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TourGuide Help

Posted January 3rd, 2007 by geoadmin

GPI files
Garmin uses a file with a .GPI extension for custom Points of Interest (POIs) on their GPS receivers. POIs can include museums, historical sites, restaurants, hotels, post offices, emergency services, entertainment, plus much more, and are represented by small icons on the maps displayed on your unit. Most Garmin automobile devices come pre-loaded with maps and large numbers of these POIs.

Garmin has also included the ability to create a special type of POI called a Garmin TourGuide™. This site was created for the community to create and share these special POIs. The TourGuide files on this site include a waypoint with an associated MP3 file (sometimes with an embedded picture as well). They are also set up with a proximity alert so the file will start to play when you are near the POI. Garmin TourGuide POIs are currently compatible with the nüvi™, zūmo™, and the StreetPilot® c550, 2730, 2820, 7200 and 7500.

This site contains TourGuide files in the .GPI file format with relevant audio included, many times from experts and local people. These files cover historical monuments, famous places, and many more areas of interest from all over the world.

Download and Save
First download a TourGuide .gpi file from the Share Files page HERE or create a Custom Tour HERE. Save the file to your computer.

Next you need to save the .gpi file to your Garmin/POI/ folder on your GPS receiver.

1) Attach your Garmin receiver, usually via USB or a Garmin serial cable. Your receiver should show a drive on your computer with a single Garmin folder in it. (NOTE: You may have to enable USB mode for some GPS devices)

Inside the Garmin folder you should see a POI folder. This folder may already contain a poi.gpi file.
Folder example


2) Copy your recently downloaded file to the POI folder. The new POI file does NOT have to be named poi.gpi to work. IF YOU REPLACE YOUR EXISTING POI.GPI FILE ANY OTHER CUSTOM POIs ON YOUR DEVICE COULD BE ERASED!

Test Your TourGuide File
Once you have downloaded your gpi file and saved it to your GPS device go HERE for more instructions on testing your TourGuide file.

Let us know your experience and tips you may have for using these TourGuide files. Go to our forums HERE.