[algiorda]

Has anyone else linked their On-star phone to their Verizon Wireless account?

I've upgraded my 2004 SRX phone to digital and then linked my Verizon account to the car phone and it works awesome except for one small problem; the Voice activated dialing does not understand "asterisk/star" as in trying to dial *82 prior to the actual number.

Anyone else experience this or know of a work around?

Thanks
Al

 

[jpettit]

Don't laugh, but try "splat" or "wild card". See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asterisk

This is just a guess, because programmers sometimes used pronunciations for * as well.

My top-of-the line Garmin GPS in the British accent mode pronounces the street "Shoreline Dr." as Shoreline Doctor, not Shoreline Drive. Good luck.

 

[USAFRET]

I was going to link my OnStar phone with my Verizon phones, but I sat down and did some math. I calculated I use my car phone about 10 to 15 minutes per month. I don't like talking and driving so i keep it to a minimum.

Verizon want's $9.95 a month for the additional phone line or $119.40 per year. My 09 came with 30 free minutes and I found out aftre calling OnStar that I could buy 100 additional minutes for $14.95, but the nice thing about doing this is the 30 free minutes which are normally good for only TWO months get "rolled" into the total for the year. So for $14.95 I now have 130 minutes for the year.

When I run out of these minutes or my year is up then I'll have to consider my options, such as buy an aftermarket BlueStar kit and add Bluetooth to my car and drop OnStar all together, keep buying OnStar minutes or linking to my Verizon account.

It's good to have options.

Tom

 

[thunderbyrd01]

This is very interesting guys. I wasnt aware this could be done. Does it only work with Verizon ? I have T-mobile. How excactly is this done ? TIA

 

[USAFRET]

This is very interesting guys. I wasnt aware this could be done. Does it only work with Verizon ? I have T-mobile. How excactly is this done ? TIA

Currently this agreement only exixts between OnStar and Verizon. You can read about the plan here - http://solutions.vzwshop.com/onstar/

Just remember you need:

1. Active OnStar Plan ($18.95/month)
2. Additional Verizon phone line (9.95/month)

Since I already had a second phone line for my wife on a Family Plan, I would need to add a third line. If anyone called your existing cell phone number it wouldn't ring in the car, so you'd have to let everyone know to try calling the new # if you don't pick up on your regular cell #.

As I said I keep my multi-tasking in my car to a minumim and decided it was more cost effective for me to use the OnStar minutes. Plus you can negotiate better rates when the time comes to renew with OnStar. They like XM are looking to retain customers, the threat to cancel or stop their service is usually enough to find some un-published discount. I've been on the XM $77/year plan for 4 years now.

Good Luck

Tom

 

[algiorda]

Regarding the math, these deals are only applicable for new accounts. If you have a 4 year old OnStar account you no longer get the benefit of 30 free minutes. I asked about buying 100 minutes packages and it was more than 14.95 ( I forget how much).

I find dialing and talking on the car phone not distracting at all. It's about as distracting as speaking with a passenger in the car. I must admit, my wife and children use the phone a heck of a lot more than I do. It is weird answering the phone in the car, though.

 

[n7don_srx]

I bought a Tritton AXvisor BT speaker for the wife from Costco online. Search Costco's site for details on the Trittion AX. A little pricey compared to some. Voice dialing with her Motorola W755 works well. Susposedly it can pair up to 3 devices but we only have her phone setup.
I chose this model because if you get out of range and it disconnects some models takes a particular sequence to get the units repaired. This model detects vehicle movement and will pair automatically.
So far the only downside we've found is if you DON'T get out of range the units stays connect. Generally this happens when we are home and the SRX is too near where she leaves the phone. Turning off either the phone or the Tritton solves the problem. Battery life is good but it does need periodic recharging.
Any case another option to consider using existing phones.

 

[USAFRET]

Regarding the math, these deals are only applicable for new accounts. If you have a 4 year old OnStar account you no longer get the benefit of 30 free minutes. I asked about buying 100 minutes packages and it was more than 14.95 ( I forget how much).[
QUOTE]

After the one time new car special offer of $14.95, 100 minutes cost $39.99. It's still cheaper for me to buy 200 or even 300 minutes/year from OnStar than paying Verizon for the additional phone line.

Your right, it boils down to how much you use your phone and what works best for yor.

 

[Adam J]

FYI On-Star with Verizon Wireless has been discontinued as of July 13, 2009 for new customers. Existing Onstar with verzion wireless are uneffected. .
see: onstar.com/us_english/jsp/vzw_discontinue.jsp

 

[Professor Wizard]

I find it not worth it. You have to Pay for OnStar, then pay for either independent minutes or separate phone with Verizon - just way too expensive for what you get. I already have a cell phone - with AT&T. What GM should have done is installed Blue Tooth starting with the 05's in EVERY Car. But they were more interested in the kick back money they would get from OnStar and Verizon by selling expensive Cell Minutes. Hell - Hundai is putting Bluetooth and IPod Hookups in their cars now - - but NOT Cadillac!



I have a Garmin Nuvi 660, which acts as a remote bluetooth hands free transceiver for my cell. it works GREAT. It syncs up when I start the car, and disconnects when I shut the car down.

When my Free Introductory Onstar setup is done, I most likely will be ripping the OnStar out and replacing it with one of the aftermarket bluetooth kits available.

 

[Ritopher]

I don’t have an On Star account, but was curious to know if I could pair my iPhone with my car to make calls, listen to music, etcetera.

Anyone know?

 

[n7don_srx]

I don’t have an On Star account, but was curious to know if I could pair my iPhone with my car to make calls, listen to music, etcetera.

Anyone know?

If your radio has an auxiliary input see my reply in this link http://www.cadillacforums.com/forum...-2004/1035642-bluetooth-options-2007-srx.html

 

[Ritopher]

Thanks for the information!!

The radio does not have any aux input. I purchased a Bluetooth device that I plug into the jack on my iPhone and then tune the radio to receive. It works pretty well, except uses two AAA batteries and uses them quickly. Sound quality and connectivity diminishes as battery life decreases.

I was hoping to connect directly to the car.