Figure 18: Windshield Mount, Attached to the Windshield

First you'll need to decide where in the windshield you want to mount the GO 720. Most users will probably want to mount the GPS somewhere in the middle of the glass, between the rear-view mirror and the dashboard, as shown above.

NOTE: TomTom's documentation recommends installing the GPS just left of the steering wheel, in the lower-left corner of the windshield. I find it far more intrusive to mount the GPS in the left corner than in the center of the windshield, and therefore recommend against mounting the GPS in the left corner.

Once you've decided where the GO 720 should reside, simply press the windshield mount firmly against the glass. The design of TomTom's mount doesn't require any levers to be thrown, or knobs to be tightened; pressing the mount against the glass causes the flower-shaped plastic tabs to stretch the rubber disc, creating a suction-cup connection between the windshield and the mount.

Figure 19: 12v Cigarette Lighter Adapter, Connected

Plug in the included 12v cigarette lighter power adapter.

Figure 20: Removing the Protective Screen Sticker

The GO 720 ships with an adhesive sticker protecting the LCD display. Remove this sticker slowly and with some care so as not to break any LCD cells when removing it.

Figure 21: Connecting the Power Adapter to the GO 720

The GO 720 has a shared USB port that is used both for power as well as exchanging data between the PC (TomTom's HOME application) and the GPS. Connect the 12v adapter to the TomTom before attaching the GPS to the mount.

It would be nice if the power cable connected to the windshield mount rather than the GPS, since you could then leave the car all wired up and ready to dock the GPS without having to fumble around with the cable and plug in the USB/Power cord (such as Garmin's nuvi mounts).

Figure 22: Attaching the GO 720 to the Mount

To connect the GO 720 to the windshield mount, line-up the TomTom logos on the mount and the back of the GPS and slide the GO 720 down onto the mount until it clicks into place.

The GPS easily snaps, or clicks, into and out of the mount. This docking mechanism is a major improvement over previous TomTom models; both the mount and the GPS feel solidly built and well engineered.

Previous TomTom GPS units, such as the popular ONE XL, didn't have enough clearance between the mount and windshield glass, forcing you to angle the unit at about 45 degrees in order to avoid hitting the glass each time. Thankfully, TomTom has redesigned the GO 720's mounting mechanism, and the results are excellent.

Figure 23: TomTom GO 720, Mounted in the Windshield - Left View

The GO 720 is a great looking GPS that looks at home in just about any windshield.

Figure 24: TomTom GO 720, Mounted in the Windshield

The power cable would be somewhat less unsightly if it connected to the mount instead of the bottom of the GPS unit itself. Still, there's no denying that the GO 720 is a great looking GPS.

I did have a small issue with TomTom's passive windshield: the mount doesn't provide power to the GO 720, so you have to connect the 12v power cable to the GPS each time you dock/undock it from the car. That's the bad news on the mount. The good news is that the mount actually works (unlike TomTom's notoriously horrible GO 910 mount), and does an excellent job holding the GPS firmly in place while driving.

Figure 25: Removing the Mount - Pull the Plastic Tab

Removing the windshield is even easier than installing it; simply pull on the rubber release tab and the mount breaks free from the windshield's glass.

4. Turning on the GO 720 for the First Time

Figure 26: Powering on the TomTom GO 720

Press and hold the power button for 2-3 seconds to turn on the GO 720.