Which do you think is easier to use?

Keep in mind I have used neither but I believe the Onstar goes something like this: *push Onstar button*...

Operator "Onstar how can I help?"
You "I need directions to ________."
Operator "Ok I am sending instructions now..."
Computerized voice instructions follow.

Honda Navigation system guide (as taken from this article):


Discuss.

 

Easier, OnStar.

I would prefer to have an in car NAV system. Do you hear about OnStar when you want to resell a car? No. Do you hear about a NAV system when you want to resell a car? Yes. Most people see OnStar as an expense and not as a feature.

While OnStar is simple, NAV systems are not hard to use to or get the hang of, often have more features, come with Bluetooth, and I like it better than OnStar. I don't want to pay for a service that I might not use very often, but the NAV system is good on resell and is a nice to have.

Also, if you can't figure out the NAV system in a car, you probably shouldn't be driving.

 

I had a CR-V press car a while back and the touch screen Nav was easy. Just type in your destination on the nav screen and you're done.

 

Tomtom or similar.

No way I'm paying $2k for a stupid built-in nav unit in a car.

 

I don't know... Onstar is cool if you add up all the other features it brings with it.. it isn't only a nav system...so far I only had my OnStar vehicle for a month.. and i have used the OnStar system for navigation and for directory assistance. I needed the phone for a store and they got it for me. On top of that... there is the Phone build into the car.. which you can use in case you forget your own phone. I like it and I am happy I got OnStar intead of Nav.

 

It's no contest - nav is absolutely the far superior option to onstar guidance for just about everybody but those who are completely allergic to technology.

The spiral chart for the Honda nav makes it look complicated but you have to consider that it has far far more capabilities than on-star, too - and they're all mapped out with every single step documented along the way.

10-15 years from now, nav screens will likely be standard on all cars because it'll cost manufacturers more to bother making a nav and non nav model than it will to just go ahead and put the screen in. I'll also bet 10-15 years from now, on-star or similar services will still exist, but nobody will use them for their nav guidance feature...

 

Other than the vehicle diagnostics, what can you do with an OnStar vehicle that you can't do with a BlueTooth w/ GPS phone and a car that supports it? The answer is almost nothing. You can get turn by turn software for your phone. You can call directory assistance. Only other thing I can think of is 911 calls in an accident. While this is pretty cool, BMW does something similar, but still offers BlueTooth integration.

Basically, OnStar is a cellphone that has access to the PCM. I would rather have a Bluetooth phone and in car NAV than OnStar.

Finally, the one last thing I would say about the in car NAV (OEM or Factory), is that the display is very nice to glance at. I am not only listening, I can read it, see the map, and get a better idea of what is happening. Once NAV and BlueTooth become standard, OnStar may just be a 911 service.

 

Not to mention that we're already heading in the direction of a complete oboard system that will also provide diagnostics on the fly via a touch screen that provides audio, video, phone, navigation, ... the works. OnStar is a dead system, which unfortunately GM has invested so much money into they have to drag it out as long as they possibly can.