4. Installing the Panasonic Strata in the Car

Figure 17: Panasonic Strada CN-GP50, Mounted in the Car

Mounting the Panasonic Strada in the car is a simple procedure that takes a few seconds and doesn't require any professional installation.

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

I prefer to mount the in the center of the windshield, half-way between the dashboard and the rearview mirror.

Figure 18: Connecting the Cradle to the Windshield Mount

Attach the cradle to the windshield mount by sliding the cradle onto the mount until it snaps into position.

Figure 19: Connecting the Mount to the Glass

Once you've determined where you want to mount the GPS on the Windshield, press the mount against the glass and push the locking lever into position to secure the mount, as shown below in figure 20.

Figure 20: Securing the Mount to the Windshield

To secure the mount to the windshield, push the locking lever towards the windshield. As you push, you'll hear clicking sounds as the lever gets closer to the glass, tightening the suction cup's grip to the windshield glass.

To release the mount from the windshield, pull the lever away from the glass and remove the mount.

Figure 21: Adjusting Strada's Windshield Mount

Panasonic's windshield mount is large, clumsy to operate, and requires users to use four levers and a twist dial to get the mount into the desired position.

I also found it difficult to dock and undock the Strada from the flimsy cradle, which has a tendency to bend as you push or pull on the mount. It's practically impossible dock or undock the GPS with one hand.

Panasonic should consider a more efficient mount design that's easier to use and less bulky.

Figure 22: 12v Power Adapter, Connected to the Cigarette Lighter

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

Figure 23: Connect the Power Cable

Peel the protective cover away and connect the power cable to Strada's DC power connector.

Figure 24: Docking the GPS in the Mount

Docking the Strada GPS to the Windshield mount involves lining up the holes on the bottom of the GPS with the notches on the mounting cradle, and then pushing forward towards the windshield glass until the top of the GPS snaps into the cradle.

Getting the GPS to snap into place requires a significant amount of force, and I frequently had to use two hands to get the Strada successfully docked.

Figure 25: Panasonic Strada CN-GP50, Mounted in the Car

Panasonic's windshield mount isn't powered, so you have to connect the 12v power cable directly to the GPS.

Figure 26: Panasonic Strada CN-GP50, Mounted in the Car

The included mount does a good job holding the GPS securely in place while driving. However, docking and undocking the Strada from the GPS is clumsy, and you have to fuddle with levers, a push slide, and a screw knob to adjust the mount's angle.

A powered windshield would have also been nice, as it would allow you to connect the power cable to the mount rather than the GPS, making docking and undocking the Strada a quicker procedure.