Setup and Installation for - Garmin

Step 1: Preparation & Checklist

These instructions will work for all recent Garmin devices including: GPSMAP 60Cx, GPSMAP 60CSx, GPSMAP 76Cx, GPSMAP 76CSx, GPSMAP 496, eTrex Venture Cx, eTrex Legend Cx, eTrex Vista Cx, nuvi 200, nuvi 200w, nuvi 250, nuvi 250w, nuvi 260, nuvi 270, nuvi 300, nuvi 310, nuvi 350, nuvi 360, nuvi 370, nuvi 610, nuvi 650, nuvi 660, nuvi 670, nuvi 680, nuvi 750, nuvi 760, nuvi 770, StreetPilot c310, StreetPilot c320, StreetPilot c330, StreetPilot c340, StreetPilot C510, StreetPilot C550, Streetpilot i2, StreetPilot i3, StreetPilot i5, StreetPilot 2720, StreetPilot 2730, StreetPilot 7200, StreetPilot 7500, iQue M3 & iQue M4, Quest 2, Zumo 450, Zumo 500 and Zumo 550.

Checklist of software and equipment needed:

• A PC running Windows (ideally XP or Vista)
• Garmin device (fully charged or running from a mains adapter)
• USB cable for connecting the Garmin to the PC
• garminfree.com CD ROM disc or downloads (extracted)

If you are using our CD ROm or DOWNLOADS then we suggest that you UNZIP or COPY all the POI you will be installing into a single folder in an easy to find location (e.g. desktop). Name the folder something obvious like GARMIN POI and place any POI (the .CSV and .BMP files) inside this folder. Make sure you only put POI you want to install into this folder, as you will use it later.

You will also need an up to date version of the Garmin POI Loader software installed on your PC. This is available for free by download from Garmin (see below). The POI Loader is a software program running on your PC that allows you to install POI categories from the PC onto your Garmin sat-nav. If you already have Garmin POI Loader installed then we suggest you check the version number to see if it requires updating.

A major change was introduced for version 2.4.2 and all the example pictures show that version. Garmin introduced the ability to add POI categories to any already installed, making POI management much simpler.

To check the version used do the following:

Start up Garmin POILoader - click on the small icon next to the words "POILoader" at the very top left of the window. This will open a dropdown menu as shown below. From this select About POI Loader

the version number will appear as follows

This example shows version 2.4.2.0, you will need to be using this version or later. If you have an earlier version then we suggest you un-install it using Start - Control Panel - Add or Remove Programs and then completely re-install the software.

If you don't have the Garmin POI Loader software then to download it CLICK HERE

Choose the relevant version for your PC or Mac and follow the instructions. Once the Garmin POILoader is installed and up to date you can move on to installing the POIs.

Step 2: Installing POI Categories from CD ROM

Connect the Garmin to the PC using the USB cable and turn it on.  Garmin POILoader should detect that your Garmin has been plugged in and start up automatically. If not then you will need to start it up manually. To do this go to the Start  - All Programs - Garmin - and select POI Loader. The screen below will appear

Click on Next to move to the following screen. The Garmin POILoader will sense your Garmin sat-nav device and either display it in the dropdown "Device:" box (see below), or will move to the screen after that.

If the screen below is displayed then ensure that you device is turned on and plugged in and then select it from the dropdown menu. Then click Next.

The following screen (not included in versions before V 2.4.2.0) is very important. It allows a choice between installing new POI categories or removing any existing ones.  

Select the relevant option (in this case we will just add new POI to any existing) and then click Next

You will now see a standard "Browse" window. In this window you need to locate the CD ROM or download and select the location of the POI's. You can use the  + sign next to a folder or device to expand contents. If My Computer is not already expanded then click on the + sign to its left. You will now see all the devices on your PC: hard-drives, folders, DVD's as well as the CD ROM.

Once you have located the CD ROM or DOWNLOAD as appropriate, click on the + sign next to it, to open up the contents. Find the folder called "GARMIN POI" you created earlier or on the CD ROM the Normal_POI or Collections_POI folders. Then click OK

If anything looks amiss then you can use the "back" button to go back wand re-select the locations required, or change the settings because you selected the wrong folder by mistake.

Underneath select your preference for distance and speeds in imperial or metric and then select Manual. It important that you do this, otherwise the other option "Express" will install all the POI before you understand how the POI Loader works. Later on when you are adding more POI then you can look at the Express function. Then click Next.

The screenshot above shows an example of a folder being selected

Step 3: Setting POI Alerts

The following screen allows "proximity alerts" to be setup by the user. These are visual and audible warnings triggered when you drive near to a POI e.g. you could set a visual and audible alert when you are within 100m of a Congestion Charge entry road, thereby alerting you that a charging zone is coming up.

You don't need to setup any alerts, but if you want to for a particular POI then do so here. See the manual for your Garmin and Garmin's website for more details. Assuming that you leave this as it is shown below, just click Next

The POILoader will now "loop" back and go through the above screen for all of the POI categories within the chosen folder. For any POI that you don't want to install you can click "Ignore This File" from the option above. 

Once you have gone through each POI and either "selected" or "ignored" it then POILoader will actually load up the POI categories chosen. It displays a confirmation screen like the one below showing the total number of actual POIs (rather than POI categories) chosen. e.g. there may be 200+ POI categories on the CD ROM or DOWNLOAD but over 40,000 actual "Points Of Interest"

Please note there is a limit to the number of POI that can be installed onto a Garmin device, this varies from device to device. See your Garmin user documentation for the recommended number of POI that can be loaded onto your model.

If you see this screen you have been successful, though the number of POI loaded will vary from that above depending on the categories chosen or ignore and changes in the data.

You can now turn off your Garmin, exit POILoader and unplug the USB cable from the Garmin and the PC. Turn on the Garmin again and try out the new POI categories installed. Below is a menu showing where the POI can be located within different Garmin devices.

Congratulations you have installed the POI from garminfree.com

Summary

This guide to the installation and setup of POI categories using the Garmin POILoader software is complete.

If you require more help using POI categories or other aspects of your Garmin we suggest you refer to the Garmin device manual or contact the Garmin support desk.