New to using POI Downloads

Here is good place to start:

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/85

Here is a ouline that I typed out for custom pois.

Custom poi’s with or without categories your choice.
1.Make a folder on your computer and give it a name. Example My poi's.
2.Download the csv or gpx file and put them in that folder. You can re-name them as needed. Adding TourGuide to the title will allow for a radius alert instead of along the road alert. See Poi Factory post http://www.poi-factory.com/node/13958
3. If you want to add an Icon (bmp), mp3 (sound) or wav (sound) file the process is the same for all to download from the Poi Factory site. Click on the title and when you see attachment just right click mouse on it and pick save target as. Save them in My poi’s folder.
4.Make sure to name the bmp,mp3 or wav file the same as the title of the gpx or csv file except for the extensions.
5.The wav file is used in placed of the mp3 file for units that don’t have the mp3 capability for alert sounds. For example the Nuvi 2xx series. Some users with mp3 ability do use the wav files for alerts to fix skipping problem when playing mp3 songs.
6.Process for creating wav alert sounds if needed for units without mp3 ability.

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., and 16 bits, Mono. Wav files are also on site for download.

7.Example of completed files

>My pois=Main Folder
>>Redlight cameras.csv
>>Redlight cameras.bmp
>>Redlight cameras.mp3 or wav
>>Speed cameras.csv
>>Speed cameras.bmp
>>Speed cameras.mp3 or wav
>>TourGuide Cracker Barrel.csv
>>TourGuide Cracker Barrel.bmp
>>TourGuide Cracker Barrel.mp3 or wav
>>Walmart.csv
>>Walmart.bmp
>>Walmart.mp3 or wav
>>Targets.gpx
>>Targets.bmp
>>Targets.mp3 or wav
>>Best Western.csv
>>Best Western.bmp
>>Best Western.mp3 or wav

8.You now have custom poi files that can be loaded to your gps. If you want to add categories for your custom poi’s to get more organization continue with step 9.If not go to step 13.
9.Go back to the folder you created My poi’s and click on it. You will now see the files you have downloaded.
10.Right click mouse on any blank space and select new folder. Renamed the subfolder to the category you want for example Department stores for your Pennys, Sears and Target stores. Alerts for your Redlight and Speed Cameras
11.Repeat step 10 until you have all the subfolders in My poi’s folder with the categories that you need.
12.Drag the csv, gpx, bmp, mp3 or wav file into the correct subfolder. They should look like this.

>My pois=main folder

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

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

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

13.Connect your GPS to your computer using the usb cable.
14.Now run poi loader http://www8.garmin.com/products/poiloader/ .
15.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 selects the SD card.
16.Click next and put mark in Install new custom Poi’s onto your device.
17.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.
18.Now you should get message so many points of interest has been installed to your device.
19.Based on model. Touch where to, extras and touch custom pois last and you will see the ones you downloaded.
20.Each time you run poiloader it will over write the existing files.
21. 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.

Tips.
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.

You can download Extra Poi Editor (not for Mac at this time) at http://turboccc.wikispaces.com/Extra_POI_Editor and build the alert in. When you download the program if you get message about OCX file missing scroll down on the main page and under troubleshooting you will find the Extra Poi Editor Installer that you will need to download. Once installation is completed you will need to set up the preferences you want first. Under options click on preferences. For example using ft for input. Under units you will see editor, select Imperial/US. For Field Read and Field save select Metric. After setting your preferences click on file and click open to select from your computer the file you want to build the alerts for. Then go to edit and click on replace field. Once the next screen comes up use the down arrow for Field name and pick proximity. Under new field value put in the distance in ft you want for the alert. Then click replace all. You now have alert set for each custom poi. Then save as gpx file. If you select save as csv you will lose the built in alert.

You might want to look at this new site...

http://whoaboy.webs.com/

It's a great place to start and is well organized.

Thanks for that file. I cannot load .wav files to my 265WT because of that error. Now my Garmin works like a Charm with Voice Alert