Duplicate POIs on Garmin

Please site some actual examples.

The way I do it may solve your problem.
I create the POIs from csv files and save them to a folder on my computer. I then copy all the files at once from the computer to the device POI folder which overwrites the existing files. Since I have 3 devices it is much easier and quicker that way. At least it will tell you if the issue is because Garmin is adding the new data to a file or it is the POILoader doing it.
I also lump similar items into a single file when creating them, like discount stores, restaurants, fast food, etc. I put them into separate folders and create a GPI file for everything in that folder. All the GPI files are saved in one folder.
Only Alerts and Rest areas have distance alerts, the rest are express.
If you want to check your csv files, open them with Excel, OpenOffice or LibraOffice and sort them so you can see if there are duplicate entries in the original file. If so you need some new files.

Are you using a Mac or PC to run POI Loader?

I'm using Windows 7 PC.

Thank you for the detailed response. I will try your method and see if I can get a clean result.
I'm a little concerned that some of the POIs are hidden within the Garmin.

If POI Loader has been run to "remove all POIs," then there are no duplicate custom POI files on the GPS. That means the duplicates are on the PC, and both duplicates are loaded at the same time.

Remember when loading POIs that POI Loader browses to a folder on the PC, possibly with multiple subfolders. Check carefully and you will find multiple copies of the POI files inside.

One way for this to happen is if the new file downloaded from POI factory has a new filename different from the last time it was downloaded, or possibly it was renamed, so the file exists under two or more filenames.

We have had members who organized their files by giving them consecutive numbering. This would create multiple copies because if the same filename had been used the downloaded file would replace the previous one.

Finally, if "remove all POIs" has never been run, there is the possibility of multiple .gpi files of different filenames existing onboard the GPS.

If a Mac is used, it is worse because POI Loader will search for other copies of POI files, even in the trash. This does not happen with a PC.

dobs108

Agree with ruggb.

I'm not sure if you're creating your own csv or gpx files. If you are, then ruggb's suggestion of searching within the file for duplicate locations is a great thought.

On the other hand, if you're using The Factory's premade Custom POI files, I second mmullins request that you cite some examples. If only some POIs are duplicated, it could be that if you, for example, load The Factory's redlight and speed camera POI files, then also download another city-specific redlight or speed camera file, there will be some duplication. Does your zumo have Garmin's Cyclops file loaded which could duplicate some of you Custom POIs? Also, when loading custom POIs with POI Loader, do you accept the default file (POI.gpi) or do you create your own filename(s)?

If you're comfortable connecting the zumo (and SD card, if present) to the computer, then looking at the zumo's (and SD card, if present) files, do a search within the nuvi (and SD) for all files ending in .gpi. Custom POIs loaded with POI Loader must be .gpi files and if you're getting duplicates from your Custom POIs loaded with POI Loader, either you have multiple .gpi files containing the dupes or you have a single .gpi file that contains the duplicates due to your computer folder that contains the .csv and .gpx files to be loaded with POI Loader containing duplicates of the problem csv or gpx files. I can't think of any other way that duplicate or triplicate custom POIs can be present.

Search every folder in the zumo (and SD) for .gpi files. They will be in visible memory (if your zumo has a .system folder, be sure the PC is set to see that folder*). The .gpi files will not be in inaccessible protected memory.

Have you often downloaded a custom POI file to your computer, then later downloaded a revised version? If so, could both the old and new files be present?

* http://www.poi-factory.com/garmin/problemsolver#system-folde...

[Later] I found a thread where alandb stated that the zumo 550 does not contain a .system folder so ignore the above .system issue.

Just thought of this:

It is possible that some custom POI files are in the memory onboard the device while other custom POI files are on the SD card.

Does anyone know whether running "remove all POIs" will remove POIs in both places or should it be run once for the device and again for the SD card?

dobs108

Thank you all for the very helpful guidance! I will work on these suggestions over the next couple of days and advise of my results.

and yes dobs108, I've been using BOTH internal AND SD card which may be part of my problems.

In addition to the SD card dupe problem- Another way to get dupes on a device is to have a .gpi file loaded on it as well as a .gpx file. Or multiple .gpx files with different names but the same poi's.

.. Been there, done all of that, lol.

That's right!

I always convert POIs to .gpx and delete existing POIs on my unit and do a fresh load when I update

First, a big thank you to all of you contributors who provided me with ideas of what to look for!!

1. Upon doing a full PC Search, I indeed found duplicate POI files in various folders. My most significant error was leaving the downloaded file(s) in the download folder instead of "cut & paste" to the desired folder of MyPOIs.

2. As my Zumo 550 has both internal and external (SD Card) storage in use, I discovered that, apparently,the PC Garmin Uploader was sending the updated Custom POIs to BOTH the device AND the SD Card. (Even though I had selected the Loader to send to the "K" SD,NOT the Garmin device.)
2a. To correct this undesired duplicate on the device, I connected it back onto my PC, opened the device files, deleted the duplicate files (leaving the desired files on the SD/K).
3. Tested the result on the Garmin and BINGO all was perfect!!

Thanks for letting us know.

I do the same I remove all the poi and get a fresh clean file everytime