Date: Sat, 24 Mar 2001 18:29:08 -0800 From: John Davies <jedaviesNOSPAMnopsamier1.net> Subject: Re: OnStar system.
On Sun, 25 Mar 2001 00:46:30 GMT, NO_SPAMeos71nopsamail.com (Eos) wrote: > >Hi everybody!!, >sorry for the basic question, but.. I've read around about the new >"OnStar" system offered to the American buyers of brand new Saabs. >As I am European, I would like some of you to explain to me what >this system is and what is all about it..!?.. as the Saab site is >not really full of details. http://www.onstar.com/ has full details. The system has one glaring fault - it relies on analog cell phone service for communications. If you live in a remote or mountainous area with spotty cell coverage, you are out of luck if you run your car into a tree. OnStar are reluctant to admit this - I don't think they discuss the issue adequately in their brochure or website. I wonder how many new owners will discover the lack of coverage in an emergency, and regret it? Volvo apparently has Ford's new system, which uses satellite communications. That theoretically should work much better over a broader area than OnStar. I wish OnStar had remained only an option on Saabs - I don't have any use for it where I usually drive ;( Maybe I could feed the GPS signal from the "shark antenna" on the roof to my handheld GPS. That at least would be useful. John Davies Monroe WA USA
