Export/Import NAV destinations via USB
#1
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Export/Import NAV destinations via USB
I have figured out how to export a NAV destination to a USB stick. I also know how to import them. What I can't figure out is how to do what I want to do. The classic flaw of coders, creating menu items that enable the stuff their program is written to do. Instead of creating menu items based on what their users want to accomplish.
What I would like to do is type a bunch of destinations here at my desktop and let the NAV read them from my USB stick. Since the NAV code knows how to pick up a destination from a phone message, I figured it had a -- forgive the technical jargon -- a free-text 'parser' built in. Reading any file requires a 'parser', but specifically they have one to parse free text and spot location information, so I figured their import/export would be based on some sort of standard text format, like comma-delimited, or newline delimited. That sort of thing. It does not appear so.
I did the obvious: I had the system write a 'location' from the destination memory to the USB stick. I just examined the file that results. It is given a file type 'navi' and is not in human readable format.
Does anyone know how we can deal with these files?
Gary
What I would like to do is type a bunch of destinations here at my desktop and let the NAV read them from my USB stick. Since the NAV code knows how to pick up a destination from a phone message, I figured it had a -- forgive the technical jargon -- a free-text 'parser' built in. Reading any file requires a 'parser', but specifically they have one to parse free text and spot location information, so I figured their import/export would be based on some sort of standard text format, like comma-delimited, or newline delimited. That sort of thing. It does not appear so.
I did the obvious: I had the system write a 'location' from the destination memory to the USB stick. I just examined the file that results. It is given a file type 'navi' and is not in human readable format.
Does anyone know how we can deal with these files?
Gary
#3
Burning Brakes
Doing a google search on Porsche, .navi, PCM, returned some earlier attempts on this, one here on Rennlist.
Searching for .navi file format returns nothing interesting on a quick glance..this should be known. Hmm...
Searching for .navi file format returns nothing interesting on a quick glance..this should be known. Hmm...
#4
I have figured out how to export a NAV destination to a USB stick. I also know how to import them. What I can't figure out is how to do what I want to do. The classic flaw of coders, creating menu items that enable the stuff their program is written to do. Instead of creating menu items based on what their users want to accomplish.
What I would like to do is type a bunch of destinations here at my desktop and let the NAV read them from my USB stick. Since the NAV code knows how to pick up a destination from a phone message, I figured it had a -- forgive the technical jargon -- a free-text 'parser' built in. Reading any file requires a 'parser', but specifically they have one to parse free text and spot location information, so I figured their import/export would be based on some sort of standard text format, like comma-delimited, or newline delimited. That sort of thing. It does not appear so.
I did the obvious: I had the system write a 'location' from the destination memory to the USB stick. I just examined the file that results. It is given a file type 'navi' and is not in human readable format.
Does anyone know how we can deal with these files?
Gary
What I would like to do is type a bunch of destinations here at my desktop and let the NAV read them from my USB stick. Since the NAV code knows how to pick up a destination from a phone message, I figured it had a -- forgive the technical jargon -- a free-text 'parser' built in. Reading any file requires a 'parser', but specifically they have one to parse free text and spot location information, so I figured their import/export would be based on some sort of standard text format, like comma-delimited, or newline delimited. That sort of thing. It does not appear so.
I did the obvious: I had the system write a 'location' from the destination memory to the USB stick. I just examined the file that results. It is given a file type 'navi' and is not in human readable format.
Does anyone know how we can deal with these files?
Gary
Here is a software tool that allows interaction with the Becker Map pilot portable unit sold in europe and/or with some mercedes cars. A long shot but maybe it allows you a way to enter destinations and saves them on your computer when the map pilot unit is not present for download later. And if they are in the .navi format, maybe you can then copy the files manually to the PCM.
http://www.mybecker.com/enUK/main-na...lot/downloads/
Download the content manager and the related user guide. Like I said, a shot in the dark.
#5
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Gary
#6
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Doing a google search on Porsche, .navi, PCM, returned some earlier attempts on this, one here on Rennlist.
Searching for .navi file format returns nothing interesting on a quick glance..this should be known. Hmm...
Searching for .navi file format returns nothing interesting on a quick glance..this should be known. Hmm...
Obviously, I'm not the first one to bump into this silliness. Now I'm trying -- without much energy -- to think what value they thought the menu items would serve. The ones that say "send to USB" or "read from USB".
Gary
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The PCM unit is engineered by Harman Becker. The file is probably a proprietary format or some type of encrypted vcard /xml format.
Here is a software tool that allows interaction with the Becker Map pilot portable unit sold in europe and/or with some mercedes cars. A long shot but maybe it allows you a way to enter destinations and saves them on your computer when the map pilot unit is not present for download later. And if they are in the .navi format, maybe you can then copy the files manually to the PCM.
http://www.mybecker.com/enUK/main-na...lot/downloads/
Download the content manager and the related user guide. Like I said, a shot in the dark.
Here is a software tool that allows interaction with the Becker Map pilot portable unit sold in europe and/or with some mercedes cars. A long shot but maybe it allows you a way to enter destinations and saves them on your computer when the map pilot unit is not present for download later. And if they are in the .navi format, maybe you can then copy the files manually to the PCM.
http://www.mybecker.com/enUK/main-na...lot/downloads/
Download the content manager and the related user guide. Like I said, a shot in the dark.
All that would have been fine if it had been able to read and write 'navi' files, but I never got to find out. After installation, it's first question is "Where's My NavPilot!!!" and when it can't find one connected to the computer, it asks whether you want it to quit looking and exit. Well, no. Obviously, what I want is to manipulate some files on this computer that I can take elsewhere, but it somehow couldn't hear me shouting.
I tried a couple of workarounds, gave up, and uninstalled the program. Fortunately, it hasn't seemed to leave any unremovable traces. Last time I used a program like that it woke up screaming for Mommy every time I rebooted. Had to ignore it for two years until I upgraded my system.
But it was a darn good chance it would work. Thank you for spotting that. Am I going to have to hack PCNA's home server to fi... no, that would be excessive and I never would do that. Ahem.
Gary
#9
Rennlist Member
can someone save one of these files to USB and upload it here along with the information regarding the actual location used to generate the input, full address, lat/long of origin and destination?
#10
upload Navi destinations from USB
I was able to transfer stored destinations from my Boxster to my 911 GTS. After you downloaded the .navi files to the USB stick, to upload the files you select Stored Destinations, then Add Destination, then just click on Load from USB. It works!
#12
Rennlist Member
I'm thrilled that I stumbled onto the use of Google for POI searches on our 2014 PCM when my iPhone is plugged into the USB port (via a ProClip installation).
#13
Three Wheelin'
#14
Rennlist Member
Yes. ProClip snaps on to the console and I have the phone holder that takes an iPhone cable. I ran the cable under the side of the console and into the glove compartment. When the USB end of the cable is plugged into the USB port in the glove box the POI menu changes and I can search for a POI and the PCM reads that it is powered by Google. A hit list is displayed and whatever I choose is then used as the destination address. I can't reference a manual page since I'm still awaiting my 2014 manuals from Sonnen but I'm sure it's in there somewhere.
#15
Well, it was worth a try. I downloaded and installed that program. It's what I would characterize as a low-end business program. That is, written with no consideration of standard interfaces, but it uses a professional installer that had to be licensed, so you know they cared. Typical of companies who's real business lies elsewhere, but whose management is convinced there's really nothing to do this software stuff so they hire an intern to deal with it.
All that would have been fine if it had been able to read and write 'navi' files, but I never got to find out. After installation, it's first question is "Where's My NavPilot!!!" and when it can't find one connected to the computer, it asks whether you want it to quit looking and exit. Well, no. Obviously, what I want is to manipulate some files on this computer that I can take elsewhere, but it somehow couldn't hear me shouting.
I tried a couple of workarounds, gave up, and uninstalled the program. Fortunately, it hasn't seemed to leave any unremovable traces. Last time I used a program like that it woke up screaming for Mommy every time I rebooted. Had to ignore it for two years until I upgraded my system.
But it was a darn good chance it would work. Thank you for spotting that. Am I going to have to hack PCNA's home server to fi... no, that would be excessive and I never would do that. Ahem.
Gary
All that would have been fine if it had been able to read and write 'navi' files, but I never got to find out. After installation, it's first question is "Where's My NavPilot!!!" and when it can't find one connected to the computer, it asks whether you want it to quit looking and exit. Well, no. Obviously, what I want is to manipulate some files on this computer that I can take elsewhere, but it somehow couldn't hear me shouting.
I tried a couple of workarounds, gave up, and uninstalled the program. Fortunately, it hasn't seemed to leave any unremovable traces. Last time I used a program like that it woke up screaming for Mommy every time I rebooted. Had to ignore it for two years until I upgraded my system.
But it was a darn good chance it would work. Thank you for spotting that. Am I going to have to hack PCNA's home server to fi... no, that would be excessive and I never would do that. Ahem.
Gary
Funny.... Turns out Jester is a Porsche guy!