4. Installing TomTom GO 930T in the Car

Figure 18: TomTom GO 930T, Mounted in the Car

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

Figure 19: 12v Cigarette Lighter Adapter, Connected

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

Figure 20: Windshield Mount, Attached to the Windshield

First you'll need to decide where in the windshield you want to mount the GO 930T. 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 21: How to Attach the Windshield Mount

Once you've decided where the GO 930T 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 22: 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 23: Connecting the Power Adapter to the GO 930T

The GO 930T 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 24: Power Adapter, Connected to the GO 930T

The power cable connects directly to the GO 930T. 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 930T from the vehicle. Similarly priced GPS models from other companies provide powered windshield mounts.

Given the GO 930T's high-end pricing, the lack of a powered windshield mount feels like an omission on TomTom's part.

Figure 25: Connect the TMC Traffic Receiver

Plug the TMC receiver into the bottom of the GO 930T.

Figure 26: Attach the TMC Receiver to the Windshield

Press the transparent suction cup at the tip of the antenna firmly against the windshield glass.

Figure 27: TMC Traffic Receiver, Mounted to the Windshield

The TMC Traffic Receiver should be installed vertically along the left or right side of the windshield.

Figure 28: Attaching the GO 930T to the Mount

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

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

Figure 29: TomTom GO 930T, Installed in the Car

Figure 30: TomTom GO 930T, Installed in the Car

The GO 930T is now fully installed in the car. Overall, TomTom's mounting hardware is easy to install and works well. I would have preferred a powered windshield mount so you could connect the power cable and traffic antenna to the mount instead of the GPS, making it easier to quickly dock and un-dock the GPS from the car. But the mount does manage to hold the GO 930T firmly in place when driving.

The TMC Traffic Receiver adds some clutter to the dashboard. GPS manufacturers like Magellan and Garmin have integrated the TMC traffic receiver into the windshield mount or 12v power adapter, making for a cleaner look on the dashboard.