Customer Reviews

Cobra NAV One 5000 5-inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

THE GOOD:

The unit's 5" screen is incredibly clear; spoken street names are loud and clear; menu is so easy to understand the unit can even be figured out without the book and just by navigating through screens. The "Go Home" button is great. If you're lost ... click "Go Home" and the unit directs you to any location set as "Home". Lots of great features, millions of points of interest; the Real-Time Traffic Information can be accessed with separate purchase of a Traffic Data Receiver. I'm not disappointed that I did not have to pay for something I did not need/want right now. The bluetooth option for accessing your cellphone is convenient although you may need to purchase a separate mic if callers have difficulty hearing your voice. Again, this was not a feature I was looking for and it was not as important to me as the large, crisp screen and the ease of use.

The unit has been greatly improved with software updates and I comfortably rely on it now that my initial issues were resolved. Cobra was extremely responsive to all questions/issues communicated by phone and email. Every problem was resolved in a timely fashion by knowledgeable technicians.

My system information is as follows:
Application: 1.4.0
Kernel: 1.49
Bootloader: 7
Database: 7036
Unit: 737000603011

THE ANNOYING:

1. SOFTWARE ERROR: "Fatal Error" [if you have this error contact Cobra (773-889-8870) for the update if unavailable on the website (www.cobra.com)]

RESOLVED ISSUE: A "Fatal Error" froze unit during 2nd day of use. After shutting unit down and leaving off for a few moments, it restarted and continued to function normally. Assuming a software issue I referenced Cobra website but found no updates available. Upon contacting Cobra a rep indicated a technician would contact me by phone. Surprisingly, within a few hours a tech called back. After a brief discussion he forwarded a software update by email. The instructions were easy to follow and the problem was resolved.

2. FEATURE: Trip Data

ISSUE: Eastern time incorrect. Unit apparently not updated w/Day Light Savings patch.
******

3. FEATURE: GPS Location

ISSUE: GPS location was occasionally incorrect. One day while in Winthrop, MA the unit displayed Chicago, IL. The location did not correct itself for approximately 15 mins. The unit appeared to exerience a delayed response in securing the GPS signal for reconfiguration as it was not even spinning the cobra icon evident while processing.

RESOLVED: I contacted Cobra and they directed me to return the unit for inspection with a detailed description of the problem. The unit was quickly sent back to me in perfect working order.

******

4. FEATURE: Hands-Free Calls from Bluetooth Enabled Cellular Phones - Speaker Volume

ISSUE: Although the adjustable volume of unit's spoken street names is clear and easy to hear; the Bluetooth feature is almost useless because callers can't hear me over the unit.

RESOLVED: Cobra provided a separate mic that resolved the issue. Again, this was not a feature I was looking for and was not as disappointed that this was not perfect. However, Cobra resolved a matter for me without any difficulty.
******

5. FEATURE: Exclusive Cobra-verified Speed and Red Light Camera location database

These are apparently not frequently used in my area. After completely forgetting about the feature, the unit alerted me to the location of an upcoming overhead traffic signal, complete with mounted cameras.
*****

6. FEATURE: Over 7.6 Million Interest Points

ISSUE: Points of Interest (POI) occasionally display on map when not selected in menu. It appears that POIs (i.e., gas stations, Indian/French restaurants, theatres, etc.) are easy to inadvertently select while scrolling through the menus since the screen is quite sensitive. Be sure to press the down arrow at the furthest right-hand side of the down symbol to avoid selecting the last item in a screen.
*****

7. FEATURE: Map Theme

ISSUE: Unit menu indicates 3 map themes: "Easy View/Standard/Simple." However, the manual and file content of recent software update list map themes as "Easy View/Standard/Fun."
Q. Is the unit displaying the correct map theme?
Q. Since the themes appear similar, what is the difference?
*****

8. FEATURE: For NAV ONE 5000 Map Update, order Item # MNA UPD 4000. (listed in product manual).

ISSUE: One week ago, I paid over $350 for the Cobra Nav One GPS 5000. It's apparently so new that Circuit City only had one unit for sale and software updates for glitches are not yet available online and are being forwarded to customers through email by Cobra technicians.

RESOLVED: Once again, Cobra appreciated my situation as a customer and kindly forwarded the Map Update at no charge since I purchased the unit with an older version installed.
*****

9. FEATURE: Battery Operation

ISSUE: Even with Battery Save Mode activated, the unit can run for approximately 1-2 hours without being plugged into the cig adapter. If you do not have an auxiliary charger in the car you can purchase a double adapter in order to have an extra outlet to charge your cellphone.
*****

I purchased this because of all the cool features: Bluetooth, traffic ready, red light camera warning, up-grad able memory, etc.
My first unit was returned same day since it locked up on me right out of the box. My second unit has not been much better since it has locked up twice already. If you insist on this unit carry a back up paper map since when it locks up the only way to reset it is by allowing the battery to run out and then power up again. If you are on a trip and are dependent upon this for directions you are out of luck.
The second issue is that it is sold as being traffic ready which it is not the case since the subscription for this service is not yet available and may never be unless there is a high demand for the unit.
Next, the expandable memory chip which is an SD chip is not a standard SD chip but rather one BEING developed (and not yet developed) specifically for this unit. So there is currently no way to upgrade the memory.
Next, the Bluetooth feature made for hands free driving with your cell phone is terrible because the people you are speaking with can not understand what you are saying.
The red light camera warning has been helpful since it has revealed several I was not aware. I live in a city that id inundated by them.
The customer service has been terrible since there are not techs, just salespersons who are not tech savvy at all.

My recommendation is to stick with the Garmin units. I have a Garmin Street Pilot that is a no frills unit but has always performed flawlessly when I needed it.

I researched before taking the plunge on the Cobra 5000 GPS. Many early purchasers complained about "freezing" problems. Well, Cobra must have listened because recent boxed units do have updated firmware, and software patches are published on their [...] website. So, I suggest you apply the most current patch kit, and then let's see what you think.

The unit is easy to use, the display is huge and bright, just as they advertise! OK, so it won't fit in your pocket, but you just can't have everything. The voice is clear and volume is easy to control. I have tried out both the 2D and 3D views, and both have their pros and cons. Satellite acquisition seems good, and the street maps are quite current. I do hope that future map updates will be available, as we all know that new road construction is always going on somewhere nearby!

Finally, do realise that Cobra is not going to build any more GPS products themselves. There was a Cobra corporate news item late in 2007 to state they are getting out of the actual development, but if you read carefully, Cobra will not abandon these products altogether. I think that means they may simply OEM some other manufacturers products in future, and stick their name on them. Fine, but what about us with real Cobra GPS products? Time will tell, but Cobra assures that they will continue to support their current product line of GPS's. Let's hope so, or they may loose many customers if we are left with useless devices...

UPDATE.... September 2008.

The Cobra 5000 has worked magnificently all summer. If you buy one, make sure you UPDATE the software/firmware. Go to at least the V2.0 release. No freezing, it just works! Still recommended after several months of use. POI database is great for finding restaurants and such when you are travelling in unfamiliar areas. Great feature and easy to use.

I was able to use it for 30 minutes before it poped up a message stating that one of it's program modules had attempted to execute an illegle command. Since then that is all I get when I try to go to the map screen. Cobra tech support promised that a fix would be available on their website 4 days ago but it's not there and I'm just about to send it back to the seller.

Got this unit and upgraded its firmware right out of the box. Easy to set up
and operate. Screen is great and easy to see. Touch features work well and seems to grab a signal quickly. Many features and P O I's including all of the Mom and Pop stores I have locally. Don't have a bluetooth phone yet so I can't comment on that. Bought through Amazon/6Ave Electronics for a better price than locally sold for. Shipping was fast too!! Gave 4 stars due to the fact that I had to update the firmware to fix a couple of minor problems, but after update seems to have fixed those issues. Couple hundred miles and all seems fine.

For the price this is probably the best nav system you can get. The only hitch is it does have a fatal error screen every now and then but you just turn it off and back on and it is ok.

(Cobra DECEMBER 12, 2007) today announced a major change in its mobile navigation strategy, ceasing all future development of mass marketed products. [.....]
Another consideration that has not been pointed out is listed later in the same news release, "...pending acquisitions by our competitors of the two principal content providers to the mobile navigation industry, Navteq and TeleAtlas, which are likely to create further competitive disruptions, both in pricing and features."
...Does this mean that in short order your map updates will be either too expensive or worse? The [.....] Cobra is charging now would indicate this to be so. This is about double what I have seen in the past, and Cobra doesn't even give 1 free update as they should so that your "new" product at least starts out with a current map.

Too bad! This product was on it's way to being one of the best on the market, but in it's current state only the 5" screen and the fact that most of the basic functionality of a modern GPS do at least work saves it from being a 1 star device. Depending upon your needs and the current huge discounts this may actually be enough for you to consider purchasing it none the less. Just don't expect any of the bugs that have not been resolved in the latest software to ever be fixed.

Here is a list of the issues that I have:

1) Slow Satellite Acquisition. Actually worse than my ancient Garmin Street Pilot III. Left on it's own without stopping and rebooting it is often still trying to find itself for the first 7 miles of my normal commute. If I stay motionless until acquisition is complete before beginning to drive it will hold acquisition, but that delays the start of every trip by a minute or two.

2) Day/Night Brightness. Unit always starts in BRIGHT mode and it takes many touch inputs to force it to dim... in fact you actually have to change the night's brightness setting to accomplish this, and then you have to change it back to your preferred level. They should have the unit power up in bright mode and automatically prompt to switch to night setting. This also delays your early day starts by minute. ...every day if you're an early driver.

3) Bluetooth Hands Free Cell Phone functionality is virtually useless. Nobody on the other end can understand a word you're saying, even in a motionless quiet vehicle. If anybody has tried using an external microphone and had any success, please post.

4) The altitude function remains unimplemented. Cobra Rep told me "A decision was made not to continue development of this functionality." but it remains a selection and can take up space on the menus & display. This is a map basic. If they're not going to finish anything this easy don't expect the 5000 to ever be any more than it currently is.

5) Cute Icons of speed and time functions are HUGE and do nothing to add to the interface. They are not all that intuitive and simply labeling the display with Speed: Av. Speed Drive Time: Stopped Time: etc would have made the display much more readable.

6) Accuracy of database. A common occurrence is hearing "you have arrived at your destination" when you are not quite there. Example, Last week I went to the movies to a 14 screen megaplex & was my 1st time there. Hardly an obscure destination. I was still traveling 50 mph down the main highway a couple hundred yards from the theater when the 5000 issues the arrival notification. It was luck that I found it at all.

7) In my opinion the large screen's real estate is often wasted by the HUGE pictures of Sun, Moon, & Sky on the 3D display and other "cute" items on other screens. I don't know what the difference is between "Standard" and "EZ View" display modes, & the manual doesn't even mention these.

THE GOOD:
You are getting one very large, very bright 5" GPS that can be had for under $200 on some sales. I'd expect near $100 prices soon. It works & does what is needed most of the time, and it has very good heat/cold operating temperature specs. The Window mount is the best I've seen yet for a GPS. I've contacted Cobra and they at least answer the phone and seem very easy to deal with. If you really need the larger screen you'd be hard pressed to find a better deal even with it's shortcomings, but if you can afford it stick with the name brands like Garmin, TomTom, or Magellan.

This is certainly the worst product I have used in recent memory. It was given to me by my brother, who bought it in hopes of upgrading his aging TomTom, but found that the Cobra was pretty much useless, despite its advertised improvements (Voice to Text, Bluetooth, etc.). He gave it to me with a snicker; he was feeling guilty about selling it on Ebay to someone else.

I've been testing it mostly on known routes for three days, and about 400 miles of driving, from NY through CT and RI to around MA.

Simply put, it gives incorrect directions. It tells you to make turns on roads that aren't there. It suggest long ways of getting to your destination. Sometimes, it randomly changes where it thinks your destination should be. Sometimes, it just says, "Proceed to the highlighted road," whatever that means. It pesters you with prompts to turn onto the road that you're already on, even if there is no option to do anything else. Or, you'll be driving down a highway with 40 miles before the next exit and it tells you to immediately turn right onto fictitious roads. Is it trying to kill me?

It is an utter failure of a product. The team that created it should be ashamed; they are swindlers who trick you into buying useless products. I will never buy from this brand again. It's just useless. It isn't even cheap.

It looks like TomTom and Garmin are the best GPS brands to buy. Cobra is not a player in this arena, and I suggest you avoid this product at all costs. Even if it's free, I suggest you avoid it.

April 15, 2009

Ive never written a review ever. This purchase left me with such a bad feeling that I just had to write about it.

I spent hours reading all the reviews about this product. Reviewers talked about the red-light and speed camera features. The huge 5" screen, the great graphics and how cutting edge it was. Those features sounded so great to have in a city like New York. So I listened and decided to take a dive. I own a Magellan 5" which stopped working because of a power cord failure. I decided to try something new. I was one of the first to buy the original Ipod, the first generation Iphone and one of the first home computers the commodore 64 (yes I do have a little mileage on these bones). So Im a pioneer. I will try anything that is marketed as new, innovative and incorporates cutting edge technology. I opened the box, took the unit and examined it. Wow.....a nice 5" screen. The power cord plugs in at the bottom of the unit....im thinking that it is a great for mounting it on a custom holder in my sports car. The cable runs on the bottom so it would look slick in my sports car. So I take the wall charger and plug it in. I turn on the unit. Without reading the manual I was able to navigate through most of the features. The software interface was quite intuitive. Everything is working....lets go for a test drive. Let's check this baby out. I place the unit in my car with the suction cup. Plug the power cord in.....and the unit lights up. It grabs a satellite signal and I punched in a destination. I started driving .....testing to see if the GPS was able to pinpoint my location. Nope......it didnt. I put in the home location and proceeded to drive around the block. The Cobra 5000 got lost and took me to an address that wasn't my home location designated by me. I had trouble with the bad graphics when attempting to read GPS map. 3-D was even worse. Lots of detail was missing. In New York city there are new streets every 100 yards. Most of them weren't shown by this unit. And when it did show all the streets I couldnt read the type......once again poor graphics. The most important information to me is to be able to know where your at in case of an emergency. I checked all the screens and never found the street names of the current location. I found latitudes and longitudes but not "where are you?" street names. Im sorry Cobra...but im not happy with this unit. Where I live at....street names rule!!!! If I was lost in a forest or at sea then we can talk about longitudes and latitudes.

Here are the faults that I found with this unit:

1. It is advertised as being 5" GPS. Id guess that 20% of the screen is wasted on a silly sunrise at the top of the screen. At the side of the screen another 20% is wasted on function buttons located on the screen. These buttons are always shown on the map screen. When it is all said and done your 5" screen is not bigger (functionally) then a 3" comparable GPS device.

2. The display was either lacking information or cluttered. There was never a middle point where there was just enough information on the screen to get you where you wanted to go. At one point I was near an intersection that wasn't even shown on the GPS. I had no clue what the street name was of a street no more than 50 yards in front of me. It wasn't listed on the GPS screen.

3. I never expect much of these suction cup holders....so as usual they fall to the floor after a while from loosing their grip. Nothing new about this fact! Cobra's GPS mount was no different.

4. There is a hospital/911 button for destinations. I was not able to get the emergency room of any of the hospitals in my area. When hospitals and clinics are listed together it is hard to tell which hospital to drive to (many, many clinics mixed with 24hour hospitals) in case of a real emergency.....this is not good!!!!

5. When looking for my local police precinct it didn't show up in the search. Police precincts miles away showed up but not my local one........this is not good!!!

When I was a kid I was proud to own a Cobra CB radio. They made some really good products then. I can't believe that an entire chain of Cobra electronic intellectuals sat at a board meeting and actually decided to present this GPS system to the public. I think this is short sighted, over rated hype, the software is immature. This is junk.....lacking intelligent sophistication and horrible graphics. Cobra!!!!........you can do a lot better then this!!!!. I wasted money on this one!!!!.

I don't know where to start... I purchased this unit for the large screen and red light camera ad a couple other features. The screen is large but the area that the map is in does not cover the whole screen so you end up with less map area than most 3.5inch gps's. That was my initial complaint... then i started using it, it is slow to update route if you miss a turn(or thinks you did) it will randomly think you exited the highway and reroute you. it freezes all the time it takes forever to initially get a gps signal and is very sensitive and looses signal frequently. i can not possible go into all the issues it has. I have now used several tom toms and a couple garmins so i know it is sub-par in comparison. Do not buy this unit you will regret it. don't take my word for it just search the web and see the hundreds of posts from people like me that got sc*wed!