Finding Gas Stations with a Garmin 2610

[2WheelPilot]

Just got a refurb'ed Garmin 2610, and updated it with the latest database.  It appears to be working fine.  I can find addresses, navigate, save waypoints, etc.  But I can't see how to locate gas stations.  When I do a "find" it brings up numerous types of POI's like food, shopping, emergency services, etc., but no gas stations.  That was one of top reasons for getting a GPS.  Am I doing something wrong?  BTW, I can locate gas stations in Mapsource, but I can't get them to show up on the GPS.

[bomber]

My refurb'd 2610 finds gas stations just fine . . . . . Find > Services > filter for auto fuel (or similar) > press OK, zippo bang, instantly, the location of a number of gas stations that were there when Navteq did it's thing (likely 05 for my 07 Garmin software), all of which will be closed when I most need em

;-}

[MadMax96]

Yup - it's in there just like bomber said... it would be nice if it was a separate button, since it's a pain to get to with gloves while riding.  Yeah - like I'm going to pull over everytime I need to use it.    

[HipGnosis]

Find > Services > filter for auto fuel (or similar) > press OK

No need to filter, just scroll thru the list that comes up  (scrolling is easier than filtering)

Just got a refurb'ed Garmin 2610, and updated it with the latest database.  It appears to be working fine.  I can locate gas stations in Mapsource, but I can't get them to show up on the GPS.

Garmin hardware and MapSource seem to be made by 2 separate entities - at least with the 26xx's.
If you search in MapSource for Restaurants > 'BBQ', it lists everything w/ 'BBQ' in the name.
Do the same on the 2610 and it only shows places that start w/ 'BBQ' - NOT the same, and FRUSTRATING!!
Now, I 'find' places before I leave home.
BTW, that's done by Find > City; Filter as needed, Show on Map, then Find > Restaurant, filter... (It'll show restaurants in that town instead of near your actual location).  That also puts the town and restaurant in your 'Recent Finds' (oh yea, ya gotta 'show' the restaurant).

[TuffguyF4i]

I don't have any problem with the operation of the unit, but on many of my road trips there proved to be 10 x more gas stations then the unit listed.  The majority of stations where not on the unit.

[bomber]

I'm thinkin that there's at least a 2/3 year lag between the latest software release and reality -- add a couple of years worth of lag for each version behind you're unit may be . . . . . .

[Baz]

I don't think they have a complete list of all the businesses in the world, and would bet money that the ones that are on there, have paid to get on the Garmin pre-loaded busines list. I would bet that not all business owners would spend advertising dollars to get on the Garmin list. The big chains maybe, but not everyone.

I might suggest that you look around. I know for instance that Yamaha has all their dealers on a POI file that you can load on your unit. I would bet that Holiday Inn, Shell etc. might have the same sort of file you could obtain.

[bomber]

I may be wrong on both counts, here . . .

I believe that most of the major GPS makers use data from Navtec -- garmin, in other words, do not make their own maps, but buy them from Navtec . . . . .

I don't believe businesses pay to be listed as a POI -- again, I think Navtek loads that data into their maps . . . . .

Businesses change often --

your suggestion to search for alternate sources of information is a great one! thanks

[DangerMoney]

I believe that most of the major GPS makers use data from Navtec -- garmin, in other words, do not make their own maps, but buy them from Navtec . . . . .

You've pretty much got that right except it's Navteq & Tele Atlas. Note this news story from November 19, 2007:

http://www.gpsmagazine.com/2007/11/garmin_cancels_bid_on_tele_atl.php

[bomber]

if that's as wrong as I get, it's gonna be a great week!