tell me about onstar, are the older systems going to be disabled soon? i heard that somewhere.

12/6/2007 8:01:44 AM

i keep forgetting to cancel that shit

12/6/2007 8:40:55 AM

i keep purple stuff up in my cup

12/6/2007 10:51:33 AM

what do you want to know about it? it's good if you need to call for directions, commonly lock your keys in the car, can't call restaurants or hotels yourself for reservations, don't know how to track your oil changes or pull obd codes, etc.

basically, i think it's worth it if you travel a lot. otherwise, i don't see any real advantage. my mom has it on her cadillac, and it hardly ever gets used. the regular nav suffices for most things. it's just a gadget like anything else.

not to mention this is exactly the kind of big brother technology that's taking over. pretty sure we're going to see it used for denying warranties or worse in the near future. i'd rip it out if i had a vehicle with it, i don't care to be tracked everywhere i go.

12/6/2007 2:19:48 PM

I've read a few stories of them listening in on known criminals cars. I'll try to find some links, and it was mostly for some crazy terrorist type criminals so it's completely Ok by me..but still scary as hell in the big brother sense. I'd much prefer just to have a normal GPS system. My grandmother has it in her new buick and uses it pretty much just for the navigation info, but on hers it doesn't have a real screen/map, only text directions from my understanding.

Anyways, yeah, I think it's a waste of money except for maybe the occasional locking of the keys in the car.

12/6/2007 2:28:15 PM

http://www.onstar.com/us_english/jsp/digital_transition.jsp

Quote :

"Revised January 16, 2007 Important Information about the Analog-to-Digital Transition OnStar service was launched in 1996 using proven analog technology, which had the broadest geographic coverage of the available cellular network alternatives at the time. Usage of analog technology enabled us to evolve into the most comprehensive in-vehicle communications provider offering safety, security and peace of mind to millions of vehicle owners. Because OnStar connected to the proven analog network, our technology helped ensure that if an airbag deployed in the U.S. or Canada, the vehicle would be connected using the cellular network with the largest geographical coverage available. Since we signed up our first subscriber in 1996, OnStar has assisted subscribers and others in more than 3.5 million emergency situations, including airbag deployment notifications, remote door unlock requests, roadside assistance, good samaritan, and other emergency calls. We are proud of OnStar's societal contribution, which not only has been widely recognized by our subscribers, but by the emergency response and medical communities as well. However, based on a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ruling, cellular carriers will not be required to support the analog cellular network beginning in early 2008. Without the analog network, we can't ensure the coverage that will allow us to provide subscribers, with analog equipment, the services they expect from us. As a result, beginning January 1, 2008, OnStar service in the United States and Canada will be available only through vehicles that are capable of operating on the digital cellular network. We at OnStar sincerely regret that we will not be able to provide OnStar service to vehicles with analog equipment after December 31, 2007. All OnStar subscribers affected by this change will receive a letter from OnStar that outlines how this affects their service."

12/6/2007 5:00:00 PM

THATS half of what i needed to know... NOW how do you tell if a car has digital onstar or analog???

12/6/2007 6:44:32 PM

i use it daily. i use the phone portion for work a lot. i think i use about 1000 minutes a month on it when my nextel will not get signal. other than the phone portion i dont use it on my truck or in my last truck that had it.

12/6/2007 7:44:27 PM

The very last paragraph of the article:

Quote :

"Click here to enter your VIN and find out if this transition impacts your OnStar service."

click here-> https://www.myonstar.com/adt.os

This is what it said for my car (2007 Saturn):

Quote :

"Your VIN Result You entered VIN 1G8AW15B67Z126365 This is a dual-mode (analog/digital) vehicle with equipment that operates on both the analog and digital cellular networks. It will not require an upgrade in connection with the cellular industry's transition to the digital network. Since this vehicle is capable of operating on the digital network, no action is required."

12/6/2007 7:57:12 PM

awesome.


punched in a '00 escalade, no good after 12/31/07

12/6/2007 8:20:46 PM

bump

12/20/2011 5:26:01 PM

^thanks.

any recent opinions for Onstar? I don't currently subscribe, but have thought about it with the current special being $150/yr. I don't need nav/comm; more interested in emergency response and security features.

12/20/2011 5:51:27 PM

Quote :

" this is exactly the kind of big brother technology that's taking over. pretty sure we're going to see it used for denying warranties or worse in the near future. i'd rip it out if i had a vehicle with it, i don't care to be tracked everywhere i go."

12/20/2011 6:44:15 PM

It's been nice a couple of times when I've cranked my truck at the table after paying for dinner. I prob won't be renewing my subscription when it's up.

12/20/2011 9:21:27 PM

aaa > onstar

12/20/2011 9:56:43 PM

Well I have remote start already though that's not quite the same. I also have aaa

12/20/2011 10:23:51 PM