It seems that OnStar is locked-in with GM. Is there any possiblity Ford will offer OnStar or an equivalent service in the future? It seems like it is a clear niche that GM has over Ford, although given GM's current woes, I'm not sure if it helps or not.

Kent Kester

 

I know of no plans on Ford's part to offer anything like it. I know it sounds great in their TV and radio ads (would you expect anything less?), but it's expensive ($17.95/ month for basic service after the first year) and not always accurate. I know of one instance where Onstar said a vehicle was in one location after the collision, but was actually about 10 miles away, on a different road. That doesn't do you much good if you've been knocked out.

 

GM leases On-Star bandwidth to other manufacturers- I believe mercedes and VW are using their versions of On-Star, and the GM satellite. On-star can also be insalled into a Ford product by your friendly GM dealership.

re: innacuracies. Some owners have modified their On-Star unit ("hacked would be a better word) to inferface with other commercial mapping services. If you've ever heard of innacurate location reporting, that's the answer.

 

Ive used onstar many times in my moms 03 burb. Sometimes I cant even connect to onstar and a few times they have no idea where Im at, or can't help me out. It is pricey too.

 

I don't want onstar. Another advantage Ford

 

Excellent perspectives--thanks!


Kent Kester

 

I heard that alot of electronics in a GM car are linked to the HU.

 

that is true, Some newer models require you to keep the stock HU hooked up if you want to install an aftermarket HU

 

Another reason I have a hard time considering a GM. I always put in aftermarket equipment.

 

So what'd ya do, install BlondStar?

 

That link didn't work.

Try this one.

http://wildbill.nulldevice.net/archives/000090.html

 

Hu? what is that

 

HU= Head Unit or radio. I had onstar in my 01' sierra. I really liked it. I did have install a completely new sound system and there is a onstar adapter for some of the older GM modles with onstar. On my 01' you had to keep the factory reciever for onstar to work so I mounted the factory unit behind the rear seat and mounted a cheap speaker under the dash and it worked fine. I really liked the personal calling feature because it was hands free. Many states hands free are becoming a law. And the day I was cleaning the interior while listening to the radio, I bumped the powerlack button without noticing. I sut the door and blamo.......locked my self out. Called them up and presto......unlocked it was. Hey onstor was free for the first year, after that if you dont want it just deactivcate it. You or a new owner can always reactivate it .

 

Taking into consideration the "whole pkg" OnStar is over priced. The BASIC fee per month is about $12. Which does NOT include the personal calling option which is another $10 or so for 50 minutes of cell phone air time. THIS IS WHERE ONSTAR SHINES(IMHO). For I'd rather have INSTANT access to emergency services and/or communication capabilities Vs a moon roof or heated seats. So YES, GM did "outdo" Ford in a major way here. The same can be true for some of Ford's gadgets Vs GM of course. But communication at ones fingertips in a vehicle can indeed be a lifesaver and is extremely handy. I use it all the time ANYWHERE in the U.S..

 

A couple of cousins were working on their trailer hooked up to a big On-Star equipped SUV. Put one of their toddlers in the SUV to keep him out of the way, but the keys were in the SUV.

Next? Probably guessed: Toddler locked the doors.

But he eventually pressed the On-Star button (don't know if he was coaxed by family or not), but eventually the police arrived and slim-jimed the door open to get the kid out.

And then locked up the dads for transporting about 6000 lbs of marijuana in the trailer.