Navigation and Onstar

5368 Views 17 Replies 9 Participants Last post by kd6awa, Aug 2, 2017

ZamboniMan

Discussion Starter · Jun 12, 2017

Greetings all!

I recently purchased a 2014 Premiere Volt, and am trying to learn as much as I can about it. I know that I can call OnStar to give me navigation directions, but I'm cheap and don't intend to keep the full OnStar past the introductory period. Is there any other way that I can get navigation directions into the computer system? I saw that I can "share" directions via MapQuest, but it looks like OnStar is required for that too. Does the basic (free) OnStar account allow for this?

I'd love to utilize the onboard directions, but cost is definitely a factor for us.

Thanks for your feedback!

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

Palakaman

· #2 · Jun 12, 2017

I don't have OnStar enabled on my 2013 but I can still punch in destinations on the GPS manually on the screen just like a regular GPS.

ZamboniMan

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jun 12, 2017

Mine is done through OnStar. I think the NAV system was available on some models. I'll see if there's a way to punch in an address.

2VoltFamily

· #4 · Jun 12, 2017

ZamboniMan said:
Greetings all!

Does the basic (free) OnStar account allow for this?

I'd love to utilize the onboard directions, but cost is definitely a factor for us.

The answer to your question is No.

You can use the on-board Nav system by entering the location on the console screen.

If you haven't updated the map you may find that you may not want to use the on-board Nav system. I used the on-board system for the first year, However switched to just using Google maps on the phone. Much better and it has free map updates.

canehdian

· #5 · Jun 12, 2017

If your car is not equipped with Nav unit, it can only receive directions downloaded into memory from OnStar.
To my knowledge no one has hacked that yet

If you get on the basic plan (should be a few years included for free) - I believe onstar offers a nav-only add-on ($10-12?) which might be worth buying if you're going on a significant road trip or the like. I don't think you need to commit to more than a month at a time.

2015 volt

· #6 · Jun 13, 2017

I just received a letter from GM to upgrade my map's to the 2018 version on my 2015 volt
GM want's me to send them $150 for the upgrade!!! thank god I have an updated smartphone,and I don't need this upgade!!!
the upgrade is downloaded to a thumbdrive and is mailed out with install instruction's

Palakaman

· #7 · Jun 13, 2017

But then you get to keep the thumbdrive. Free thumbdrive!!

ZamboniMan

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jun 13, 2017

canehdian said:
If your car is not equipped with Nav unit, it can only receive directions downloaded into memory from OnStar.
To my knowledge no one has hacked that yet

If you get on the basic plan (should be a few years included for free)

Yeah. I looked and I don't have "Navigation" as an option on the home screen. I see that I could throw the turn by turn onto the DIC, which would be cool. But I don't really need it since my commute includes five turns, one of which is into the parking lot. But activating it just for a month at a time might come in handy later. Thanks!

I wondered if there was a way to buy the NAV software to install into the Center stack.

Is anyone working on hacking this? ;-)

2VoltFamily

· #9 · Jun 13, 2017 (Edited)

ZamboniMan said:
canehdian said:

If your car is not equipped with Nav unit, it can only receive directions downloaded into memory from OnStar.
To my knowledge no one has hacked that yet

If you get on the basic plan (should be a few years included for free)

Yeah. I looked and I don't have "Navigation" as an option on the home screen. I see that I could throw the turn by turn onto the DIC, which would be cool. But I don't really need it since my commute includes five turns, one of which is into the parking lot. But activating it just for a month at a time might come in handy later. Thanks!

I wondered if there was a way to buy the NAV software to install into the Center stack.

Is anyone working on hacking this? ;-)

Click to expand...

You can buy the Nav unit as salvage I believe and add it. But I think what we are saying is Nav units are going the way of the dinosaur. It is just not worth the money for updates or the initial expense anymore since smart phones now have that function.

2VoltFamily

· #10 · Jun 13, 2017

Palakaman said:
But then you get to keep the thumbdrive. Free thumbdrive!!

Maps are free, the thumb drive is $150

frustrating

· #11 · Jun 15, 2017

Not clear to me whether you have the in dash nav system or not. If you do, in addition to punching in the destination manually (on the touch screen), you can say the destination, using the right side of the steering wheel controls. A word of warning is that, for me, this is often a frustrating experience, because the system does not comprehend what I'm saying.

Barry

· #12 · Jun 15, 2017

I gather you do not have the navigation option in your car. If you have it, there are buttons on the center console for it, lower left side. I think they say "nav" "dest" and "rpt" or something like that.

If you don't have nav, there is no way to do what you are asking. But really, a smartphone works better anyway. Just get a good mount for it. I have the nav option, and also a Garmin, but always use my phone instead. There are phone apps with onboard maps if you are concerned about connectivity or data usage.

The big advantage of using the phone is that you can cue up your destination before even entering your car. And you can access destinations stored in your contacts and calendar easily.

ZamboniMan

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jun 16, 2017

So I "signed up" for my free OnStar and asked the service rep if she knew how to do it. she said there was a way using the Bluetooth on my smartphone. Will have to experiment this weekend...

2VoltFamily

· #14 · Jun 18, 2017

ZamboniMan said:
So I "signed up" for my free OnStar and asked the service rep if she knew how to do it. she said there was a way using the Bluetooth on my smartphone. Will have to experiment this weekend...

It is clear you are still not clear on the functionality. If your phone is connected to the car via BT then the only thing that will come through is sound through the speakers and then only if you have BT selected. Which means that you cannot listen to anything else except the navigation commands.

canehdian

· #15 · Jun 18, 2017

The rep is wrong. Bluetooth only gives you calls, texts, and streaming audio on a 2014.

You need onstar to push directions to your car, which requires a subscription.

kd6awa

· #16 · Jun 20, 2017

2VoltFamily said:
Maps are free, the thumb drive is $150

And that's about all I have right now (and it's an 8GB stick for $150). I bought the upgrade for my 2014 and when I tried to install it, the radio/navigation unit would respond with a "No software update found" error message. I can see files on the USB drive through a PC and the radio will even create a log file on the drive, so it's not a problem with the radio being able to access the drive.

I've got an open support ticket with home.com (the new owners of the software) and have gone through a few sessions with them. Maybe they weren't aware that the 2014 has a different radio than earlier years (I think that's the case?). I'll update this post with progress.

wizard_of-ahs

· #17 · Jun 20, 2017

kd6awa said:
And that's about all I have right now (and it's an 8GB stick for $150). I bought the upgrade for my 2014 and when I tried to install it, the radio/navigation unit would respond with a "No software update found" error message. I can see files on the USB drive through a PC and the radio will even create a log file on the drive, so it's not a problem with the radio being able to access the drive.

I've got an open support ticket with home.com (the new owners of the software) and have gone through a few sessions with them. Maybe they weren't aware that the 2014 has a different radio than earlier years (I think that's the case?). I'll update this post with progress.

I just ordered the update also, I'll keep an eye on this thread

kd6awa

· #18 · Aug 2, 2017

An update to my post - here.com (the owner of the mapping software) finally sent a replacement USB stick after I returned the original shipment (at least they paid for the return). The replacement worked fine but the installation instructions are a bit ambiguous - it says to start the car and leave it "running" but part way through the install process the screen displays a message to "not start the engine or turn off the car".

I think the problem with the first USB stick they sent me was the *.lic file containing the encryption keys was coded for another VIN. The VIN is easily viewable in the file but I didn't notice the difference until I compared the two *.lic files.

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

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