Install Speed Cameras and Alerts on Your Garmin DriveSmart

Have you just bought a Garmin DriveSmart GPS and want to add a speed camera or point of interest (POI) database? No worries! Even without technical skills, you can easily do it by following this step-by-step guide based on real feedback from the Lufop community.

Steps for a Successful Installation

1. Prepare the Required Files
   You will need three types of files for each POI:
   • A .CSV file (coordinates of the speed camera),
   • A .BMP file (icon),
   • A .WAV file (audio alert).

   All files must have the exact same name (e.g., radar.csv, radar.bmp, radar.wav).

2. Install POI Loader and Sox.exe correctly
   – Download POI Loader (preferably version 2.7.3) from Garmin’s official website.
   – Download the correct version of sox.exe: sox-14.4.zip
   – Extract the sox.exe file (not the installer!) and place it in the same folder as POILoader.exe, for example: C:\Program Files (x86)\Garmin\POILoader.
3. Start Installation with POI Loader
   – Connect your GPS to your PC.
   – Launch POILoader.exe, choose the “Custom Installation” mode and select the folder containing your CSV/BMP/WAV files.
   – Make sure the .GPI file is successfully created.
4. Check on Your GPS
   – Go to “Categories” on your Garmin device.
   – You should see your POI with the icon and hear the alert when approaching (in simulation or during navigation).

Extra Tips

• If the .wav file doesn’t affect the .gpi file size, it may not be processed correctly. Make sure it’s in PCM, 44.1 kHz, mono format.
• To create custom alerts, use a text-to-speech service and convert the MP3 to WAV with this online tool.
• Never place sox.exe inside the GPS device — only on your PC.
• Garmin GPS devices don’t read CSV files directly — only GPI files generated with POI Loader.

Need mode ?

With a bit of method and the right tools, installing a speed camera database on a Garmin DriveSmart is totally doable. And if you prefer not to customize, you can simply download ready-to-use GPI files from GPS-SNE.

Bonus resource: The website Lufop.net offers free, regularly updated Garmin speed camera files — definitely worth bookmarking!