Some Guidance (pun intended)
Thu, 08/16/2007 - 10:02pm
 |
16 years
|
Actually, I don't even know where to start. I have some files that are gpx, gdb, csv and txt.
I use a Garmin Zumo550 with Mapsource.
I am familiar with the file types, but my question(s) are:
1. What is the best tool to convert these files to gdb? Is there a "DO IT ALL" tool? Will the POI loader do all of these tasks and convert all of these files?
2. Will this same tool make it EASY to input my own POI's or waypoints?
And finally...
3. What is the difference between a waypoint and POI?
Thanks,
Razorbiker
.
Actually, I don't even know where to start. I have some files that are gpx, gdb, csv and txt.
I use a Garmin Zumo550 with Mapsource.
Welcome to the site!
I am familiar with the file types, but my question(s) are:
1. What is the best tool to convert these files to gdb? Is there a "DO IT ALL" tool? Will the POI loader do all of these tasks and convert all of these files?
MapSource will open GPX files directly. The best converter is probably POI Edit. POI Loader only loads the files and helps you set speed and proximity alerts. It doesn't do conversions or editing of the files.
2. Will this same tool make it EASY to input my own POI's or waypoints?
CSV files are simple to deal with. You can use Notepad and/or Excel to input the data. GPX files will require some other sort of software. Again, POI Edit will work great.
And finally...
3. What is the difference between a waypoint and POI?
Thanks,
Razorbiker
Waypoints show up as Favorites on your Zumo and Custom POIs show up under Extras. You can't load to the Favorites with POI Loader. You have to use MapSource (primarily) for that. Favorites show up on the Zumo map when zoomed to 5 miles or closer.
Custom POIs show up when zoomed to 0.3 miles or closer.
You can set proximity and speed alerts for Custom
POIs but not for Favorites.
You can set up custom icons and alert sounds for
Custom POIs (see the links at the top of the page).
You can only have 500 Favorites on the Zumo but you can have virtually unlimited Custom POIs.
You can organize the Custom POIs into categories through the use of files and folder. No such organization is possible with the Favorites.
Are you overwhelmed yet?
Welcome to the addiction.
My 2-cents
I too welcome you to the "crazyness". ( in a nice way, of course )
I've become a good fan of "easyGPS" at http://www.easygps.com/ to edit most fields ( it can't do proximity alerts ) in a gpx file. It takes the xml voodoo out of editing. You can always open and edit a gpx file in some sort of wordpad or notepad but it is not for the faint of heart.
dd
why
Actually, I don't even know where to start. I have some files that are gpx, gdb, csv and txt.
I use a Garmin Zumo550 with Mapsource.
I am familiar with the file types, but my question(s) are:
1. What is the best tool to convert these files to gdb? Is there a "DO IT ALL" tool? Will the POI loader do all of these tasks and convert all of these files?
2. Will this same tool make it EASY to input my own POI's or waypoints?
And finally...
3. What is the difference between a waypoint and POI?
Thanks,
Razorbiker
Here I am, late again...for the suggestions above, does the recommendation for using POI Edit open the gdb files razorbiker was asking about?
Anyway here's my take
Why worry about converting to gdb at all. You can convert the csv files to gpx files, open in mapsource then save as a gdb file if you like.
You could open a gdb file in mapsource and save as a gpx file.
(Any gpx file will open in mapsource. Just like the Garmin Data Base files(gdb)) You don't need a gdb file.
Poi loader will load csv files and gpx files. Those files will be changed to a "poi.gpi" file.
Your Favorites if imported/exported to your garmin device, will be "current.gpx"
Garmin POI Loader allows you to retrieve Custom Points of Interest (POIs) from data files (.csv and .gpx) and install them into your compatible Garmin GPS device.
So, basically you don't need a "tool". You can create custom poi's with "notepad" (save with the .csv extension not txt) or "excel" and again save with the .csv extension. You can also create custom poi's/tourguide files with mapsource, saving as gpx files.
A waypoint is a stopping point on a route. The favorites on your 550, 330 and 2610 are waypoints. When you select a place to "go" you are selecting a "waypoint".
A poi is a Point Of Interest. A poi can be a waypoint.
Hope this helps
........Garmin StreetPilot c550 / Nüvi 765...........
welcome
Welcome to the site, I see that you have met MM already and she covered all the bases.
If you have any other questions don't hesitate to ask.
Miss Poi