As per a suggestion on this list I have written up the method I've used to 
manage waypoints on the Nuvi 350 using an SD card.  I'd happily contribute this 
to the Argent Wiki.  I'd like suggestions and needed clarifications on the list 
if anyone cares to make them.



Scott Miller:  feel free to use this as you wish.



Pete

KCØGPB



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Wiki:  Nuvi 350 Waypoint Management with SD Card



Using the Nuvi 350 with the Tracker 2 is a terrific combination of APRS and a 
navigation system.  One issue with the Nuvi 350 is that all APRS packets 
received are stored in the Nuvi's "Favorites" memory and displayed on the 
screen.  While this is generally what an APRS enthusiast wants to have happen 
these station waypoints can get 'stale.'  The Nuvi keeps and displays the last 
waypoint heard whether the mobile APRS user is still in the area or not.  While 
the "favorites" list can easily be cleared by using the "Delete All" on this 
also deletes and favorites you may have stored and want to keep for use in 
navigation with those functions of the Nuvi 350.

 

The workaround is to save your personal "Favorites" on an SD card that the Nuvi 
can use.  Garmin refers to this list as Points of Interest or POI.

 

One procedure used to create a POI file on an SD card is as follows:

 

Using EasyGPS ( a free program available here:  http://www.easygps.com/ )  
upload from the Nuvi the Favorites stored there using a USB to Garmin cable to 
you computer.  EasyGPS files are stored on your computer's hard drive in a 
folder you create.  These POIs can be manipulated, deleted, copied or changed 
in EasyGPS.  

 

Next download Garmin's free POILoader computer program here:  
http://www8.garmin.com/support/collection.jsp?product=999-99999-12  Running 
that program you need to have your Nuvi 350 connected to your computer via the 
USB cable and an SD card installed in the Nuvi.  The POILoader program brings 
up a dialog box asking to "Find Device" with a drop down menu asking if you 
want to put the POI data on the Nuvi or on the SD Card.  Choose to upload the 
SD card and Browse your way to the file where you stored your file containing 
your EasyGPS POIs (see note below).  The POILoader program then creates a file 
on the SD card that the Nuvi recognizes.

 

Safely disconnect the Nuvi from your computer and turn the Nuvi's power on.  
With the POIUploader's newly created folder on the card your Nuvi will bring up 
a box saying "New data found on card."  Push "OK."  The Nuvi then asks to "Copy 
this data to your nuvi?"  Push 'Yes".  The Nuvi will then start as usual.

 

To use the POIs stored on the SD car push "Dispatch" > "Find Location" > "My 
Locations" (with the heart icon).  From here is the screen where you can 
"Delete All" (lower right corner) and also a new button appears called "Custom 
POIs".  Pushing the "Custom POIs" button will show the POIs you've written to 
the SD card.  Select whichever one you'd like then click "Go!" or "Save" which 
moves the point to the Nuvi's "My Favorites" memory where it can be used as 
expected for navigation.  This is a change from how Favorites were stored 
before.  You now have to select from the list of POIs your favorites which will 
then be loaded to the Nuvi's internal memory for use in navigation where they 
will remain until you "Delete All" again - which can be daily or simply when 
you have too many 'stale' points on your Nuvi's Nav screen for your taste.

 

There is debate on whether you need to remove or write protect the SD card when 
clearing the memory of stale points as all points are deleted.  It seems it 
doesn't matter as the memory can be cleared with an unprotected SD card in the 
slot when pushing "Delete All" and the POIs are still on the SD card for use.



Note:   If you want / need to add more of your own personal POIs you'll have to 
get them to your computer's hard drive in the EasyGPS file and then use 
POILoader to again add to the SD card.  It seems the Nuvi will only recognize 
one file for POIs from the SD card so save all of your personal POIs in one 
file in one folder on your computer's hard drive (PoiUploader is a little 
fickle here).  Repeat: Use one file in one folder on your computer's hard drive 
for your personal list or you'll see no POIs on the POI list despite them 
having been loaded to the SD card.



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