What is best software for adding POIs to my NUVI 660?

RobertV

I am looking for some software facility to aid me in finding and adding POIs to my Garmin 660. What are most people using? I found that it was a bear to add POIs to my NAVMAN 550 using their Smart(?) ST software so I would like something that actually works properly.

mikealder · Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2007 6:20 pm Post subject:

The only tool set to use is POILoader which is available from Garmin for free (just click the link) - you might want to explore the other utility programs that Ash has made available for the speed camera installation which can be found on the forum, but for POI's the Loader app is what you need

As for finding POI files to install why not take a look at the POI Downloads page on this web site, the files are avalable in Garmin format, just click the dropdown box that by default is set to TomTom and you will get the option to select Garmin, there are hundreds of categories to choose from containing hundreds of thousands of individual locations (there is a link to the left of this page Points of interest - Down load POI's) - Mike

RobertV · Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2007 11:25 pm Post subject:

Mikealder,

Thank you for the information. I have downloaded the POI Loader. I also downloaded some POIs from where you suggested. However, Winzip Pro does not recognize the downloaded file as a valid archive. I am running XP so I do not think that the note regarding the need to use the stuffit application should apply. I also noted that the page returned to TomTom whenever I did a refresh. I then selected Garmin but am not sure whether I am actually getting the files in Garmin format.
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Garmin NUVI 660 with 2010 maps, Navman 550, Garmin Etrex Vista, Garmin 775

portman · Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2007 11:47 pm Post subject:

You can check to see if you have the correct file types, the Tomtom ones end in .ov2 and the Garmin one .csv. You'll get files ending in .bmp with both downloads, these are the icons that display on your satnav.
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Samsung Mega
Tomtom 500

PaulB2005 · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 7:08 am Post subject:

mikealder · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 7:19 am Post subject:

You should not need to go anywhere near the Stuff-it application as that is for a Mac based device, Wndows Explorer is quite capable of opening the downloads from this site, try again bearing in mind the tips the others have offered above - Mike

RobertV · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 5:23 pm Post subject:

Clicking on the Show Links box solved the problem of getting a valid archive downloaded. I just picked up a 2gb SD card. My computer has a slot for an SD card so I would presume that I can use POILoader to download the POIs directly to the card without having to involve the Garmin at all. I'll give iy a go and see what happens. I do appreciate the help from everyone.
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Garmin NUVI 660 with 2010 maps, Navman 550, Garmin Etrex Vista, Garmin 775

RobertV · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 5:44 pm Post subject:

Clicking on the Show Links box solved the problem of getting a valid archive downloaded. I just picked up a 2gb SD card. My computer has a slot for an SD card so I would presume that I can use POILoader to download the POIs directly to the card without having to involve the Garmin at all. I'll give iy a go and see what happens. I do appreciate the help from everyone.
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Garmin NUVI 660 with 2010 maps, Navman 550, Garmin Etrex Vista, Garmin 775

RobertV · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 10:22 pm Post subject:

Sorry about posts showing up twice. Seems to be some problem with my browser sometimes sending twice. I am looking into the problem. Again, sorry.
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Garmin NUVI 660 with 2010 maps, Navman 550, Garmin Etrex Vista, Garmin 775

RobertV · Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 8:21 am Post subject:

I installed the POIs onto the SD card and plugged the card into the NUVI. It asked whether I wanted to copy the new data to the NUVI and I said yes. Hope I did the right thing as I could not find any mention of this message in the manual. Everything seems to be working ok. I am assuming that I will get the same message again when I make any changes on the SD card. Because the POIs have been copied to the NUVI will it still see them if I were to remove the card? Or is it now doing an automatic copy each time that I turn on the NUVI?
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Garmin NUVI 660 with 2010 maps, Navman 550, Garmin Etrex Vista, Garmin 775

mikealder · Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 8:39 am Post subject:

There will be a copy of the POI data on both the device and the SD card so if you remove the memory card the POI files will still be available on the device - Mike

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