New Garmin POI Loader Windows available

Change History
Changes made from version 2.7.2 to 2.7.3:
◦Fixed issue where address information was not being written out in certain situations

For now I'll stick with 2.72, if it ain't broke don't fix it.

Thanks for the info.
Guess I'll wait for some daring folks to revue the next version too.

Fred

Best to let it age for a week or so....

I'm not making that update mistake again. No updates on working software for 6 months. Its a rule I stick to.

After I renamed my old version, I downloaded and installed the new POI Loader.

Installed this weeks RLC/Speed camera files and everything seemed to function as expected.

Haven't seen anything different yet ..... TBC

I am with you, my current works fine so I don't need another piece of software that I have to end up beta testing for Garmin

Thanks a lot.

.

I'll wait too!

I'm still running POI Loader V2.5.4.0 and it works fine with our Nuvi 660's!

You might want to look at
http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=927

and see the change history.

I note that the 2.5.4 to 2.6.0 update added ability to specify a custom POI file's name which I think was a major step forward.

Evidently, you load all of your POIs at one time and, thus, have only the one poi.gpi file.

For many years, I have made it a practice to download software to a directory which is sub-divided into folders for various types of software. For example, in MyDwnLds is a folder called GarminTools and in that folder are other subfolders for, say, POI Loader, Basecamp and Mapsource.

I keep older versions of software so that I can revert to them in the event that I experience problems with a newer version. You might want to also. Let's think why.

One advantage of this technique arises from the fact that I have several automatic backup techniques in place.

I have had hard drive failures and I have been extremely glad that I had access to software setup files that I had, over years, downloaded to my computer. Since disk space should not be an issue with today's computers (with the ability to have attached USB drives in the 3TB range if the primary drive is limited), thinking in advance about what I would have to do if a computer hard drive failed has saved me several times.

Let's say that you have purchased a software package online. Did you make a DVD/CD of the software? Did you store this disk where you could find it a year or so from now? Did you write the "key" to unlock the program on the disk?

I'll use as an example Macrium Reflect - which is my backup software. Upon purchase, I downloaded the package to my computer and, at the same time, received an email with the "Key". I stored the "Key" in a folder with the "setup" .exe file. That download was stored in MyDwnLds. I installed the software from MyDwnLds.

When I lost a hard drive, one of the first thing I did on the replacement computer was to use the Macrium recovery disk to get to the backup image to load Macrium Reflect to the new computer to make a full image of the "fresh" hard drive.

In due time, I restored the backup of MyDwnLds to the new computer so that I could reinstall software which I had put into MyDwnLds.

When I upgraded to a new computer, I did the same thing.

For those of you who are not installing the latest versions of Garmin software, how would you avoid doing so if you had to start from scratch on a new computer? Well, there are sites that keep previous versions of Garmin software. That would be one option. BUT, would it not be better to have your own previous versions?

PS: One of the things I am now doing is making ISO images from software disks I purchase. Think Turbotax. The ISO can go into a folder in MyDwnLds so that I will not have to search around for the original disk.

PPS: Several days ago, I downloaded version 2.7.3 of POI Loader to MyDwnLds/Garmin Tools/POI Loader, but did not install it. I will at some time, but I did not see an immediate need.

Backups are extremely important. I also use imaging software to make images in different stages. If a problem arises with newly installed software that doesn't appear immediately, I can always restore the image of the working PC later where no traces of the newly installed software is present.

For my most critical files I always have them saved in two locations, the primary one is on an external drive that is normally off to protect it from being affected from a virus.

thanks for the update info

"Evidently, you load all of your POIs at one time and, thus, have only the one poi.gpi file."

Yes, that is true. I also use MP3's (no Sox) and I only use csv files.

Actually, even with a scrambled directory structure for 3-4 years (Cannot do backup) it works fine... Maps have been running off SD card for nearly 2 years now. As new versions come out, I alternate between two SD cards--One gets upgraded, the other contains previous version, and then I power down, swap cards, and power up with latest version.

Based upon the scrambled directory structure that keeps on working, I made the decision to let it be the way it is.... And the 660 doesn't seem to notice it's scrambled.......

Didn't have an issue with Ver.2.7.2. I was hoping the new version might let me remove all my custom poi's
and then let me install new ones with out having me open it up again. I can let it overwrite, just prefer to
start a new each time. Give me an exit button...lol

Did the same here. So far all is working fine

Thanks!

Thanks - will give it a try...

With Garmin's past history and (no good) reputation with their installation software who would ever install their "new and de-featured" software until it had been used by those willing to be bleeding edge testers?????

>until it had been used by those willing to be bleeding edge testers?

Hey ... if you aren't living on the edge ... you aren't living ...

Plus, if the thing crashes (which it frequently does), it gives those-of-us-without-a-life-except-POIs something to whine about.

Didn't think they would be coming out with this any time soon.

The change in this update is something that doesn't affect me, so I will be skipping it.

After loading close to 200,000 POI's with the new POI Loader and taking several 200 mile trips ... the new POI Loader seems to be working ... with alerts and TourGuides loaded properly.

Your experience may vary.

I still think I am going to wait a week or so before I load it!

Yes, I will wait at least a week to download it too. I've been an unexpected tester of too many programs and apps!

It seems to me that it will usually whine at me to tell me there's a newer version I need to download. Until such time as it does that I'll wait.

Thanks but will hold what works for now.