link for Garmin users Free Mapsource software and how to extract poi's

please give us the link

www.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=209

Enjoy!

Ray

THANK YOU

Here is the link that explains how to save the gpx files from mapsource.
http://menga.net/archives/000730.html
Ray

Seems this won't work on the I5 model because the maps are already loaded in memory. It would work on the I3 because you have the DVD and have Mapsource already installed on your pc. Let me know if I did something wrong. It asks for previous Mapsource to be installed on my pc?

Hmm never thought of that. Yes, it does look for that. I wonder if you could copy your data off your SD card to your PC? I do suggest backing it up just in case your memory card goes bad if nothing else. Has anyone else with an i5 had any success here? I considered the i5 when I bought mine but figured I could add a new SD card cheaply and I would also own the Map dvd software for less money.

Ray

hey people i need some one to help me i have a streetpilot c550 and i need to know what all of the map symbol mean can any one help me or point me to a web site that has the symbol

I think what you are looking for are map legends for your c550!? If so, then check Garmins website. Find the Maps and Charts Page. Then look along the left side and find Map Legend. That should be it!! Hope that helps!

thank you but this dose not give whats in my c550 only a little what i don't understand how do they make a product and don't make a detailed list thats what i want a list of every symbol and what it represents thank you again

Hey DC,
How did you make out loading more poi's on your GPS? Did you try installing less states?

Ray

Hey Ray,
Yeah, I ended up reinstalling the maps with less states. I did not install Alaska and most of the east coast states. I kept New York since I visit the Big Apple once or twice a year. Now I can install all the POI's I need to. Thanks for the tip. Like you, I like to get POI's on Home Depot, Lowes, etc. I'm also gonna try and work on the campground links when I can get some free time. Until the next time.

Thanx for letting me know the suspense was killing me! Like I said before Mapsource is great for finding things like campgrounds, Home Depots, and just about anything else. I tried campgrounds and set it up to it's max setting and got 2000 campgrounds for USA. Actually there are even more. The only thing I found with the Home Depot's and Lowe's is Mapsource didn't have the most recent of those stores so I went to their respective websites and had to look them up using Microsoft Terraserver and added those by hand to the poi files but it does save a lot of time. I did submit a Lowe's/Home Depot poi file for Mass. and RI to this site and currently JM is using it to test his upload area he is working on. Would you believe there are 59 Lowe's and HD's in Mass. and RI alone? What's cool about the file is it shows them in order from closest to furthest from whereever you are..

Take Care,
Ray

These sites are in Syracuse NY

43.148184,-076.121422 Lowe's

43.154046,-076.123323 Home Depot's

43.184928,-076.246155 Home Depot's

Joe

On our last outing I used Mapsource to find campgrounds in Oregon and Northern CA. Mapsource found about 1 in 20 campgrounds in any given area. We had to check with the locals to find most campgrounds. Is there a POI file exclusively for campgrounds.

Hi Ray,

Is this a piece of software I should use with my i3. Would it work with City Nav.

Hi Thurman,
This program can come in handy for finding poi's however there are many ways you can find them such as google earth etc. Mapsource is a fun program to play with but not essential.
Ray

Yes, you do have to have mapsource already, but still don't necessarily have to buy it. If your Garmin didn't come with the DVD because maps were preloaded, you can request the DVD from Garmin support and they will ship it for free.

I feel that creating POI files in Mapsource is much less time consuming than typing out a CSV file. It's pretty easy to convert once you have the GPX file saved.

Can you explain how this is done, especially if it’s less consuming.

I truly don't have to time to type all the POI's I'd like to enter.

From the help file ....

To create Custom POIs in MapSource:

1. Open MapSource.

2. Create a waypoint using the Waypoint Tool, the Find feature, or by right-clicking on the map. The Waypoint Properties dialog box appears.

3. Enter information as needed in the appropriate fields. NOTE: The speed and proximity alert information entered in these fields overrides other speed and proximity alert information assigned in the file name or in Manual mode. See Understanding Speed and Proximity Alert Information and Creating Custom POI Files for more information.

Name—Enter a name for the Custom POI, including speed information. NOTE: Speed information entered here overrides information entered in the file name or in Manual mode.
Proximity—Uncheck the Unknown box beside the Proximity field and enter the appropriate distance. NOTE: Proximity alert information entered here overrides information entered in the file name or in Manual mode.
Comment—Enter a comment.
File/URL—Enter the file name or browse to the .mp3 file you want to attach to the Custom POI. NOTE: If you are creating TourGuide points, the .mp3 file name must contain the word "TourGuide" for the TourGuide feature to be activated (for example, "TourGuide.mp3", "TourGuide USA.mp3", or "TourGuide 12.mp3" are all valid TourGuide file names). See Creating TourGuide Files for more information.

4. Click OK.

5. Repeat Steps 2-4 as needed.

6. Select File > Save As and browse to the appropriate directory. NOTE: It is recommended that you save all your Custom POI data files in the same directory.

7. Enter a file name. If you want to set a default speed for the Custom POIs in this file, include the appropriate alert speed in the file name (for example, "Speed Zones 25"). POI Loader interprets any numbers in the file name as speed information.

8. Select GPS eXchange Format (*.gpx) from the Save As Type drop-down list.

9. Click Save.

You can also open existing MapSource files containing saved waypoints and save them as .gpx files.

POI Loader accepts .csv files that contain longitude, latitude, speed alert information, and optional comments. You can create .csv files using a text editor, MS Excel, or a similar program.

The following are examples of Custom POIs in the proper format:

-94.81549,38.80390,Bonita
-94.79731,38.81099,Ridgeview@25
.

Do you know where you enter speed alert information. I see the entry for proximity in Mapsource, but do not see any place to enter speed?

You have to enter it as you would in a CSV file - ie append it to the waypoint name.

eg Walmart@65 or something similar

Garmin seem to have forgotten about 'speed' when they defined their GPX extensions.

It looks like the help file needs to be updated. There's a place for proximity but not for speed.

What I do is have all my speed alerts in different files. And the file name contains the speed.

For example, in my speed alert folder I have a file that is 35mph.gpx, one that is 55mph.gpx, etc. That way I can have a bitmap for each of the speeds that will be that speed's icon.
.

Ray[/quote]

If your Garmin didn't come with the DVD because maps were preloaded, you can request the DVD from Garmin support and they will ship it for free.

Ray - thanks for the tip I emailed Garmin and they tell me that my DVD for my Nuvi 680 is on the way! Great tip.

Stan

Thanx for the info.. I didn't know that.

There is another site that has them posted already.
If you want to send me an email at jg45@mindspring.com, I will send you the files or tell you were you can get them.

Maybe I'm not in the right place, but here goes?
I recently d'ld the free Mapsource from Garmin page. Loaded and ran it. I get " no mapsource data found."
I have the C530 connected to computer. I have an email into Garmin Tech requesting a MapSource CD. Do I need this also??

The Mapsource you download from Garmin's webpage is only an update. You will need the base version installed (DVD you requested) installed first.

To use Mapsource you need the City Navigator DVD. Your gps came pre-loaded with the mapping and Mapsource requires the City Navigator to be installed on your PC. Others have contacted Garmin and recieved a free copy I suggest you do this if want to use Mapsource.

Good Luck,
Ray

Does the Free DVD apply to all of North America,
including Canada

i.e. Can anyone confirm that Canadian's can get a
free copy.

Can you get the free DVD if you live in the Caribbean

Don't know, but it can't hurt to try.

It's in the mail, I called them last Friday, coming low class mail so there will be no charges.

Canadians can get a free copy. I got mines just last week.

Thanks for the info

Just called Garmin support. They'll need a proof of purchase to receive your free DVD. I was able to give them my unit's serial number (I did register my unit) for them to look it up for verification in lieu of sending them a copy of my receipt.

The problem is they're ready to release V9 of City Navigator NT and they don't have the V8 of DVD in stock and unsure if they'll get more. The support person I talked to said he'll burn a copy and send it while he placed an order into their system. Soooo, I have four possible outcomes: I'll get the DVD he said he'll burn, I'll get the 'official' DVD he ordered, I'll get both, or none.

I was happy with their support but disappointed with Garmin due to the the fact that they will not give out the V9 even though I just bought my unit. Typically, when a new version of software comes out within 30-days of your purchase, companies usually give you free upgrade. It's not the case here.

Hi
I downloaded the file from the link but can not use it ask me for mapsouce product installed.
any other way to use it
Thanks!

The link is to the MapSource update. You have to have MapSource already installed in order for it to work. Search the site here for discussions on how some users were able to get the MapSource program by calling Garmin.

In my short experience with this company(Garmin), THEY ARE A VERY CHEAP COMPANY. They want you to buy their product and then buy an immediate update also. It's not our fault we purchased their units new from the store shelf, only to find out that they are already out of date and now we must pay an additional $70 for an update. I just bought my unit 3 days ago and they're telling me I can't get a free update, which by the way .... is out. I'm about ready to take it back to Wal-Mart and get a different brand name. Also, why don't they put a CD in the package with the units? We shouldn't have to contact them to send us a CD for our units that should have been in the package to begin with.

Ray That link http:/menga.net/archives/000730.html is for some kanda Music site thats all i get

This is what comes up: hiya.
hear my music

get the alesis fusion powerstart guide

for those wondering where my blog went, it's now at www.frostedside.com/blog - see you there!

That's an old link and appears to no longer exist..

Sorry about that!

Ray

If you Have upgraded your gps with v2008 maps from the dvd then the mapsource update from Garmins website will work just fine. At the beginning of the gps update where it says loading map data on your pc is what the mapsource update is looking for to startup. thats how it worked for me anyway with my c330

Steve

i have no idea where to start in learning what i can do with my garmin gps system.......i saw your link above for the download but i have no idea how or where to save it........

i need all around help in understanding what this site can do to help my c330..........

thanks
wendell brink

email: wendellbrink@charter.net

Please read the "getting started" and the FAQs on this website. If have questions beyond those, then start posting questions. There are many people people with varying degrees of knowledge so questions tend to get answered quickly.

I found out that Garmin tech support could send me the Mapsource CD but, also found out that I can't use it because I have a Mac.

Bummer!