4. Mounting the Garmin nüvi 785T in the Car

Figure 22: Garmin nüvi 785T, Mounted in the Car

Like other Garmin nüvi GPS devices, mounting the nüvi 785T in the car is a quick and simple matter that doesn't require any professional installation. Simply attach the windshield mount to the glass, connect the power cable, dock the GPS, and ready to start navigating.

It's now legal in every state except Minnesota to mount a GPS in the vehicle's windshield. Most people will likely choose to attach the GPS in the lower-center portion of the windshield, although it's equally acceptable mount the GPS in the lower left or right corners of the windshield. Note that if you live in California, technically you're only allowed to mount a GPS in the left or right corners (although this law doesn't seem to be enforced, based on reader feedback and personal experiences).

Figure 23: Attaching the Suction Cup Mount to the Windshield

Locate the area on the windshield where you want to mount the GPS, then press the suction cup mount against the glass and lower the locking lever into place to secure the mount to the windshield.

Figure 24: Suction Cup Mount, Locked into Position

Figure 25: Connecting the 12v Power Adapter

The nüvi 785T's 12v adapter contains an internal MSN Direct receiver, and provides power to the GPS as well as real-time traffic data, movie listings, gas pump pricing, weather, news, and more.

The 785T is the only 7x5 series model that uses MSN Direct for real-time traffic alerts. All other 7x5T models rely on ClearChannel's TMC network, and include an FM traffic receiver along with free lifetime service. The nüvi 785T, on the other hand, includes just 3 months of MSN Direct service, after which the service costs $50 year.

I'll compare MSN Direct's traffic service to the FM traffic service used on other nüvi 7x5 models later in this review.

Figure 26: Connecting the Power Cable to the Cradle

The power cable connects to the right side of the cradle rather than the GPS unit itself -- a nice feature that makes docking and undocking the nüvi 785T from the windshield mount quick and easy; you don't have to hook up any cables -- just snap the GPS into the powered cradle and you're ready to navigate.

Figure 27: Attaching the Cradle to the Windshield Mount

The cradle has a socket in the rear that snaps onto the ball of the suction cup mount. Connecting the cradle to the mount is simply a matter of pressing firmly on the mount until the ball snaps into the socket on the cradle. To remove the cradle, simply twist the cradle to the right or left until it snaps off the mount.

This ball-and-socket style mount is easy to use, holds up well to wear and tear, and holds the unit firmly in place while driving.

Figure 28: Docking the nüvi 785T

Fit the bottom of the nüvi 785T into the cradle, and tilt the GPS back towards the windshield until it snaps into place.

Figure 29: Docking & Undocking the nüvi 785T

To release the nüvi 785T from the cradle, press the release button located on the underside of the cradle, and tilt the nüvi away from the mount.

Figure 30: Garmin nüvi 785T, Mounted in the Car

The nüvi 785T's minimalist design and black finish looks good mounted in the car. A single cable connects the GPS to the combination power / MSN Direct receiver. Garmin's supplied windshield mount is excellent, and makes it easy to quickly dock and adjust the angle of the GPS.