BMW Dealers in the US

[Malindi]

I have a file that lists all the BMW dealers in the US (lat/lon). I am not sure where I got it, but here's a link. I also have it for the UK, France, Belgium, Holland.

http://berettaconsulting.com/other/B...%20Dealers.gdb

[PhilSpace]

McCurdy has the "authoritative" list which has been done in the GPX POI Loader format. I have taken his and started to add phone numbers for the GPS's that have cell phone/BT capability.

Here's the Link - http://gmccurdy1.home.att.net/Dealers/Dealers.html

[Malindi]

Originally Posted by PhilSpace

McCurdy has the "authoritative" list which has been done in the GPX POI Loader format. I have taken his and started to add phone numbers for the GPS's that have cell phone/BT capability.

Cool. Where can I find that list?

[marco polo]

Originally Posted by Malindi

Cool. Where can I find that list?

Just click on the link he gave you in his post above. When you go to the site, you'll be able to download a Zip file. When you open the Zip file, you'll have a series of files which you can save/open. Best to read the "Read Me" file first. He has files for BMW bike dealers in Canada, and the US -- and he has them in a variety of formats. Aside from uploading them from Mapsource to my GPS, I also print out the list in Excel, and if you select a smaller font, you can have everything, incl phone numbers on two pages. Easy to carry on the bike.

[PhilSpace]

Not Malindi's fault, it wasn't there when he posted it - it took me that long to find the link

[Malindi]

Originally Posted by PhilSpace

Not Malindi's fault, it wasn't there when he posted it - it took me that long to find the link

[Emoto]

Is there a FAQ on how to import these garmin style POIs into my GPS base info, so I don't have to add them to every route? I'd prefer not to wipe out the rest of the POI db while I'm at it.

2720 and 60C...

[Malindi]

Originally Posted by Emoto

Is there a FAQ on how to import these garmin style POIs into my GPS base info, so I don't have to add them to every route? I'd prefer not to wipe out the rest of the POI db while I'm at it.

2720 and 60C...

Easy ..
Open 2 instances of MapSource, copy the POI waypoints into the file opened on the second instance.

[Emoto]

Originally Posted by Malindi

Easy ..
Open 2 instances of MapSource, copy the POI waypoints into the file opened on the second instance.

What file opened in the second instance?

[Malindi]

Originally Posted by Emoto

What file opened in the second instance?

I guess any file you want to add these POI's to. For instance, I have a file called "home" which has all the maps and waypoints for my "local" area. If I wanted to add the US BMW dealers to it, then I woud open that file, start a second instance of MapSource, open the BMW dealer file, copy all the waypoints from the BMW dealer file, tab to the MapSource instance with my "home" file and paste the BMW POI's in that file.

[Emoto]

Sorry to be so dense, but is there a way to make the bmw dealer waypoints automatically show up in every route I make or use without having to cut and paste them every time?

[Malindi]

Originally Posted by Emoto

Sorry to be so dense, but is there a way to make the bmw dealer waypoints automatically show up in every route I make or use without having to cut and paste them every time?

Well, if all the BMW dealers are in the waypoints set, then any route you make can include a BMW stop, if you want. It would mean an aweful lot of detours...

I think what you want is to keep all the BMW dealers in your main file, then add routes as you create them and upload the routes (and maps needed) to the GPS. If you then need a BMW dealer when you are under way, hit "Find" > "Nearest waypoints" and then scroll down till you see the first BMW dealer listed. Hit Enter and Go To. The GPS will then route you to that dealer from where you are at that moment.

[PhilSpace]

Originally Posted by Emoto

Is there a FAQ on how to import these garmin style POIs into my GPS base info, so I don't have to add them to every route? I'd prefer not to wipe out the rest of the POI db while I'm at it.

2720 and 60C...

Yes, and no, Mapsource is not the way if you have a GPS that supports custom POI's. I am swamped right now and don't have the time to dig it out, but do a search for my thread on the POI editor.

It only works on supported GPS's, but will embed them into the GPS and make them searchable, just like restaurants and gas stations.

If you have a phone/bluetooth enabled GPS, you can also include the phone number and from the search on the GPS call the dealer and scream for help.

More when I can get out of power point hell

[PhilSpace]

Originally Posted by Malindi

Well, if all the BMW dealers are in the waypoints set, then any route you make can include a BMW stop, if you want. It would mean an aweful lot of detours...

I think what you want is to keep all the BMW dealers in your main file, then add routes as you create them and upload the routes (and maps needed) to the GPS. If you then need a BMW dealer when you are under way, hit "Find" > "Nearest waypoints" and then scroll down till you see the first BMW dealer listed. Hit Enter and Go To. The GPS will then route you to that dealer from where you are at that moment.

One other quick note, there is a limit to the number of waypoints you can have. You end up having to rubber band them from their own .gpb file and copy/paste them into your route .gpb.

Custom POI's are loaded forever, they are always there and I don't think there is a limit on quantity, only available storage on your GPS.

And one other cool point - there is a MAC version of the POI Loader

[Malindi]

Originally Posted by PhilSpace

One other quick note, there is a limit to the number of waypoints you can have. You end up having to rubber band them from their own .gpb file and copy/paste them into your route .gpb.

Custom POI's are loaded forever, they are always there and I don't think there is a limit on quantity, only available storage on your GPS.

And one other cool point - there is a MAC version of the POI Loader

Aha .... well, until maybe the end of this week I am still in Garmin V land .... upgrading the 276c. Maybe that world is all different. I never knew you could add custom POI's to a basemap.