Retail shops, Resturants etc...

I don't think that you'll ever get an "official" response since this information is proprietary.

However, the POI database is part of the map data that Garmin purchases from Navteq. When the locations show up on the GPS unit, they are always shown in proximity to the current position of the unit.

Garmin releases map updates yearly. It's been reported that Navteq updates it's information quarterly. But, of course, buying it quarterly would be expensive and Garmin needs time to incorporate the data into it's software model. And just because Navteq updates quarterly (or even with Garmin's yearly update) that doesn't mean that everything that has changes during that period will be reflected in the update.

Motorcycle Mama has it right --- one of the more disappointing aspects of my 350 is the LOOOOOONG list of restaurants and facilities that have LONG since closed...

In my experience, they add faster then remove. Which, if I had to have it one way or the other, I would take what I got.

It is sorta frustrating when you are on the road (and you aren't familiar with the area) and you are about out of gas and you have to go to 3 locations before finding one that is still open.

I was driving in Indiana and my C340 kept telling me that there were Citgos nearby but they were pretty much all shut down or converted to something else, it seems. Probably Indiana's way of protesting Hugo Chavez.

Interesting..and thanks...so I will ask this..how do they get thier info? If an owner of a shop does not subscribe to the system...

perhaps a huge electronic copy of the yellow pages?

I have learned that if you are in an unfamiliar town always call ahead using the # provided before hitting the GO button. Another useful piece of info would be a star rating ala' AAA et al on lodging and food, if there is no major chain in the area you have to geuss if the local lodging is the Bates Motel, same with the food.

yeah, I started doing the same thing, call ahead before going to it.

The information you seek...

"the points of interest are primarily from Dun & Bradstreet licensed by NavTeq".

I received that info after sending in a map error to garmin cartography. If you submit an error via garmin cartography, you'll receive the "standard" reply from which the above was taken.

From Research I've done, Naveteq also buys other databases from multiple sources - and judging from some of the things in my home town that are on the built-in POIs, I think Chambers of Commerce may be one of Naveteq's additional sources.