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I have figured out how to add new POIs using PioLoader but I am having trouble entering speed and distance data.

My test CSV file looks like this:

150.1234, -33.5678, "Smith Street nr Jones St@40"
150.5555, -33.7777, "Stop sign@40"

I asked PioLoader to use Manual mode for alert data and on the next screen I checked the box "This file contains proximity alerts" and the radio button "Alert whenever you get close to a point" and inserted 100 metres.

Two problems:

(1) I do not get a second chance at entering a distance if I wanted the two POIs to have different distances.

(2) After transferring the output file to my Vista HCx, the two new POIs are present, but they both use the default distance of 400 metres and ignored the 100 value I put in.

Should I be able to enter separate alert distances for each point, or would I have to separate them into individual files?

Any ideas why my manually entered distance was ignored?

joe99

Take a look at the Help File for POI Loader. Speed information in the individual POI will take precedence over anything else you enter in Manual Mode.

Numbers in the filename itself are interpreted as speed information as is the number after the @ symbol in the POI location itself.

When using Manual Mode, you are setting the speed/proximity alerts for the entire POI file. You can't have different distances using this mode. You need to put them in different files.

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THIS IS FROM THE HELP FILE

Understanding Speed and Proximity Alert Information

POI Loader automatically scans .csv and .gpx data files for speed and proximity alert information.

You can also use Manual mode to specify default speed and proximity alert information as needed.

Speed Information

Speed information can be included in the file name or in the names of individual POIs within the file.

POI Loader determines speed information based on the following information, listed from highest to lowest priority:

Speed information included in the name of the individual Custom POI. For example, a POI named "SpeedZone@30" will have an alert speed of 30 regardless of the speed information specified in Manual mode or in the file name.

Speed information entered in Manual mode.

Speed information included in the file name. POI Loader interprets any numbers in the file name as speed information.

Proximity Alert Information

Proximity alert information can be calculated automatically based on speed information. It can also be included in .gpx data files or added in Manual mode.

POI Loader determines proximity alert information based on the following criteria, listed from highest to lowest priority:

Proximity alert information listed for individual POIs in a .gpx file. This information overrides all other proximity alert information.

Proximity alert information entered in Manual mode.

Proximity alert distance calculated by POI Loader based on speed information in the file name or in individual POI names. This calculation uses the following formula:

Prompt Distance = 36 seconds * Speed.

A default proximity alert distance of 400 meters/0.25 miles if the file name contains the word "redlight."

If there is a TourGuide audio file attached and no other proximity alert information is available, POI Loader assigns a proximity alert distance of 0.25 miles.

Thanks MM

I had studied that section of the help file and that was the procedure I was trying to follow.

I note that the help file states:

"POI Loader automatically scans .csv and .gpx data files for speed and proximity alert information. "

I know how to code speed info in a csv file using the @ symbol, but should I be able to code in individual distances also, thereby avoiding the need to use manual mode (and have a variety of distances for individual points within the same file?)

I did notice that later on, the help file twice mentions proximity alert info in gpx files, without also mentioning csv. Is this a limitation of the csv method? How do I put distance info in a gpx? Could I convert my csv file to gpx, and then add the distance info?

Sorry to keep coming back with so many questions but the instructions I have found are not always 100% clear.

The reason I am keen to be able to assign individual distances is that near my home there is a school which has no street frontage apart from a driveway entrance. The sign posted zone is very short, only a couple of hundred metres overall and having the alert go off at a radius of 400 metres is a bit of a nuisance.

joe99

POI Loader scans the files for alert information, but it only interprets it in the manner that it understands.

You can only set individual proximity alerts in GPX files and not in CSV files. You might want to look at a program named GeePeeEx if you want to start dealing with GPX files. Phil is an expert in GPX.

Otherwise, if you are more comfortable editing CSV files which are more simple, then you need to have separate files.

If you are having an issue with a single location, why not just pull it from the main file and put it in its own file?

I had a quick look at GeePeeEx and it certainly looks promising.

Before reading MM's latest message, I had actually succeeded in producing a POI with arbitrary speed and distance values, the goal which had previously eluded me.

All I did was feed my csv (containing speed settings using @ signs) into MapSource. Using waypoint properties panel I put in my chosen proximity distance, output the file as gpx and then used PoiLoader in express mode.

The only loose end is that I could not get an extra comment line to appear below the point name on the GPS screen but I am sure ther must be a way of achieving that.

joe99

oops - I just realised I left out a step in the procedure in my previous message. I had to use PioEdit Online to convert the csv to a gpx before loading into MapSource.

It would be nice to find a more streamlined way of doing things.

And I still cannot get extra comment lines to appear above the Alarm Range and Speed display.

joe99