Categorizing Favorites on TomTom

 

Having had my TomTom for only a few days, I found very quickly that either I am missing something or there is no way to categorize Favorites on the TomTom. I guess I have gotten "spoiled" from my Garmins capability to categorize the Favorites in such a way that I don't have to search all favorites to find one. As I said, I haven't figured out a way - yet - to categorize the Favorites. But, maybe I have missed something on this topic. Any idea's? Or, is it a foregone conclusion that I will not be able to categorize the Favorites similar to a Garmin? Any idea's? Thanks.

Favorites

TomTom's Favorites is a dirty quick way to mark a spot (similar to the 'Mark' button on a handheld), like a recent destination etc. It's not a serious way to store information for long term planning - it doesn't even contain a phone number. You cannot seriously plan trips with it. Every map update will wipe them out (there is away to recover them though). On the other hand, Custom POIs are with you for a lifetime as long as you backup the OV2 files. To create a custom POI, you can use a computer (copy OV2 files to the Map folder - the name of the OV2 file is the POI Category name), or manually thru Main Menu, Change Preferences, Manage POI, Add POI Category...
Once you have a POI Category created, you can update it thru Main Menu, Browse Map.

Favorites and Addresses

Thank you for your comment. Yeah, I've been duplicating some of my POI's from my Garmin set up using POI Edit to convert them to .ov2. Am going to take it out tomorrow to see if it will recognize the POI and alert, such as red-light alerts. One thing I have noticed today, in trying to set up favorites, is that the database for street names is rather limited. Whereas I could easily find most street addresses with my Garmin, I am finding it difficult, many times, with the TomTom. I was beginning to wonder if there was an add-on map to provide better street information for the TomTom. But, I can't find any such map. I'll try wrestling with the POI's a little more, rather than trying to build up my favorites listing.

Favorites and Addresses

1. Am going to take it out tomorrow to see if it will recognize the POI and alert, such as red-light alerts.
2. One thing I have noticed today, in trying to set up favorites, is that the database for street names is rather limited. Whereas I could easily find most street addresses with my Garmin, I am finding it difficult, many times, with the TomTom.

1. No need to "take it out". Just set up a route, then run a Demo.

2. I've never had a problem finding street names/addresses.

Back to the Drawing Board For Me

I did take it out a while ago and set my destination to Walmart. In doing so, I went through two red-light alerts and one station. I didn't hear a peep out of the alerts. So, I'm doing something wrong. I converted the red-light alerts POI file from .csv to .ov2 and converted the audio alerts to .ogg using audacity. I placed a copy of all my converted poi files, in .ov2 format, into the Maps folder on the device. And placed all the .ogg files in the Sounds folder. (I also placed a copy of the .ogg files in the Map folder, making sure they were all spelled the same way.) It's apparent I am missing a step somewhere.

I have tried several times to download the safety alerts from TomTom and I keep getting an internal server error and no download.

Thanks again for your input.

Set Alerts

lbevil wrote:

I did take it out a while ago and set my destination to Walmart. In doing so, I went through two red-light alerts and one station. I didn't hear a peep out of the alerts. So, I'm doing something wrong. I converted the red-light alerts POI file from .csv to .ov2 and converted the audio alerts to .ogg using audacity. I placed a copy of all my converted poi files, in .ov2 format, into the Maps folder on the device. And placed all the .ogg files in the Sounds folder. (I also placed a copy of the .ogg files in the Map folder, making sure they were all spelled the same way.) It's apparent I am missing a step somewhere.

I have tried several times to download the safety alerts from TomTom and I keep getting an internal server error and no download.

Thanks again for your input.

Did you set up the alerts in Main Menu, Change preferences, Manage POIs, Warn when near POI?

Having Trouble Setting up or Converting POI's

Yes, I went through the process you indicated. But, in checking further, I note That the POI's I converted from CSV to .OV2, such as red light camera's, are not showing up as a POI on the TomTom Device. The topic is there, but it contains no POI's. I have taken the converted .OV2 file and placed it in the Map folder of the TomTom, but it does not show up. When I click on the converted file - from Explore - the POI's are there. Am I placing the converted files in the wrong folder? I was thinking they are supposed to be in the Maps folder. I'm about to give up on downloading the Red Light Alerts from TomTom. Every time I try, I get the internal server error. Got a note from their technical support today. He suggested I avoid going through a network so I went straight from the computer to the modem. Still no luck. My confidence in TomTom is getting shaky. Ooops! I think I just fixed my problem with POI's. The converted .OV2 files I had set up with POI Edit were not working. I went back and used Extra POI Editor and they worked. I've only re-converted three of my POI's, but those three worked with the "Demo". I feel better now.

POIEdit

I'v never had a problem with POIEdit. To convert Go POIEdit, Tools & Batch Convert. For "Source Format" I use "Garmin Comma Separated".

I sent you an email concerning TT US cams.

Batch Convert

I'll have to play with that a bit. When I selected batch convert, I couldn't place my csv file in the source window.

Batch Convert

lbevil wrote:

I'll have to play with that a bit. When I selected batch convert, I couldn't place my csv file in the source window.

Put some CSV files on your desktop. Open POIEdit, Edit, Batch Convert. In the Batch Convert window that opens, on the left side, select Desktop as the Source Directory. Select Garmin Comma Seperated as the Source Format. Your CSV files will "place" themselves into the source window.

OK, This worked.

I tried to first load the csv files onto the computer desktop. That didn't work. Then I placed them in the desktop under documents and settings. And that worked.

Thx.

CSV Files

lbevil wrote:

I tried to first load the csv files onto the computer desktop. That didn't work. Then I placed them in the desktop under documents and settings. And that worked.

Thx.

Could you explain "That didn't work.", please.

That didn't work

That means when I placed them on my computer's desktop folder (display), I couldn't access that folder from the POI Edit window. It would only let me access the desktop folder within the Documents and Settings folder. When I placed the files in that folder, the files showed up and I was able to batch convert the files. However, I probably won't try to place too many more POI's on the TomTom, so I can just use the single conversion using Extra Poi Editor, which has worked for me.

POIs on Desktop

lbevil wrote:

That means when I placed them on my computer's desktop folder (display), I couldn't access that folder from the POI Edit window. It would only let me access the desktop folder within the Documents and Settings folder. When I placed the files in that folder, the files showed up and I was able to batch convert the files. However, I probably won't try to place too many more POI's on the TomTom, so I can just use the single conversion using Extra Poi Editor, which has worked for me.

I meant put the files directly on your Desktop, not in a folder. But, that's OK, you are better off staying with what works for you.

Safety Alerts

I ran up on an interesting statement on the TomTomForums website. It said:

Safety Alerts ARE supported in the USA and Canada but NOT for the USA_and_Canada map but, rather, for the North_America_2gb map.

Needless to say, I have the USA, Canada, Mexico map. It looks like I am whistling in the wind to try and download these Safety Alerts, as I still get the internet server error. Do you per chance have the North American 2gb map on your TT?

NA Map

lbevil wrote:

I ran up on an interesting statement on the TomTomForums website. It said:

Safety Alerts ARE supported in the USA and Canada but NOT for the USA_and_Canada map but, rather, for the North_America_2gb map.

Needless to say, I have the USA, Canada, Mexico map. It looks like I am whistling in the wind to try and download these Safety Alerts, as I still get the internet server error. Do you per chance have the North American 2gb map on your TT?

Yes, I do. I also have US 850.2781 with speed cams.

Safety Cameras Download

OK, that explains why you are getting the downloads and I am not. Certainly hope they can resolve the problem with their internet server.

My maps version is 855.2934

Safety Cameras

Safety Alerts ARE supported in the USA and Canada but NOT for the USA_and_Canada map but, rather, for the North_America_2gb map.

I wish I had found this post about 2 weeks ago.

I have a 550XXL with the USA/Canada/Mexico map that I have been trying to load the safety cameras on for over 2 months with no success. Every day I click on the link and it fails to download. I spent 1.5 hours on the phone with tech support, and they had me deleting all my local files which resulted in me losing a whole bunch of user content I had already downloaded.

Is their tech support totally not aware of this, or did I just get the unlucky tech who wasn't aware of the issue?

It Appears the Tech Reps are Unaware

It would appear that the tech reps are not aware of this incompatibility. Whenever I have contacted them, they implied that a fix would be forthcoming soon. But from what I have seen, the map that you and I have is not compatible with safety camera updates. I understand that safety camera locations were programmed into the map, but I see no provision for updates.