How to Turn Your Smartphone into a High-End In-Car Navigation System

1. Install the MotoNav software on your smartphone

Locate the plastic memory card case in the box and remove the MicroSD card. This card has the self-install application on it along with all the pertinent maps and geographical locations (such as ATMs, points of interest, and gas stations) for the United States and Canada. Simply insert the card into your smartphone’s MicroSD card slot (see inset). When the prompt appears that asks where you want the application installed, select Device. The software will be installed on your smartphone in less than a minute.

2. Activate the software

Next, retrieve the card out of the box that reads Activation Voucher and create a new text message. Address the message to the number on the front of the card (yes, you need to dial the 1 first as listed on the card), and then in the message area, input the activation code number on the back of the card and press Send. Once the message is sent, you should know in seconds that activation is complete and that you can start using the MotoNav application on your smartphone.

3. Input your destination

Once the application is installed and running on the software, now the fun begins. Before heading into the car, we recommend inserting a few of your favorite destinations into the software first. This way, once you get into the car, you can select a favorite spot from the menu and get going. If you don’t have an address for your destination, no worries; simply choose local search and a slew of options will appear (ATM, bank, movie theaters, grocery stores--even casinos). Find the location you want and highlight it, then choose Menu and select Save Location. Next, check out the address to verify it’s the location you want, then scroll to Group and select the group you want to save it in. Choose the group and select Done.

If you do have an address or even just an intersection, choose Navigate and select the icon that works with the information you know. For example, choose Enter Address or Enter Location or even retrieve an address from your phone’s contact list. Once you’ve got your destinations entered, it’s time to head to the car and hit the open road.

4. Give the T815 some power

Once you get in the car, you’ll want to plug one end of the included charger into the cigarette lighter and the other end into the T815 GPS device. Turn on the T815’s power by pressing the middle button outlined in red. Don’t worry about the GPS device's proximity to your phone. It doesn’t matter since the device will be using Bluetooth, which is turned on in your cell phone when you activate the MotoNav application, to connect to your smartphone. Also, you’ll know the service is working because a N-E-W-S icon (sans the letters) will appear in the upper-right corner of the screen next to the battery meter.

Note: If you have a mini-USB charger at home (maybe from a Motorola cell phone), you can always charge the T815 before you get in the car.

5. Secure your smartphone in the car

Once the GPS device is all set up in the car, it’s time to tackle the smartphone. There’s a cell phone base in the box that can attach to and detach from each of the mounting devices in the box. There are quite a few options included in the box for installing the phone holder in your car if you’d like to make it a more permanent fixture. However, we really like keeping it portable for use in multiple cars; thus, we decided to connect it to the Universal Phone Holder with the suction cup attached at the bottom for mounting on a window. The base will snap into place when connecting to the Universal Phone Holder.

Once that’s attached, you’ll need to insert the smartphone into the phone holder. (You can insert the phone into the holder first; however, we found it much more manageable to do it in this order.) If the phone seems too big to fit into the phone holder, simply press the button on the lower-left corner of the holder and the arms should extend. Next, you’ll need to gently push the smartphone into place. We recommend sliding the phone in at an angle, then gently pushing it into place.

6. Attach the Universal Phone Holder to the windshield

Now that the cell phone is snugly placed in the holder, you just need to mount it to the window. There’s a lever at the base of the Universal Phone Holder arm, just above the suction cup. Once you’ve positioned the holder on the window, simply press the lever down (or toward the window) to securely attach the arm.

7. Choose your destination and get going

When you’re all set up, select your destination on the cell phone, buckle up, wait for some instructions, and hit the road. We should note if you are on a one-way street or are already in the direction you need to be going, you’ll just see your position on the map of the cell phone. When it’s time to turn, a voice from the MotoNav application will speak up to let you know what to do. Listen to the prompts until you reach your destination. And then there you are.

Note: To see this device in action, check out our video.