mode and plot a quickie route that will take you past a rest area and watch what happens. Note: There is usually a rest area on each side of the road. This method will create 2 overlapping circles, so you will likely get 2 alerts.

You can also open the .gpx file in MapSource and you'll see the defined circles around the rest stops.

If you have trouble getting the distance right, double check your metric/imperial settings by looking at the help section, or ask here and one of us will add more info.

This is a coin toss for some... If you set the proximity in manual mode, and if you have several POI files, you have to enter through all the ones you don't care to set and then input the values for the ones you want alerts. If you add a file, you need to re-run POI Loader in manual mode and do these settings each time. The alternative is to build the alert into the file which must be a .gpx to store this info. You can then simply run POI Loader in express mode. Just remember when you download an updated version of the rest area file, you need to run it through EPE. Either way, you have to massage something, but I personally like the EPE method.

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"There's no substitute for local knowledge" nüvi 750, nüvi 3597

loading POI

Basic POI Loading Procedure Using WINDOWS

Following these instructions will allow you to load custom POI into your Garmin unit. These are VERY BASIC instructions and are intended as a process on how to load POI to the memory in your unit.

1. Download and install the latest version of POILoader from http://www8.garmin.com/products/poiloader/.

2. Create a Folder to hold all your Custom POI. NOTE: I put my folder on my Desktop.

3. Download the desired POI files from POI Factory and put them into the folder created in Step 2.

4. Visit the Icon library and download the desired icons for your POI files and put them into the folder created in Step 2.

5. Visit the Sounds Library and download the desired sound files for your POI. NUVI 2XX units require WAV sound files. WAV files require you to install a sound conversion program called SOX. SOX.EXE can be downloaded from http://rapidshare.com:80/files/139638423/sox.zip. Unzip the folder containing the program SOX.EXE. Select the SOX.EXE file, right click and select COPY.

6. Using Windows Explorer, go to C:\Program Files\Garmin. This must be the same folder that has the program POILoader.exe. Right click on any BLANK space in this folder. Select PASTE. SOX.EXE should now be copied to the folder. Check and be certain the folder contains BOTH POILoader.EXE and SOX.EXE.

7. If SOX.EXE is not copied to this folder, WAV sounds will not play.

8. Using Windows Explorer or another program, open the folder containing the files to be loaded into your NUVI.

9. Match the file name to the ICON file. Rename the ICON file so it has the same name as the POI file. POI files can be either CSV or GPX – it doesn’t matter. These file names must match exactly with the exception of the file extension. NOTE: there can only be one period in a file name. A period in a file name marks the beginning of the file extension. Icon file names can only end in BMP.

10. Match the file name to the SOUND file. Rename the SOUND file so it has the same name as the POI file. POI files can be either CSV or GPX – it doesn’t matter. These file names must match exactly with the exception of the file extension. NOTE: there can only be one period in a file name. A period in a file name marks the beginning of the file extension. Sound file names can only end in MP3 or WAV. NOTE: Using WAV files requires another program not found on POI-Factory.

11. Connect your NUVI to your computer using the USB cable. Wait for the NUVI to show it is connected and ready to receive files (Black screen with an ICON at the bottom showing it is connected to the computer.)

12. Run POILoader.

13. Select Garmin Device as Where to save your Points of Interest.

14. Press Next and wait for the program to find your NUVI. The NUVI will be shown in the box labeled Device:.

15. Press Next. The program will ask the location of the files to be loaded. Use the BROWSE button and select the FOLDER containing the POI, ICON, and SOUND (Alert) files.

16. Select the measurement units used for your NUVI. Feet and Miles per hour or Meters and Kilometers.

17. The NUVI suggests running the program in Automatic. For BASIC file loading, this is sufficient. NOTE: The only two alert sounds that will play automatically are for Red light and Speed cameras. For other alert sounds to play, you must select MANUAL and set either a distance or speed alert trigger. NOTE: If a file name contains ANY number, POILoader will assume it is a speed alert and play the sound file for that POI automatically. Press Next.

18. POILoader will begin to convert the POI files, ICONs and ALERT sounds and load them to your NUVI. If POILoader encounters an error with a source file, it will tell you the name of the file POI file containing an error. When finished, POILoader will tell you the number of POI successfully loaded to your NUVI.

NOTE: Every time you run POILoader, it will overwrite the previous output file and you will loose any POI not contained in your source folder.

19. Disconnect your NUVI using the Stop or Eject USB device.

20. Power up the NUVI and select WHERE TO -> EXTRAS and see if CUSTOM POI is displayed. Press CUSTOM POI and you should see a list of all the POI loaded.

TROUBLESHOOTING:

21. If you do not see a custom icon or hear the custom alert sound for a Custom POI that successfully loaded, it is most likely because you have a double file extension (two periods in one or more of the file names.)

22. Open Windows Explorer. Select TOOLS. Select Folder Options. Select VIEW. Under FILES AND FOLDERS uncheck the box that states: Hide extensions for known file types.

23. Using Windows Explorer, open the FOLDER containing the custom POI files, icons, and alert files. Verify each file name has only ONE period just before the 3 character file extension. Rename any files containing more than one period so the file contains only ONE period.

24. Restart this procedure at Step 9.

Repeat as necessary.

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ɐ‾nsǝɹ Just one click away from the end of the Internet

Loading POI

a_user wrote:

Basic POI Loading Procedure Using WINDOWS

Very nice job. IMHO, your instructions should be immortalized as the answer to a FAQ.

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Netpilot - Garmin 885T - Exploring 70+ screens in Test Mode

Agreed

subject says it all

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Tom