4. Installing TomTom GO 930 in the Car

Figure 17: TomTom GO 930, Mounted in the Car

Mounting the GO 930 in the car is a simple process that requires no tools or professional installation.

Figure 18: 12v Cigarette Lighter Adapter, Connected

First, plug in the included 12v cigarette lighter power adapter.

Figure 19: Windshield Mount, Attached to the Windshield

First you'll need to decide where in the windshield you want to mount the GO 930. 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.

Figure 20: Windshield Mount, Left Side View

Once you've decided where the GO 930 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 21: Connecting the Power Adapter to the GO 930

The GO 930 has a shared USB port that is used both for power as well as exchanging data between the PC (using the included TomTom HOME application) and the GPS. Connect the 12v adapter to the TomTom before attaching the GPS to the mount.

Figure 22: Power Adapter, Connected to the GO 930

The power cable connects directly to the GO 930. A more elegant solution would have been to provide power to the GPS through the windshield mount, and connect the 12v power cable to the windshield mount instead of the GPS unit directly. A powered windshield mount means you don't have to connect/disconnect the power cable each time you want to dock or undock the GO 930 from the vehicle. Similarly priced GPS models from other companies provide powered windshield mounts.

Given the GO 930's high-end pricing, the lack of a powered windshield mount feels like a mistake on TomTom's part.

Figure 23: Attaching the GO 930 to the Mount

To connect the GO 930 to the windshield mount, line-up the TomTom logos on the suction-cup mount with the logo on the back of the GO 930, and slide the GO 930 down onto the mount until it clicks into place.

To release the GO 930 from the mount, simply slide the unit upward until it releases from the windshield mount.

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 930's mounting mechanism, and the result is a much improved windshield mount.

Figure 24: TomTom GO 930, Mounted in the Car, Left Side View

The mount feels slightly flimsy when articulating the GPS into the desired viewing angle. Nevertheless, the windshield mount does a good job holding the GO 930 firmly in place while driving, and mount's low profile looks good in your car.

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.

Figure 26: TomTom GO 930, Mounted in the Car

The GO 930 is a great looking GPS. I do wish TomTom would have provided a powered windshield mount for their high-end GO 930, but overall there's very little to complain about as far as physical appearance and hardware design. The GO 930 is one of the best looking GPS units available.