Prius to be first Toyota car enabled with Safety Connect service?

[DaveinOlyWA]

Well OnStar is good for the "once in a lifetime" situation... guess if it was my life, i be happy to have it. but then again, i have always been a risk taker AND a tightwad, so i really dont have a need for it either

[Tideland Prius]

The good thing about Onstar is airbag deployment notification. It works best if no one is conscious to make a phone call or by some strange coincident, your battery died.

[DaveinOlyWA]

with my luck, i would have an accident somewheres in the North Cascades, a land where no cellphone signal has gone before, all attempts to contact me would be useless

[DeadPhish]

Originally Posted by DaveinOlyWA

LOL!! like they "need" your permission...they been doing it for years and they are getting nosier by the day

Yes if you have a cell phone they know your every move and if they want every word you speak when it's near you.

In addition your car already has a black box in it that records every electronic input from your actions...

"But officer, both the steering and the brakes failed all at once that's why I ran off the road. No I was not asleep."
"OK sir let's just let the insurance company decide that when they plug into your computer."

[qbee42]

Originally Posted by efusco

I'm also not interested in a service for which I have to pay a monthly fee where the chances of needing it are miniscule. 999/1000 I or someone else nearby will have a cell phone with coverage.

I've never thought On-star was a good idea...even with the turn by turn.

If On-star were completely free (as if anything really is) I would take it, but I wouldn't spend any of my money paying a monthly fee. As Evan says, the odds of needing it are just too small. I would get a better safety return buying new climbing or sailing gear.

Tom

[David Beale]

The whole "On-Star" concept is rife with problems.

1. In a "serious" accident, the battery -may- be destroyed. No "On-Star".
2. In spite of what the cell service providers say, cell coverage is NOT full. E.G. Highway 16 and 5 in B.C. from Jasper Park boundry to Barriere - NO COVERAGE.
3. False warnings. Motorweek were testing a Yukon. During the slalom testing the "On-Star" piped up with a concerned operator. "Sir, I see you have suffered a roll-over, do you need any help?" Like the "On-Star" antenna would actually survive a rollover!
4. Abuse. Even when not "enabled" (monthly charges refused"), "On-Star" still works.
a) The FBI decided to use a not generally known function, wherein they can monitor all conversations in the car -without- the occupants knowing, in a "mob car". The car in question got into a serious accident south of Miami, and because the FBI had the "On-Star" tied up, the occupants couldn't call for help. They sued (and won).
b) An irresponsible person was driving a company Suburban in rural Alberta, in the middle of "nowhere", in a hurry to get "somewhere", and exceeded 160 km/hr. The "On-Star" piped up with an operator, "Sir, you have exceeded the safe operating speed and your warranty will be voided".

No thanks! I'll rely on my own resources! If I don't want to be monitored I -can- turn off my cellphone. The on-board crash data recorder only records the last 20 sec. or so of data. -I- have control of these things. Not so with GMs "On-Star". If you disconnect it, you loose the warranty (according to GM).

[TonyPSchaefer]

Originally Posted by efusco

I'm also not interested in a service for which I have to pay a monthly fee where the chances of needing it are miniscule. 999/1000 I or someone else nearby will have a cell phone with coverage.

I've never thought On-star was a good idea...even with the turn by turn.

Two weeks ago I was sitting at my desk daydream - er - diligently working when my wife called. There was an accident and traffic was backed up. I hopped on GoogleMaps and routed her another way.

[Vincent]

I see from the latest option list the Safety Connect is a delayed introduction feature.

Will the capability/hardware be installed on all 2010 Prius with the Safety Connect service being available later, or is the delayed introduction for the Safety Connect capability/hardware?

[edmcohen]

How do they propose to catch up with OnStar, with such a slow rollout? It suggests that the monthly charges for the small number of Lexus owners concered will stay high for long time!

[Jinseng]

Does anyone know if the Automatic Collision Notification (and maybe truly emergency SOS calls) will continue to work if you don't pay for the service? If they do, great; I'd see it as a Value Add (though still not convinced it's worth the price). If not, I'll be really upset that the V with ATP I "Ordered" two weeks ago (and may not arrive for another 3 months) will cost an extra $680 (USB + SC).

And what's with the price? $450 seems steep to me for what seems like a cell phone, some wiring and a little software. Then again, if I think of it as $310 for SC + $140 for the first year of "Free" service I guess it's a little more understandable.

-Alex