OnStar....it's plain wrong!
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 8,243
Likes: 4,618
From: Southwest Florida
OnStar....it's plain wrong!
I can understand why owners need to pay for features like Vehicle Location, Inquire and Send Destination, OnStar Assistant (crash response, turn by turn navigation, etc.)
However, Vehicle Status (odometer, oil life, fuel level, tire temp, etc) should not be pay for use. Vehicle status just like FOB commands (remote start, horn/lights, lock/unlock, etc.) are functions that should be freely accessible by the owner not a "benefit" we need to pay to access remotely.
It's just a greedy move on GM's part!
However, Vehicle Status (odometer, oil life, fuel level, tire temp, etc) should not be pay for use. Vehicle status just like FOB commands (remote start, horn/lights, lock/unlock, etc.) are functions that should be freely accessible by the owner not a "benefit" we need to pay to access remotely.
It's just a greedy move on GM's part!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10,709
Likes: 7,104
From: Fulshear, TX
The fob controls through the RemoteLink phone app are free for 5 years for the original owner. Sending destinations to the navigation system is free too.
Last edited by Kracka; Apr 17, 2016 at 12:47 PM.
Administrator
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Posts: 66,409
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From: Bel Air (by way of Fort Worth, TX) Maryland
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '21
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 6,522
Likes: 1,309
From: Windermere FL
What really burns me is that all the OEM's seem to design the most crapulant NAV interfaces possible where is it almost impossible for you to input a destination directly into the NAV itself. I have yet to input one successfully that is not already stored in the C7. And forget about the voice interface, it truly sucks. All OEMs NAV systems I have owned are garbage. GM is no exception.
I think all the OEM use this to sway their customers to use their connected car systems.
A $100 Garmin is far superior to any $2K OEM Nav, and Google Maps or Navigon on your phone is also far superior.
And don't even get me started on the $150 (to $300 for other OEM) maps updates that come free from Garmin. And OEM's that use map data that is two years out of date.
I think all the OEM use this to sway their customers to use their connected car systems.
A $100 Garmin is far superior to any $2K OEM Nav, and Google Maps or Navigon on your phone is also far superior.
And don't even get me started on the $150 (to $300 for other OEM) maps updates that come free from Garmin. And OEM's that use map data that is two years out of date.
Last edited by Flame Red; Apr 17, 2016 at 12:51 PM.
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 66,409
Likes: 2,061
From: Bel Air (by way of Fort Worth, TX) Maryland
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '21
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 4,980
Likes: 3,826
From: Bainbridge Island WA
As someone seriously pointed out to me yesterday, this information is freely available from the car itself, You needn't wait for an OnStar email to discover any of this. It's just filler so OnStar can pretend it's being useful.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 20,933
Likes: 906
From: salem OR
What really burns me is that all the OEM's seem to design the most crapulant NAV interfaces possible where is it almost impossible for you to input a destination directly into the NAV itself. I have yet to input one successfully that is not already stored in the C7. And forget about the voice interface, it truly sucks. All OEMs NAV systems I have owned are garbage. GM is no exception.
I think all the OEM use this to sway their customers to use their connected car systems.
A $100 Garmin is far superior to any $2K OEM Nav, and Google Maps or Navigon on your phone is also far superior.
And don't even get me started on the $150 (to $300 for other OEM) maps updates that come free from Garmin. And OEM's that use map data that is two years out of date.
I think all the OEM use this to sway their customers to use their connected car systems.
A $100 Garmin is far superior to any $2K OEM Nav, and Google Maps or Navigon on your phone is also far superior.
And don't even get me started on the $150 (to $300 for other OEM) maps updates that come free from Garmin. And OEM's that use map data that is two years out of date.
Nav along with heated seats are stuff I don't bother with.
Pulling the onstar fuse is next!
Last edited by 3 Z06ZR1; Apr 17, 2016 at 03:08 PM.
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Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 4,788
Likes: 683
From: Austin Texas
St. Jude Donor '15
On Star has a lot of crap that should be free, also has a lot of good stuff, some of which should be free. But you don't have to use it if you don't want to. Free trial runs out don't renew, don't want the free trial, pull the fuse.
If it was all good and free what could we possibly have to complain about? We would be discussing how our pick up order from the fast food chain was wrong, and you did not notice until you got home...rather than check while at the drive through to see if it was right.
Maybe the quote should be " You can PLEASE all of the people some of the time, some of the people all the time but never all of the people all of the time."
I agree with the fact that some of the On Star stuff is crap but it has saved my wife from a couple of dangerous moments in the past...for that I'll pay.
If it was all good and free what could we possibly have to complain about? We would be discussing how our pick up order from the fast food chain was wrong, and you did not notice until you got home...rather than check while at the drive through to see if it was right.
Maybe the quote should be " You can PLEASE all of the people some of the time, some of the people all the time but never all of the people all of the time."
I agree with the fact that some of the On Star stuff is crap but it has saved my wife from a couple of dangerous moments in the past...for that I'll pay.
Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,742
Likes: 629
From: Manheim Pennsylvania
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 911
Likes: 318
From: Parts Unknown
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,002
Likes: 2,679
What really burns me is that all the OEM's seem to design the most crapulant NAV interfaces possible where is it almost impossible for you to input a destination directly into the NAV itself. I have yet to input one successfully that is not already stored in the C7. And forget about the voice interface, it truly sucks. All OEMs NAV systems I have owned are garbage. GM is no exception.
I think all the OEM use this to sway their customers to use their connected car systems.
A $100 Garmin is far superior to any $2K OEM Nav, and Google Maps or Navigon on your phone is also far superior.
And don't even get me started on the $150 (to $300 for other OEM) maps updates that come free from Garmin. And OEM's that use map data that is two years out of date.
I think all the OEM use this to sway their customers to use their connected car systems.
A $100 Garmin is far superior to any $2K OEM Nav, and Google Maps or Navigon on your phone is also far superior.
And don't even get me started on the $150 (to $300 for other OEM) maps updates that come free from Garmin. And OEM's that use map data that is two years out of date.
The audio commands work good too. Phone could be better.
On top of that, you've clearly never used a Ford Sync system as they are CAKE to use. My Focus ST (with the much maligned My Ford Touch) gets my mom's name right every time (she has a very unique German first name).
I'd say 75%-80% of voice command and infotainment system issues are user related, because people DO NOT WANT TO LEARN HOW TO USE THEM. If you sit in your garage, play with the system for 30 minutes, then from that point forward it's relatively intuitive.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 8,243
Likes: 4,618
From: Southwest Florida
I said I have no issue paying for OnStar services but I feel strongly we should not have to pay for ONE, I SAY AGAIN, we should not have to pay for one of the features, Vehicle Status.
BTW, I am retired, not a teenager and I worked for every penny I earned. And I didn't rip off people either.