New Onstar calling plans
I know the tin-foil hat group will jump in here about Onstar monitoring you and that you must disconnect it, etc. For the others: I've never paid for onstar hands-free minutes because the prices have been crazy, and well, I have a cell phone, thank you.
I got an email today offering very good rates on monthly plans. 4.99/month for 100 minutes a month or 9.99 a month for unlimited minutes (plus taxes). Seems to be a very good deal compared to the traditional crazy minute prices. HOWEVER, I was not offered this on the Corvette, only on the Tahoe, and when I try to purchase minutes on-line for either call, it logs me out. The email offer had a special link to it, and only offers the plan on the Tahoe. The Corvette has bluetooth, so I would probably never pay for the minutes there, and probably wouldn't on the Tahoe either, but for those that like to have some minutes, or need a good hands free option, this may work great if you can get the offer. |
Since I have a 3LT package, I get OnStar for a year, and while it may not be worth the retail phone plan, it is sometimes a really nice feature.
I find that it doesn't cutout where a cell phone can - better range. It utilizes the same strategy as the go phones, I think. The higher price is because they tap in to all of the provider networks. |
Waaaay too expensive :crazy:
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Originally Posted by fmarshall
(Post 1576813429)
I find that it doesn't cutout where a cell phone can - better range.
Originally Posted by keyplyr
(Post 1576813451)
Waaaay too expensive :crazy:
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Originally Posted by JimTN
(Post 1576813522)
Depends on why you have it. I didn't want it in my C6 that had it, but I'll probably keep it in the Camaro.
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Originally Posted by keyplyr
(Post 1576813451)
Waaaay too expensive :crazy:
Again, I have no pony in this race, so I don't really care, I just looked at these new plans as pretty cheap and definitely fair pricing, curious as to why you would think otherwise. |
Last season (yes we really have them in MN) I paid $15 for 100 minutes good for the year - at least it works when the cell phone doesn't.
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Originally Posted by JimTN
(Post 1576813522)
I've been told it has more power - 5 watts instead of a normal cell phone's 1 or 2 watts.
.6 watts (600 mw) for a handheld. (average power, not peak) |
Originally Posted by Rednblack
(Post 1576817187)
Last season (yes we really have them in MN) I paid $15 for 100 minutes good for the year - at least it works when the cell phone doesn't.
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I'm new to On-Star with the car purchased the end of January and rarely use it. The offered 100 minutes for $14.99. I've used it a few times when I forgot the cell phone and it was useful.
The sales person gave me the speech that it uses a different network than the typical cellular network and has a broader range of service. Is that sales speak or really the case? |
Originally Posted by dd229
(Post 1576817900)
I'm new to On-Star with the car purchased the end of January and rarely use it. The offered 100 minutes for $14.99. I've used it a few times when I forgot the cell phone and it was useful.
The sales person gave me the speech that it uses a different network than the typical cellular network and has a broader range of service. Is that sales speak or really the case? 1)As noted by KenHorse above, it is much more powerful than a hand-held (3 vs .6 watts) so it likely has the ability to reach cell towers that your hand-held phone can't. 2) It can use any CMDA network that Onstar has agreements with. So, if, for instance, you have Verizon, the question is: does Onstar have more agreements for coverage than Verizon has roaming agreements? Not sure who knows that answer. That is probably it from a phone perspective. The sales people like to talk about how it integrates GPS, celluar and vehicle systems to provide a wide array of services, which is true, but doesn't impact the pure phone aspect. |
Originally Posted by calmtgguy
(Post 1576817365)
You just reminded me that Onstar tries to cancel unused minutes every year, and I don't let that happen, that's just freaking wrong. I pay $12 a month for Onstar service and NEVER use it. :toetap:
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Originally Posted by z28lt1
(Post 1576816180)
Interesting you think that, I don't have a need for it, so I wouldn't pay it, but I don't think the new pricing is expensive at all. $10/month for unlimited minutes and a reasonable $5.00/month option? What does your cell company charge for unlimited (although this is clearly not apples to apples as you would use your normal cell phone way more, since you can use it outside of the car). What price would be fair for for unlimited minutes if $10 is "way" too much?
Again, I have no pony in this race, so I don't really care, I just looked at these new plans as pretty cheap and definitely fair pricing, curious as to why you would think otherwise. But I have to admit to bias when it comes to all things On$tar. I was an avid proponent at first and kept up a subscription for a couple years; I thought it a good service and often said so in these forums. Then the first time I actually needed it, it didn't work. All I get was the recording; no one ever answered. I had to call a truck out of pocket. Since then I have nothing good to say about On$tar and to be honest, just seeing it mentioned irritates me :lol: |
Originally Posted by keyplyr
(Post 1576819196)
I agree - in itself $10 for unlimited minutes is not expensive, it's a good price. My comment stems from the fact that IMO On$tar is overpriced & unreliable, and of course to get the $10 minutes deal one would also need to subscribe to On$tar.
But I have to admit to bias when it comes to all things On$tar. I was an avid proponent at first and kept up a subscription for a couple years; I thought it a good service and often said so in these forums. Then the first time I actually needed it, it didn't work. All I get was the recording; no one ever answered. I had to call a truck out of pocket. Since then I have nothing good to say about On$tar and to be honest, just seeing it mentioned irritates me :lol: |
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