Magellan POI Editor

With the Magellan POI File Editor I'm using (2.00.01), I've found that the values in the name field must be unique. Records with duplicate name values seem to be dropped when the file is saved.

You can edit the csv file before importing it into Magellan's editor. If you're handy with Excel, you can use a formula to append a sequential number and then save as CSV again.

JM

That sounds like its a logical explanation to what I am seeing happen. I will give it a shot. Thank you so much for your help!

Thanks again.

I just got the 2200T. The POI file is not very comprehensive, so I wanted to add POI files. I just discovered the unique name requirement. Now I am having trouble with the description section. I guess that it can't have line feeds - i.e. for multiple lines for address, city, state, phone number, etc. Anybody figured out how to have more thorough descriptions? Also, is there a character limit on the description field.

Another thing that I discovered is that you have to create your own categories. How come it doesn't list all of the default categories from the Magellan POI file?

Finally, is it easier to edit POI files with Garmin units?

I just got a 2200T to and experienced all the same issues. Thanks for the heads upon the unique name issue.

I personally like that you have to edit the category name, it lets me break up POIs a little more rationally. For instance, i made Lowes a category instead of putting undr businesses... which saves a keystroke or 2.

Here are some of the limits that I discovered.
1. Name must be unique
2. Name and Description retain first 35 Characters only (Not sure about Category)
3. 10 unique categories per file.
4. 1,000 entries per category in a file
5. 10,000 data entries per file

v1.5 That came with the RM800 does not tell you any warning. It will let you load and save, but when you reload or check the file, it chops the unaccepted info.

v2.0 That came with the RM860T will not let you save if NAme is not unique or if you have more than 10 categories. Iw will let you go over 1000 per category, but I have not yeat checked what it did with the extra records... yet.

I just called Magellan trying to find an updated version of the editor. To say I find their support USELESS is an understatement. After TRYING to explain, the tech told me he would send an email to his supervisor.... another lost cause I am sure.

I like the product... not sure that the support makes these products a great buy....

Had the unit about a week and generally like although documentation is poor. When registering was notified unit had firmware update available, but following instructions to a T resulted in several aborted updates. Email support solved the problem in less than 24 Hr, advising I had to put in V1.68 as current firmware version although unit says 1.62. etc. Doing so took me to a 2.14 firmware update that worked OK and significantly changed the interface. You can't find that info on Magellan website. Still find the interface less than intuitive, but will work my way through it. Same problem trying to add POIs -many, but only getting one- as listed here and with this forum advice managed to make it work by not importing the name, simply using it as a category. reallu poor POI manager documentation.Excel knowledge on how to covert text to columns - under Data tab- necessary for those CSV POIs with more than one line per cell- addresses stacked.
Also less than impressed with routing Alog. It chooses routes that I certainly wouldn't take and haven't quite figured out how to make it take the route I want- exclude function. Got it for it's out of vehicle- camping & hunting capabilities and was impressed on moose hunt last week. Price drop to 299 then 249 CND $ from SIG Electronics- Toronto, ON

JM, How are ya, Im new to This, Just creeated an acount. As well New to the Magellan Maestro 3225, that I got as a gift, from my parents, How do I Update the Maestro 3225? where would I go (Website) Am I able to update maps? Change voices? An aslso, I see an option on my GPS for My POI file, what is that? How do I upload File On mine? Please Help im a newbee, Thanks.

Just got mine yesterday and am ready to take it back because of the extremely poor documentation. It explains the use of the unit itself well enough, but explains nothing about updated maps, new maps, etc. The website has very little information and nothing about the 3225.

I am going to Mexico next month and was hoping to get the street maps downloaded. Is that possible?
I read in an earlier post that the previous model, the 3220?, had Mexico included but that it was dropped for the 3225. The website shows an $80 topo map for Mexico but it is not available for the 3225!

Any help, please?

Blue.

Good product. Lousy documentation. I have a 4000.
Pretty much the same for ALL of the Maestro line, it looks like.
I'm pretty new too, so here's all that I know about your questions: Nothing!
About updates anyway. I registered and hope they will notify me When/How to do updates........and how much $$$ it will cost!

Two things I do know:
To do your own POI files, you need the "POI Editor" off of the CD and an SD card. They say 2G is the max. and I hear it is needed for updates ?????

If you hook it up to your PC with a USB cable, you will notice it looks and operates just like an external memory card. DO NOT ERASE ANY FILES!

the MM 3100 i bought had a CD which had only some PDF files and did not contain any software...I want to install the magellan POI file editor. Where can I find one? Is there any site from where I could download? Help needed.
Thanks !

I recently got a Crossover for Christmas and I love it. The only hangup so far is figuring out how to convert CSV formats into acceptible forms. I know that it requires some editing in Excel, but the exact how-to on the editing eludes me. The POI converter only tells me that the fields should include titles for Latitude, Longitude, and Name. I have no idea how to insert that.

I just bout a 4000 series MM and the CD had the POI editor on it. It gave me some difficulties accessing it. I had to download it by going to the CD through windows explores and looking thru the files on the CD.

I had a Magellan 3100 and took it back because I discovered you cannot add more POI's to it. The slot for SD is for backing up your addresses only and points of interest that you put in manually through the GPS interface. There is no POI loader for 3100 according to their tech support.

I bought a Magellan Maestro 3225 from Costco. I love this unit, but I have a hard time to add POI. I downloaded few .CSV files from POI-Factory.com and used Excel program to import the file to POI File Editor program. It looked like OK until I tested the unit to check the enhanced POIs and found the unit didn't recognize the files.
Per help from the editor program I had to create a folder "SPEEDTRAPS". So I did it. I saved files in the internal memory of the unit and also saved files in the SD cards to find which one would work. I had no any luck for that.

If anybody knows, how to transfer the file to unit and set-up, please let me know.

Your question is a little confusing, since the only reason you need Excel is if you need to modify the entries in the .csv file for some reason......or just to look at them to see what's there.

You load the .csv file directly into the POI Editor program (if it is in a "generic" format) and then save it as a .mgln file, somewhere on the PC for backup purposes and also IN your GPS......only ONE place. Either IN the unit as:TFAT/USR/CPOI/filename OR Removable Disk/CPOI/Filename.......not both.
The unit must be rebooted (or reset) to find the new files but my 4000 does that automatically.

I'd agree with KA117.
First: open POI File Editor
Second: "File/Open..." - Import the downloaded CSV file
Third: "File/Save As.." - Save the imported file on you computer
Fourth: copy the file to TFAT/USR/CPOI/.

Once copied over, it should be within the Enhanced POI section.

A question of my own: does anyone know if it is possible to import your own picture into the File Editor as far as image? (Edit Category/Image). Right now it will only allow me to pick from the ones that it has.
Same question for Alerts.

Thanks,

-Ry Lewis-
Maestro 4050

No and no. Sorry.
There is no "standard" way to do either.

With Magellan Maestro 3225 connected to PC via USB and SD card inserted in 3225, my PC does not see the SD card. I can load MGLN files to the unit, but not to the SD card. So far as I can tell, the SD card is only good for backup and restore purposes on this model. Anyone have a different experience with 3225?

I believe. One place is usually enough!

Just create the .mgln file and save it on your computer. Then insert the SD card into the card reader slot on your computer and copy the .mgln file to the SD card. When you insert the SD card in the 3225, it will see the POI file on the SD card and will allow you so select it as an Enhanced POI file.

So far so good ... being a GPS newbie I took a much slower approach.

I was able to load *.mgln files created with "Magellan POI File Editor" version 4.1.1.0 - the one which is on the original CD, coming with the 3225 unit.

Destination of the file:
1 - when you load into the unit internal memory, manually or using the integrated transfer function from the Magellan POI File Editor: "drive":/TFT/USR/CPOI/filename.mgln
It may need a RESET of the unit. However, every time when I unplug the USB cable from my PC, the 3225 unit reset itself.

I noticed that when I tried to use the transfer function of Magellan POI File Editor the default path where the file *.mgln to be saved it was WRONG !!! it gave me: "drive":/TFT/USR/CPOI/filename.mgln/filename.mgln
instead of "drive":/TFT/USR/CPOI/filename.mgln !!!

2 - when you want to use the SD card copy, the *.mgln file in the "root" = No need for any folder !!

I am using and old 32 MBytes SD card (Panasonic).

Note:
- before you do any changes to any internal files, do a FULL back-up of the 3225 unit - copy all files and folders. I see the 3225 as a removable memory of 2Gbytes - aprox. 800 Mbytes free there !!

Q: Does anyone explain how the "angle" of a POI setting is working ? Default is 90 degrees.

well... I guess nobody else figure out about that POI angle ( ROTFL ).

I found that the best for Red Light Cameras:
1st alert = 300m
2nd alert = 100m
angle = 30

hi
I request your help, I a little new in the field gps , Send me device magellan road mate 700 from New York.
The device arrived without cd,

I am situated by the state of Kyrgyzstan In center Asia,
The problem that there is me she:
1 - Which software Can pass me the data that there is me in the pc into the device, like maps of the place that I am situated and softwares like : IGO, TOMTOM And more things.
I understood that you have to lower POI MANAGRER SOFTWARE .
I read in your site and I tried to understand but without success, I must say my english she not 100 percent.
What I request help in the finding the software and instructions of installation In English is easy.
thank you
dany

I hope someone here can help but I doubt it.
I think you need to talk to Magellan, which will be very difficult under the circumstances.

I think you should have asked these questions BEFORE you paid for the unit.

I fear that where you are located, it may be totally useless to you.

The problem that is the biggest that the company
magellan Don't answer to the mail that I send,
My question how I can lower the wanted software!!!!!!!
thanks
dany

The POI Editor will NOT help with your problem.

Maps for your part of the world may NOT be available for the Magellan because they may not EXIST.

Maybe a Magellan dealer near you could help.
If there are no dealers near you, then I think you are out of luck.

JM, what exactly do you change? The file name format or the file itself?

Magellangps.com is the official website to update and register your magellan. They will allow you to update your maps but appear not to have a way to add to the poi data.

What exactly are you referring to?
It would help if you quote a tiny part of the previous message......like this!

yeeep ... nothing yet from Magellan to allow editing the main POI data file.

Don't hold your breath. Not likely that will EVER happen.

Can anyone help me?
Is it possible to transfer POI files directly to my GPS? or do I need to transfer to a SDcard first? I've tried numerous times with the POI editor... it seems to transfer fine... my GPS reboots... but when I open "myPOI's" it says to insert an SD card with POI files. I tried with a card in the unit and it says "please enable a POI file in the My POI section"? In the select category there are none in the list? but when the unit is plugged in to my pc and I explore the removable media files, the POI files are there? Am I saving them in the wrong location? What the hell?

Maybe; probably. We might be able to tell for sure IF you told us where/how you are saving them.

Some of the earlier messages in this thread gives the location directories. I'm pretty sure they are the same for the 4250.

After you save/load one with the editor, do you see it appear on the unit as a new file ??

First, I saved the file in my pc in my POIs, then transfer to unit in E:TFAT/USR/CPOI/filename. After a few seconds, the GPS reboots. Still nothing in my POIs on my GPS (with SDcard installed says: activate a POI file in my POIs... without SDcard installed says: insert SD card containing POI file)
...I'm lost!

That all sounds right. Exactly what filename are you using?
It must be whatever.mgln. Have you tried to let the editor save it directly to the 4250?

If you haven't figured it out by tomorrow, I'll drag my 4250 out for a detailed comparison; can't do it from memory.

the filename is whatever the editor saved it as... definately .mgln... I bought a memory card reader/writer and was able to save the file to the sd card and load to my gps... I still cant transfer files directly to the unit or to the card with the unit plugged in to my pc via usb for some reason. Can you transfer directly to your 4250? If so, what location?
On to another topic... how do I convert excel files to .mgln files in the editor? It asks me to fill in name, latitude, longitude values? Any idea?

Thx for your help!

Is there another way to get the software? I have a Garmin but would like to create a POI file for a friend of mine and he has a Magellan Maestro 4040. Is the software available for download somewhere?

Thanks,

Skip

Yes, I can copy directly to the main memory....and if you let the editor save to the 4250 directly it knows where to put it; I don't remember but will try to look in the next day or two.

I can NOT save directly to a memory card that is in the 4250 because I can't "see" the card. I assume that is normal for the 4250 but other models CAN see the card through the GPS. Dumb.

I'm not sure I understand your last question. You can't work with native Excel files in the editor. You must save the Excel file as a .csv and then import it into the editor.

No, I don't think so. Ask the friend with the 4040?
The POI editor is not identical for all models.

Just checked mine and that appears to be correct.....filename.mgln, that is.

I believe the proper location on an SD card is the same: /USR/CPOI/file.mgln

I just tried a test and the "Save to GPS" is actually just a "Save to" function and remembers the last place you saved.

The test worked. My unit now "sees" poi files both in internal memory AND on my SD card. The only way I can manipulate the files on the SD card is via an external card reader.

I still think this is probably "pilot error".

There is also a USER directory on the 4250; poi's won't work in there. Also the same filename restrictions apply as in Windows; some characters and formats of filenames are not allowed; keep it simple.

Good luck!

Thanks ka1167,

I'll try to get it this weekend.

the transfers seem to be going just fine with the external card reader, so I'm not too worried about the direct transfer for now. I think I have the other thing figured out as well... they are csv files... just wasnt sure what the editor was asking for... it's all good. Thanks alot for all your help!

I can't see why we can't have a .mgln directory so we don't have to go through all the importing and editor managers and stuff. That way we can just download and copy. Will that work? Does anyone have the mgln version of state parks? Can you upload it so's we can download it?
Thanks
Sincerely MM 4040 newbie.

My question is why does the POI Editor help tells you to place Speed Camera POI files on the SPEEDTRAPS directory? My unit came with a pre-configured sub-directory with this name on the unit's main memory, under the CPOI directory. I place .MGLN files there with speed camera information, but can't find it to select after the unit boots up.

POI files placed on the SD card root, or on the main memory under USR/CPOI work just fine....but no files placed on the SPEEDTRAPS sub-directory seem to be found by the unit.

Was this supposed to be some feature to alert you're above the speed tracked by an upcoming trap? I wonder why is the help file instructing you to place the POI with speed traps on this particular directory?

There are lots of different Magellan GPS models and they don't all work the same. It is also possible that the help file in the Editor is wrong for your model.

I doubt that anybody here knows for sure.

Sorry, new here. I thought the GPS model we entered when registering got pasted to every post!!

I've got this unit on Costo two weeks ago, and it already had the CPOI/SPEEDTRAPS sub-directory created on the unit's memory (not on the SD Card). Nothing I place here becomes available for selection.

It also has a USR/CPOI sub-directoy on the main memory, which is where I place the POI files. These can later be selected after the unit reboots.

I just found weird that the POI Editor help file mentions the SPEEDTRAPS directoy as a destination for speed traps, plus my unit came with such directory pre-created! But nothing seems to happen with .MGLN files placed there. There are no instructions as to file name. I tried it as speedtraps.mgln with no luck.

It is much easier to just use a SD Card. I took both the Speed and Red Light .csv files and combined them into 1. Simply open each in Excel and in the 5th column type "Speed Cameras"(or whatever Category you want to assign it) then drag that down to fill in all the rows. Do the same with Red Light Cameras, then copy either one and paste it into the other and save it. When you open the new file in Magellan POI File Editor you can assign the lat,long,name,desc, and now the Category. It will then create 2 categories, one with all the Speed and one with all the Red Lights. Now you can set different icons and alert proximities for both.

Then you can do the same for any other POIs you want to have on all the time and just make one big POI file that will have all the categories you want separate.

It does....if you visit your personal options and put that in as your "sig"....like this:

"Absolute", I don't know if you were trying to answer my question, or someone else's. I don't have trouble loading, combining CSVs with multiple categories, or using POI files both on the main memory and on the SD. I'm all OK with those.

My question was just about the instructions on the POI Editor Help file, and the existing folder SPEEDTRAPS on the main memory. I sent Magellan a question 3 days ago....no answer yet.

Thanks,