OEM Bluetooth vs OnStar
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 460
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
OEM Bluetooth vs OnStar
well first off has anyone tried both? if so which is better.
I'm thinking about bringing my car back to the dealer so i can have the bluetooth installed in my car with the function buttons on the steering wheel. But I have also consider just paying for the OnStar subscription and buying the prepaid minutes. Which is better in yalls opinion. and from what I heard when your driving its kind of hard to hear the person your calling with all the noise.
I'm thinking about bringing my car back to the dealer so i can have the bluetooth installed in my car with the function buttons on the steering wheel. But I have also consider just paying for the OnStar subscription and buying the prepaid minutes. Which is better in yalls opinion. and from what I heard when your driving its kind of hard to hear the person your calling with all the noise.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 973
Likes: 2
From: Maryland
well first off has anyone tried both? if so which is better.
I'm thinking about bringing my car back to the dealer so i can have the bluetooth installed in my car with the function buttons on the steering wheel. But I have also consider just paying for the OnStar subscription and buying the prepaid minutes. Which is better in yalls opinion. and from what I heard when your driving its kind of hard to hear the person your calling with all the noise.
I'm thinking about bringing my car back to the dealer so i can have the bluetooth installed in my car with the function buttons on the steering wheel. But I have also consider just paying for the OnStar subscription and buying the prepaid minutes. Which is better in yalls opinion. and from what I heard when your driving its kind of hard to hear the person your calling with all the noise.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 460
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 20,054
Likes: 44
From: Swansea IL
I didn't think they could retro fit OEM Bluetooth. Just bought the wife an 09 SRX and it did nor come with BT. So I opted to buy some OnStar minutes. They sold the first 100 for $14.95 and will then rolled the 30 free minutes over. While I was on the phone I asked about buing more "discounted" minutes and the OnStar rep agreed, bought an additional 100 minutes for $29.95. So for about $55 I have 230 minues good for a year. I figure I use about 15 minutes/month.
Then what ever is left over I can roll over when I buy more minutes (regular pricing) next year. I considered adding a third Verizon line but that costs $9.95/month or about $125/year. My OnStar minutes (at least for the first year is much cheaper). This will give the LOCKPICK or BlueStar folks more time to come up with an elegant BT solution that will use the OEM equipment already installed like mic and steering wheel controls yet retain the security/safety of OnStar.
Then what ever is left over I can roll over when I buy more minutes (regular pricing) next year. I considered adding a third Verizon line but that costs $9.95/month or about $125/year. My OnStar minutes (at least for the first year is much cheaper). This will give the LOCKPICK or BlueStar folks more time to come up with an elegant BT solution that will use the OEM equipment already installed like mic and steering wheel controls yet retain the security/safety of OnStar.
Last edited by AFVETTE; May 9, 2009 at 10:43 AM.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 701
Likes: 9
From: Trophy Club TX
You may not be able to upgrade to BT. BT is not avail pre 09. Onstar is nice but I wanted a true BT solution so I replaced the factory HU with a DNX8120 that has Parrot bluetooth and Garmin Nav. Retained onstar and chime with the upgrade and love. I now have the best of both worlds, BT thru my cell and Onstar
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 460
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
I didn't think they could retro fit OEM Bluetooth. Just bought the wife an 09 SRX and it did nor come with BT. So I opted to buy some OnStar minutes. They sold the first 100 for $14.95 and will then rolled the 30 free minutes over. While I was on the phone I asked about buing more "discounted" minutes and the OnStar rep agreed, bought an additional 100 minutes for $29.95. So for about $55 I have 230 minues good for a year. I figure I use about 15 minutes/month.
Then what ever is left over I can roll over when I buy more minutes (regular pricing) next year. I considered adding a third Verizon line but that costs $9.95/month or about $125/year. My OnStar minutes (at least for the first year is much cheaper). This will give the LOCKPICK or BlueStar folks more time to come up with an elegant BT solution that will use the OEM equipment already installed like mic and steering wheel controls yet retain the security/safety of OnStar.
Then what ever is left over I can roll over when I buy more minutes (regular pricing) next year. I considered adding a third Verizon line but that costs $9.95/month or about $125/year. My OnStar minutes (at least for the first year is much cheaper). This will give the LOCKPICK or BlueStar folks more time to come up with an elegant BT solution that will use the OEM equipment already installed like mic and steering wheel controls yet retain the security/safety of OnStar.
Man those prepaid minutes is a bit pricey, I talk a lot on the phone. for the verizon, does it have to be a family plan? or can I just opt and get a single line and still be able to use the minutes?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 460
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
You may not be able to upgrade to BT. BT is not avail pre 09. Onstar is nice but I wanted a true BT solution so I replaced the factory HU with a DNX8120 that has Parrot bluetooth and Garmin Nav. Retained onstar and chime with the upgrade and love. I now have the best of both worlds, BT thru my cell and Onstar
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113DNX8...20.html?tp=144
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Pro
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 701
Likes: 9
From: Trophy Club TX
I just pulled up the DNX8120 and man that thing is AWESOME!!! how easy was it to install. Its being sold for $1299.99 is that a good deal?
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113DNX8...20.html?tp=144
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113DNX8...20.html?tp=144
As for price, do some shooping as prices change from time to time. The 8120 is worth it over other comparable models
Pro
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 701
Likes: 9
From: Trophy Club TX
call verizon... you add a line at 9.95 a month and you use the minutes in your plan..... fee is for an additional line and phone number.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 460
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
thats why If i did go with the verizon thing I wanted to open the least expensive deal.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 460
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 460
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
I just pulled up the DNX8120 and man that thing is AWESOME!!! how easy was it to install. Its being sold for $1299.99 is that a good deal?
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113DNX8...20.html?tp=144
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113DNX8...20.html?tp=144
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 323
Likes: 1
From: Lake Worth Florida
I have both in my 2009. The onstar seems to have a more powerful antenna, but my cell phone works very well.
Both work off the steering wheel controls. I have never had a problem hearing my cell phone over bluetooth and people on the other end say it is clear as well. I like the idea of bluetooth because people don't need another number to reach me.
I keep a few onstar minutes for the rare times I forget my cell phone. Since bluetooth uses my cell phone minutes, it comes out cheaper in the long run.
In the end, they both work very well, I just use my bluetooth more.
Both work off the steering wheel controls. I have never had a problem hearing my cell phone over bluetooth and people on the other end say it is clear as well. I like the idea of bluetooth because people don't need another number to reach me.
I keep a few onstar minutes for the rare times I forget my cell phone. Since bluetooth uses my cell phone minutes, it comes out cheaper in the long run.
In the end, they both work very well, I just use my bluetooth more.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 460
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
I have both in my 2009. The onstar seems to have a more powerful antenna, but my cell phone works very well.
Both work off the steering wheel controls. I have never had a problem hearing my cell phone over bluetooth and people on the other end say it is clear as well. I like the idea of bluetooth because people don't need another number to reach me.
I keep a few onstar minutes for the rare times I forget my cell phone. Since bluetooth uses my cell phone minutes, it comes out cheaper in the long run.
In the end, they both work very well, I just use my bluetooth more.
Both work off the steering wheel controls. I have never had a problem hearing my cell phone over bluetooth and people on the other end say it is clear as well. I like the idea of bluetooth because people don't need another number to reach me.
I keep a few onstar minutes for the rare times I forget my cell phone. Since bluetooth uses my cell phone minutes, it comes out cheaper in the long run.
In the end, they both work very well, I just use my bluetooth more.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 460
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Did the install myself and was not difficult. There are a couple of good threads on the install in another forum and there is a good blow by blow on www.dfwcorvettes.com
As for price, do some shooping as prices change from time to time. The 8120 is worth it over other comparable models
As for price, do some shooping as prices change from time to time. The 8120 is worth it over other comparable models
how long did it take you to do the installation? and do you have any pictures of your finished work before and after?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 973
Likes: 2
From: Maryland
Pro
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 701
Likes: 9
From: Trophy Club TX
I have no problem with dropped calls. Used to use a jawboneII with my phone and compared to this (DNX) it is like a can and a string (jawbone). Qualtiy os excellent and finctionality of the HU is great...