bad Experience

[greenleader]

I visited Lake St Lucia very recently. One morning we went for a cruise on the lake and I parked my vehicle near the shore of the lake and the Nuvi 500 was still on. It displayed as question " Do you want to switch to Marine mode?". Now since the Nuvi 500 is Marine capable (if you have the maps installed which I have not), I said "yes". (Nuuskierige Agie) Big mistake. All my previous data were wiped ( Favourites, all of them and it reset the trip and max speed).

I know now not to answer "yes" again.

Is there a way to backup one's favourites once in a while?

Thanks for your answers in advance.

[dasilvarsa]

Yes
You can use Garmin Express to Backup and Restore your Favourites etc (Recommended)
Alternatively you can copy the file named current.gpx to your computer.
Regards
Joe

[greenleader]

Thanks Joe

[dasilvarsa]

Another thing you can do to make your favorites more permanent.
Extract the current.gpx from your Nuvi.
Run it through PoiLoader.exe (output to computer, Nuvi disconnected)
PoiLoader.exe will then create a .GPI file.
Copy this file to your GPI folder in your Nuvi.
It is advisable to back up your whole Nuvi from time to time.

[greenleader]

Thanks

[Jan Horn]

Another way is to use the options "Receive from Device" available in both Mapsource and Basecamp. I use Mapsource and save the downloaded file in .gdb format on my laptop. It can be send back to the gps at anytime in that format to restore your favorites (waypoints) I take it that you are still using the Garmap maps. If you by any chance "upgraded" to City Navigator and used Garmin express in the process or updated the 500's firmware using Garmin Express you may be lucky. I noticed that the program do a backup before it download and upgrade my 52.

[greenleader]

Thanks Jan.
I have installed Garmin Express. It did pick my Nuvi and the software were updated. After that I was able to do a backup like you have suggested.
Regards

[Jan Horn]

You can also tick the box to automatically have your data backed up each time you do an update. Another handy option is to transfer you favorites to another unit.