Directions and Connections package.
 

I know a lot of us wish the Camaro came with a "true" navigation system (I'm quite used to using my iPhone for that, actually), but this Directions and Connections solution actually seems pretty elegant.

I had no idea that the VISUAL direction will pop up in the DIC. So you get audio and visual cues just like any other nav system, just not the big, dedicated nav screen. I think I'll keep this option after that first free year is up!

Yes it is pretty nice. I like a nav screen and all, but OnStar Turn by Turn is much better for getting directions on the fly. You don't have to stop the car, you don't have to type anything and you can even describe to the operator where you want to go if you don't have the address. The directions are loaded to your car and act just like turn by turn in your nav. You just don't have the color map. I actually find it to be good enough to be a reason for subscribing to OnStar.

On Othe GM vehicles it uses the radio for your turn and distance indicators. The Camaro uses the DIC which is very nice.

Me either. That does add value IMHO.

http://www.chevrolet.com/allnewcamar...0_gauges_2.jpg

I have my phone with GPS after year 1.

I'm keeping this option, I think. Like Number 3 said, I like that you don't have to type anything. Just call OnStar, give them an address and they download the directions to your car.

But let me try the thing first. It'll be the first thing I do before I drive off the lot. I'll have it guide me home.

I wonder if it auto-adjusts when you go off course like other nav systems?

Good question I guess worst that can happen is you call onstar again. I really like it, you see people here and there messing around with their GPS/NAVs while they drive thats dangerous.

$30/month vs $0/month..... I dunno. I'll have to see how much I like it in practice.

OnStar is already $20 a month. What's another $10? Especially if this works well. I also wonder if you can store directions, or do you always have to start from scratch?

Either way, I still like the no-typing thing.

Factory Nav devices are around $2000.00. You can have 66 months of Onstar turns and nav for that price. I know Aftermarket are $300ish.. so if you want that instead.....

I've already got Garmin nav on my phone and it's free. We'll see if I keep any onstar at all.

And the iPhone has Google Maps and is about to get a real-time nav system. But I don't want to have to handle a phone.

We'll see how this nav system works. If it's easy to use and ACCURATE, I'll keep it.

If you go off course - it corrects, say if you run into a detour.

Much more info at www.onstar.com

And if you think you want it LONGER than the free one year, tell your dealer - you can save a little more by buying extra years when you pick up the car, and roll it into your financing.

In addition, every dealership should have ONE CAR with this active, for demo purposes....so if you want to try it out, go to your dealer today!

That IS nice.

I may end up renewing my OnStar after the year after all. Is this on all Camaros, or just certain trims?
- Xanthos

I actually have this on my Cobalt SS/SC its sweeeet works flawless and two summers ago it cut 2 hours of my trip to williamsburg VA 2 hours!!

It auto-corrects. That's it, I'm keeping it. Thanks, Scott!

It's weird that this "nav isn't offered!" mini-controversy actually has a better solution than a "true" nav!

I have a Garmin, think it's a 800 series, it's great on my current car but I don't want any wires or adding something to clutter my Camaro's dash.

I'm on board with Onstar, alot of great features and don't have to worry about much with it running.

Scotty, do I have to set something up prior to coming to pick up my Camaro so I can use it for the trip home? Just curious. I'll have my Garmin with me for the trip up North just in case.

I'm trying to remember how I activated OnStar last time. I can't remember if it was already on or I had to do something to turn it on....

If you leave your route, a voice comes across, "you have left the planned route. Would you like directions to get back to your planned route? Please say yes or no" When you say yes, it recalculates and downloads voice commands and DIC directions to get you back on course. Very cool.

Thank god.. I used the onstar nav once a few years back and it was just a recording of the person saying the directions. I am glad they have this feature sounds very cool

The Directions and Connections from OnStar is, IMO, very good. Most built in Nav units don't do it for me.

My wife's Malibu has the OnStar package, and no problems whatsoever.

On the fly and the ability to transfer a routing form Mapquest is very good stuff.

I think most folks will be impressed with pushing the button, giving the address or description such as the nearest "whatever" store or restaurant and getting the answer. Miss the instruction, you receive a re-route. Want to cancel the directions? Push the button and say "Cancel route". Very handy, very simple.

When I drive I want to drive, not type. :thumbsup:

Onstar activation and availability
 

OnStar was activated by my dealer when I got my Enclave. OnStar with turn-by-turn is on all the Camaros. I believe OnStar is on all cars sold in the U.S. They say turn-by-turn is available on selected models. I think it is pretty much all the cars now. I have a friend that got an HHR recently and it has it. GM owns part of OnStar so they want all their cars to have all the functions. The basic plan is $199/year and turn-by-turn adds $100/year. They will bill you monthly or give a discount if you pay the whole year at once.

OnStar works on the CDMA Cell phone technology and includes hands free calling. You can add it to your Verizon Family plan if you want. This may be an option for those not getting the C and C package and use Verizon.

the down side of OnStar is if you are in an area without CDMA cell coverage you can't contact them to initiate the turn-by-turn. This is more of an issue in remote areas, especially in the midwest and western states. A mobil GPS works everywhere (it knows about).

That's because you had the Series 6 digital package in your car (like mine) and not Series 7 and it's not upgradeable. Yeah, the OnStar operator would dictate the directions, record them and send them to you. You have to listen to a recording. This is a massive upgrade.

I was thinking it will be fine, as long as you are not a heavy nav user.

This is what many have been trying to tell the doom and gloomers for months now, but they wouldn't listen. :mad0260:

I like aftermarket Magellan that my girl has, but the system doesn't look like a component of the car. Also, dialing the location is always a pain. I think that OnStar may be a superior alternative.