Updating the Nuvi 360 with the POI Loader.

bblake · Occasional Visitor Joined: Nov 22, 2006 Posts: 2

Hullo all,

I've recently bought a Garmin Nuvi 360. It does most of what I need, although I'm a bit disappointed with the routes generated which are not the quickest - but still very useful, and it gets you there.

What I need some help with is on running the POI loader.
The 360 comes with some sample safety camera files pre-loaded.
These files are in the \Garmin\POI directory and are named:
CyclopsUK082906Sample.gpi
CyclopsBelgLux082906Sample.gpi
CyclopsFrance082906Sample.gpi
CyclopsNeth082906Sample.gpi

The UK was innacurate (it was a file from August) and so I downloaded the PocketGPS world camera database and ran the POI loader.

The original four files are still there, and in addition I now see a fifth large file named poi.gpi.

OK - what's going on? Should I have deleted the original four files? How does the Nuvi handle the POI folder? Which file does it use? Does it merge all? I can't find any information on what to do anywhere, and have searched these forums as well as I can.

Final question - what does it mean when you are told to back up the Nuvi before running the POI loader? There is so much data to back up that it seems unnecessary to backup the whole 1.6 GB. I actually copied everything except the file gmapprom.img which I assume is the main executable and is 1.3 GB in size.

Help will be gratefully received - cheers, Brendan.

swing · Posted: Thu Dec 14, 2006 9:53 pm Post subject:

The 4 files preinstalled are the sample Garmin safety camera databases. No need to delete them, but to turn them off go to Settings / Proximity Alerts / Change and unselect the Garmin Safety Database option. Yes, the Nuvi automatically reads through all the files in the poi directory and processes them - some, like the Garmin files are dealt with differently, but ultimately all POI files in that directory are loaded into the Nuvi.

Having a new poi.gpi file is correct. If you add any further POIs (you need to have a directory where you keep all POIs, as Garmin's POI Loader normally overwrites the ones on your device each time) they will go into this poi.gpi file too.

Actually, that 1.3Gb file is the most important one, which I would advise you take at least one copy of. This is the map data. Should this file become corrupt, get accidentally deleted, or the whole Nuvi corrupts (rare, but is does happen), then without this file your Nuvi will not work and your Nuvi would have to go back to Garmin for them to put the file back.

swing · Posted: Thu Dec 14, 2006 9:55 pm Post subject:

Oh, and if the Nuvi is not producing the quickest routes, there are a number of things to consider:

- What is set in the Avoid settings? This can alter the route created.
- Do you have the unit set to Fastest Time or Shortest Distance? The former tries to create fast routes, the latter creates routes much longer in time, but will save a few miles.
- The unit will never be able to beat local knowledge, although sometimes it might actually find you a better route than you already knew about..

bblake · Occasional Visitor Joined: Nov 22, 2006 Posts: 2

Many thanks for the help - much appreciated.

File gmapprom.img is now duly backed up. I used winzip so it shrinks to just over a gigabyte - still a rather large file.

I've switched off Settings / Proximity Alerts / Change / Garmin Safety Database, so hopefully tomorrow I will avoid warning on cameras that have moved on the M4.

All avoidance settings are still set to the defaults; ie fastest route and u-turns are set on, but everthing else including highways and unpaved roads are not set.

The Garmin has been sending me on some very narrow single track (albeit paved) roads in the highlands of Wales. These are best avoided - delays waiting for cars in the other direction and invariable slow to drive. Will either of the above settings avoid single track roads?

Thanks again - Brendan.

Eldar · Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2006 12:02 pm Post subject:

swing · Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2006 4:58 pm Post subject:

It might well be worth experimenting with turning the avoid for "unpaved roads" which may include some of those single track roads.

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