TomTom GO devices and OV2 files

[Malc_R]

Hi all

I have a question for the experts around OV2 files. I am, or rather was, a long time user of a TomTom VIA 135 where I managed my POIs and BMP files quite happily and the world was great.
TomTom changed the mechanism for this (Community Content) with MyDriveConnect in Windows 11 and removed this feature. I now have to use the cloud-based app version and it doesn’t appear that I can add a BMP file with my OV2, instead I have to rely on a small selection of meaningless coloured blobs which now appear on my map.

I am so cheesed off with this, I am considering moving to another brand . So, my question is

Is there a way to get a meaningful symbol or graphic on either the GO series of SatNavs ? Do I need to upgrade to a newer TomTom, or do I move to eg a Garmin ?

Many thanks in advance


Malcolm

[Kremmen]

I'm no TT expert but Garmin do offer customisation of sound and picture content
_________________
DashCam:
Viofo A119 V3

[Privateer]

Hi Malcolm,

I'm afraid that the current range of TomTom devices doesn't allow you to add BMP files for your POIs to appear on the map.

I believe that Garmin does, but I've not used a Garmin for a long time, and certainly not one from the current range.

I prefer to have custom POIs, but I can do without the BMP file as I use TomTom GO on my iPhone and a £4.99 App called POIViewer as my POI manager. The downside is not POIs, but I prefer TomTom routing and Traffic compared to Garmin. That's a personal finding, and others may say differently.

Regards,
_________________
Robert.
iPhone 6s Plus, iOS 14.0.1: iOS CamerAlert v2.0.7
TomTom GO Mobile iOS 2.3.1; TomTom (UK & ROI and Europe) iOS apps v1.29
Garmin Camper 770 LMT-D

[Malc_R]

Hi - thanks for this

Does POI viewer interface with Apple or Google Maps , and move with you as your location changes ?

Returning to my original thread, I have seen that TT MyDriveConnect has brought back the Community Content , which means I can go back to my VIA 135 and ditch the GO .


Regards

[Privateer]

Hi Malcolm,

POIViewer is a standalone App (iOS only, as there is no Android version). You store your POIs in 'lists', aka categories. You can create/edit/delete individual POIs and their lists in POIViewer. You can allocate BMP icons to each list and show those POIs on a map (satellite or vector). If you want to navigate to a POI, you need to tap on it to bring up the info page and then tap the directions button, which gives you a list of SatNav apps that you can send the POI's coordinates to a destination. POIViewer then launches the required SatNav App with the destination set.

I use a .xlsx spreadsheet as a master document with columns for: ID; Latitude; Longitude; Name; Region; Categories; Phone; Created; Updated; Confirmed; Device; Submiitter Name; Updater Name; Name: TomTom - CSV UTF-8 (Comma delimited); Name: Garmin - Comma Separated Values; Google Maps URL; OpenStreetMap URL; TomTom MyDrive URL; Here We Go URL; and TomTom GO iOS URL Scheme.

The Name TomTom and Name Garmin combine several columns, such as ID, Categories, Name, and optionally phone number, which you used to be able to place in an OV2 file.

I then save it as a UTF-8 CSV with just Longitude, Latitude, and Name for the file to be sent to POIViewer.

The master list can be used for any SatNav that can use POIs; I also use the data in Google Earth Pro.

Regards,
_________________
Robert.
iPhone 6s Plus, iOS 14.0.1: iOS CamerAlert v2.0.7
TomTom GO Mobile iOS 2.3.1; TomTom (UK & ROI and Europe) iOS apps v1.29
Garmin Camper 770 LMT-D

[AliOnHols]

Hi @Malc_R . I am a Linux user and, as such, have never been able to use anyTomTom software. It's a very long time since I've updated the cameras on my TT's but I'm sure that to update your Via 135 you can simply replace the old .ov2 & .bmp files with the new files using a bog-standard Windows file manager.
_________________
Garmin Nuvi 2599
Android with CamerAlert, OsmAnd+, Waze & TT Europe.
TomTom GO 730, GO 930, GO 940 & Rider2.
SatMap Active 10 & 20.

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