Garmin POI Loader Software

Garmin POI Loader allows you to retrieve Custom Waypoints from data files and install them to a compatible Garmin GPS device or a storage card.  A custom waypoint is a waypoint, saved in .gpx or .csv-file format and sent to a POI Loader compatible GPS, using the POI Loader software programme. The data resides in the Custom Waypoint folder in the GPS (and can be accessed under “Extras” in these models’ menu systems). Custom waypoints are reactive to certain triggers created within each custom waypoint (such as a circular proximity zone and mp3 and/or jpeg and/or bmp files that may have been additionally linked to it in a specified manner). The alert is dependent on your GPS-determined location and is given primarily by beep and banner, but can be accompanied by voice (in which case the custom waypoint is termed a Tour Guide).  You can create custom POI’s to direct you around areas or to avoid roads you may not wish to travel (search the phrases "Custom POI" and/or "POI Loader" on the Forum).

Click here  to obtain  POI Loader software and the latest updates, or to see a list of POI Loader compatible GPS units simply click on the Product Compatibility box.
Owners of GPS units not listed as compatible can still use this data. After downloading the Zip file below, open the Zip (please do use the latest version of WinZip available) and save each file to a new directory in *.gdb format (the MapSource default); work with the data as you would with any normal waypoint.  Set a 'proximity warning' by including the waypoint in a route as a via-point. Some GPS models have the facility to work with Proximity waypoints as well (please refer to your Owners Manual).

Community POI Loader Data

Road Safety Database

Garmap offers the ‘Road Safety Database’ to registered Garmap owners as an optional and free community service to promote responsible and safe driving. We compile the data from contributions sent to us by our ‘User Community,’ and while we check the reasonableness of the data, Garmap does not guarantee the accuracy of the information, neither do we embed this data in our mapsets:  this is ‘Custom POI data’ compiled by our community of users.

We have categorised the database into 'FC' for Fixed Camera Positions, 'MT' for Mobile Monitoring sites, and ‘HZ’ for hazardous road conditions; hazards may include pedestrian or animal crossings, dangerous road conditions or crime alert areas (including several other categories).

The camera positions trigger a 10 sec ‘Proximity Warning’ (included in the data properties) set relative to the speed-zone of that road as one enters the ‘guard-zone’ of each position.

We have also combined ‘Red Light Cameras’ and ‘Speed Cameras’ into one category under the heading, ‘Fixed Cameras’ to accommodate the conversion by many authorities of these cameras into combined speed and red light units (there is no merit in attempting to second-guess the type of camera at these positions).

DEFINITION: A Fixed Camera is any permanently mounted Road Safety monitor. A Mobile Monitor position is any position on a highway or byway where you have observed regular manned Traffic Monitoring Activity.

We do not include a speed component in ‘Hazard data,’ nor should you add a speed component to this data when preparing the data for upload. The reason? Whereas all other data triggers a ‘Speed alert’ (within a prevailing speed zone), we specifically preclude the speed component to activate the ‘Description of the Hazard’ (trigger an ‘Alert’) in an unsafe area.

South African Toll Plaza Data is included in the download bundle. The categories within this data follow the various National Roads Authority vehicle classes, where TollOne for example, covers Motor Cars with or without Trailers or Caravans, and Motorcycles. Toll Four addresses multiple-axled Heavy-Transport rigs.

We use a TourGuide voice file – activated on approach to a Toll Plaza - to announce the applicable vehicle class 1 fee. You can only use this TourGuide feature with a Travel-Kit equipped compatible GPSr unit.

Click here to send us data for our Road Safety Database. Prefix your data, using either the *.gdb or *.gpx file extension, with the FC, HZ, or MT attributes, including a description (road names usually, and the monitoring direction as well). Important: please add the prevailing speed-zone limit. Please DO NOT list Road Safety data in a posting on the Forum. We might inadvertently overlook it.

To download the most current Road Safety data *.gpx files to your Computer, enter your Registration Username and Password to prepare the Zip for download. Right click on the Zip-file below and choose 'Save Target As...'. Before proceeding, check that you have installed the latest WinZip software on your Computer (older versions of WinZip may not be compatible with the Road Safety files...www.winzip.com). Extract the files from the zip into a clean folder ensuring that the file attributes of the individual files retain the *.gpx file extension.  Use POI Loader in Express mode to send this directory to your GPS Custom POI Folder.  The process will overwrite the older data residing in your Custom POI Folder in your GPS. POI Loader has the facility to delete custom POI in your GPS, independently should you wish to do this.

AN IMPORTANT NOTE FOR WORKING WITH ROAD SAFETY DATA: To prevent the creation of duplicate Road Safety data on your GPSr, download the data into a new, uniquely named folder on your PC; then send the data to your GPSr using POI Loader. Please ensure that the files remain in the *.gpx format – if not, you will load the data into your Favourites directory simultaneously deactivating the RS points. The ReadMe files will be of use - we suggest you make copy, the better to follow the steps involved.

To download the latest files please login here. If you have not registered on the Garmap website yet, please do so here. You will be redirected to this page after registering or logging in.


Use the ReadMe files within the available download to guide you in the upload process for this data

IN THE ROAD SAFETY DATA ZIP, A FILE HAS BEEN LOADED THAT MAY PROVE USEFUL FOR THOSE WHO CURRENTLY RECOMBINE THE RS DATA. IT IS NAMED Combo_RS_Data_GDB_20080630.gdb BUT PLEASE NOTE - IT IS IN Gdb-FORMAT. THIS IS FOR USE WITHIN MAPSOURCE ONLY - PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE THIS FILE AS PART OF YOUR USUAL Gpx-FILE UPLOAD USING POI LOADER.

Download_ReadMe_20080630.zip
Road_Safety_Data_20080630.zip
TollPlaza_Std_20080630.zip
TollOne_Voice_20080630.zip

Contributions received from Francois, Gerhard x 2, Morne, Trevor, Christine, Jan, Johan, Dave, John x 2, Tandy, Hendré, Schalk, Andre, Stephen & Kreason.

We update the database regularly; the current update being reflected on each zip above.

Abri du Plooy has kindly offered us the use of a programme that automatically adds the @spd attribute (that raises a continuous warning within a speed restricted proximity zone) to a RS point (if you own a compatible GPS).  The programme is available from Abri's website: latest version is 8.1:


http://abri.duplooy.myweb.absamail.co.za/downloads.html

For information on how to use this script visit the Forum here

To enter the POI Loader discussion forum please click here.

Did you know that you can create a personalised ‘TOUR GUIDE’ linked to a pre-recorded voice file on your Nüvi?.

The Garmin Nüvi range (excluding ‘plug and play’ units incorporating a pre-loaded SD card), features a little known, but powerful function that enables users to create an onboard ‘travel guide’ linked to a pre-recorded voice file, activated by a ‘proximity waypoint.’

Road Safety data (downloadable free from www.garmap.com ) working on an identical principle, could activate a linked mp3 voice file when approaching a speed trap. 

The ‘Tour Guide is a useful little tool for learning more about historic points of interest, cultural sites and passing tourist attractions; or even as a pre-programmed onboard memo for the next branch office.

A FEW QUICK DEFINITIONS

What is a waypoint?
A waypoint is a position created and named by the user, and then stored on the GPS for future reference (on the Nüvi, waypoints are stored under the “My Locations” and “Favourites” headings).

What is a proximity waypoint?
A proximity waypoint is a waypoint that includes a user-defined guard-zone around the perimeter of the waypoint. Should you enter the guard zone of that waypoint (cross into a predefined perimeter), the zone triggers a pre-programmed function on the Nüvi.

What is a custom waypoint?
A custom waypoint is a waypoint saved in gpx-file format (using POI Loader software) in the Nüvi’s custom waypoints folder.

Find detailed instructions on how to create your own custom tour guides on the Garmap.co.za website in the POI Loader section, or follow the steps below.

Create Tour Guide points with MapSource

You will require:
- Mapsource on your Computer
- The POI loader application (downloadable free from www.garmin.com)
- A microphone connected to your PC (for recording MP3 files).
- The latest Nüvi software version update – go to www.garmin.com and follow the links to support, updates and downloads (IMPORTANT NOTE FOR NÜVI OWNERS: retrieve the update file manually (executing the file with your Nüvi connected to the PC). 

Follow these steps to create a .gpx file with TourGuide information on MapSource: 

1. Create your .mp3 voice file. Save the file with the word, ‘TourGuide’ in the filename.
2. Open MapSource.
3. Type ‘w’ on the keyboard to retrieve the Waypoint Tool, or go to Tools>waypoint.
4. Point to the location of the TourGuide point on the map. Click once (this creates a user waypoint and opens the Waypoint Properties window shown below).
5. Enter the TourGuide proximity distance in the Waypoint Properties Proximity field:
1. Uncheck the Proximity field and enter a distance (this is the distance as a radius in km from the waypoint at which you want to trigger the TourGuide.
2. Link (in the URL field) the TourGuide .mp3 file to the point with the “Browse…” button. (The initial software release only supports .mp3 files). The .mp3 file name must contain the word “TourGuide” to activate the feature. For example, you can name the .mp3 file, “TourGuide Monument.mp3” or “TourGuide meeting 1.mp3.”
6. Repeat steps three to five for each of your TourGuide points.
7. On completing your TourGuide points, select the “Save As” option under the file menu. Save the files as a .gpx file.
   
   
   
   Loading TourGuide points to a SD Card or GPS unit

   On completing a TourGuide .gpx file, you can load the TourGuide information on an SD card or a GPS unit with the new version of the POI Loader. Follow the steps below.

   1. Launch the POI Loader (Downloadable from www.garmap.com) application and click “Next.”
   2. Select the location where you would like to save the TourGuide information. Click “Next.”
   3. Select the TourGuide .gpx file folder location. Click “Next.”  Depending on the size of the .mp3 files, the load process might take a little time.
   Using TourGuide feature on the GPS unit

   Once you have loaded the TourGuide information on the GPS, go to Where To->My Locations->Custom POI's to view the TourGuide points.
   Find the TourGuide settings under Settings. There you have three options.

   • Off: ‘Off’ deactivates the TourGuide; the unit will not trigger the voice-over when you enter the ‘guard zone’ of the TourGuide waypoint. 
   • Auto Play: ‘Auto Play’ automatically triggers the TourGuide voice-over when you enter the ‘guard zone’ of a waypoint.
   • Prompted: ‘Prompted’ triggers the TourGuide when you enter the ‘guard zone’ of the waypoint, but gives you a choice over whether to play the voice-over or not. You can activate the voice-over with the TourGuide link on the main map page of the unit.