Is there an Onstar equivalent?

SaltyDawg · 04-28-2006, 10:13 AM

Hello, I am currently looking for a Grand Cherokee for my wife. Is there a system that is similar to GM's Onstar? I would like her to have something like that in her vehicle... Any help would be appreciated...

doyll · 04-28-2006, 01:45 PM

Any working cel phone that can get signal can be used to call 911. They are collected by a lot of battered womens shelters and similar places, then distributed to people who otherwise couldn't afford a cel phone to call authorities in an emergency. Any elderly or non-mobile person (think wheel-chair) should have a cel in their pocket all the time. As long as it's charged, they never need worry about not being able to get to a normal phone, which might be impossible in an emergency.Any cel phone ... even one that has no service contract ... can be used to call 911 as long as it has a cel signal. Power it up and if it has service, it will call 911, but nothing else.

I don't know if that helps or not, but if you have an old cel phone in a drawer somewhere, there are oranizations that would love to have it for above reasons.

**michiganmaveric** · 04-28-2006, 01:52 PM

No alternate system that I know of. I sure wish that DCX had a system like On Star. The only thing I can say is cell phone, and then if you live out in the country some times they don't work.

SaltyDawg · 04-28-2006, 01:53 PM

Well, my wife has a cell phone. But Onstar does a lot more than call 911. it does that too though. In fact, if you get in a wreck, and the air bags are deployed, Onstar will call 911 for you in the event you're unconscious. And the GPS will tell them exactly where you are.

So, that's what I'm looking for. I can't imagine GM is the only company with it, so I was just wondering what the similar service for a Grand Cherokee is called. That way I know what to look for while I'm looking for a Grand Cherokee.

**Texas ZJ1** · 04-28-2006, 02:16 PM

I'm not sure that all OnStar features are free. There is a cost to them. I know that there is a free period when you first purchase the vehicle then, once hooked, they come in with the monthly fees.

Hunter

madcabbie · 04-28-2006, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texas ZJ1

I'm not sure that all OnStar features are free. There is a cost to them. I know that there is a free period when you first purchase the vehicle then, once hooked, they come in with the monthly fees.

Hunter

No its a yearly fee for the package. And tyically when you buy the car it comes with your first year free.

It has onboard vehical diagnosis. WHich is very very nice when you get home and have an e-mail with a check list of problems with the car. No more wondering what the CEL means.
GPS and Automatic E911 for when you get into an accident and cant reach a phone or arent even consious
Being Able to call a number and have them unlock your doors no matter where you are
Cell phone built into the car
Live directions if you get lost
Local Guides for resturantes and what not
Remote light and horn in case you loose your car in a large parking lot(for the women)
Road Side Assitance
Accident Assitance and
Ride Asstance...

Its 399 a year after your first year but it comes with so much, its worth it to me.

-Joe- · 04-28-2006, 02:57 PM

Just curious..

If your battery dies somewhere on the road for whatever reason how could onstar help?

Do they have some of battery backup?

dpierson · 04-28-2006, 03:01 PM

Does OnStar work outside of a cell zone? I am know the GPS would but I assume they use cellular technology so in places where your cell won't work neither will OnStar. Unless they use satallite phone technology but that would be pretty damn spendy.

**drewman141** · 04-28-2006, 03:08 PM

It is a satellite phone and should work anywhere on the planet. Too bad DC does not have a similar option

madcabbie · 04-28-2006, 03:11 PM

Oh and course stolen vehical recovery..thats always nice as its extreamly hard to remove the Onstar in a quick amount of time.

Quote:

If your battery dies somewhere on the road for whatever reason how could onstar help?

Yes they can. The only thing they cannot do is unlock your doors because well if theres no power to your car, they cant very well activate power locks...

Quote:

Does OnStar work outside of a cell zone?

Yes and no., YOu need to remeber your compareing apples and oranges. A cell phone uses a .04 or .05w antenna where the onstar system is using a 3.0w system. So the dead zones are a little different. However gps will always work

madcabbie · 04-28-2006, 03:16 PM

Quote:

It is a satellite phone and should work anywhere on the planet. Too bad DC does not have a similar option

Um no...It uses Digital Cellular. Although more powerful than your typical cell phone..its still cellular. It works in 92% of the US

Here is the coverage map for everything besides GPS

SaltyDawg · 04-28-2006, 03:23 PM

Dang, there's no option for Onstar on Grand Cherokees then?

Is it possible to put an Onstar system in a Grand Cherokee? Or does GM make a comparable SUV (with a V8 and full time 4WD) with Onstar?

**SteelBlue_WJ** · 04-28-2006, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaltyDawg

Dang, there's no option for Onstar on Grand Cherokees then?

Is it possible to put an Onstar system in a Grand Cherokee? Or does GM make a comparable SUV (with a V8 and full time 4WD) with Onstar?

same size suv for GM would be the trailblazer model line... only one even remotely nice looking would be the Saab 9-7x. has onstar and AWD

http://www.saabusa.com/saabjsp/97x/index.jsp

madcabbie · 04-28-2006, 03:55 PM

No you cant add them...well you cant add them onto the GM lines so i cant imagine you could on any other car

**drewman141** · 04-28-2006, 05:07 PM

Well look at that - something new learned.

Guess the P-units were lied to by the dealer, what else is new?

With a little searching I found some aftermarket stuff that can do some of the On-Star things but no vehicle diag or collision notification. Audiovox has a 1-way module called Carlink which will open locks, locate car, etc. from the phone and they also have a GPS based Vehicle Theft Recovery (GPS2000 I think it's called) module which can do all of what carlink does but it's 2-way so it can notify you by phone or email of vehicle speed, theft, location, battery status. Some pretty cool stuff just not everything Onstar does.

04-28-2006, 01:45 PM	#2
doyll Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: central Montana when I'm home Posts: 426 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Any working cel phone that can get signal can be used to call 911. They are collected by a lot of battered womens shelters and similar places, then distributed to people who otherwise couldn't afford a cel phone to call authorities in an emergency. Any elderly or non-mobile person (think wheel-chair) should have a cel in their pocket all the time. As long as it's charged, they never need worry about not being able to get to a normal phone, which might be impossible in an emergency.Any cel phone ... even one that has no service contract ... can be used to call 911 as long as it has a cel signal. Power it up and if it has service, it will call 911, but nothing else. I don't know if that helps or not, but if you have an old cel phone in a drawer somewhere, there are oranizations that would love to have it for above reasons. __________________ 1997 ZJ 4.0, 42re, 242, 3.73, tow hooks, reciever hitch, skids, OBA, F>R lift, Rancho 9000s, Addco 1.25", JKS discos, 265/75r MTs on stock wheels, 99+ intake, Banks look-alike header, sliders, NEED: adjustable upper front control arms, front track bar frame bracket for JKS/RE bar, adjustable rear track bar, Addco rear sway bar, winch

04-28-2006, 03:01 PM	#8
dpierson Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 872 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Does OnStar work outside of a cell zone? I am know the GPS would but I assume they use cellular technology so in places where your cell won't work neither will OnStar. Unless they use satallite phone technology but that would be pretty damn spendy. __________________ Dan Traded 8/9/07 [SIZE=1]Black 94 ZJ Laredo 4.0L 42RE/NP231 Command Trac Sylvania Silverstars, Alpine CD Head Unit, Pioneer 3-Ways in the Doors, Blacked Out Grill, Kolak Exhaust, Clear Corners, Bilstein Shocks, Gas Tank Skid, Rear Hitch, Hitch Wiring, TC Skid, Hellwig RSB, Military FSB, Brembo Front Rotors, OME SS, B&M Supercooler, RE Tie Rod, Limited Power Leather Seats, 30x9.5 Toyo Open Country ATs, Optima Red Top Next Mods: Upgrade Battery Cables, Sliders, Black Steelies, 3" Lift, Rear Locker, Bumper, HO Alternator, Winch, Driving Lights[/SIZE]

04-28-2006, 03:55 PM	#14
madcabbie Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Western NY Posts: 1,025 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	No you cant add them...well you cant add them onto the GM lines so i cant imagine you could on any other car __________________ [B]99 WJ[/B] 4.0l\|Westin Side Steps\|Safari Bar\|Pro Comp Explorer Lights\| Rustys Catback\|31in Yokahama Geolander AT II's\|KOR 2.5in BB\|V8 UC springs for a total of 3.5in Lift\|Rubicon Shocks\|OME SS\| Everytime Someone calls a Jeep, an SUV, [SIZE="4"]GOD[/SIZE] Kills a kitten.

04-28-2006, 01:53 PM	#4
SaltyDawg Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 3 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Well, my wife has a cell phone. But Onstar does a lot more than call 911. it does that too though. In fact, if you get in a wreck, and the air bags are deployed, Onstar will call 911 for you in the event you're unconscious. And the GPS will tell them exactly where you are. So, that's what I'm looking for. I can't imagine GM is the only company with it, so I was just wondering what the similar service for a Grand Cherokee is called. That way I know what to look for while I'm looking for a Grand Cherokee.

04-28-2006, 03:23 PM	#12
SaltyDawg Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 3 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Dang, there's no option for Onstar on Grand Cherokees then? Is it possible to put an Onstar system in a Grand Cherokee? Or does GM make a comparable SUV (with a V8 and full time 4WD) with Onstar?