garmin 660 poi download

 

I would like to download special POI's into my Nuvi.
The "Restricted Low Clearance" for my RV, and I'm a railfan, working on a fairly large POI database
(100 points and growing) of trainwatching hotspots,
rail historical sites, museums, etc. in North America.
Correct me, I'm an Electrical Engineer, just trying
to get sequence right.

First, what is correct .xls format for a custom POI?

Second, you export out as a .CSV I understand, then
have to run CSV file through a POI conversion
software that the Garmin will recognize. Which
conversion software do you recommend?

Third, How do you append these POI files so you can
download all custom POI's in one operation?

Fourth, The custom BMP for the associated POI (that
shows up as a custom BMP on the nuvi screen;
how is the association created between the POI
and the BMP (named the same file, just
different extension?)

Any help for the "POI newbie" would be appreciated!

Thanks!

--
Sparky

Ooooo I know some of these

(First, what is correct .xls format for a custom POI?)

You can edit a poi file even create one in excel, but you must save it as a .CSV file.

(Second, you export out as a .CSV I understand, then
have to run CSV file through a POI conversion
software that the Garmin will recognize. Which
conversion software do you recommend?)

The one Garmin gives (POI Loader) you on the CD or thier website is perfect for loading POI's to your computer.

(Third, How do you append these POI files so you can
download all custom POI's in one operation?)

I created a folder on my HD called MY Custom POIs. I load all my Custom poi.csv files there, run the POI Loader supplied by Garmin, point it to that directory and let it do it's job.

(Fourth, The custom BMP for the associated POI (that
shows up as a custom BMP on the nuvi screen;
how is the association created between the POI
and the BMP (named the same file, just
different extension?)

Just name it the same as the Custom POI.. ie:

Low_Overhead.csv
Low_Overhead.bmp

It should be no bigger the 22x22 pixels.

Home this helps. Just click the link on top that is marked: getting started for mor help.

--
Rodney.. oditius.htc@gmail.com BMW Zumo 550 HTC Touch Pro - Garmin XT

garmin 660

Rodney

Thanks for the quick feedback. I'll make a
1 line POI of a local rail hotspot, CSV it and
POI load it and see what happens.

--
Sparky

Got 1 line POI seed to load

Got 1 line POI seed to load in fine. Next ???

1. How do you set "proximity radius" of a POI?
2. How do you get the POI's to display? I had
to select, zoom out on map to see the end of the
route, then had to zoom into destination before
bmp was visible. I understand if you have 500
POI's, it would get real cluttered real fast.
3. Is there a way to get the Nuvi to alarm or
better yet avoid a POI (low clearance with a
12'9" RV is a perfect example).

Thanks for your patience and help!

Regards

--
Sparky

.

Sparktron01 wrote:

1. How do you set "proximity radius" of a POI?

TourGuide Alerts have a true Proximity Radius, but the default type are called "Along Road" and are not circular - they are computed, literally, along the road.

He also wrote:

2. How do you get the POI's to display?

Whether they're visible or not, is governed by the current zoom level and the amount of map detail selected. Different units seem to apply slightly different algorithms. The only way to have complete control, is to embed the POI (or a copy of it) within a custom map. This is a separate (major) topic!
(POI's with alerts tend to be more visible than 'normal' ones.)

He also wrote:

3. Is there a way to get the Nuvi to alarm or
better yet avoid a POI (low clearance with a
12'9" RV is a perfect example).

See the following:
http://www.poi-factory.com/node/6764

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/7043

For complete control of alerts, you need to switch to .gpx format, rather than .csv

--
------------------------ Phil Hornby, Stockport, England ----------------------               http://GeePeeEx.com - Garmin POI Creation made easy           »