Cobra GPS 1000 DLX 1.8-Inch Portable GPS Navigation Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I just recently purchased the Cobra GPS1000DLX and am extremely disappointed.

Pros: Hardware - The unit is compact (about the size of an average PDA)

Cons: Software (Both on the Unit and included software)
Hardware - Serial (RS232) interface

All I can say about the software on the unit is that it's functional.Other then that it will take awhile to get used to and is not very user friendly.

As for the included Rand McNally Street Finder software, it is obvious that this software was written around 1999 and has had no updates. Cobra/Rand are really trying to squeeze there pennies out of it as long as they can.Just trying to install the software on a computer with XP can be a challenge I've found.

*Warning* Windows XP SP2 will sometimes wipe out a file that this software requires to install. Let me save you some time, it's not listed as a known problem on there website, you have to call Rand McNally for the solution. (That's all Cobra will tell you to do)

*Recommendation - Bring some coffee and donuts with you before trying to install. Once the CD is inserted and the install program started, it took an average of 5 minutes before the pre-install program was done and the actual install program started.

Once the software is installed, it looks more at home on a Windows 98 machine and functions just as it looks. After creating a map and trying to download it the GPS unit it told me it needed the "Data" CD. (*Note - This seems more like something that should be part of the initial install) Let's just say that it also took me a little while to figure out that it wanted it in the first CD drive on my system, not the drive I used to install it. After getting the Disc in the right drive it started coping the files it needed (There was enough time for another coffee break).Once the transfer between the software the GPS unit began, I noticed the progress bar was barely moving (Yet another coffee break) so I used that time to reflect on the benefits of USB vs Serial and why Serial is OUTDATED for consumer products.

Once completed with that task I created a Route between two points. The software traced my route completely inaccurately (Lets just say my starting point was approx 15+ meters from the actual route, not just one point but the whole route)

This is good unit for a teenager or young camper or as a gift. Other then that, I recommend getting one of the other GPS units out there.

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Product Description:
12 Parallel Channels with A.S.A.P.(TM) II Technology.Includes continental U.S. state boundaries, continental U.S. highways, Canadian provincial boundaries, European country boundaries and hundreds of worldwide cities.Waterproof Case.Compass, Altimeter, Clock.4 MB Built-In Memory.Backlit Key Pad.WAAS Enabled.Additional Features of the GPS 1000 DLX.Receiver - 18 parallel channel GPS continuously tracks and uses up to 18 satellites to compute and update user's position giving the quickest acquisition time of any handheld recreational GPS receiver available. Waypoints - Store up to 500 waypoints with names and symbols. Routes - Create up to 50 routes with up to 50 points (waypoints, points of interest, cities, addresses,intersections and/or exits). Track Log - Automatically tracks your travel with up to 2,000 log points. Tracks - Save up to 10 tracks from the track log with the ability to navigate the track path in both forward and reverse. Worldwide Cities/Map Details - Already programmed with coordinates for hundreds of worldwide cities, continental U.S. state boundaries and U.S. highways, Canadian provincial boundaries and European country boundaries. PC Interface - With Rand McNally(R) StreetFinder(R) for Cobra and interface cable, user can exchange data and street level maps with powerful computer mapping programs and download points of interest to use in navigation or as map references. Map Datum - Choose from up to 100 map datums to compare with a paper map or other navigational reference. Position Format - Choose from 18 position formats used to display the location coordinates. Selectable Data Fields - Lets the user display up to 10 fields about their position or navigation chosen from: Accuracy, Average Speed, Bearing, Compass, Date, Distance to Next Point, Distance to Destination, Elevation, ETA to Next Point, ETA to Destination, Location, Maximum Speed, Moving Average Speed, Moving Time, Odometer, Power, Speed, Stop Time, Total Time, Trip Od