POI Loader for the Mac 2.0.2.1 beta feedback...

Being a Mac user, I just tried out the beta poi loader - seems to work fine with Leopard update. I do have a question. How are you assigning sounds? Are you using POI loader for that? If not, could you tell me how you do that on a MAC?

Thanks,

The Mac POI Loader will load the sounds along with the csv or gpx files. Just be sure the sound is named the same as the POI file (and in the same folder).

Follow the instructions on the Loading Alert Sounds Instructions thread

Thanks for the help. I will check out the thread. I would like to add some mp3 audio files like the earlier user mentioned.

I normally don't have a problem with programs but this time when the loader opens it dosn't find my nuvi 350 .....Where can I find some detailed instructions on how to install the poi loader on my iMac with ox10.4? and get it to work? Thanks for any assistance....

I also run latest version of OSX for Tiger.
I've had no problem whatsoever with POI Loader 2.0.2.1 Beta for Mac. Works great in loading in Manual or automatic mode. I did,early on, have to make sure I was running the latest software/firmware versions for my C330 GPSr.
I just followed normal procedures for installing the POI Loader on my Mini Mac (Intel)

Where are you finding this version? On the Garmin website I can only find 2.0.1, which has no proximity alert settings.

Beta version of the Mac POI loader can be found here...

http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/32218

Garmin used to make it readily available on their web site but lately it has been either gone completely or very well hidden.

PT

Hi jcraig250 & Guttermouth,

I also searched Garmin's website and the POILoader 2.0.2.1 BETA is nowhere to be found, just v2.0.1.

Just want to add, versiontracker states:
Operating System Requirements:
This product is designed to run on the following operating systems:
Mac OS X 10.4 Intel
Mac OS X 10.4 PPC

I'm using POILoader 2.0.2.1 BETA on Mac OS X 10.5.2 PPC, with absolutely no problems whatsoever.

Regards,

Tailspin

Nüvi 670
Mac User

My stuff: IMac, PowerPC G4, OS X 10.4.11
POI Loader 2.0.2.1Beta
Nuvi 360 (latest SW installed)

I use the Beta in manual mode, metric units, choose a proximity distance (not speed) and can create the GPI files one at a time from my CSVs on my Mac.

I rename the files from the generic POI.GPI to the specific POI Name.GPI and then drop the files into my POI folder on the 360.

I have Custom POIs alerts set on, single tone on the 360. When I run the simulation to a POI, I don't get any alerts.

I've also switched the 360 to Imperial Units (miles) and created a POI alert file with an alert in Feet. Still no luck in creating a working alert.

Any suggestions? Any other Nuvi 360 owners having success?

Cheers

Bob
Ottawa
Not the one in Illinois

Since the proximity alerts are along-the-route and require that the POI be within 50ft of the road, I usually put the POI in the road itself. Could yours be too far from the road?

Possibly, but not likely. I did make the file myself however, the alerts were set for points that were the destination addresses of the various simulation runs. The alert should be directly along-the-route.

I'll try again using the US Rest Areas file from this website with the destination set as the rest area.

My alternative is to use MacGarmin Tools by Simon Slavin, but, the files aren't totally compatible to Garmin's form of GPI files. The output files occasionally trigger false fixed camera alerts and wonky speed alerts.

Still looking for more suggestions so please speak up, especially if you're a 360 owner who has had success.

Cheers

Bob
Ottawa, Canada

Can you post your .GPI file somewhere? - that way we can see what information actually made it in there.

Have you checked to make sure that alerts are turned on -- on the unit?

Yes, custom POI are On with a Single Tone audio alert.

I also realized that I was using CSVs with more than 4 fields, however, I just tried a 4 field CSV, created the GPI and still did not get an alert.

Thanks for the suggestions. Anyone with a Nuvi 360 (SW V4.6) and a Mac out there ? I'd like to hear whether anyone of that ilk has been successful or, like me, not successful

Bob
Ottawa, Canada

Tailspin-

I first used the 2.0.1 (on my nuvi260W) that Garmin posts and it worked but I got only the default alert tone and no talking. Also was set at the default distance which is too late.

Following your excellent advice, I downloaded the 2.0.2.1 beta. It appeared to run just fine and seemed to clear my old poi files and replaced them by loading the Rest Area POI + Icon + .wav file. All with the same name, etc, etc. Now I have no sound, no icon and no alert at all! They are in there 'cause I can see them in my extras custom files selection but they are not working at all.

Any ideas? TIA.

Hi jcraig250,

As far as the sound goes:
If you're using .wav files on your unit, they have to be encoded "mono" and not "stereo". My .wav files are mono, 44100Hz and 16 bit.

As far as the alert goes:
In the manual mode of the POI Loader, you have to set the "alerts" on your POI's "every time" you load them. The alerts you previously set (in the manual mode) are overwritten, when you upload any POI's with the POI Loader.

As far as seeing your .bmp icons:
You have to be zoomed-in to one of the top three levels.

HTH (hope that helps)

Regards,

Tailspin

Nüvi 670
Mac User

Tailspin-
Thanx for the reply. I thought I did reset the alerts at 5260 feet; I'll try it again.Also will check your tips on the .wav being Mono not Stereo. I used Audacity to convert the file - I'll recheck the settings. Didn't know about the icons only showing up at certain viewing levels.
I'll give it all a retry and hope I'll only be back to thank you!
Joel

I have put Tailspin's advice to the test and all works now b-u-t:

I tried to remove all the rest areas poi files from my nuvi and re-install the fresh updated set. It did remove the set I had installed and reinstalled the set with the new parameters. There is a set with redlight in the name that I had added using the 2.0.1 version and that set remains no matter what I try.

Any idea how to get rid of it?

Hi jcraig250,

Did you remove the set with redlight in the name from the POI folder (on your computer), "before" you used the POI Loader, to upload your POI's?

If those files with "redlight" in the name are still in the folder you use to upload your POI's, then they will be uploaded to your unit, until you remove them from that POI upload folder.

One other thought...
When you mount your 250W, double-click on the Garmin icon and then open the "POI" folder. If you see the set with redlight in the name located there move them to, let's say, your desktop and then move those files from that POI folder to the recycle bin (PC) or Trash (Mac) and then "empty" your recycle bin (PC) or Trash (Mac) "before" you unmount your unit.

If that doesn't work you still have those files, with redlight in the name you moved to your desktop, to put back in that POI folder.

HTH (hope that helps)

Regards,

Tailspin

Nüvi 670
Mac User

Tailspin-

I did remove the redlight files as you suggest

In the mounted Garmin there is only one file in the POI folder (poi.gpi),no listing of the sets
I removed it, trashed it. When I dismounted the Garmin and then remounted it, the file had reappeared! Can't figure that out at all. And it is the one with the redlight alerts!

The redlight file does not want to go away. The beta POI Loader while loading the new versions is not removing that one.

I did find out that the reason I am not hearing or getting alerts on the particular rest areas I missed (NYS Thruway) is because they are missing from the restAreasCombined poi file. They will be added at the next update.

Thanks for your tip on the .wavfiles (mono,16-bit) - they work now on my nuvi 260W, which does not have mp3 capability.

Any other ideas?

Best
Joel

Tailspin-

I did remove the redlight files as you suggest

In the mounted Garmin there is only one file in the POI folder (poi.gpi),no listing of the sets
I removed it, trashed it. When I dismounted the Garmin and then remounted it, the file had reappeared! Can't figure that out at all. And it is the one with the redlight alerts!

The redlight file does not want to go away. The beta POI Loader while loading the new versions is not removing that one.

I did find out that the reason I am not hearing or getting alerts on the particular rest areas I missed (NYS Thruway) is because they are missing from the restAreasCombined poi file. They will be added at the next update.

Thanks for your tip on the .wavfiles (mono,16-bit) - they work now on my nuvi 260W, which does not have mp3 capability.

Any other ideas?

Best
Joel

===============================================

Hi Joel,

When you removed the "poi.gpi" file on your mounted unit and moved it to the trash, did you empty the trash "before" you unmounted the unit? Did you also remove (or relocate) the redlight files from the POI Folder you use, to upload POI's to your unit, to a different location on your hard drive?

Having done that, there's no reason those redlight files should appear in the .gpi file created by your unit, when you upload them, using the POI Loader.

HTH (hope that helps)

Regards,

Tailspin

Nüvi 670
Mac User

I'm late in this thread but a couple things I noticed from a quick read. It is correct that you must empty the trash before disconnecting the Nuvi. There is only one file poi.gpi on the Nuvi. If you want another, you must rename the first one. This is possible. If you trash the poi.gpi file, the Nuvi will recreate it the next time you start up even tho you have not loaded poi's. This is similar to the way your Mac will recreate a permission file when you trash one. I gather you have a recurring red light file. If you eliminate it in the file on your computer that you are storing your poi's in, run poi loader, possibly check the place to remove current poi's (altho this is unnecessary), run loader, quit, rerun loader and tell it to reload poi's, I'll bet the file you are trying to get rid of is gone. Hope this was the correct question you had. As I said it was a quick read.

Thanks for your ideas. You are correct in understanding the problem.
In fact I have done everything you suggest. Except rename the poi.gpi file on the Garmin. I have even reset the entire unit but the errant redlight poi reappears. I understand your point about recreation of the poi file like the Mac prefs files - I will try to rename the poi.gpi file on the Garmin, then do all the POI Loader stuff (remove & reload).If I understand your suggestion this should give me a new poi

I don't think it is an issue of the file being recreated; I think the GPS just continues to see the file in the trash. Just empty the trash with your GPS plugged in and see if that alone doesn't solve the problem. It did for me.

If you go the route of changing the name of POI.gpi, remember that the GPS will recognize any and all gpi files in the Garmin/POI directory and merge all the locations, so you will have to change the extension so that it isn't recognizable. recognizable.

Do you have anybody with a PC who could just take 2 minutes to view unit and card (if you have a card - I forget) and just delete all the trash folders on both. I may have resorted to my PC when I was frustrated.

Where are there trash folders on the Nuvi?
I have put the poi.gpi files from the 260W into the trash on my Macs (3 different ones in fact) and emptied those with no happy result.Is there a trash on the Garmin that I am missing?

Have you removed the 'current.gpx' file as well as the 'poi.gpi" at the same time,in fact try the entire "POI" folder it will be recreated, moved them to the trash, emptied it then disconnect from the computer and restart the GPS. I had a Favorite I couldn't get rid of and this worked. I don't know if any POI's can sneak over into the "gpx" folder or not but it's worth a try. Then reload the POI file.

Did you empty the trash while the GPS (with any card installed) is plugged into the computer? Deleted files on all attached drives show up in the trash can on the computer.

yes I did.

the file somehow is reconstituting itself!

Have you looked to make sure these stray POI locations are not on your GPS in the form of a gpx file? GPX files get imported into your favorites instead of Custom-POIs, but they show up on the map in much the same way.

If the above is not the answer, how about typing ".gpi" into the Spotlight search field while the GPS is attached, and then mousing over any gpi files to see where they are located. Maybe it will show something we are missing.

Thank you, bentbiker-your suggestion about doing a Spotlight search was the key.
I did the search and found a poi.gpi file (the original redlight file) from May 24th that was listed as being in the trash. This file did not appear in the trash and was obviously not being deleted when I emptied the trash (about a thousand times since we started this hunt).
I ran Cocktail>Files>Locked>Delete locked or inaccessible items, and was able to drag the inaccessible and invisible file into Cocktail and delete it.
Dismounted the Garmin and found NO poi files (oh happy day). Then ran POi Loader and was able to have the correct file (and only the correct file) appear in the unit, along with the wav file and the bmp image that go with it. Did a simulation run and it all appears to be working as it should.
Many many thanks to all who helped patiently with this maddening problem. I hope this solution will also benefit some future user who may find themselves in the same situation.

Thanks for the update. That may explain why I had a nagging memory of being unable to delete them on my Mac and eventually went to my Windows computer. Cocktail huh? Did you run it or drink it? Shame it is necessary to resort to a 3rd party solution ($15) just to delete a locked/hidden file/folder. After finding it in Spotlight, could you have pulled up the info screen and unlocked it and then emptied the trash? I guess if you already had Cocktail, maybe it is easier that way.

I don't even own a gps but I need some input from you guys. I can tell this is THE place to be.

I want to buy maybe a dozen units and rent them out out on a daily basis in a little tourist town near me.
I want to upload the poi's with sound and maybe custom icons or jpeg's. I think I will be able to glean all the info I will need by going through your posts etc.
My first question is; what model would you suggest I get? Would the "entry level" 200 Nuvi do the job? or do I need to go the the 300 series? I don't need a lot of extras but I will need to make it easy for a simple person to follow (and a simpler person to program).
I have an IMAC with the most recent OS and lots of memory. I'm going out of town tomorrow but will try to follow your posts on my blackberry.

I did try the info screen but the item was not locked. It was just invisible & inaccessible. Not the first time Cocktail has saved me in a pinch. I swear by it. Always use it pre-updates and before and after installing anything new.

I've used Cocktail thru a number of revisions and it is an important utility. Use it as jcraig suggests and you will save a lot of grief. It's running faster lately also.