Garmin60CsX Points of interest

[sakidoo]

Has anyone been successful at downloading the waypoints to a Garmin60CsX using the Points of Interest feature? Refer to http://gsak.net/board/index.php?showtopic=8932. If so, can you provide help on making it happen? I have already downloaded the free POI Loader Software (see http://www8.garmin.com/products/poiloader/). If you are using it, have you found it worthwhile?
Thanks:unsure:

[SigsPig]

I'm using the custom icon feature that was detailed on this site. Not sure if we're talking about the same thing?

[swimmrguy]

I have used POIs on the Garmin 60 (but not recently since I upgraded to the Orgeon.)

I used a different macro, but that one looks very good. However, all macros ultimately have to create CSV files that the Garmin POI Loader uses to send them to the GPS.

Where are you stuck getting it to work? I'd be happy to play around with the macro, and try to help trouble shoot for you.

B.

[mTn_biKer65]

I used a very similar POI export briefly but abandoned the idea when I started using cacheberry as my paperless option. If you don't have another paperless option it's a nice way to have that extra bit of info available and at your finger tips when you need it.

I flirted with the idea of still using it to maintain a list of my found caches for reference but the time to maintain the list seemed to out way the benefit.

[sakidoo]

Thanks Swimmrguy for responding so quickly.
When I run the macro 60CsXPOI, I do get the screens illustrated on the Garmin site however I don't get any POI's generated on my Garmin. I'm not sure I really want them though since I use my Blackberry as my paperless solution. I was really just curious on whether it was worthwhile. When you use the macro for your 60, did you like the results? What did you see as an advantage?
Many thanks
Sakidoo Sue

[skottikus]

Some quick and unorganized comments before I rush off to work...

I use the POI export macro all the time. My GPS is loaded with every cache in my GSAK database.

I use the standard (Send waypoints) waypoints for caches I intend to do in a particular area but when I find myself unexpectedly in another city or outside my original intended caching area (sadly, this happens), my GPS is ready to go, I just adjust the level of detail to show POIs which brings up everything. I do run in to the occasional problem with caches being archived since my last database update for that region but that's okay.

The key element for me is that with POI export, I get the latest location data that live queries (geocache navigator) does not provide. For example corrected coordinates, solved puzzles, redirects found on multi-redirect caches that I've run out of time or gas to complete. You get the idea.

Despite my cacheberry and geocache navigator, I still find the garmin to be superior in rural/woods situations and wet/cold weather.

[mTn_biKer65]

skottikus wrote:

I use the standard (Send waypoints) waypoints for caches I intend to do in a particular area but when I find myself unexpectedly in another city or outside my original intended caching area (sadly, this happens), my GPS is ready to go, I just adjust the level of detail to show POIs which brings up everything. I do run in to the occasional problem with caches being archived since my last database update for that region but that's okay.

Hmmm interesting option. I usually only maintain and send a list of the nearest 300 waypoints but I do have a Raid query and database set-up for more than that. Since, depending on memory, the GPSr can support 3000 (or maybe more) POIs I could modify my Raid query to include perhaps the closest 2000 and upload those as POIs. This unfortunately comes at the expense of the Tim Horton's locations across Canada who are currently occupying my POI locations;).


Road block #1: geocaching.com query restriction of 500 caches. Now how should I split these up.

[swimmrguy]

mTn_biKer65 wrote:
Since, depending on memory, the GPSr can support 3000 (or maybe more) POIs I could modify my Raid query to include perhaps the closest 2000 and upload those as POIs. This unfortunately comes at the expense of the Tim Horton's locations across Canada who are currently occupying my POI locations;).

MB, you needn't worry. A long list of geocaches doesn't have to compromise your Tim Horton's locations. The only limit to custom POIs is the room on your memory card. At last count, I had uploaded over 18,000 POIs to my 60CSx. I had generally only had found caches listed (just in case I ever wanted to look them up again) and then every Starbuck's, Pizza Hut, Subway, Wendy's, Beer Store, LCBO, Chapters (etc...) location in US and Canada. (Yes, the things you can find on POIfriend.com!!!)

Now that I have moved to the Oregon, I only use custom POIs for child waypoints. I can download up to 2000 geocaches to the Oregon, so that is enough to keep me busy. However, about 18,000 POIs are still going to my Nuvi!

[mTn_biKer65]

skottikus wrote:

I just adjust the level of detail to show POIs which brings up everything.

Hi Scott, Did I understand this correctly. You can adjust the map detail so all of your POIs are displayed on the map? I just finished loading approx. 16,000 POIs loaded into 20 separate DBs which I can bring up in a list separately or together. I can find, view and goto any one that I want but I can only view one at a time on the map screen. When I'm in motion or browsing the map screen I can't see the POIs other than the one I'm working with. It would be nice to see the POIs on the map screen to help decide which is better to try.

Paul

[swimmrguy]

mTn_biKer65 wrote:

skottikus wrote:

I just adjust the level of detail to show POIs which brings up everything.

Hi Scott, Did I understand this correctly. You can adjust the map detail so all of your POIs are displayed on the map? I just finished loading approx. 16,000 POIs loaded into 20 separate DBs which I can bring up in a list separately or together. I can find, view and goto any one that I want but I can only view one at a time on the map screen. When I'm in motion or browsing the map screen I can't see the POIs other than the one I'm working with. It would be nice to see the POIs on the map screen to help decide which is better to try.

Paul,
This is where you begin to see some of the drawbacks of POIs. To set the level of zoom you want to see POIs, go to your map screen, click menu and select Setup Map. Scroll to the Flag tab, and set the zoom level for "Map Points". This will show the level of zoom where the POIs show up.

The big drawback on the Garmin GPS is that there is no way to turn off the non-custom POIs when you do this. You will see ALL POIs on the map including the ones that the come with the Mapsource maps you have uploaded. If you only use Topo maps, you should be OK as they don't have POIs for gas, food, shopping etc. It would be a lot more helpful if you could turn all those off, and only show the custom POIs that you have uploaded.

--B.