I thought I had seen an Onstar thread on here someplace, but a search turned up nothing of the sort.

If you got your HHR with Onstar, have you had to use it? I've heard some not-so-good things about it, but since I have heard so little, I'm sure these results are not representative of everyone's experience with it. Seems like an expensive option.

The story about James Kim getting lost and dying in the freezing woods kind of brings home the idea that it would be a great thing to have in that situation.

 

you would have thought him being a Tech Wiz for CNET... he would have had ONSTAR

 

My Majestic Amethyst Metallic happened to be the only one without ONSTAR... so dont have it... If i were to be in a inclement weather area... i think it would be a good option to have, but for me... a CELL PHone is all I need

 

The HHR does not have it, but the Nox has it. Wife has only used it a couple of times, but likes it so far. Onstar now also works with Verizon wirelss so are minutes can cross over or something like that.

 

I thought I read somewhere on here that it doesn't always work.
At least I thought it was this board

 

My HHR is equipped with OnStar (not that I really wanted it). Had 1 year trial period with it, never used it. I don't plan on becoming a subscriber.
Now if your the kind who likes to lock your keys in your car, it may be beneficial.

 

The thing about OnStar, it is basically an analog cell phone built into your car. The keyword is "Analog" most phones that are sold in the US are not analog anymore they are GSM. So if you are stuck in the middle of B.F.E., the chances of it working are slim to none. If your "mobile" phone (not cell, cell = analog) doesn't have a signal, Onstar probably won't get a signal.

 

Actually, the OnStar in our HHR's are dual mode analog/digital. The dual mode OnStars came out in 2003/2004 cars, and some of the previous ones are able to be upgraded.

There are a lot of times where a handheld may not get a signal where the OnStar does. This is due to a few factors:

CDMA has a wider coverage "footprint" than GSM.
Analog may be available where CDMA is not.
The external antenna is superior to that on a handheld.

My real-world experience with OnStar is that I was able to get a call out when my T-Mobile would not even get a signal.

The analog portion of OnStar will cease to function after Jan, 2008. No big deal as far as coverage because by that time those towers will have been upgraded to CDMA. What this will truly affect are OnStar users who have analog only systems that are not capable of being upgraded.

At very least, the coverage on OnStar will be different than your handheld, and probably better, especially in rural areas where CDMA is king.

An interesting sidenote here is that Cingular and T-Mobile are both looking into Wideband CDMA, or WCDMA as a future "upgrade".

Also, regardless of the technology, "cell" is still an appropriate name for all types of mobile phones. "Cellular" came from the concept of multiple towers or "cells" of coverage. The first applications of digital phones in the US were an adaptation of the original cellular infrastructure, and those very cell sites are still in use today.

SO... after getting a bit off track here... If you ask if I am happy with my OnStar, I would say yes. It's a great backup phone, the handsfree is nice and convenient, the car location and lockout features are nice, and should I get in an accident and rendered unconcious, odds are good that help may be able to get to me on time. I don't use it much, but my peace of mind is always there!

 

I've been able to use the onstar when the Nextel wouldn't work.

 

thanks Bob for that info.
Very interesting/enlightening.