Low Bridge POI File

[Waynem]

Please remember that things "change." A bridge reported as 13'6" today may be 13'4" tomorrow because of repaving. Just something to be watchful for. If it's close, get out and inspect. If it's utterly ridiculous, like some bridges reported in San Antonio at 12'0", you will not have your air conditioner when you stop.

Be wary wary careful said the wabit!

[Waynem]

Bigmurf,
Can you share with us where the low clearances for the TomTom came from? What I'm interested in are updates that may be posted and we would miss them.
Thanks

[waldo238]

I have tried to open this link "TomTom/Garmin POI File", but is seems to not work for me. Just a blank page.

[Waynem]

It appears that there may be a server problem. May be because it is being hit so hard by us MOC'ers. Give it the evening and try again in the morning. If it is not ironed out by noon, I'll give them a call.

If someone needs it immediately I can email it to them.

[Waynem]

The web site is now back and functional - at least until 5000 MOC'ers hit it again. Give it a try.

Hey! The site is free and runs off donations. www.finitesite.com

[bigmurf]

quote:Originally posted by Waynem

Bigmurf,
Can you share with us where the low clearances for the TomTom came from? What I'm interested in are updates that may be posted and we would miss them.
Thanks

I believe I picked this file up on the Tom Tom forum. Could be wrong.

[Bill-N-Donna]

Can someone post some detailed instructions for loading the file into a TomTom. I have the file on my computer but seem to be having trouble loading it onto the TomTOm.

Thanks!

[waldo238]

I have downloaded it then uploaded to my Garmin. Now I have a section that is for custom POI's, just need to figure out the alerting part of it now.

[Waynem]

Bill-n-Donna,
I sent you an email with the "semi detailed" instructions. but here it is again for all others.

This is for the TomTom (My model is the 720)

1. Plug TomTom into USB port of computer using the provided "cradle."
2. Turn on TomTom and wait for it to ask if you want to connect to the comptuer. Select "Yes."
3. Shut down all windows that open for TomTom (Unless you want to upgrade to newer files)
4. Open Windows Explorer. You should see a folder under "My Computer," that says "Internal(x where "x" is the logical drive it selected.
5. Click on the plus(+) sign of that folder
6. Click on the folder labeled "North_America_2GB."
7. Copy the .ov2 and the .BMP file to this folder.
8. Turn off the TomTom
9. Restart the TomTom and look at your POI list. You should see the short bridges listed.

Good luck!

Edited: p.s., you will have to have TomTom Home loaded on your PC to be able to connect to your TomTom.

[Waynem]

I know I don't have to mention this, but I'm going to anyhow.
Remember when you are towing that packed snow, resurfaced highways, slants in road, and bridge design (like on the ends) can reduce the height of a bridge significantly enough to rip your air conditioner (or roof) off.

I am not responsible for the accuracy in the files provided. Be safe and double check if you are not positively sure of your height and the structure you are traveling under.

[Bill-N-Donna]

Wayne, thanks again for your help! I couldn't have loaded the file without your instructions.

Just having the warnings on there will be a great help. I'm trying to remember the height of our fifth wheel and I'm thinking it's about 12'6" Can't remember for certain right now but I'll look into that later.

What is the height at which the POI's on low bridges will warn you?

Believe me any warning I come upon will be approached with extreme caution!

Thanks again!
Bill

[Waynem]

Bill,
Good questions - but I don't have those answers.

I measured fro mthe edge of the roof to the ground and got a measurement of 12'9, if I'm remembering right, for a 3400RL Mfg's in May 2007. I added 9" for the air conditioner. That give me 13'6" by estimate.

Now, when parked next to an 18 wheeler pulling a box, he Hanna looks shorter than the box. 18 wheeler boxes are 13'6" so I'm figuring I'm a little less than that. However, I would be very Leary and careful of any structure that was less than 13'6".

Has anyone measured exactly on a 3400Rl, 2007/2008 model?

[snfexpress]

On the Garmin, and logically it would seem that the Tom Tom is similar, it's not the height of the bridge that causes the alert but the bridge, or rather the lat/long of the structure. I set my Garmin to alert me within 2000' of the waypoint.

An easy way to measure the height of your 5er is to have your spouse on the ground and you on the roof. Measure from the ground to the top of the highest point of the roof edge (forget about the stuffs on top like the A/C, for right now). Once you have this point, look towards the middle of the roof and see what is there and near that spot that is higher, lie the A/C or satellite dish. Now, just measure up to this point. BTW, you should do this while hooke up.

[sreigle]

Does the alert sound the alarm when within that 2000 feet in ANY direction? In other words, if I'm on 1st street at an intersection with A street and there's a low bridge 500 feet away on A street, will the alarm sound? I only want the alarm to sound if the obstruction is actually in my intended path is why I ask.

[Waynem]

Steve,
I believe that all the alarms are designed on a radius. One would have to think about police stations, fire stations, hospitals, Dunkin Donuts, etc. When you want to find one you don't want it as much as ON your route as to "how do I get to it." I think it would be a programming feat to have one alarm sound based on different criteria and would drive the cost up considerably. Just my opinion.

[Bill-N-Donna]

The TomTom we have has a setting which is an option to "Warn only if POI is on route!"

[rames14]

After some research, there are a couple of things I learned after posting. First, on the POI-Factory.comwebsite, they had some directions on uploading POI files to Garmin using POI Loader (available for free on the Garmin website. On the POI-Factory website, there was also a low clearance picture file (.bmp) and a sound file (.mp3). If you put them in the same folder with the same name (except extension, ie low bridge.bmp, low bridge.csv, low bridge.mp3), it will know to use that icon with the file and that sound for the warning.

[Gumby56]

This is awesome. Anyone with a Tom Tom can get the detailed instructions from the support page by selecting their model, then selecting Plus Services-Points of Interest. Once you have them loaded go to Change Preferences on the unit. You can then select Warn When Near POI. Select the POI and then it will allow you to select how much notice that you want (distance in yards) and then if you want Full Spoken Warning, a Brief Spoken Warning, a sound effect, or your own warning (some models). You are then given the option to Warn Only if POI is on Route.

I'm so excited, I have been looking for this POI for 6 months!

[sreigle]

I haven't check to see if Garmin restricts to route but if Tom-Tom does then I bet Garmin does, too. Nobody lets the competition get ahead, you know.

Our 2007 3400RL measures 12' 10" to the top of the AC, the highest point on ours. That's using a 2x4 laid level across the AC and measured from there to the ground.

[Waynem]

Steve,
That is good information. I have not been able to measure my 3400RL height yet and was suspecting it was close to 13'. Parking next to commercial trailers that are 13'6" makes mine appear to be below their height. I program in 13'6" on Co-pilot, just in case. Thanks.

The 2008 Motor Carriers Road Atlas is on the stands at Barnes & Nobles. It has all states bridge heights. If I knew how to make a POI i'd type it up. Any takers?