4. Mounting the Navigon 7100 in the Car

Figure 21: Attaching the Cradle to the Windshield

You'll want to mount the Navigon 7100 in the center of the windshield. Given the length of the mount, it's not possible to mount the GPS in the left corner of the windshield, as some people like to do.

Before attaching the mount, clean and dry the windshield as well as the suction cup on the base of the mount.

Figure 22: Securing the Cradle

Press the suction cup against the glass, then slide the lever on the suction cup clockwise to secure the cradle.

Figure 23: Navigon's Windshield Mount, Connected

With the mount attached to the glass, we're ready to hook up the GPS.

Figure 24: 12v Adapter, Connected to the Cigarette Lighter

Connect the 12v charger to your vehicle's cigarette lighter adapter.

Figure 25: Connect the 12v Charger to the Navigon 7100

Connect the mini-USB plug on the 12v charger to the 7100.

I would have preferred to see Navigon power the 7100 via the windshield mount, rather than connecting the power cord directly to the GPS itself. Mounting and un mounting the GPS is faster and simpler when the mount provides the power. Unfortunately, you'll have to disconnect and re-connect the power cable every time you dock or un-dock the 7100 from the dashboard.

Figure 26: Hooking up the TMC Antenna

Although the Navigon 7100 has an internal TMC (Traffic data) receiver, in my testing I found the internal antenna unable to detect strong traffic signals, and needed to use the included external antenna for optimal signal reception. Secure the antenna to the windshield using the suction cups, as shown above in figure 26.

Figure 27: Connect the Traffic Antenna to the Navigon 7100

The 7100 shares a single jack for both headphones and the traffic receiver. Connect the traffic antenna to the headphone/TMC plug on the GPS, as shown above in figure 27.

Figure 28: Placing the 7100 on the Windshield Mount

The Navigon 7100 is placed on the mount (Navigon aptly calls its mount a "bayonet") by lining up the bulges on the mounting ring on the rear of the GPS with the corresponding recesses on the mount. This is achieved by turning the GPS approximately 30 degrees to the left.

Unfortunately, this is easier said than done. You cannot easily see the back of the GPS when connecting it to the windshield mount, so you either have to crane your neck forward to see rear mounting rings, or slide the 7100 around until you're able to get things lined up just right.

Removing the 7100 from the mount is only slightly less cumbersome -- the release button is obscured when the GPS is connected, so you'll have to feel for the button with your hand, and rotate the 7100 until it detaches from the mount - a two handed operation. Also annoying is that there's no way to remove the 7100 without having to re-adjust the viewing angle of the mount the next time the GPS is attached.

Figure 29: Locking the 7100 to the Mount

The 7100 is secured to the mount by turning the GPS clockwise until the mount fitting locks into place. Once you hear the mount 'click' into the locked position, the GPS can be adjusted to the desired viewing angle.

Figure 30: Navigon 7100, Mounted in the Windshield

The external traffic antenna adds clutter to the windshield. I'd prefer to see an antenna embedded in the mount or 12v adapter.

Figure 31: Navigon's Long Mount

Navigon uses a longer than average windshield mount. In order to mount the 7100 so that it doesn't protrude too far into the cabin, you'll need to connect the mount a bit lower down the windshield than other mounts (which typically sit halfway between the dashboard and the rearview mirror).

Figure 32: Navigon 7100, Mounted in the Windshield

Overall the Navigon 7100 is a good looking GPS that is complimented by a handsome, though impractical, windshield mount. The external traffic antenna is unsightly, and I wish Navigon had powered the GPS via the windshield mount instead of having to disconnect/connect the power cord each time the GPS is docked or undocked.