About this time next year, it will be illegal in California to talk on a hand held phone while driving. For the past few months I've been trying to use OnStar's personal calling feature rather than purchase a Bluetooth headset.
It's not working.
Undoubtedly, OnStar has saved lives but the personal calling feature is more expensive and less convenient than Bluetooth...
More expensive: The initial cost is $14.99 for 100 minutes - not bad. After that you can purchase additional time in packages - I just bought 30 min for $15.49. Not so great - you still gotta pay your regular cell phone bill.
Inconvenient: Cell phone calls have to be forwarded to your car's phone number - then un-forwarded each time you get out of the car. Also, if OnStar reception is poor in the area you're traveling or you forget to take the forward off, an incoming call will go right to voice mail or to a "not available" message and you may never know you missed a call. Compare this to the automatic connection of most Bluetooth equipped cars.
I think OnStar is great in terms of safety and emergency services - stolen vehicle locator, remote door unlocking and emergency notification from the scene of an accident are all terrific features. You can also get OnStar to email you a diagnostic summary of your vehicle each month.
Still, as a substitute for Bluetooth, OnStar's not cutting it.
Brian Moody, Road Test Editor @ 16,503
ahightower says:
11:09 AM, 07/ 3/07
Totally agree. I renew my basic OnStar plan every year because of the safety features, and I buy 100 calling minutes for $15, just in case there's ever a need to make a call somewhere with poor reception on my cell phone. But I can't see making phone calls with it regularly.
matt2583 says:
02:44 PM, 07/ 3/07
yeah, my mom uses hers occassionally, but for some reason it does not like her voice at times and doesn't get the phone number correct and she has to "dial" again, where I have used it with no problems. It has come in handy though at times when we needed to get a hold of her and she forgot her cell.
altimadude00 says:
09:52 AM, 07/ 4/07
Have you guys tried the Bluetooth connectivity in the Versa yet? Does it behave much the same as the OnStar system does? If it does, connecting and un-connecting it from the car's hands-free phone system is too much of a hassle to deal with.
In the near future, could an editer review the Versa's hands-free system?
briancam says:
03:10 PM, 07/ 4/07
I've used the Versa's Bluetooth - it's easier but I will drive it and post something later in the week.
echobravo says:
01:48 AM, 07/18/07
Great to see this post. I'm on Day Three with my '07 Tahoe and just don't "get" the whole OnStar thing.
I'm sure it'll be great should I ever lock my keys inside, but having my salesman tell me I don't need a nav system b/c I'd have voice directions from OnStar... Ridiculous.
As for the other features, there's nothing there that I can't live without. It's also expensive. If it gives others peace of mind, good for them, but it's not for me.
srmclaren says:
05:00 PM, 08/14/08
Ok - OnStar is making progress. For one if you have Verizon as your cell provider it is now possible (at least on my 2008 Silverado) to add your OnStar line as an additional line on your Verizon Family Share Plan. Great if you are a Verizon customer.
On many 2009 models - bluetooth pairing is a built in feature. Meaning you can pair your bluetooth phone to your OnStar hands-free phone. That way you connect via your cell phone and not over OnStar or Verizon.
But - I want that capability in my 2008. Does anyone know if the 2009 Factory Radio will wotk in the 2008 model and does that provide the bluetooth feature?