Garmin Nuvi 660 (POI Loader)
 17 years
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I am new here, but this site is so helpful I thought I'd best contribute. After much confusion, I have discovered that the Nuvi 660 WILL categorize POI's in the Custom POI list."
1) nuvi 660 software version 2.70 as of November 21, 2006
http://www.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=1921
2. I happen to own Garmin's MapSource software v. 6.11.6 with which POI's can be created and saved to .gpx format for use with the Nuvi 660. (But the following also works with the csv files available at this fine site.)
3. Garmin has a Beta version of POILoader, but you can't find it on its web site. I stumbled across it (I think from a link at this site) at POILoader_2400Beta
http://downloads.garmin.com/POILoader_2400Beta.exe
includes PDF file and help file.
cannot be found at the Garmin site, but go to url and there it is.
4. With this combination, I loaded my own gpx files (under construction) and the Lakes, Summits, Parks, Waterfalls files found at this excellent site. POILoader Beta worked fine (after reading the instructions). I loaded the files to an SD card (the SD card needs to be in the Nuvi) and it took a bit of patience while the files loaded (nothing appeared to be happening). Once loaded (again, per help file), and upon starting the Nuvi, I was met with this message "New data found on card" and hit OK. Then, I was given the option of "Copy this data to your Nuvi? and I said "No". That left the files on the SD card, and "Where to?>Extras>Custom POIs> led to the several categories (in my case, Address, Costco Gas, Lakes, etc). It took a few moments for the Nuvi to search the large csv files, but worked fine. Maybe if I had loaded them on the Nuvi, it might have worked faster.
The Beta POILoader also has the ability to remove ALL the Custom POIs. Worked fine, and if you construct the data files on your computer in accordance with the instructions, you can simply reload them with POILoader Beta.
Apologies for being so verbose, but if I get it right the first time, there will be fewer questions.
Kiluco,when leaving all the
Kiluco,when leaving all the files on the SD card, do you still need the Garmin POI loader?
Garmin 660
Robert660
The Garmin POILoader Beta is a software program that, once downloaded to your computer, resides on the computer, and is then used to load and unload POIs to/from the nuvi660 and/or the SD card (I assume, but don't know, that the POILoader Beta will work with other devices). The POILoader itself does NOT load onto the nuvi/SD card, it is simply a method to get your gpx/csv files from the computer to the device. So, short answer, no you don't need to keep the POILoader, but why remove it? Chances are you will want to load/unload new/different POIs and POILoader does the job.
A further comment, the "old" POILoader (non-Beta) did the same thing, but did not allow a number of Beta enhancements, such as categorizing your POIs and others I've not yet dealt with.
Hope this helps.
kiluco
Maybe you didn't understand my question, or I didn't understand your answer. I don't want the Garmin POI loader on, or in my computer, or on my 660. Therefore, I don't see any use for it. If I use my computer to load the SD card with a POI, then insert it into the 660, and then let the 660 read, and use the data off the SD card. Is my thinking correct?
Garmin 660
POI Loader
Robert,
POI Loader is a computer conversion program that loads POIs to your Nuvi or SD card. Your assumption is correct that you can load the SD card - insert it into the Nuvi, and the Nuvi will "see" the custom POIs on the card.
"Sometimes, when I look at my children, I wish I had remained a virgin". Lillian Carter (Mother of Jimmy Carter)
You need the POI loader, as
You need the POI loader, as it does some translation to the csv file(s) so your unit will read them - you can't put csv files on an SD card and put the card in your unit, and have it recognize the csv file. If you put the SD card into your computer, it should be recognized as a drive, and you can tell the loader to use that drive.
*Keith* MacBook Pro *wifi iPad(2012) w/BadElf GPS & iPhone6 + Navigon*
Another fact is the POI
Another fact is the POI loader will check the file and if anything is out order it will stop at the point where it finds and error and tells you which line is causing the problem and would prevent any other data on that file to be loaded.. I had this many times until I finally got it on how to create a POI file is .csv format.
NickJr
NickJr Nuvi 3597LMT