Clearwater / St Petersburg Park and Beach POI Database

I’ve been working on a “master” POI database for the Garmin nuvi GPS series and finally got it all put together and finished up (info on how to get it below). This one is 21 different parks and beaches in the St Petersburg and Clearwater area of Tampa Bay Florida.

The two major problems I find with more or less all POI databases are:

1. They’re accurate only to a basic level.
2. The additional information is sparse or nonexistent.

I do a whole lot better than that with mine.

For the parks and beaches listed in my POI database, they take you right to the entrance – not just the physical street address. As anyone knows who has used GPS, some physical addresses in POI db’s don’t necessarily take you where you want to be. Mine does because I cross-referenced each point using three different mapping programs – and – have each location down to the exact coordinate of where you’re supposed to be – and – have physically driven to most of the locations.

The additional info in my POI database lists the stuff that’s important, like this:

My listings include the physical address, phone number and park amenities.

For example, see the spot you see where it says “Boat Ramp (fee charged)” and “Parking”? That’s important info – and it’s not listed anywhere in the GPS but it is in my POI database.

How to get it

The full version with all 21 parks and beaches listed is here: http://www.lulu.com/content/5159723

There is a free version (has 3 listings) and you can test drive it. Download it here. Right-click and do a “Save As” or “Save Target As” and install it to see if you like it or not. If you do, get the full version afterwards for the full 21 listings (click the Lulu link above for that).

Instructions for those that have never used POI databases before

My POI databases are designed for Garmin nuvi models (all of them). They’ll work with anything from a 200 model all the way to 5000 and everything in between.

My databases will also work with Garmin StreetPilot series.

So anyway, this is what you do:

1. Download the latest Garmin USB drivers and install them.
2. Download the POI Loader (it’s free, no MapSource needed) and install it.
3. As a test, download the free database I have linked above and put it somewhere on your hard drive (“My Documents” is a good spot).
4. Plug in your Garmin GPS to your computer via USB cable. Any generic USB to mini-USB cable will work. (You probably have one for your digital camera – that will usually fit 99% of the time to the Garmin.)
5. Wait about 30 seconds for Windows to detect the Garmin. Since you’ve already installed the USB drivers this won’t be a problem.
6. Run the POI Loader software. Browse to the directory where you downloaded the POI database and send it over.
7. Once the software reports you’ve successfully transferred the POIs over to the GPS, close the POI Loader software and unplug the GPS from the computer.

To get to the POIs:

This is labeled under a section of the GPS called “Extras”.

On a nuvi 200, 250, 260, or 270, this is how you get to them:

• Tap Where to?
• Tap the down arrow (bottom right of screen)
• Tap Extras
• Tap Custom POIs

That’s where they will be.

To note: This is the absolute best POI database for the St Pete / Clearwater area for parks and beaches. It’s exact, it’s accurate and there is literally nothing better. For those of you out there that plan on vacationing in Tampa Bay via car or RV, or even if you’re a local – this is the best you can get.