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Topic: Routes - more info (using GPS) (Read 2 times) previous topic - next topic
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Routes - more info (using GPS)
Yahoo Message Number: 109874
Dear Helen,
 Since you're such a gracious recipient of our bossy advice, I have some more.

When you're "mapping out" Walmarts, rest areas, Cabela's, and campgrounds for your trip, are you using your GPS to its full potential?

Listen, if *I* can download Points of Interest (POI's), then you can do it.
Trust me that these will be like your best friends on the road!

Here's what I suggest:

Go to the step-by-step instructions here and follow steps 1 thru 4:

http://tinyurl.com/GPSPOIs  (Go here- These are your instructions!)

Now, when you get to Step 2, here are a few POI files that I found on POI Factory to help you:

Walmarts & Sam's Clubs:  http://www.poi-factory.com/node/25560

Cabela's:  http://www.poi-factory.com/node/957

Rest Areas:  http://www.poi-factory.com/node/6643

Flying J's:  Look, here's FJ's with dump stations for RV's! http://www.poi-factory.com/node/22377

Dump Stations:  http://www.poi-factory.com/node/6837

Campgrounds:  Ted has done all the work combining multiple files, so use his files from his website.  That step is clearly marked in the instructions (in Step 3).

You want more useful POI files?  Like the locations for your bank, AAA offices, Passport America campgrounds, KOA's, etc?  Simply, look on POI Factory under the "Camping" category.

In fact, browse all the categories -you'll find things that interest you.
They have

"101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown" http://www.poi-factory.com/node/26942 ,
 Civil War sites:  http://www.poi-factory.com/node/1883
 and here's one you might like, Helen:  http://www.poi-factory.com/node/21886 Dog Parks of the Western States!

I've never hit a limit on the number of POI's allowed, so have fun!

If anyone wants the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, I made a POI file (.csv) and can email it to you.

This is SO EASY that everyone should put their favorite POI files on their GPS.  Then you can go down the road, tap your "Where To > Extras and see everything your little heart desires.  And you'll feel so smart too!

Important GPS note to everyone:  Smart Chris H. discovered that the new Garmin update is not compatible with .bmp files (for icons) with identically named POI .csv files, causing a major crash of epic proportions (or something like that).  So you're out of luck using snazzy icons (including Walmart Smiley Face) if you did the recent Garmin update.   Chris, feel free to explain better.

Helen (or others), give me a holler if you need help,

Tessa in TX, the GPS POI NUT

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Routes - more info (using GPS)
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109879
Quote
Dear Helen,
 Since you're such a gracious recipient of our bossy advice, I have some more.
WOW!!!!!!!!   Thanks, Tessa~  I will try this over the weekend when I have more free time!

Here I am, with a gps, but using a spreadsheet to map out stops....LOL.   I think this will save me a BUNCH, no, a GOB of time!

Helen (happy dance)