4. Mounting the nüvi 205 in the Car

Figure 12: Garmin nüvi 205, Mounted in the Car

Like other Garmin nüvi GPS units, mounting the nüvi 205 in the car is a quick and simple matter that doesn't require any professional installation. Attach the windshield mount to the glass, connect the power cable, dock the GPS, and you're 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.

Figure 13: Connect the 12v Power Adapter

Plug the 12v power adapter into an available 12v power socket, such as the cigarette lighter.

The nüvi 205 also supports traffic-enabled 12v power adapters, such as Garmin's GTM 20, and MSN Direct enabled GDB 50, both of which sell for around $100.

Figure 14: Connect the Vehicle Power Cable to the nüvi

Connect the mini-USB end of the vehicle power cable to the back of the nüvi.

Figure 15: Attach 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 16: Attach 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 cradle until the ball snaps into the socket on the back of the cradle. To remove the cradle, twist the cradle to the right or left until it snaps off the mount.

Figure 17: Windshield Mount and Cradle, Attached to the Glass

Figure 18: Docking the nüvi 205

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

Figure 19: nüvi 205, Mounted in the Car

Garmin's supplied windshield mount is excellent, and makes it easy to quickly dock and adjust the angle of the GPS.

Figure 20: nüvi 205, Mounted in the Car