jim spitzer

1. GM wants me to pay for the navigation update on my 2017 base vert.
2. On star calls everyday wanting me to renew the service.

about 2 months ago I got a e-mail about navigation, It was about an update. I entered my vin and they answered with a e-mail that my car already has the latest version of navigation. Who to believe???

now on star wants to renew, At this time I have the complete package except navigation (because it's in my car). I have never used on star since I've had my 2016 coupe and now my 2017 vert. the 2016 has been traded for the vert.
wait I stand corrected yesterday coming home from the vet with my dog I did not know he was standing on the door for the cup holder where I put my phone. Well he called on star emergency an also turned off traction control.
Anyway I was thinking about putting navigation back on with onstar and not GM. I am planning a trip the bowling green this year

DPC57

Wouldn't it just be simpler to use your phone and favorite Nav App with Android Auto or Car Play?

Prray

m3incorp

OP, Many different opinions on the usefulness of Onstar.

defaria

Indeed! Why are you bothering with OnStar and the factory Nav when Android Auto is way, waaay better, up to date up to the minute and free?

RonC7

If I could just extend key fob services past 5 years for a few $$$...

defaria

What exactly is "key fob servcies"?!?

Z068

On-Star is a scam. The name "implies" it's satellite based. It is cellular. Or at least it was in my last GM Pick-up. I locked my keys in the truck, they sent the "un-lock" signal...no bueno. I asked and they told me it was out of service range, heck my cell worked?

Rebel Yell

Jim, go with your idea. I never updated the Nav in my C6 because GM wanted just to damn much. I used OnStar's navigation, and it was always spot on.

I don't even have Nav in my '16, but OnStar can down load the info. and the turns will show up on the center screen, and the voice prompts come through just like I have the Nav.

defaria

How do you figure that "Onstar" implies satellite? We have zero satellites on stars.

MAKC7

Totally agree, pay monies to OnStar and get nothing.

Steve Garrett

100% wrong....


1. OnStar is NOT a scam
2. The name does NOT imply it's satellite based


You need to get your facts (and personal impressions) straight before posting stuff like this.....

SilverGhost

on-star and sirius and gm map upgrades (and now mrc software updates) are simply pinholes GM hopes to drill in your wallet to drain your funds without you really noticing. However, in the aggregate, these cash flows add to healthy profits for the mother ship.

if you could get every resident of the us to send you just 1 penny a year, you would have a cash flow of over $3 million/year. And NONE of GM's upgrades cost just one cent.

if you find value, enjoy the service(s). I tried them in the C6 generation, even bit on the C7 MRC "upgrade" once ONLY; but refuse to even push the blue button to activate ONSTAR when I bought my C7.

Avanti

Remind me, again... why do I never deal with OnStar???

fsvoboda

OnStar is about two decades old, and wasn't such a bad idea when it began. However, advances in technology have made it essentially obsolete, I think. Its services are mostly similar to those available via a smartphone. (Early versions on pre-digital cell networks stopped working when those networks became obsolete maybe a decade ago.)

I think they're just continuing to work it for as much cash flow as possible. According to Wikipedia it's got about six million U.S. customers.

Grand Slam

I let OnStar lapse after the free trial. I don't miss it.

Nav updates are the map, not the software. Unless you're traveling in an area with a lot of new roads you shouldn't need an update for years

Foosh

Well, the only problem w/ your assertions here is that I'm not aware of any smart phone that will automatically dispatch emergency services if you've crashed in a remote area, there's no one else around to call 911, and you are unconscious. Even in a major metro area, such as where I live, there are plenty of backroads, where if I'm forced off the road by a texting or impaired driver and into a forest or down a gully, there may be no witnesses, and I might not be found for some time.

That's the #1 advantage of systems like OnStar. Getting to a trauma center within one hour of a serious injury is the difference between life and death. I consider it very cheap survival insurance.

rrsperry

Hogwash. GM paid engineers and test drivers to come up with new calibrations, after they came up with the original calibrations. Somebody had to write the code, and the code to control the updating process.

Do you think that GM make maps? They have to buy/lease the information. Do you think no new roads, developments, businesses happen? You can choose not to renew your maps, but don't get pissed when you can't find something new.

And the MRC update was (in my opinion) worth the $350 I paid, as my car no longer crashes over manhole covers or railroad tracks.

fsvoboda

So there's one unique feature that you value. That's fine, but not enough really to keep the service going long term.

BTW, my 2014 Jeep Cherokee includes a built in cell phone with SOS feature (on the rear view mirror) that will do essentially the same for no cost. Yes, you do have to touch the button I believe.

Foosh

You won't be touching the button if you're not conscious. The auto dispatch feature upon airbag deployment is worth the cost alone. They will try to contact you first, if no response, EMTs are on the way to your GPS location.