One of the neat things some of the Garmin Nuvis and Magellean GPS units have (maybe others too) is you can download a POI (Points of Interest) database.

There are literally thousands of POI databases; you name it. I have found everything from a list of West Marine stores in the US, to E85 gas station locations, to Hampton Inns. There are some databases available for a few states for boat launches, state parks, and even Starbucks!

And how about a database identifying intersections that have speed or red light cameras? How cool is that?

Most, if not all of the POIs are free, and many are done by corporate offices of the company that is in the database, state offices, or even individuals.

There are several places where you can get the POI databases; here is the one I use: http://www.poi-factory.com/

You have to download a POI downloader from Garmin, and optionally a POI creator if you want to make your own databases. Both are free from Garmin.

I think this feature tremendously increases the usefulness of the unit, so much so that it becomes a neat instrument to use locally (say you are looking for a particular resturant) rather than just during travel.

Al, thanks for the POI information. That is one of the features that I thought would really make this a useful gadget. The POI database link will help me get up-and-running quick.

We are traveling in the middle of July, and I just realized that with this Garmin using the only 12 volt receptacle, I'll have to buy one of those adapters that turn's one receptacle into two. That way, the inverter will be able to power the kids' machines.

Ditto

Yep, used and updated the Lakes West and CA Lakes POI's this weekend.

Looks like I need to learn how to add POI's. I know it is easy, but have never read the directions.

I recently acquired the Garmin Nuvi 680 (Costco - $350). Very cool device for traveling but the Bluetooth won't consistently work with my Blackberry which makes it borderline returnable. Without Bluetooth it becomes a toy that is useful only occasionally, like when I'm going somewhere I haven't been before which doesn't happen too often. With Bluetooth it is an everyday must have.

Jeffski. The bluetooth on my Nuvi 660 just quit working one day. I got with tech support and they admitted that the current bluetooth driver is goofy, and had me regress to an older driver.

So I should say that at least with the 660, there are some known issues with one of the bluetooth drivers.

My mother has the Garmin c330, the interface is very easy to use and she loves it.

My only issue is that the screen looks black through polarized lenses. I had never noticed till she loaned it to me yesterday for my Wyoming trip tomorrow. This is going to annoy me the whole way.

I have that problem with my iPod...can't see the screen with polarized shades on.

I was very relieved to find-out that I don't have any problem seeing the 760's screen while I'm wearing my polarized glasses.

Not to mention waiting in line at Costco. I limit my visits to that place to quarterly or even biannually but when I'm there I stock up on a very lot of stuff. Time is money so waiting in line at Costco costs money.

The next set of precription sun glasses will not have polarization on them because of the same thing you guys are mentioning. I've never had a problem with it until this latest set though.