KENWOOD DNX 7100

Welcome, Moe. Here's some info I was able to find on Crutchfield.

Kenwood link on Crutchfield

Custom POIs (Points of Interest): You can manually load custom points of interest (POI) databases, available from various companies on the Internet. Some custom POI databases contain alert information for points such as safety cameras and school zones. The navigation system can notify you when you approach one of these points (Proximity Alert). You can download the custom POIs onto an SD card which can be loaded into the unit's front panel SD-card slot located behind the electronically slide-down monitor.

So based on this, I would say, run POI Loader and select your SD card as the destination and then plug the SD card into the unit.

The other option, since this description isn't specific is to put the GPX or CSV files on the SD card and see if the unit will read them.

But my guess is that it will have to be the GPI file which is created by POI Loader.

I to have a problem. I have the kenwood dnx7100 and when download poi loader it ask me to connect my device to the computer. well for an in dash unit like the kenwood dnx7100 that is a bit hard to do. also considering there is not way to connect the unit to a computer. Is there anyway to manually add a device to the POI loader. Now i will try putting the .csv and .gpx files directly on the sd card and loading them to my unit. If I can do this what would be the purpose of the POI loader? Or does the unit have a built in POI loader of some sort.

You can put the SD card in a card reader and attach that to you computer. Then load the Custom POIs to the SD card (you can select the SD card as the destination from the drop down list in POI Loader) and then put the SD card in your Kenwood after they are loaded to the card.

The Custom POIs won't work properly if you just put the CSV and GPX files on the card. You will need to use POI Loader to load them.

maybe you can use a laptop and use the kenwood's usb connection?

I have the Kenwood DNX-8120. Fantastic unit but I cannot figure out how to get the POIs onto it.

I have used the POI loader to create the file onto an SD card and then stuck that card (with just the file, nothing else on it) into my 8120.

The Garmin GPS says "reading card" but then there is no POIs created from it.

The manual is silent on the procedure for loading the POIs and there is no option in the "Tools" or "setup" menus for loading the POI database.

FWIW, the software used in the 8120 is nearly identical to the StreetPilot models like the 7200.

Anyone have any ideas?

The Kenwwod Garmin DNX 5120 that uses a disk to transfer pois to the gps.The user had to put the file in a folder he created on the disk for it to work.Even though they are different models you may have to do the same on the card for your model.So create a folder on your card and put the file in it.Worth a try if nothing else works.

@scoopman: Try this: http://www.iwsti.com/forums/1878415-post24.html

I just bought a Kenwood 8120 myself and want need to learn how to do this stuff too, so let me know if you have any luck.

I'm hoping to get some POIs uploaded soon.

- Jay

I read if you hold the open button on the DNX it will open further and reveal the SD slot. Yet to try this on my DNX7120 to confirm.

Also, copy the poi files via poiloader to a garmin/poi folder on the sd card and you should be in business.

****Update _ I used poiloader and copies several poi's (sf bay area attractions, lakes, bart stations,etc.) to an SD card and put it in the DNX7120 SD slot. Now in my Garmin settings I can select custom POI and they are all there. You have to leave the SD card in to use them, but an nice, easy feature.

On another note, I ordered a free navigation NT 2009 DVD, but it only installs map source on my PC and does not update the DNX. Looks like a purchased SD card is the only way to do that.

Thanks for the help that worked like a charm

On the back of the 8120 there is a mini USB slot that you can use with a laptop to use the web uploader for updates and new voices and install POIs into the internal memory. You can also upload new vehicles too. I just left the USB cable attached and ran it into my glove box so I do not have to take out the radio each time.

Instructions on the DNX-8120 are not thorough when it comes to downloading POIs.

On the SD card, create a directory: /Garmin/poi and have POI loader save the POIs there. Insert the card onto your Kenwood unit, go to "Extras" and select "Custom POIs."

Keep in mind that the DNX8120 will directly read from the SD card only. Also, make sure you save POIs as .gpi

This will work for sure

Something I just learned:

There are two ways to load POIs into the Kenwood DNX 8120 (I assume it's the same for the other DNX units):

In the POI Loader you can choose 'Garmin Unit' and then point to the SD Card and it will put the POIs there. Using this method, when you put the SD Card into the head unit it will then load (deleting the old POIs in the head unit) the POIs directly into the unit.

In the POI Loader if you choose the 'Advanced' option instead of the 'Garmin Unit' and then work your way down to: :/Garmin/poi and then load the POIs to that location then when you put the SD Card into the head unit it will read the POIs from the SD Card itself. It won't copy them over.

Just an interesting and, perhaps in the future, useful, difference.

Firstly you have to use the SD card to load your POI's onto the DNX7100. The USB port on the DNX7100 will not work for this purpose.

Make sure you have an SD card reader on your computer and that the SD card is inserted. Create a directory called "garmin" from the root directory.

Now run the poi loader. In the device settings choose the removable disk letter where your SD card is inserted. The poi loader will now place the POI file in the /garmin/poi folder.

You are now ready to load the POI's into the DNX unit. Remember the DNX will remove all the old POI's when you load the new ones, so make sure you have all the poi files you want on the SD card.

Have you tried the USB connection on the back?

It's used for the GXM30 and the FM-TMC receivers and I'd think it'd be functionally equivalent to the StreetPilot series which did use the usb port for the different receivers and loading of maps/POIs.

I haven't tried it. It seems like a cumbersome way to do it when I'd think you could do everything through the SD Card if you get it right (the directory names/structures).

I think I remember having a problem with using '\garmin\poi' on the SD card and am currently using '\Garmin\poi'. I'm not 100% on that, though.

According to the other forums I have read, the mini USB on the back is capable of configuring the GPS a little more. Using the SD card for POI's is the easiest, but you can also run a cable from the mini usb and store it somewhere easily accessible. This would save you from having to remove the head unit again and again. Then if the other forums are right you can use a laptop and (wifi for the win) and actually use the webupdater via the usb connection as well. also using the mini usb gives you the ability to change cars and voices as well. Just like the other versions of Garmin.

I have successfully used the rear mini USB port on my Kenwood DNX7100 to do the following.

1. Directly access the file system to install modified voice files.
2. Use web updater to download new voices.
3. Upload new POIs using Garmin POI Loader.
4. Upload Red Light and Speed camera POIs and the unit displays them as a red bar across the top and sounds a couple of tones when getting close to one.
5. Download tracks and routes.

All of this directly on the unit without an SD card.

I'm pretty sure there are more things I can do and will as I play with the new undocumented function.

As far as I can tell the Garmin GPS in the DNX7100 is exactly the same as a StreetPilot 7200.

Back up your POI's from your Kenwood DNX 7100 & DNX 8120 to save & share with others......
It's easy Using "MapSource" & "Training Center"
Downloaded from here:
http://travelbygps.com/software.php#GPStourAuthoring

Download both of these & run on your computer
Now hook your DNX unit up to your laptop using the "mini USB" port on the back of the DNX head and run "MapSource" and you can create, copy, load, track & much more..........

Have fun

Regards