General Use Database

I don't believe I've ever heard of anything like a general database even remotely comparable to Garmin's POI database. Garmin's database is embedded within the map so whatever POIs are contained cannot be modified...only a map update will update/modify them (depending on which have been updated). Understand that Garmin's POI database contains "millions" (they used to state ~6 million) of POIs so having a downloadable database of this scope (who would maintain it?) wouldn't really be feasible.

The businesses exist in TomTom maps, and Google maps, and Yellow Pages. Probably others, too. I haven't had this much problem finding businesses in the different Android GPS software I've tried. Isn't there a better database of POI locations you can purchase somewhere?

All it should really take is a database of addresses and categories. Then you should be able to search the database for a business, and the Garmin GPS should be able to route to the address just as though you typed in the address manually. I don't see why that would be so complicated.

But very difficult to do. The first question is where do you go for the source information? If you state business licenses, then how do you handle a situation where the business license gives an address of ecord that does not match the physical location>

RRAND:

I depend more on GOOGLE search than GARMIN. Use your android device to google a business type (i.e. home improvement or grocery etc.) Your Android GOOGLE search will also give you driving directions.

Pretty cool, huh

-jgracey

Welcome to the site.

Before getting too deeply into a question posted by someone new to the site (in your case a "can't find my favorite electronics store" problem), we usually recommend the following.

There is a "Learn" button in the upper right of this page next to "red light cameras" that takes you to a Getting Started page. It is worthwhile visiting this page.

To make navigation easy, most browsers provide the following option. When you want to follow a link - but still keep your current page open - you can hold down the "Ctrl" key as you left-click on a link. That action will open a new "Tab" in your browser up on the "Tab" bar. When you then left-click on that new "Tab", you will follow the link - leaving the "Tab" you are now reading open and available to click on and return here.

So, using the "Learn" link, you might try the "Ctrl" - left-click sequence and then return here. You can return by either "X-ing" out of the "Getting Started" page (using the "X" on the "Tab" itself) or just left-clicking on the "Tab" for the page you are on right now.

Since you are new here, I encourage you to go through a couple of the Tutorials.

The first link makes sure the settings on your computer are such that you can do more advanced POI loading.
http://www.poi-factory.com/node/30393

The next link helps you make a backup of your GPS by attaching it to your computer. (NEVER do anything to your GPS until you have a backup). It also assures that you put your (newer) unit into a state where you can see all of the folders there.
http://www.poi-factory.com/node/30394

Now, let me put in my two cents worth. According to the latest Statistical Abstract of the US (data from 2008), there were over 31 million "businesses" that filed tax returns. Considering that many of these returns include multiple "stores", "restaurants", etc, the number of POIs become very large.

It's one thing to get a database of names and telephone numbers. It is quite another to get accurate addresses of the actual "location" a GPS might want to navigate to.

As has been mentioned, the POIs for GPS units are imbedded in the maps. This was a choice Garmin made many years ago. Most people bemoan the fact that streets (think new subdivisions) take years to get into the maps - keeping actual working addresses (versus address of record) would be a nightmare.

As you likely just got your GPS, I understand that you would like to be able to use it around town.

Let us know how we can help you enjoy your GPS.

Why not just use the app on your phone that you referenced?

There are a lot of companies who do just this sort of thing. There is a lot of money in database development and management. They could certainly verify all addresses if they wanted to. I'm not so sure they'd have to, as a lot of work has already been done for them. As I've said, I've used other GPS software and they have working databases. You could simply purchase those databases and extract the addresses from them.

A company like InfoUSA could certainly do all the work themselves, verify them, and they wouldn't even have to start from scratch.

Here are some details from their website:

500 full-time researchers at our 132,000-sq. ft. Database and Technology Center are dedicated to building, verifying, and updating our data.

Our databases are built from 4,000+ phone directories and 350+ new business sources such as:
• Secretaries of State
• County courthouses
• Public record notices

Our process is like no other in the industry. We make more than 26 million phone calls each year to verify the business information that we collect.

* * *

I never said I was looking for a free database. I said I was willing to pay for a database like this, if anybody knew of one, that functioned with my Garmin.

Garmin could certainly implement the ability to use a database like this. It just isn't in their scheme, apparently.

They could create an App on the device and give you the ability to poll a database file. It's not difficult to program something like that.

Then, the address could be passed as easily as your mobile phone passes addresses to the Garmin through the Smartphone Link via Bluetooth. Easier, probably. You wouldn't have to deal with Bluetooth. You pass either a physical address or a set of coordinates through the Smartphone Link.

So let's not get into any arguments about whether it could be done, or it's too difficult to implement, or it's too costly to create and maintain a database.

I was just asking if there was anything out there. Apparently not.

Thank you for the welcome.

It's complicated, but I can't always use my phone or have it with me at all times. But my GPS I always keep in my car. It's a matter of convenience, mainly. I would prefer to use my GPS for all matters related to travel.

Garmin have already done something similar with the nuvi 1690/1695 series. It had cellular built-in with a linked internet connection called nüLink! which allowed you to do White Pages searches for businesses/POIs, etc via the unit itself.

http://www8.garmin.com/automotive/nuLink_services/

I don't think it was very popular as services are ending in 2015:

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/42109

I think one of nüLink!'s downfalls was that many people already had a smart phone where they could do the same White Pages searches already. nüLink! required a subscription to access the service...why would one pay extra for nüLink! when they already have a smart phone? I certainly wouldn't.

I'm not sure why anyone would pay for a subscription to Nulink if it provides you with no benefit. I haven't used it.

But if Garmin created the App I described, you could buy or create a database from anywhere. Even a .CSV file would work. Then you wouldn't get the same listings as people get from their smart phones. Also, people like myself would prefer not to have to use their smart phones at all.

You could have a variety of databases to choose from, because everyone's needs are different, or you could combine different sources. It would be easy.

If you learn more about how GPS devices work then you will discover that it is actually far from easy to build an accurate POI database. The difficulty lies in getting an accurate geocoded address. Quite often if you type in a street address you will get a result which is quite a distance from the actual location. It's simply the way the maps are coded.

My home is 3 houses off down the street.
My parents house on google shows up 1/2 mile behind the house on the 26 acres we own.

Its not as easy as you think it would be.

Well, all I can tell you is you're already doing it. Every time you use a phone book app and then launch it into your GPS, you're already doing it. Nuff' said. I'm outies. Can't stand all this negativity.

I think you're mistaking our "negativity" for our being realistic. We are simply users here. Garmin doesn't listen to us here (if they do, they sure don't seem as if they do). Many of us have had much more valid issues to have addressed here and report many issues here in the forums that almost never get attention and do not get resolved. Even when a large group of us has an issue and Garmin is actually contacted and acknowledges this issue (the "traffic icon color" issue comes to mind), the result is nearly always the same..."it is what it is". Over time, many of us here have accepted the fact that Garmin does what it wishes and relies on their own internal designers for whatever ideas it uses.

If you wish, you can contact Garmin directly if you have a suggestion or an idea. Oh, and be sure to actually READ the "Terms of use" section before submitting something (basically, if they use your idea, you won't get credit for it):

http://www8.garmin.com/contactUs/ideas/

Welcome to technology being slow to update information that we consumers want.

rrand- Who said it couldn't be done? Many of the replies were from those here that have already created 'databases' of locations for use with Garmin and other gps units.

I think you misunderstood that few here thought that it would be a viable commercial undertaking, and/or that it would be more trouble than worthwhile as a free file for posting here, due to the difficulty of getting a low or no cost data source, the time intensive update requirements, and limited demand.

It's most certainly doable. In fact you can do it yourself using Extra Poi Editor and a csv data file from sources like you mentioned. You'll also likely find that the database file won't be at all cheap to aquire.. but maybe you'll find that the math works and you can make a few bucks. Give it a shot by all means. Plenty here will answer the tech nuance questions about building the Garmin file. In fact, every reply so far has been from someone who has built and contributed a gps file here so you'll have no shortage of help available, and if I can do it so can you.