Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 20:53:24 GMT From: saabsternopsameja.com Subject: Re: 2001 9-5 Phone
OnStar is just frivolous gimmickry. Don't count on it for anything but an extra $1000 on the purchase price. In article <snd4vsg1g2ijbmf88pd8gjhiconn05letrnopsamcom>, John Davies <jedaviesNOSPAMnopsamier1.net> wrote: > On Sun, 22 Oct 2000 00:31:13 GMT, "Ken Ferguson" > <Ken_Fergusonnopsamosoft's.web-based.e-mail.com> wrote: > > >My understanding of the OnStar system is that it used Analog cellular for > >all transmissions. The GPS receiver is just that, receive-only. If you are > >out of cellular coverage and have an accident, I don't think the system > >would work. The airbag sensor is supposed to activate the phone to place a > >call to the service center. Somehow the GPS location gets sent with the > >phone transmission, but the phone has to have coverage. In the fine print > >on the OnStar brochure it says "cellular telephone coverage has to be > >available for features to work properly." They picked analog cellular > >because it has a bigger nationwide coverage area, but digital is catching > >up. Bottom line, don't have a wreck out in the middle of nowhere. > > > >Ken > > > > Thanks Ken...that pretty well spells it out. I have been reading the > OnStar website and nowhere does it address this issue. If you are > travelling main highway corridors in popuated areas you would be fine, > I guess. > > I e-mailed OnStar to see if they would send me a cell phone coverage > map for my state so that I could see how far into the boonies the > protection extends. At $200 USD per year for basic coverage, it would > not be a good investment if coverage was marginal for my driving area. > > I wish the system were still optional. Now the thing is standard > equipment on all 2001 Saabs in the USA. > > If I get any useful info from them I will post it to the group. > > John Davies > Monroe WA USA > Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ Before you buy.