Cobra Nav One 4500 5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator Review

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(More customer reviews)My wife bought me a Cobra 4500 for Christmas. It's a very attractive vehicle GPS with a big screen, crisp resolution and looks/feels sturdy. However, I have some complaints about the software design that I'd like to share.First, the routing software makes some directional mistakes when on freeways. For instance at freeway interchanges, sometimes it will tell me to get onto the upcoming freeway in the wrong direction (i.e. "keep to the left onto I-10 West" when it should say "keep to the left onto I-10 East"). It will always correct itself at the last second, but the correction usually ends up being just before the ramp. In an unfamiliar city, that would not give me time to make a safe lane change. Also, the 3-D graphics are so poor that I've had to select the traditional map view to navigate. As for traffic, it's hit and miss. Sometimes I get the traffic icon on the map as soon as the radio announces the accident, but sometimes I get it 20 or more minutes later, or not at all! Also, for some unknown reason the software developers decided to program the unit so that the user is unable to get a traffic warning notification pop-up unless a speed reduction was posted with the accident. I've encountered several major accidents where traffic has been at a near standstill, yet the pop-up that allows you to select auto re-route did not come up on the screen (probably because speed reductions are not being posted by the traffic provider, Clear Channel Radio). If the pop-up doesn't activate (which it has yet to do for me), you're forced to use the normal detour function to get around the accident. This process is very cumbersome because you have to zoom in on the icon, look at where the accident is located, and then get to the detour screen so you can select your detour -- not something you want to do in heavy traffic!Hey Cobra, why not let the user decide if he/she wants to be notified of all accidents instead of the unit deciding for us??? I've notified Cobra of all of this and I'm hoping they will come out with a software update to correct these problems. Until then, I'm only lukewarm about the unit.

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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.

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