Poi TourGuide alert does not turn on.

Pay particular attention to steps 8 and 9.

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. NOTE: You only need to load SOX once.

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

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

8. 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.

9. 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. Using WAV files requires another program not found on POI-Factory.

10. 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.)

11. Run POILoader.

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

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

14. 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.

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

16. 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.

17. 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.

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

19. 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:

20. 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.)

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. Restart this procedure at Step 8.

Repeat as necessary.

Thank you for this step by step procedure, but I do not have this problem when not using the "TourGuide" phrase in my file name. I only have a problem when using TourGuide.

I think a_user is suggesting that you double check that your icon (.bmp) and sound (.wav or .mp3) files that go along with the POI file are renamed to match the name of the POI file. This is detailed in his points 8 and 9.

Did you set a proximity distance in the POILoader when downloading the Custom POI files to your Garmin or card? What distance did you use?

I do not have a image or sound file attached to my POI. I never had it before using TourGuide and it always turned on. It worked with a the standard Garmin alert sound, and a small dot to represent the location. Even the red alert banner doesn't show anymore.

I tried using TourGuide in the file name on my POI for school zones. It didn't work, same problem that you are having. My file was a GPX file, not a CSV but I don't think that makes any difference.

I think the TourGuide key word is meant for commercial interests. It allows you to set different pointers for each entry in the file. The pointers point to a sound file or a picture file that will play when you get within the range set in the entry.

If you are visiting a city, you would buy the TourGuide file for that city. Then as you approach an interesting site from any direction the GPS will either play an audio file describing the site or display a picture of what is inside the site (say a church). I don't think there is any way for it to sound an alarm. If there is, I couldn't find out how to do it with my 750.

Jack j

-=-=-=-=-=-=-

a_user's approach should work for you -- but if you want to take a slightly different approach you can adapt the technique that is in my

CRACKING THE CRACKER BARREL CODE
----- The TourGuide Sez It's Lunchtime

on Custom POI Page 6 on the GARMIN TRICK, TIPS, ETC.

Web site. It uses the keyword 'TourGuide' in a .csv file also.

http://bit.ly/garmin_gps_tricks

My old article
THE 'PROXEMICS' OF THE TourGuide -
----- Hakuna Matata! The Circle Of ... Alert

might also be of value. It is on Custom POI Page 4

Useing the 'TourGuide' keyword is a handy technique that I use all the time -- as I want radial alerts in many cases.

I hope you get it working for you.

I use both a 650 and a 755T, similar types to yours.

Gary Hayman

(#yragnamyah)

I do not have a image or sound file attached to my POI. I never had it before using TourGuide and it always turned on. It worked with a the standard Garmin alert sound, and a small dot to represent the location. Even the red alert banner doesn't show anymore.

Did you set a distance or speed alert? You need to use the manual mode for POI Loader to do this for most files. You can set a speed alert by putting the speed for your alert in the file name like Speed Cameras 25.

Yes I set the speed at 0, and the alert at 2 miles. I had it set before the same way and it worked. With the TourGuide i wanted an alert to pop up for the radius distance, but it does not.

I assume you can go into your Garmin's "Extras" and see the added custom POIs you added, right?

Did you load the custom POIs (with garmin POILoader) in the Manual mode so you could set the proximity distance (e.g. 5280ft)? What distance did you set?

Do you have your alerts turned On? I think it can be found in Tools > Settings > Proximity Points > Auto Play - Prompt or Off

You'll only see this screen if you have Custom POIs with Alerts loaded.

Using TourGuide in the name without using manual mode for poiloader would give you automatic alert of 1/4 mile.If you are not getting it most likely you have double extensions in the file name.The way to check that is 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.

Charlie, will TourGuide automatically be 1/4 mile? I know Redlight is a 1/4 mile, but not sure about TourGuide. I use manual mode and set the distances myself for all proximity distances.

My guess is:

* He needs to use Manual mode and set the distance...because Express mode might not activate the correct distance and/or alert.
* He needs to make sure his Alert is turned On, which will only be visible if he has custon POIs loaded.

TourGuide in the file name gives you a 1/4 radius alert using express mode.That is not much for a radius alert.It is covered under poiloader help.Now that I think about it maybe the OP is not getting the alert based on the radius he has set for TourGuide and the double extensions may or may not be the problem.Not sure he stated it worked before using along the road alert.If he name them
TourGuide restareas.csv
TourGuide Loves.csv
it will work if the coordinates are in the radius and no double extensions.

It is one or the other.Not enough distance set using manual mode or the double extension.

Or his Alert is turned Off...

That was a great explaination for the user, very good writing.