Citigo LPG Part 4 - How to load LPG filling station information into Move and Fun Navigon PID

After the conversion of the fuel system on my Citigo I really needed a convenient way of searching for LPG refilling stations around the country. A search around the internet suggested there was no definitive list for the UK and there my search stalled, until I discovered the website www.FillLPG.co.uk. It's free to join and to my mind it is the web at its best helping others to help ourselves. It does exactly what it says on its home page;

 

"The aim of this site it to create an up to date directory of LPG filling stations throughtout the UK

This directory is kept up to date by you, the LPG user for other LPG users."

 

When you login, select map and enter a town or postcode this is the screen presented;

 

 

Superimposed on a Google map are the filling stations with the latest prices. A helpful colour code provides visual information on cheap, medium and expensive fuel price. A satellite picture of the station is displayed on the right if you click on the coloured square together with address and price information. You can also update price details and station information here as well. 

This is crowd sourcing at its best.

 

Running the pointer over the download satnav files reveals TomTom and Garmin downloads. Download the Garmin FillMe.csv file.

 

So I had a source for up to date filling stations but how to get it into the Move and Fun PID. I discovered that this unit is a Navigon Premium 70 GPS which uses a Windows CE based operating system. It's entirely proprietary which is an anathema to me as I am an opensource advocate.

Let me explain. I do not use Windows or Apple Mac. I have always used Linux for my computing which can on occasions make things a little more difficult than they need to be, and this was one of those occasions. 

Paul Tomlinson is one of those unselfish people who see a need, solve it and share it with everyone.

Paul has written a programme called Navigon POI Converter that takes a .csv file converts it to something acceptable for the Navigon, and uploads into the GPS unit as custom POI's using a workaround which he describes best at his website. 

 

 

The software is free and you pay a small charge around £1.50 for the cost of running the download server.

Paul's programme is written for Windows and not for Linux, but I solved the issues and now happily run it from within Linux using Wine. For Windows systems just download the zip file extract it and run the setup file. Follow the instructions. You will need a usb to mini usb lead to connect your Navigon to your computer.

 

So how does it work out. Great if you now the town name where you are. Follow some simple steps, enter the town name into the Navigon, up pops a selection of nearby LPG stations, select navigate to and hey presto directions to cheap fuel where ever you are in the UK.

 

Alternatively or as well;

 

At FillLPG.co.uk you can also download an app for your Android phone where you can select a filling station from the map which is centred on your GPS position, and that is even easier.

 

............... to be continued with a summary of my experiences on this journey with my Citigo and LPG.