How do I get the AVIC-x701bt to display nearby POI on the Map without having to search for a specific POI. My handheld unit shows nearby POI (gas stations, restaurants, etc) on the map screen automatically and adjusts to show new POI as you location moves.

here are the steps:

go to MENU, then SETTINGS. click on NAVI SETTINGS and then MAP VISUAL. the first option will be called POI SETTINGS or something similar. Click on POI SETTINGS. it should then list all of the POI categories.

You can choose EDIT on the far right to make the entire category visible or you can drill down and choose to make a specific POI visible. (ie. you can have all gas stations visible or you can go in and make just Exxon and BP visible)

After you click on EDIT, look at the POI VISIBILITY line.

Where it says "OFF" you want to keep tapping that until it says either CLOSE, MEDIUM, FAR, or SATELLITE. I believe this is the distance at which they become visible. I have mine set at MEDIUM and seems to

Thanks! I now see the ICONS. How do I get the unit to actually show the NAME of the item associated with the icon? In other words if I see an ICON for a restaurant is there a way to display the NAME of the restaurant?

is there a way to display the NAME of the restaurant?

No.

the only thing you could do is tap the POI icon with your finger so that the red crosshair is on top of it, then press the icon on the right of the screen below the compass and the 2D/3D map view icon. after the address pops up hit the INFO button and it should show a list of the POIs closest to that point.