Digital OnStar upgrade
12-31-2007, 06:48 PM
#1
Racer
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Digital OnStar upgrade
I recently purchased my 05 Coupe and discovered that I need to upgrade my OnStar to digital. I called my local Chevrolet dealer who said they have to order the part. I was quoted $15 for the part and $199 for a one year subscription. I know this has been reviewed on this site previously however, I did not recall if the $199 was found to be negotiable? The dealer said that the $199 is what they are charged and it was a "pass through".
Thanks in advance for a reply...
Thanks in advance for a reply...
12-31-2007, 07:13 PM
#2
Le Mans Master
I believe the $199 is from OnStar directly, not the Dealer. As such, I don't think its negotiable with the Dealer.
I recently purchased my 05 Coupe and discovered that I need to upgrade my OnStar to digital. I called my local Chevrolet dealer who said they have to order the part. I was quoted $15 for the part and $199 for a one year subscription. I know this has been reviewed on this site previously however, I did not recall if the $199 was found to be negotiable? The dealer said that the $199 is what they are charged and it was a "pass through".
12-31-2007, 07:51 PM
#4
Safety Car
I had mine done and it was not even a discussion. However, be prepared to get less than stellar reception. I was a bit disappointed. In obscure places, I could get a much better signal with the analog. Since going digital, and in those same obscure areas, I lose the call.
I also noticed with the analog system, I would get a ring on my speakers with an incoming call, with digital the radio just goes silent and the word "Phone" comes up on the HU display.
12-31-2007, 08:33 PM
#5
Racer
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I had Onstar for the first year. Not once was I able to talk on the phone service through Onstar while driving. The only way I could use it was when I parked the car and put it in accessory mode. If analog was bad and digital is worse they should upgrade for $15 and charge us like $29 a year because that it about all it is worth. No upgrades to digital for me unless the price drops a lot. 
12-31-2007, 08:36 PM
#6
I had Onstar for the first year. Not once was I able to talk on the phone service through Onstar while driving. The only way I could use it was when I parked the car and put it in accessory mode. If analog was bad and digital is worse they should upgrade for $15 and charge us like $29 a year because that it about all it is worth. No upgrades to digital for me unless the price drops a lot.
12-31-2007, 08:43 PM
#7
Intermediate
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I called Onstar today also and was quoted what you were and a $100 connection fee. I also have a 2005 coupe which I recently purchased. They don't want our business.
Does anyone know if you can hook the no hands mic to a at&t cell phone?
Does anyone know if you can hook the no hands mic to a at&t cell phone?
12-31-2007, 10:21 PM
#8
Burning Brakes
I had mine done and it was not even a discussion. However, be prepared to get less than stellar reception. I was a bit disappointed. In obscure places, I could get a much better signal with the analog. Since going digital, and in those same obscure areas, I lose the call.
I also noticed with the analog system, I would get a ring on my speakers with an incoming call, with digital the radio just goes silent and the word "Phone" comes up on the HU display.
Other members have said that their cars do not display the phone number on the DIC after you recite it. My DIC displays the phone number I'm calling even before it is repeated from my speakers. Again, this is the way it worked before the upgrade. It appears that the years '06 thru '08 have had things changed from the '05 models.
Finally, I haven't noticed any difference in call quality between the analog and digital systems. I do like being able to recite the entire phone number to the digital system as opposed to saying a single digit at a time on the old analog system.
12-31-2007, 10:45 PM
#9
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Digital was an improvement for me...
My anolog Onstar gear got such poor reception, I figured anything would be an improvement. I rarely use it, so it didn't much matter. I went ahead and upgraded just in case I sell the car, and as it turns out, the digital gear was much clearer. It probably just depends on the cellular coverage in the location you're using it.
12-31-2007, 11:09 PM
#10
CF Senior Member
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My OnStar phone service works great. In fact, I've been in remote areas where several different cell phones (with different carriers) could not get out...the OnStar phone did.
I suppose you could try negotiating the renewal price (all they can say is no). I thought for the pennies a day it cost it was well worth it.
I suppose you could try negotiating the renewal price (all they can say is no). I thought for the pennies a day it cost it was well worth it.
01-01-2008, 12:07 AM
#11
Safety Car
I've read about these changes in the way Onstar operates for different model years. I have an '05 that I had the digital upgrade completed on. When I get an incoming call, the ring does indeed come through my speakers and the radio is muted just as it did before. Perhaps there's a problem with yours.
Other members have said that their cars do not display the phone number on the DIC after you recite it. My DIC displays the phone number I'm calling even before it is repeated from my speakers. Again, this is the way it worked before the upgrade. It appears that the years '06 thru '08 have had things changed from the '05 models.
Finally, I haven't noticed any difference in call quality between the analog and digital systems. I do like being able to recite the entire phone number to the digital system as opposed to saying a single digit at a time on the old analog system.
Other members have said that their cars do not display the phone number on the DIC after you recite it. My DIC displays the phone number I'm calling even before it is repeated from my speakers. Again, this is the way it worked before the upgrade. It appears that the years '06 thru '08 have had things changed from the '05 models.
Finally, I haven't noticed any difference in call quality between the analog and digital systems. I do like being able to recite the entire phone number to the digital system as opposed to saying a single digit at a time on the old analog system.
01-01-2008, 10:09 AM
#13
Instructor
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I recently purchased my 05 Coupe and discovered that I need to upgrade my OnStar to digital. I called my local Chevrolet dealer who said they have to order the part. I was quoted $15 for the part and $199 for a one year subscription. I know this has been reviewed on this site previously however, I did not recall if the $199 was found to be negotiable? The dealer said that the $199 is what they are charged and it was a "pass through".
Thanks in advance for a reply...
Thanks in advance for a reply...
01-01-2008, 10:22 AM
#14
Race Director
01-01-2008, 11:14 AM
#16
Drifting
I've read about these changes in the way Onstar operates for different model years. I have an '05 that I had the digital upgrade completed on. When I get an incoming call, the ring does indeed come through my speakers and the radio is muted just as it did before. Perhaps there's a problem with yours.
Other members have said that their cars do not display the phone number on the DIC after you recite it. My DIC displays the phone number I'm calling even before it is repeated from my speakers. Again, this is the way it worked before the upgrade. It appears that the years '06 thru '08 have had things changed from the '05 models.
Finally, I haven't noticed any difference in call quality between the analog and digital systems. I do like being able to recite the entire phone number to the digital system as opposed to saying a single digit at a time on the old analog system.
Other members have said that their cars do not display the phone number on the DIC after you recite it. My DIC displays the phone number I'm calling even before it is repeated from my speakers. Again, this is the way it worked before the upgrade. It appears that the years '06 thru '08 have had things changed from the '05 models.
Finally, I haven't noticed any difference in call quality between the analog and digital systems. I do like being able to recite the entire phone number to the digital system as opposed to saying a single digit at a time on the old analog system.
EXACTLY the same for me - it rings, number is displayed, and reception is terrific.
01-01-2008, 12:22 PM
#18
Drifting
That means, $199 / 12 months = $16.58/month service......
01-01-2008, 12:52 PM
#19
7th Gear
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OnStarPricing
How are you guys getting 15.00 plus 199.00 on upgrade? I was told additional 100.00 because it wasn't active back in december of 07. I bought the car in May and activated right away and they still want to charge me. Even though it is still and active number i told them to stick it!!!!!!!. Maybe they will change there mines later on .But i think that stinks!!!!!!!!
