OnStar??

[San Diego]

Anyone have it? What are the pros and cons?
Thanks in advance.

[Chaddyshack]

It came standard in my 2500hd and I love it. The cellular is a little pricey, but the coverage is excellent. Your able to get traffic, weather, and your email right in the car just by literally telling it what to do.
The other nice thing is the GPS capability to find the veh and do real time updates. It has proven very nice in stolen vehicles that are moving. It tell us where its at, as opposed to LOJACK where you have to find it.
my .02
Chaddy Chad

[stix818]

I also like the feature of being able to call them and have them unlock your doors. The first time I tried to use it I called and I told them I locked my keys in the truck. The operator then asked me to go in the truck and turn onstar on. I had to register first so needless to say it wasn't able to work that time. Ended up calling good ol AAA.

[TRG]

Umm!!!!!! I would think twice before requesting this option,....I bought my wife a brand new Trail Blazer (bitchen'vehicle),...somehow she managed to roll it up on the 5 fwy,...center devider the whole 9yrds and what do you know ,.. no airbags ,nocall from on star NOTHING!!!!!!!!
We are now seeking legal action, but definitly think about this situation im dealing with!! Todd

[Chaddyshack]

Onstar will only call if the airbags deploy. The bags are run off of sensors in the front bumper. Onstar has nothing to do with it other than if the bags to deploy, it calls Onstar and gives the location and then they call inside the vehicle.

[PowellScooter]

I'm not really sure why your suiing. Becuase the airbags didn't deploy? Or becuase the onstar people didn't call R.D. ?Yes what is the basis of your lawsuit? Airbags may not deploy in every accident situation and as a previous post indicated the onstar is activated by the air bags. Sorry your wife crashed but.....

[ROZ]

PowellScooter:
I'm not really sure why your suiing. Becuase the airbags didn't deploy? Or becuase the onstar people didn't call R.D. ?Yes what is the basis of your lawsuit? Airbags may not deploy in every accident situation and as a previous post indicated the onstar is activated by the air bags. Sorry your wife crashed but.....Yes, I too am curious. Was she wearing a seatbelt? Is she okay? Did she receive any injury that an airbag would have prevented?
I agree with PS when he says that bags don't deploy in every incident. I know from personal experience.
I'd bet the ratio of pros far outweighs the cons.
Dude, If your wife is okay, call it a day. Save legal action for when it's warranted. Afterall if SHE hadn't "somehow" caused the accident........
ROZ "not trying to be a chump"

[Lightning]

San Diego:
Anyone have it? What are the pros and cons?
Thanks in advance.Chris,
I have ON Star in my Avalanche, it's pretty cool but AAA is cheaper and serves the same purpose. The only additional benefit is the capeability to unlock the doors via satelite should you lock your keys inside (definately handy at the river). The cell coverage is good but pricey. Do you need weather, email, and all that other shit in you car? I know I don't, that's why we use the internet all day at work anyways. So are you looking for a new ride?

[nhbuoy]

I don't know about you guys, but I think ONSTAR,LOJAC,& factory installed GPS systems are a TAD too BIG BROTHER for my tastes!!!I really don't want the "invasion of privacy" issues that these systems can/could create...I'm not a fan of OBD2 for the same reasons...They are capable of FAR more information than you people are aware of or realize...I figure if you're stupid enough to lock your keys in your car, then you deserve the hassle it ensues...I also figure that if a thief is able to bypass the factory alarm system, then let him have the car/truck, I'll get another one with the insurance proceeds...As for GPS, I USUALLY know where I'm going and don't need some stupid computer telling me EXACTLY where I am at any "REAL TIME" moment...As a matter of fact, I spend A LOT of time in my truck going to places that require directions and I prefer my map books...I think it's funny how people can be SUCKED-IN by all the hype of the NEW technology and convince themselves that it is a "MUST HAVE" item and not think about the big picture...Not only are these things distractions to what you're actually in the car doing(driving), but do you REALLY nedd & want all this information available to who knows who???I may sound paranoid...BUT it's not paranoia if it's true!!!Think about it!!!

[MissHavasuCig]

I have Onstar on my burbie too and think it's a bit overpriced, but it just may come in handy and make it worth it one day. I only have the safety and security package this year after having the upgraded package last year that got me lost the few times I needed directions :(
I did have one incident where I had an emergency with my other half and needed an ambulence so I pushed the emergency button, but the response wasn't very fast to get someone on the line so I hung it up and called 911 on my cell phone instead. Anyways, I was talking with a Deputy that I knew who heard the request for help go out with my car and name and they were looking for us... so I guess it did work!!!
It makes me feel a little safer knowing that if my airbags are deployed that someone will check on me ... or if I push the emergency button I will get help! Hopefully I won't have to use either function and I'm just wasting my money, right!!! wink

[Chaddyshack]

Everybody has good points about this. But, you have to remember that this "service" comes stock on all upper end GM's right from the factory. Its not some high zoot wiz bang thing that we run down to the local Tweeter for. As far as big brother.... you can fight all you want, but its here and we are never going back, sorry bro.
My .02
Chad

[Chaddyshack]

and Miss Havsucig... was that you that we were all looking for that day????? I was wondering!!
Say hi to your other half for me.
Chad

[andy01]

Onstar may be pricey on the cell end, but safty has no price! There are a lot of stories about onstar saving lifes.............. so here's one of the best I ever read about (when I was in the car bizz) There is an older couple traveling across the country in a Buick Park Avenue. The women is behind the wheel, the husband is sitting shoot gun. All of a sudden about 30 miles out from the closet town her husband has a heart attack, she panics and hits the onstar. As she is telling the operater of the heart attack the operater is telling here where to turn and notifing the local HWY Patrol of the current actions taking place. (they have been on the Onstar system for 2 minutes at this time) The operator keeping the women from panicing, Is reasuring her (now on the line for seven minutes) ................. a Hwy Patrol car was waiting for her at an itersection, as she approached the intersection the operater notified her that she was aproaching the Patrol officer that is going to give her an escort to town. The officer passed her and gave her an escort to the closest Hospital in the area............ 19 minutes after the press of the "onstar emergency button" the man was checked in to the emergency room. Onstar was one of the only reasons this man lived through it and didn't die on the side of the road, the women had no idea she was that close to a hospital. End of story.....
Andy

[MissHavasuCig]

Chaddyshack:
and Miss Havsucig... was that you that we were all looking for that day????? I was wondering!!
Say hi to your other half for me.
ChadYeppers ~ that was us! Thanks for taking care of us wink
I shared your message with the Mr ~ he said Hi back. He's been busy so he hasn't been on the board much lately. :p

[ROZ]

Chaddyshack:
Its not some high zoot wiz bang thing that we run down to the local Tweeter for.
ChadDOH! That hurt!
Actually 3 years ago Alpine had the Mobile Mayday feature that you could add to an Alpine NAV/GPS system. Similar to OnStar, but without the airbag feature. (But I'm sure someone could have figured out a way to make it work). It had a cell phone cradle attachment so you could use your mobile phone carrier for the emergency service. After you bought everything, you were into it for a few g's. Expensive aftermarket item/service like this don't sell everyday, so it wasn't around very long...
I'd get OnStar if I had the option.
My wife's friend has used it in more than 1 occasion. :rolleyes: Most recent accident was monday eek!
[ December 06, 2002, 11:40 AM: Message edited by: ROZ ]

[78DiMarco]

I just got a new vehicle that is equiped with OnStar. I didn't think much of it as I was purchasing the car. Now that I have it I like it. I also agree that the phone portion is a little pricey but the convenience of telling it who to call and that it overrides the sound system when a call comes in is nice if I'm blasting the tunes. Otherwise I may never know I was getting a call.

[San Diego]

Thanks for all the info. I ended up ordering OnStar, I will try it for the free year and if I see no benefit I will turn it off or just get basic service. I opted not to get the XM radio due to the stock antenna being to big and it looked horrible on the roof. I may go after market for XM and pick my own antenna.
nhbouy: Your cell phone service provider can do the same thing.
Caddyshack: You can get those vehicle any way you prefer if you don't buy off the lot.

[Chaddyshack]

MissHavasuCig:
Chaddyshack:
and Miss Havsucig... was that you that we were all looking for that day????? I was wondering!!
Say hi to your other half for me.
ChadYeppers ~ that was us! Thanks for taking care of us wink
I shared your message with the Mr ~ he said Hi back. He's been busy so he hasn't been on the board much lately. :p No problem.. I'm still trying to get to the west office... I have been to busy myself... tis the season for OT HELL fa la la la la lallalalalala!!!!

[jet4fun]

hey, i just have a quick question for all you audio buffs... is it possible to add an aftermarket stereo system and integrate onstar to it somehow... i know a few years ago when i was an installer i did a system in an escalade but the owner wanted the factory deck to be used for looks, so i adapted all the equipment off of that and it worked fine... i was just wondering what to do in the case of an aftermarket deck :confused:

[ROZ]

jet4fun:
hey, i just have a quick question for all you audio buffs... is it possible to add an aftermarket stereo system and integrate onstar to it somehow... i know a few years ago when i was an installer i did a system in an escalade but the owner wanted the factory deck to be used for looks, so i adapted all the equipment off of that and it worked fine... i was just wondering what to do in the case of an aftermarket deck :confused: Absolutely. There are aftermarket kits/harnesses available to do this.

[Chaddyshack]

I have the Panasonic DVD player in my truck and works bitchin with Onstar.