2. Mounting the Maestro 4350 In The Car

Figure 20: Magellan Maestro 4350, Mounted in the Car

Installing the Maestro 4350 in the car is a quick and simple process that you can do yourself, and doesn't require any professional installation.

Before installing the GPS in the car:

• Pick a spot on the windshield where you'll be able to see the GPS easily, but it won't interfere with your view of the road. I typically install the GPS in the center of the windshield, about midway between the rear view mirror and the dashboard. Some people also like to install the GPS in the lower-left corner of the windshield.
• Since the antenna is located in the top of the GPS, try to make sure the top of the GPS has an unobstructed view of the sky through the windshield.
• Be sure to route the power/traffic cables in such a way that they won't get disturbed in the event the airbags are deployed.

Figure 21: Attaching the Mount to the Windshield

Secure the mount to the windshield by pressing the base of the mount (the rubber suction cup part) against the windshield glass, and then lowering the lever all the way down until it locks into place.

Figure 22: Windshield Mount, Connected to the Windshield

Figure 23: Cradle, Attached to the Windshield Mount

Slide the mounting cradle onto the tip of the windshield mount until it locks into place. Given the amount of force this can require, you may find it easier to perform this step before connecting the windshield mount to the glass.

Figure 24: Connect the 12v Cigarette Lighter Adapter

Plug the 12v adapter into your car's cigarette lighter. Notice that the 12v plug widens at the base, so you may need to turn it on its side to fit in the socket, as I had to in the figure above.

Figure 25: Connecting the Power and FM Traffic Antenna

Connect the mini-USB (power) plug into the Maestro, then the FM Traffic antenna into the FM port, as shown above.

Figure 26: Connect the Maestro to the Windshield Mount

Line up the tabs on the cradle with the holes on the bottom of the Maestro, and then rotate the GPS towards the windshield until it snaps into the cradle.

Figure 27: Maestro 4350, Mounted in the Car

The new windshield mount is a nice improvement over previous designs. It's sleeker and easier to angle the GPS into the desired viewing angle.

The mount does a good job holding the GPS firmly in place, even when driving at highway speeds, or on bumpy surface streets.

Figure 28: Maestro 4350, Mounted in the Car

Magellan's Maestro 4350 looks good and is easy to mount in the car. My only complaint is that the power and traffic cables connect directly to the GPS rather than to the windshield mount. That means you have to physically connect/disconnect both cables every time you want to mount or unmount the GPS from the car.

In contrast to the Maestro 4350's included mount, powered windshield mounts, such as those found on some competing GPS units, allow you to connect the cable(s) to the mount instead of the GPS. A powered mount means you don't have to fuss with any cables when docking the GPS: just slide the GPS into the mount, and you're ready to go.