I may be able to get a Cobra 500 GPS unit in a while from my "Air Miles". Is it worth getting, or should I use those rewards for something else?

Save 'em for something else unless you consider these "points" disposable and are just looking for an excuse to get a toy. Cobra is brand-new to the GPS biz; reading between the lines of their product hype has left me with a lot more questions than answers.

I don't think you're going to get the utility out of it as a car accessory that they imply. For instance, what I read didn't give me the impression that you can download street maps to the GPS. I'm pretty sure that the software they supply (Rand-McNally) runs only on a PC that you have connected to the GPS, not on the GPS itself. That particular PC software is pretty cheap and you can use it with any GPS.

(I write software for GPSs and at last count have something like 23 or 24 of the blasted things. :oops: )

I have been thinking about getting the Garmin iQue 3600.

Any opinions on this sweet looking little unit??

Doug

I just got one. It's right here. [Visualize me holding it up to the screen so you can get a good look at it.]

;)

For what it does - full navigation system including routes with voice prompting - it is amazing for the price. The screen is very clear and the map update speed surprised the heck out of me - like I said, I write map software, and wonder how in the heck they did it!

I have a few minor nitpicks. The built-in antenna is not the best, but it is workable. It acquires faster and is less susceptible to dropout with pretty much any external antenna (the external antenna jack is therefore a big plus!). There are some reports that internal memory will mysteriously erase on its own, but that won't affect maps you put on the cards. And the PC support software has you jumping through hoops on the setup, but that's the case with all of Garmin's downloadable map stuff.

If you get it (online stores in the $400-450 range), get the navigation kit. It has an amplifier for the voice prompting that will knock you out of your seat if you set it loud enough. Also, plan on buying a 256MB SD card or two for it. There is an incredible amount of information on the maps, but that takes storage space.

It's very cool. 8) I recommend it.

Would like to communicate with you (by email) regarding GPS software if you would be so kind.
omurray@homexpressway.net