Convert MID to OV2

Understanding MID and OV2 file formats

MID files, or MapInfo Interchange Format files, are used to store geographic data, typically in conjunction with a MIF (MapInfo Interchange Format) file. MID files contain attribute data for map features, making them essential in GIS (Geographic Information Systems) applications.

OV2 files are used by TomTom navigation devices to store Points of Interest (POI). These files allow users to add custom locations, such as restaurants or gas stations, to their TomTom GPS units.

Why convert MID to OV2?

Converting MID files to OV2 format is useful when you want to transfer geographic data from a GIS application to a TomTom device for navigation or location-based alerts. This process enables you to use custom map data as POIs on your GPS device.

How to convert MID to OV2

Direct conversion from MID to OV2 is not straightforward, as MID files are typically paired with MIF files and contain attribute data, while OV2 files require specific POI formatting. The conversion process generally involves two steps:

1. Export MID/MIF data to CSV or another common format using GIS software such as QGIS or MapInfo Professional.
2. Convert the exported data to OV2 using a dedicated POI converter tool.

Recommended software and tools

• QGIS: Open your MID/MIF files, then use Layer → Export → Save Features As... to export your data to CSV or KML.
• POIEdit: After exporting to CSV or KML, use POIEdit to convert the file to OV2 format.
• GPSBabel: This free tool supports conversion between many GPS and mapping formats, including CSV/KML to OV2.

Step-by-step conversion process

1. Open your MID/MIF files in QGIS or MapInfo Professional.
2. Export the data to CSV or KML using Layer → Export → Save Features As....
3. Open the exported file in POIEdit or GPSBabel.
4. Convert the file to OV2 format and save it to your computer.
5. Transfer the OV2 file to your TomTom device.

Tips for successful conversion

• Ensure your exported CSV or KML file includes latitude, longitude, and name fields for each POI.
• Check the formatting requirements of your chosen converter tool.
• Test the OV2 file on your TomTom device before relying on it for navigation.