gpx file to nuvi 500 for the computer illiterate

Two ways. And don't use POI Loader

1. If you have MapSource, open the file in MapSource and send it to the unit with the "Send to Device" button. Then go to the user data section on the menu and IMPORT the route.

OR

2. Put it in the garmin/gpx folder on the unit (or the SD card). Then go to the user data section on the menu and IMPORT the route.

Note that the route will be recalculated by the unit so check it to be sure that it goes where you want. Depending upon how many waypoints were physically placed in the route, the route may change significantly.

I don't have mapsource, how does one go about getting it.

I've manage to save a gpx file to the SD card, (it shows up as a file when the unit is connected to the computer, but can't find it / access it when i disconnect the unit.

I don't have a user data section or anywhere that says import on the nuvi.

If you're connected, use Windows Explorer or a similar program and navigate to the Nuvi. It will show as a connected disk drive. On the Nuvi, find the folder labeled Garmin and double click on it to open it. Inside there should be more folders. One of those folders is labeled GPX.

Now find the route you created, and drag it into the GPX folder. Disconnect the units.

Turn the Nuvi on, and when it boots up you will see the home screen which has the Where to? icon. Press the wrench at the bottom right and another screen is displayed. You may have to press the down arrow, but look for another icon called My Data. Once you press it, you will see the import option.

Got to the point where I click on My data. The options I have are:

Set Home Location
Delete Favorites
Clear Trip Log

Back

Nothing close to import

Did you make sure that you put the GPX file in the correct folder?

It needs to be in the correct folder garmin/gpx in order for the unit to see it.

You will need to create that folder if it's not there and put the file in that folder.

Here is what I see

computer>garmin nuvi(E:)>Garmin>GPX

NAME DATE MOD TYPE SIZE

There are two files listed, one I put in and one listed as Current.GPX

Still no import data icon

Shawn

Actually, I'm having the same problem...which incidentally bought me to this site.

I installed a MicroSD into my Nuvi 550. When I connected to my PC (Widows Vista) I see two drives...
Garmin Nuvi (F) and Removable Disc (G), which I assume is the MicroSD.
I transferred two .gpx files to the MicroSD (G) and tried to access them on the Nuvi. Can't find them. I tried the following:
Custom Routes...nothing there
My Data>Import Route From File...nothing
Flummoxed.

I disconnected and connected again, double checked to make sure the files were on the SD drive...yep, they are there. I even read the owner's manual which, strangely enough, doesn't seem to mention how to find the files once they are on the SD drive.

Any help (and patience) is appreciated.

styrrell

Have you look at the information on page 11 and 20 in the owners manual? It shows using mapsource and doing custom routes on the unit itself . http://www8.garmin.com/manuals/nuvi500_OwnersManual.pdf

The SD card MUST have the same file structure as the unit. You have to have a Garmin Folder and a sub folder for the items you want the unit to read. You don't need all the folders under Garmin on the unit, only the ones you need like POI and GPX. Storing the output from POI Loader in these will work.

The second thing is you need to force the unit to reboot so it reindexes the content of the unit and the card. Some units will let you hold the power switch to the left for 15-20 seconds, others you need to follow the reboot procedure that has been osted many times.

Thanks. That makes sense.
I just wish that tidbit of information was even touched upon in the manual . It would have saved me some time. I guess the real weak point is the documentation, which is pretty spare. I even went through over 200 FAQ's at the Garmin site without finding that bit of information there.

For fun, I added a JPEG folder to the microSD drive and put an image in it. The Nuvi 550 found that just fine. I added another folder and labeled it GPX and put my routes in there, but the Nuvi still can't access it. I'm guessing the GPX folder should be a sub-folder for another folder I haven't created yet, right?

Look, at the risk of annoying everyone here by playing 60 questions until I get this right, can anyone point me to a resource that shows exactly what folders and subfolders I need to create so I could save myself a few evenings of trial and error? I would be eternally grateful and would gladly take the time to pass the info on to others who are dealing with the same problem. Hugs all around.

Routes have to be loaded by the unit. Look in Tools, My Data and see if you can import routes.

As I stated twice, the GPX folder needed to be under the folder named garmin.

Root directory
Directory named garmin
Subdirectory named GPX

/garmin/gpx

Yes, but the routes weren't showing there...until now.

Motorcycle Mama gets the hugs. In my bleary eyed, confuzzed state, somehow I missed that first little detail about creating a simple little folder name "garmin" first.

So, in a newly-fueled by hot coffee clarity, I re-read all the replies, especially her last one where she pointed out that I hadn't read her first one...and solved all my problems (at least the ones anyone would want to hear about. )

So...
Create a folder named "garmin"
Into that folder I moved my two previously created folders "GPX" and "JPEG," fired up the Nuvi, and all is well.

Thanks again.

You are not supposed to copy GPX POI files to the Garmin or the SD card.

When you run POILoader, it looks for GPX and CSV files on your computer. It then compiles all of the GPX, CSV, and accompanying icons and alert sound files if present that it finds in that folder on your computer into a single poi.gpi file and sends that file to the Nuvi or the SD card if you direct POILoader to save to the SD card instead of the Nuvi. That single poi.gpi file holds all of your various POI files, as well as the icons and sound alert files if you supplied them. The Nuvi does not directly read GPX or CSV POI files.

hey ! had the same problem finding my files..go (where to go) then go to your Extras menu.

John C...got it.
To be sure, it wasn't POI files I was talking about, but GPS (.gpx) routes in specific.

I haven't even tried to upload the POI files yet...but now that I've found this place and now that I'm here, it's next on my list.

The first thing on my list today is completing the honey-do list I was supposed to get done yesterday, which I spent figuring out my GPS issues instead.

If you don't have MapSource, and haven't created the route in MapSource, you will not have a route to import (from My Data).

Even if the file was saved as a gpx your 500 will not see it as a route.

If you open the file in MapSource and use the "crayon tool" (under the route tool) and trace the line, and then save it as a route, and then transfer it to the 500, then you will have a route to import.

It doesn't work any other way. Trust me on this, I make routes every week, and this is the only way it works.

Also remember you may only have ten imported routes at a time on the 500. You can have as many as your SD card will hold, but only 10 imported at a time.