If you use a Garmin, TomTom or Magellan GPS device, you can now add GoDaven's Minyan information to your device. This way, whenever and wherever you are traveling, your GPS device can always find the closest Minyanim.
This service contains information for a selection of over 2,100 of the Minyanim from GoDaven.com, in countries around the world.
For now, the only information displayed is the name of each Minyan, its address, and, in some versions, the telephone number. You are strongly urged to call any Minyan to confirm Davening times in advance before traveling there.
This service works with the following devices:
For the Garmin version, you need an IBM-compatible PC running Windows 2000 or Windows XP operating system and an available USB port.
Any Magellan GPS, TomTom Compatible Device, or one of the following Garmin devices (Recently made devices may be compatible even if they are not on this list)
Nuvi 310, 350, 360, 660, 760 or later model
Venture Cx, Legend Cx, Vista Cx
GPSMAP 60Cx, 60CSx, 76Cx, 76CSx
Quest 2
IQue M3, M4, M5, 3000
StreetPilot i2, i3, i5, c310, c320, c330, c340, c510, c550, 2720, 2730, 2820, 7200, 7500
TomTom Devices
Download the GoDaven GPS files (GoDavenTom.zip: 44KB) by clicking here.
Unzip and copy the files into the usa_and_canada directory on your TomTom device, or the directory of whatever your active map is.
Garmin Devices
Download the "POI Loader" program from here.
Double-click on the POI Loader program and follow the instructions to install it.
Download the GoDaven GPS program (GoDaven.csv: 220KB) by clicking here. Save the file into a folder on your hard drive that you will use specifically for loading customized locations onto your GPS. (If you're already using customized locations from another source, use the same folder.)
Connect the Garmin unit to your computer.
If the POI Loader program doesn't start automatically, start the program by clicking Start -> Programs -> Garmin -> POI Loader.
Click Next, be sure your Garmin unit is displayed, click Next again, click Browse to find and select the folder where you downloaded the GoDaven GPS program, then click OK.
Leave the other settings as is, and click Next.
You should receive a "Congratulations!" message. Click Finish to exit the program.
Magellan Devices
Download the GoDaven GPS program (GoDavenMag.zip: 64KB) by clicking here. Unzip the file and save the GoDaven.MGLN file into a folder on your hard drive that you will use specifically for loading customized locations onto your GPS. (If you're already using customized locations from another source, use the same folder.)
Turn on the Magellan and connect it to your computer.
Start the Magellan RoadMate Tools application that came with your device. Click on POI.
On the left side of the screen, find the GoDaven.MGLN file you downloaded and click on it.
Click on the transfer button (the right arrow) to transfer the file onto the GPS.
You may need to enable your GPS to allow it to display the minyan locations. To do this, on the GPS, go to Menu -> Navigation Options -> Configuration -> Custom POI's -> Select a POI File -> Go Daven. On that same page, after Custom POI's, click Display Categories and check the box to allow the shul symbols to appear on the map.
Now, on the main screen, click "Dining, ATM, Gas..." -> Custom POI -> Nearest. You can adjust the "nearest" option to display all minyanim within a specified distance.
The exact way you access the minyan information varies depending on your device. For some devices, there is an option in the menu system for "Extras" -> "Custom POIs", which will then display a list of all the Minyanim that are near you. Clicking on any Minyan's name will display its full information, and you can then click to have the GPS direct you to that location.
If you have any further questions, or comments, about this program, send email to Yosi@FishkinMD.com.
A special thank you to Ben Bazian (www.chazzan.org) for his help with converting the files to work on TomTom devices.