Garmin POI loader

Another neat garmin utility that I hadn't played around with before is the custom point of interest (POI) loader. This is another free download from the Garmin site. It allows you to upload comma-separated value (CSV) and gpx files to your Garmin unit.
[ Check the Garmin site for POI Loader compatibility with your unit. ]

On X units (i.e. those with microSD cards), these files are stored on the card rather than in the unit's memory. While this isn't a replacement for the built-in geocache functionality, it does offer some interesting options.:

• the number of POIs is limited only by the size of the microSD card, rather than the hard limit (<1000?)>
• each entry can contain a latitude/longitude, name, and description (though there is a limit to the amount of text each entry can contain)
  
• Some people are using this feature to generated expanded listings, including difficulty/terrain - even decoded clues - for their geocache waypoints.
  
• custom POI's can be searched for and even used in auto-routing
• several different POI files (databases, according to Garmin) can be loaded at once, and the user can select which is displayed
• according to the documentation, custom waypoint icons can be associated with each POI file (though several people are having difficulty with this feature, and I have not tested it)

There is a GSAK macro that produces entries in a useful CSV format, though some are simply uploading custom GPX files. I'll write more after I have used this software.