OnStar Electronics
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,813
Likes: 287
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
OnStar Electronics
I was looking at a loaded CTS-V the other day and noticed that Cadillac has found a way to mount the OnStar electronics somewhere other than the windshield. Why must we C6 owners have to put up with that ugly little box attached to the upper right of our windshield ?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,324
Likes: 0
From: MN
On the CTS, I believe the antenna for OnStar is on the rear roof near the glass, correct? It looks like a pimple or fin? The 2005 C6 used a similar looking thing for the XM/GPS antenna, but the only place you can put it on the C6 is on the bar between the roof panel and rear glass. Ugly as sin. They found a way to bury the XM antenna in the rear door mirrors, but the GPS/OnStar needs a bigger look at the sky. The box on the glass is about the only place to put it. Where else can it go if you don't want an antenna stuck to the exterior of the car?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,066
Likes: 3
From: Milpitas ca
I don't even notice it.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,813
Likes: 287
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
What a tough crowd. The point I was making is that GM can see fit to do a cleaner installation on their cheapest Caddie yet they cannot do the same for their most expensive Chevy. A lot of corners were cut on the C6 and some people refuse to see it. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 906
Likes: 0
From: Skippack PA
Well, now I don't have to ask what that box is! Does seem very large, but I didn't notice it until I was halfway home the first day I had my C6. Could of been in a better place, but there isn't anything you can do about it now.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,565
Likes: 5
From: stafford country, va. Avatar: Me on turn 3 @ Bristol (The World's Fastest Half-Mile)
how about mounting it in the nose and using the 'emblem' as it's eye-to-the-sky.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,324
Likes: 0
From: MN
This isn't a tough crowd - it is reality. You say that Cadillac "found" a way to make an attractive placement for the OnStar and XM antennas? True enough, but then again they have an entire non-removable roof panel to use as a mounting bracket don't they? Let us review basic science - the C6 comes as both a coupe and vert. That means that unless GM is going to use a completely different set-up for each type of car (thereby costing millions upon millions of dollars), a common approach is necessary. Second, the OnStar, NAV, and XM systems need to be able to "see" the sky in an unobstructed fashion in order to receive the necessary signals. Ok....an antenna was slimmed down for 2006 and put in the door mirrors, thereby getting rid of the "nipple" on the roof bar from 2005. Hmmm....now, where can they put the other antennas? On the roof? No, the roof comes off - that won't work, especially on the vert. On the rear lid? Nope - mostly glass on the coupe. The only place left is the box on the glass. Where else would you put it where it can still work?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,813
Likes: 287
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
This isn't a tough crowd - it is reality. You say that Cadillac "found" a way to make an attractive placement for the OnStar and XM antennas? True enough, but then again they have an entire non-removable roof panel to use as a mounting bracket don't they? Let us review basic science - the C6 comes as both a coupe and vert. That means that unless GM is going to use a completely different set-up for each type of car (thereby costing millions upon millions of dollars), a common approach is necessary. Second, the OnStar, NAV, and XM systems need to be able to "see" the sky in an unobstructed fashion in order to receive the necessary signals. Ok....an antenna was slimmed down for 2006 and put in the door mirrors, thereby getting rid of the "nipple" on the roof bar from 2005. Hmmm....now, where can they put the other antennas? On the roof? No, the roof comes off - that won't work, especially on the vert. On the rear lid? Nope - mostly glass on the coupe. The only place left is the box on the glass. Where else would you put it where it can still work?
