3. Installing the nuvi 1390T in the Car

Figure 17: Garmin nuvi 1390T, Mounted in the Car

As with other Garmin nuvi models, mounting the 1390T in the car is a quick and simple matter that doesn't require any professional installation and takes less than 2 minutes. 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, as pictured above, although it's equally acceptable mount the GPS in the lower or upper left corner of the windshield.

Figure 18: Connect the Vehicle Power Adapter

Plug in the power adapter/traffic receiver into your vehicle's cigarette lighter adapter.

Figure 19: 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 20: 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 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.

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 21: Windshield Mount and Cradle, Attached to the Glass

Figure 22: Connecting the Vehicle Power Cable to the nuvi 1390T

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

Figure 23: Placing the nuvi 1390T into the Dock

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

Figure 24: nuvi 1390T, 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 25: nuvi 1390T, Mounted in the Car

A single cable powers the nuvi and provides traffic updates. The large rectangle box in the cable is a little unsightly, but it's still better than having a separate FM Traffic wire.