Cobra GPS 1000 DLX 4MB Global Positioning System with Rand McNally StreetFinder Software
By: Cobra Average Rating: 2.5 Total Reviews: 3
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 On: 2007-02-13
Really easy to use but sophisticated at the same time.
Very accurate and very reliable. I dont know how many times Ive dropped it and its still going!!!
All my friends on my bike team have one and they ALL love it! I would never buy anything else!
I use mine in the car, on my bike and even when Im hiking!
 On: 2005-07-09
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 its 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 Ive found.
*Warning* Windows XP SP2 will sometimes wipe out a file that this software requires to install. Let me save you some time, its not listed as a known problem on there website, you have to call Rand McNally for the solution. (Thats 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) Lets 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.
 On: 2005-05-01
I rated it two stars for the price. There was a reason for the recent (Feb 2005) huge rebate. I have several GPS units and this is NOT one of the better ones. I brought it because it was cheap for a GPS unit and a great starter unit for my teenagers. The serial PC interface method is difficult to configure when using XP. MS XP does not auto detect this device. However, I brought a serial to USB adapter at Best Buy and this seems to work well. XP will auto detect the USB port (make sure unit is on) and load the required driver, via internet. However, you will have to type in the correct COM port each time you connect to the GPS. The Rand McNally Street Finder software is overrated and overpriced. The software is not user friendly and will take some time to get use to. Maps are outdated (4-5 years old). There are no upgrades/updates available at the time of this writing. The software maps downloaded to the handheld is inaccurate (current position indicator does not match the mapping) when using max zooms on the GPS unit. This can be annoying when using the GPS for driving guidance. If you use this GPS for traveling across the States, you will have to download every city you plan to travel through, plan on buying a large memory card. However, you can use the GPS unit with your laptop for traveling. Software mapping using a laptop computer is decent and appears to be accurate. The battery/memory card cover is secure via screw method for water tightness but very difficult to open and close on a regular basis. This can be annoying when changing the batteries every 8 -12 hours. I recommend using rechargeable batteries, they seems to last longer than alkalines. Furthermore, neither the unit nor the software offers any kind of voice navigation; this can be very dangerous if you depend on this GPS handheld to guide you through unfamiliar territory. Bottom line: At this price, this is a good unit for basic general driving information (MPH, speed, location, heading, ETA, max speed, trip odometer, average speed, etc.) This can also be a great starter GPS unit for a Boy Scout or someone who enjoys hiking (unit is water tight). My recommendation is to accept this unit as a gift and invest your money elsewhere.
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