Cobra Nav One 4500 Mobile GPS Navigator with Traffic
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • Cobra
  • A product with a lot of flaws
  • nice if it works
  • Cobra 4500
  • Cobra Nav One
Cobra Nav One 4500 Mobile GPS Navigator with Traffic

Manufacturer: Cobra
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

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Product Features:
  • Fully integrated portable GPS navigation system with real-time traffic receiver for avoiding accidents and congestion
  • Receives up-to-the-minute traffic updates and automatically suggests alternate routes
  • Preloaded street-level U.S. and Canada maps with over 7.6 million points of interest
  • 5-inch, sunlight-readable, color touch-screen display; turn-by-turn directions with voice guidance
  • Includes free 3-month subscription to traffic service; 1-year warranty

ASIN: B000ATU8M6
Cobra Nav One 4500 Mobile GPS Navigator with Traffic

Product Description

Includes: 12 V power supply with cigarette lighter plug, windshield suction cup mounting bracket, & external RDS/TMC traffic receiver Cobra NAV ONE 4500 Mobile Navigation System - The amazing technology behind the GPS navigation system just got a lot better with the NAV ONE 4500. This GPS navigation system features real-time traffic information! With an optional subscription (90 day trial included), you can receive up-to-date traffic information to help you avoid congested roads. You get color-coded speeds and traffic incidents, rerouting around congestion, constantly updating ETA times, and more! It's also easy and convenient to use. You can easily take it from vehicle to vehicle - Just plug 'n go! Personalized Route Preferences - mark roads you prefer or want to avoid iA.S.A.P. (Intelligent Accelerated Satellite Acquisition Protocol) - technology for faster acquisition & uninterrupted satellite signal reception in urban canyons & dense foliage North America Street Level Detail Map - 48 contiguous United States plus Hawaii & Canada on board the hard disk drive - all unlocked and ready to use / 3D Terrain Maps Easy Map Access - no need to load CD or download map from PC Trip Data - includes odometer, trip timers, speedometers & more SmartPower - shuts off power to the unit when the ignition is turned off Navigation Text/Voice Languages In Unit - English, Spanish, & French Map and Software updates available from Cobra.com

Amazon.com Product Description

Enjoy traffic relief while commuting to work or taking a road trip with the Cobra Nav One 4500, the first fully integrated portable navigation system with real-time traffic updates. The plug-and-play GPS navigator features a matchbook-sized traffic receiver that offers up-to-the-minute information on traffic accidents, congested roads, and construction zones in 48 major metropolitan areas across the U.S. As the unit receives the traffic data--which transmits via an FM radio feed from Tele Atlas N.V. and Clear Channel's Total Traffic Network--it processes the information and automatically suggests alternate routes, letting the driver detour around the worst snarls and enjoy a stress-free commute. It's the perfect unit for frustrated commuters and other folks who spend much of their day in the car.

The Nav One 4500 offers more than just traffic updates, however. It also comes preloaded with searchable North American street-level detail maps and more than 7.6 million points of interest--more than any other portable device. The points of interest are organized into nine general categories, including amusement, automotive, medical, and travel, and then further sorted into approximately 200 subcategories. Drivers can also customize the route preferences to make traveling easier. Don't want to deal with stoplight-heavy streets or particularly curvy roadways? Simply program the Nav One 4500 to meet your criteria and it'll find the best route for your needs.

Once you've chosen the destination, the Nav One 4500 provides turn-by-turn directions and voice guidance on its 5-inch color touch-screen display. The screen produces up to twice the brightness of other units in daylight mode, making it easy to read even in the mid-day sun. It also offers 3-D views for easier navigation, along with 14 levels of map zoom and exclusive terrain display, making it simple for the directionally challenged to find their way.

Additional features include an address book that holds up to 1,000 addresses in 20 customizable folders; multi-stop routing for drivers with complex itineraries; proprietary iASAP technology that provides for faster satellite acquisition and uninterrupted navigation in urban canyons and dense foliage; and a traffic antenna that attaches easily to the Nav One 4500 mount and moves with the unit from vehicle to vehicle. The Nav One 4500, which mounts conveniently on your dash, comes with a free three-month subscription for the traffic service, which afterward costs $59.95 per year.

What's in the Box
Nav One 4500 receiver and display, traffic receiver, mount, traffic antenna, user's manual.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Cobra.......2007-10-06

It is fun to use, has great versitility, and is easy to program. I can't ask for much more.

2 out of 5 stars A product with a lot of flaws.......2007-08-24

This is my first GPS system so I did a lot of research online before I went ahead purchase it in March 2007. I wanted a large screen one and traffic system. 4500 seems to be the perfect match.

Pro: large screen, real-time traffic system saved me many times, and reasonable routing suggestions. I don't have the rerouting adaptation problem as the other reviewers and if I get into a side road, it'll recalculate immediately. Maybe they fixed it in the most current software batch. Their customer service is superb.

Cons: I had this unit for 5 months and have to return it now. As many reviewers said, this unit has slower routing calculation and I didn't realize it would be a problem until I was driving on a highway waiting for the exit.

Even though I have the most current database batch, I would see some not-so-new highways disappeared suddenly during the drive. It would come back eventually but it doesn't feel good to see yourself driving on a blank space for several miles, especially if you travel to a unknown place at night.

Road side of a destination seems to be wrong 80% of the time. We all know after 1 month of usage to ignore the final destination instruction.

After 2 months, the address book, all travel location information, and user settings were wiped out automatically and I have to reset everything. After it happened so many times, I called Cobra and they gave me another software patch. It seemed to fix the problem.

When used in big cities with a lot of traffics, its routing instruction can be so wrong. It usually gives me the worst routing suggestion, i.e. chose the busiest road, or a longer route, or use local highways with a lot of construction going on instead of an interstate highways that are much less congested, etc. This unit's routing logic seems to work better with mid-size to small-size towns.

The mounting is cumbersome. After taking it off and putting it back on whenever I have to park somewhere, the V12 cord connected to the car broke. I had to call the customer service and they sent me another cord immediately. Did I mention that their customer service is very good?

The final flaw which makes me wanted to return it is, one day the beautiful female voice was gone. Never come back again.

I feel sorry to have to put a bad review on a product. I hope it would help others to avoid the frustrations I have gone through.

3 out of 5 stars nice if it works.......2007-06-20

I got the unit for Christmas, attracted to the good display, but leery of the reliability, both due to other's reviews. I have no serious references to other GPS units, aside from one in an ACRUA MDX that was built into the console, and was very impressive. My 4500 is away to be repaired now, they say for about 3 weeks, with very little use when it worked. I was careful with it as was possible and used it only on major highway trips.

I don't understand how, say an Acura, can have GPS that can sit out in cold and extreme heat, and survives daily driving, and the 4500 Nav One breaks while being treated like delicate china. I also bought every accessory that SHOULD have come with it for the price.

I hate to give bad reviews, but I have to say, if you need a GPS you can count on, this model is high risk. I would want to know this if I was considering buying it. The software can be a little bugged. I got stuck in some loop (it refused to lock in one zoom level) while on the road and eventually had to shut it down and reset to defaults. No idea why. It's sometimes not very precise and a little sluggish in real time rerouting, which can be frequent, as the unit gets lost for no apparent reason while cruising down an Interstate.

It does look nice, and has many great features when it works. That said, I had higher hopes for a portable GPS that really isn't portable, unless you have a portable power source. It was missed on my last road trip when it quit working, and will be missed while in the shop. For me the unit is more a toy than a tool fortunately, because as a needed tool, I would not highly recommend it.
update: Only took about ten days and got a new replacement for the crashed one. The new Nav ONE seems to perform better than the defective one did, meaning it doesn't get "lost" and recalculate for no clear reason, as before.

1 out of 5 stars Cobra 4500.......2007-05-12

The unit is very large and bulky. It does have a very large viewable map which is nice. The unit I had worked about 1 week then would not power up. I am completely dissapointed with this brand and unit and am trying another one.

5 out of 5 stars Cobra Nav One.......2007-02-19

I am very pleased with this GPS unit. I was alittle worried after reading some of the reviews, but am very happy that I still ordered it.

The graphics are by far one of the best. It has very detailed graphics, unlike many of the other brands that have a more cartoon look to them. The graphics are compariable to what you would find in a in-dash unit. It is very user friendly, and easy to navigate. The unit does weigh a bit, but have not had any problems with the suction cup as I read about. As long as the window is clean it works great. I have even drove over some really bumpy roads and the unit has not come loose.

For the money and what you get this is a terrific unit, and would highly recommend it.
Cobra GPSM 2750 Nav One Portable Mobile Navigator
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Great GPS . . . . . . when it works!
  • Good, but not that good!
  • Wrong Item
  • Awesome- will never travel without it!
  • Aquires signal impossibly fast!
Cobra GPSM 2750 Nav One Portable Mobile Navigator

Manufacturer: Cobra
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Vehicle GPS Vehicle GPS | GPS & Navigation | Categories | Electronics | In-Dash Vehicle GPS (Installed) | Motorcycle GPS | On-Dash GPS
Cobra Cobra | Custom Brands | Custom Stores | Specialty Stores | Electronics Features | Electronics | GPS
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Product Features:
  • Plug-and-play mobile navigation system with built-in mapping database
  • Automatic navigation with turn-by-turn directions and multilingual voice guidance
  • Street-level detail map features 48 contiguous U.S. states, Hawaii, and major Canada metro areas
  • 2 million points of interest; no CDs or downloads necessary; automatic rerouting after detours
  • 5.2-inch ultra-bright color display; measures 7.88 by 4.75 by 2.31 inches (W x H x D); 1-year warranty

ASIN: B000ATVRZI
Cobra GPSM 2750 Nav One Portable Mobile Navigator

Product Description

Beam address information from Palm or Windows Pocket PC based PDAs 5.2" STN color sunlight readable display Automatic route navigation with voice-prompted turn-by-turn directions Plug-in-and-go portability from vehicle to vehicle Built-in detailed street map of North America with 2 million POI iA.S.A.P. for fast acquisition and uninterrupted satellite signal reception Built-in gyroscope maintains map positioning under tunnels and underpasses Trip planner and trail mode functions 7 7/8" W x 4 3/4" H x 2 5/16" D Includes DC adapter and windshield mounting bracket

Amazon.com Product Description

Navigate your way through city streets and rural roads with the Cobra Nav One 2750 GPS navigation system. Equipped with Cobra's exclusive iASAP satellite acquisition technology, which receives uninterrupted, quick satellite signals even among urban canyons and dense foliage, the device is a must for the driver who doesn't want to mess with paper maps or printed MapQuest directions. The Nav One 2750 works simply: just enter the target address or point of interest, and the unit automatically determines the best route and offers turn-by-turn directions with clear voice guidance. The built-in street-level map of the U.S. and Canada offers full, detailed coverage of potential routes, along with more than two million points of interest from which to choose, including banks, hotels, restaurants, entertainment options, gas stations, and more. And should the driver stray off course or take a detour, the Nav One 2750 automatically recalculates the route and provides fresh directions.

The maps and instructions are easier to read than ever thanks to the 5.2-inch color display, which sports wide viewing angles and a crisp lighting level that's readable in both bright sunlight and dim moonlight. Drivers will also appreciate the intuitive, backlit keys, which offer easy access to specific functions in any given mode without smudging your display. Additional features include a built-in gyroscope that maintains map positioning under tunnels and underpasses; an infrared port that lets drivers instantly transfer addresses from a Palm OS or Windows Pocket PC-based PDA; a Trip Planner function for preprogramming up to five destinations in each plan; and a Trail mode designed specifically for off-road enthusiasts.

A final bonus stems from the Nav One 2750's easy portability, as drivers can remove the plug-and-play unit from one vehicle and tote it to another with no hassle. The unit, which measures 7.88 by 4.75 by 2.31 inches (W x H x D), comes with eight rechargeable batteries, a desktop charger, and two microphones. As an alternative, drivers can power the Nav One with the included 12-volt cigarette lighter adapter.

What's in the Box
Nav One 2750 receiver, 12-volt cigarette lighter adapter, windshield suction-cup mounting bracket, eight rechargeable batteries, desktop charger, two microphones, user's manual.

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Great GPS . . . . . . when it works!.......2007-06-11

I picked up this GPS recently for my parents and I started using it since they barely take road trips. I usually rent cars and the cobra takes a little while to lock on to the satellites so you have to program your current position in yourself.

I used this GPS with no issues for a month or more traveling upstate. Then recently during the holiday weekend it stopped locking on to the satellite. It was working fine when I left the car rental place and drove to Harlem. I stopped off in Harlem to go to a store. When I came back it resumed and said "make a left". After that it dropped the signal and never returned. If I didnt shut it off to see if that would work, It would still be waiting for me to make that left in Harlem.

I tried a diffrent car and I tried calling tech support but nothing helped. I will have to send it back to Cobra and hopefully they can resolve the issue.

I'll keep you posted.

3 out of 5 stars Good, but not that good!.......2006-12-25

I was disappointed in my Cobra :-( Initially, was excited; however, found that the system locked up several times. When the signal was lost, it was a long time and several episodes of rebooting to regain the signal. Not very productive when trying to "find your way". Returned the unit and reviewing other GPSs for future use.

5 out of 5 stars Wrong Item.......2006-06-05

I think if you bought your GPS from QVC you bought the model #2950 not the #2750. It would not be fair to review the 2950 here.

4 out of 5 stars Awesome- will never travel without it!.......2006-05-31

I also bought this GPS system on QVC- and it is wonderful!! We opened the box, stuck it on the window, and within a few minutes we were cruising along with Ms. Cobra's charming voice giving us perfect, step by step directions. It allows you to input your own destination, or select one from preset categories (tourism, hotels, gas stations, etc). Calculates routes and reroutes lightening fast.

It gives you ample time to prepare for a turn, and even gives you a congratulatory "ding" when you take the correct turn. :)

It was easy to attach and detach. It made travel so carefree- no fumbling and folding/unfolding paper maps, missing turns, or trying to navigate strange cities at night. We felt totally confident going wherever we wanted, knowing we could easily get back to our hotel.

I do not how I lived without this all these years- but I will NEVER travel by car without this wonderful new addition to our family! Money well spent!

4 out of 5 stars Aquires signal impossibly fast!.......2006-05-29

I started researching GPS units because as a single woman I wanted to feel safer in unfamiliar areas. Yes, I can read a map, but nothing screams "Vulnerable" like studying a map at a convenience store in a less than stellar neighborhood.

This unit is technologically superior for its satellite aquisition, signal strength, and ease of use. Any mistakes the map software makes is independent of these features, and I'm certain that none of the maps loaded on any brand unit are perfect...it's just the nature of map software. The beauty of the system, though, is that if it makes a mistake it recalculates your route as soon as you "miss" a turn so it hardly matters.

I'm most impressed with this unit's satellite aquisition; it took under a minute to power up and aquire a signal (it was partly sunny on "test day"). Friends of mine have a Garmin (theirs was about $225), and they said it takes them about 10 minutes to get a signal each time it's lost (upon powerup and having gone through a tunnel, etc.). Speaking of tunnels, Cobra claims that this unit has technology that overcomes temporary signal loss so it doesn't mess up your trip, but I haven't tried it yet.

I LOVE that the map of the whole US along with "Points of Interest" of every category (gas, grocery, winery, golf, etc) is pre-loaded, and that the Cobra is SIMPLE and intuitive to use. I had to spend a few minutes figuring out how to enter addresses in the address book, but I got it without looking it up.

Regarding map updates, I don't think Cobra is very forthright in the product description regarding the update process. If you can find the fact that you have to send it back to Cobra for a $100 update, let me know. :) However, I've used the same old fashioned paper map book for a few years without much trouble so I don't anticipate I'll feel the need to update this software too often. (When Boston's Big Dig has been complete long enough for the maps to include all the changes maybe I'll spring for an update.)

For security, I pop it off the windsheild and cover it up when I leave the car since I don't want my car broken into for it. It's very easy to handle.

I only paid $450 on QVC for this $650 unit (Today's Special Value), and I think their regular price is $580, so don't pay more than that!
Cobra GPSM 4000 Nav One Mobile Navigator
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Excellent Product
  • Solid Affordable Aftermarket Navigation, but...
  • Superb GPS
  • Good, with a few glitches
  • Awesome visibility, great usability
Cobra GPSM 4000 Nav One Mobile Navigator

Manufacturer: Cobra
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Vehicle GPS Vehicle GPS | GPS & Navigation | Categories | Electronics | In-Dash Vehicle GPS (Installed) | Motorcycle GPS | On-Dash GPS
Navigation Systems Navigation Systems | Car Electronics | Categories | Electronics | Vehicle GPS Systems
GPS & Navigation GPS & Navigation | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
Cobra Cobra | Custom Brands | Custom Stores | Specialty Stores | Electronics Features | Electronics | GPS
Computers Computers | Electronics | Categories | Target
Marine & Auto GPS Marine & Auto GPS | Marine Electronics |
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Product Features:
  • Plug-and-play mobile navigation system with built-in mapping database
  • Automatic navigation with turn-by-turn directions and multilingual voice guidance
  • Street-level detail map features 48 contiguous U.S. states, Hawaii, and major Canada metro areas
  • 6 million points of interest; compatible with Cobra's real-time traffic receiver and antenna
  • 5-inch, sunlight-readable, color display; 14 map zoom levels; 1-year warranty

ASIN: B000ATT8I6
Cobra GPSM 4000 Nav One Mobile Navigator

Product Description

Cobra Electronics is a leading global manufacturer of mobile communications products for consumers, having attained a leadership position in every market in which it currently does business. Cobra has a track record of designing innovative and award-winning products.PRODUCT FEATURES:Automatic Route Navigation;Portable Vehicle Navigation System;Automatic Route Navigation;5" Touchscreen High Resolution, Ultra-Bright Color Display;Over 7 Million Points-of-Interest;Automatic Re-Routing;Personalized Route Preferences;iA.S.A.P. (Intelligent Accelerated Satellite Acquisition Protocol);North America Street Level Detail Map;Easy Map Access;Trip Data;Trail Capture;3D Maps;Terrain Maps;Sensor Light.

Amazon.com Product Description

Navigate your way through city streets and rural roads with the Cobra Nav One 4000 GPS navigation system. Equipped with Cobra's exclusive iASAP satellite acquisition technology, which receives uninterrupted, quick satellite signals even among urban canyons and dense foliage, the device is a must for the driver who doesn't want to mess with paper maps or printed MapQuest directions. The Nav One 4000 works simply: just enter the target address or point of interest, and the unit automatically determines the best route and offers turn-by-turn directions with clear voice guidance. The built-in street-level map of the U.S. and Canada offers full, detailed coverage of potential routes, along with more than six million points of interest from which to choose, including banks, hotels, restaurants, entertainment options, gas stations, and more. And should the driver stray off course or take a detour, the Nav One 4000 automatically recalculates the route and provides fresh directions.

Perhaps the Nav One 4000's most unique feature, however, is its compatibility with Cobra's optional traffic receiver and antenna (sold separately), which offer real-time traffic updates to commuters and travelers. The matchbook-sized receiver receives up-to-the-minute information on traffic accidents, congested roads, and construction zones in 48 major metropolitan areas across the U.S. As the unit processes the info--which it picks up from an FM radio feed via Tele Atlas N.V. and Clear Channel's Total Traffic Network--it automatically determines alternate routes, letting the driver detour around the worst snarls and enjoy a stress-free commute. It's the perfect unit for frustrated commuters and other folks who spend much of their day in the car.

The maps and instructions are easier to read than ever thanks to the 5-inch color display, which sports wide viewing angles and a crisp lighting level that's readable in both bright sunlight and dim moonlight. It also offers 3-D views for easier navigation, along with 14 levels of map zoom and exclusive terrain display, making it simple for the directionally challenged to find their way.

Additional features include a built-in gyroscope that maintains map positioning under tunnels and underpasses; an address book that holds up to 1,000 addresses in 20 customizable folders; multi-stop routing for drivers with complex itineraries; and Trip Planner and Trail mode functions. The Nav One 4000 comes with a dash mount and is backed by a one-year warranty on parts and labor.

What's in the Box
Nav One 4000 receiver and display, mount, user's manual.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Excellent Product.......2007-10-04

I purchased this item after spending days reading other reviews on various products. I have a navigation system in my BMW and was hoping for one just as good to use in my motorhome. This one is actually better than the BMW navigation system.

4 out of 5 stars Solid Affordable Aftermarket Navigation, but..........2007-01-24

After a disasterous experience with a Sony NavU70 unit and after considering the Garmin system owned by a friend, and after doing extensive research and demoing some products at the local Circuit City, I finally selected the Cobra GPSM4000 sight unseen and bought it through Amazon. Frankly I wasn't expecting too much, and the appearance of the unit struck me as a little retro (too much chrome for my taste, as though this unit had been designed as an add-on for old GM vehicles). But when I put it in my 4x4 I was impressed. Although the manual warns you that it can take up to 20 minutes for a brand-new unit to orient itself based on the signals received from the orbiting satellites, the Cobra 4000 oriented itself within 60 seconds of being turned on. It was so quick that I found myself wondering if the people at the factory had somehow pre-programmed my location.

The screen is nice and bright, the touch-screen functionality is just the right degree of sensitivity, and all the key parameters are tunable through the menu options so you can customize the unit to perform according to your own preferences. New locations are simple to store (which makes waypointing easy) and the system provides breadcrumbs which is essential for off-roading. The Sony unit referred to earlier in this review was an ergonomic disaster and didn't support breadcrumbs nor simple location storage. It was pretty, though.

As real-time traffic data comes on-stream in the USA the real-time traffic option will become more worthwhile. I didn't purchase this option with my unit because it's not really available yet in my region and besides, there's no alternative when the local freeway is jammed. There is no route work-around possible, so it wouldn't help me much on a day-to-day basis. But one day, when the service is cheap and there are alternative routes to be found, it will be a worthwhile addition to the repertoire of all in-car navigation systems.

I really like the larger screen size, though while it is technically 5 inches in diameter the actual map size is about 4.5 inches because the borders are occupied with soft keys. Still, that beats the 3 inch and 3.5 inch screens found on other units like Garmin and Magellan and TomTomGo.

Voice prompting is nice & crisp, but the on-screen direction arrow with distance indicator is a little small, for those situations when you want to check whether it's the next turn or the one 50 feet after that.

Some GPS units scroll smoothly as you travel, keeping the cursor in the center of the map. The system in my Acura does that and I've become used to it. The Cobra unit works the other way: the cursor representing your vehicle travels across the screen and then, just as it reaches the edge of the screen, the entire map "jumps" to a new page and the process starts all over again. While my preference is for the Honda/Acura approach, the "jumping page" is something I can live with and isn't too distracting in practice. I care more about the accuracy of the unit and the Cobra is very accurate and fast to adjust.

The unit comes with a windscreen mount, but there's also a base plate in case you want to mount it to a horizontal surface. I was somewhat concerned about placing the unit in the windscreen area because off-road in the desert in the middle of the day it can get awfully hot right there, even with the A/C blowing hard. So I chose to purchase the optional external GPS receiver, which I mounted in the windshield area, and I placed the Cobra unit in the center binnacle where it is easy to see yet out of the direct sunlight (which also improves general visibility, as the screen never washes out because of being hit by direct light).

UPDATE: February 26th 2007. After taking the unit on its first extended trip (3 hours) it exhibited a major defect. After 25 minutes of continuous operation the unit began emitting a hot metal smell and the upper left portion of the screen became hot to touch; simultaneously the upper left portion of the screen turned dark and no longer displayed anything. After another 5 minutes the screen began to blink on and off rapidly, rendering it useless. Turning on the A/C and directing a stream of icy air at the unit did nothing to ameliorate the problem.

Beach Audio accepted the return of the unit and shipped me a replacement; I have not yet taken the replacement on a long (3+ hours) trip to see whether the new unit overheats like the old one did. Hopefully it was a one-off manufacturing defect as apart from the malfunction I was pleased with the previous unit.

5 out of 5 stars Superb GPS.......2007-01-22

This is my 3rd GPS and I finally got it right! The Cobra 4000 has a beautiful huge screen and is very intuitive to use. The maps, as with most GPS units, could be more up-to-date since my house address, which has been here for 20 years, is not listed. The POI database, however, is phenomenal compared to my previous GPS units. I find about 90% of the places I look for in the POI info. The unit gets confused if you make a lot of changes while it is trying to follow a route. It also has given me conflicting instructions at times but I think this is due to problems with the maps rather than the unit itself, and one which I have seen on multiple GPS units. The combination of soft and hard buttons is effective, the volume is easily adjustable and can be very loud if desired. The day-night mode for the display is great! I see lots of complaints about the mount but I love it! I have a flat dash in my van and could not use the dash mount on my last GPS because it wouldn't pivot enough for the unit to be seen easily. The Cobra mount works great on both the windshield and on a flat dash. It is heavy but has not come loose yet on the two vehicles on which I have placed it. I am very happy with this unit and glad that I bought it.

4 out of 5 stars Good, with a few glitches.......2006-11-04

I actually love the Cobra GPSM 4000 Nav One. However, there is a problem it has that is not just some small problem to me. On several occasions, it gives the incorrect names for exits. The saving grace is that the distance until you reach the exit is correct. For example, I needed to take interstate 64W. Exit 64W was 1 mile away, and exit 64E was 0.5 mile away. The Cobra told me to take exit 64E in 1 mile. Therefore, I have been able to take the correct exit because it gives the correct distance, but it shouldn't be that way.

Other than that issue, I love the Cobra 4000. It is great to have it in the car and have access to Points of Interests immediately. I also like that I can plot the point of someplace I want to return again, and save that place to my address book. It is also quick to find where you are.

4 out of 5 stars Awesome visibility, great usability.......2006-08-23

Our primary criteria were good visibility while mounted on the dash (or windshield) and, naturally, something that would be reasonably easy to use. This certainly meets those. The only visibility problem we had was that the screen was *too* bright while driving at night-fortunately there were two of us so the screen could be turned towards the passenger & away from the driver. Bright sun-never a problem. Driver's ability to read the screen when unit was mounted in front of the passenger-never a problem.

We had a problem in one area where roads that, according to the unit, crossed the freeway didn't. It kept telling us to take left turns that didn't exist, but we just kept going until we found a road that did cross, and it re-computed the route nicely.

Our salesperson warned us that the database only contained 'yellow page' addresses, but he was nice enough to suggest that we use the Map function to locate the nearest intersection & route to that when trying to find an address that wasn't in the database. That worked pretty well for us although we have a lot more learning to do before we'll feel really comfortable moving around in the map.

Similarly, we have quite a bit more learning to do before we'll be really comfortable designing a route we actually want. I'd like to see an option to say 'take this road' as well as the 'avoid this road' option-but I can realize the programming problems involved with that (e.g. the road you want to take may not take you where you want to go). Once both of the choices (fastest & shortest routes) took us on confusing winding paths when there was a more easily navigable option I could see on the map-but I couldn't figure out how to get the unit to map that route. An 'easiest navigation' option would be nice but I have no idea how a program could determine that.

Never had any problem or significant delay in finding our current position, never any significant delay in re-routing when we took a 'detour' (or missed a turn), very good voice prompts (although it prefers to use route numbers rather than street names, e.g. WA 529 vs. Meridian Rd.). Considering the current state of the art, this is an awesome unit.

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