Question About Onstar Phone

[akinmb]

I already tried searching the forums...

I was just wondering how well the handsfree onstar phone works while driving at freeway speeds with the top down?

Is anyone using the in-car phone on a regular basis?

[Elff]

I've talked with onStar in that sitution which should be the same thing.

I could hear them fine as they blast through the speakers.
Occasionally they had trouble hearing me, so I spoke louder to the microphone on the left pillar of the windshield frame.

Putting the windows up helps out a ton with this as would a windscreen between the seats.

[Sky_Pilot]

We use ours regularly and also talk with the top down (hey, it is California!). It's a bit of a problem talking because the microphone is on the A pillar, so any bit of wind or ambient noise interferes with that portion. As for the speaker portion, it comes through your radio so all you need to do is turn the volume up on your stereo. Elff is correct, having the windows up when using OnStar helps a bunch!! Once our year runs out, we will convert from OnStar to Verizon and add the Sky's number under our Family Plan.

[TravisJames]

People have a hard time hearing me while driving around with the top down. OnStar voice commands seem to have the hardest time and typically don't work at all.

[akinmb]

So has anyone found a hands free type device that actually works WELL with the top down?

I've got a motorola H700... I can hear great, but with the wind noise I've got to cover the boom of the mic with my hand while I talk so that people can hear me.

[SkyBaby]

I am in Jade alot and use my onstar phone through verizon.. and only a few times have I had an issue where They couldnt hear me all that well.... works great. SkyBaby

[irishsky5]

The 2009 Saturn Sky models are suppose to include Bluetooth hands-free telephone connectivity. You might check and see if Bluetooth already has a kit that will allow you to use your exisiting cell phone. Or pay Onstar their monthly fee and Verizon another $10/ month to add the Sky to your Verizon account and minutes.

I got a note from our Toyota dealer and they have a similiar Bluetooth kit they will install in our SUV, as all California drivers have to go "hands free" calling beginning July 1.

[wj3a]

I know this is anti hi tech but what about a close talking, noise cancelling headphone set (mic only). It could be cordless (IR?). Or the current cell phone ear modules that uses bone conductivity for voice transmission.

I agree, repeating conversations while talking to the post on the drivers side is a losing battle with OnStar - sometimes even with the windows and top up.

[akinmb]

It's really no problem as long as I'm under 45 MPH... as soon as I get over that speed, the wind noise (even with the windows up and my windrestrictor) makes it impossible for people to hear me. For the most part I try and refrain from using the phone too much while I'm driving anyway.

[xmicro_Redline]

Top down with windows up is OK, but with windows down over 40MPH is a no go.

[SkyBaby]

I have used my bluetooth along with my cell, but that seems to be very staticky... since I have to mute the stereo or put the windows up as XMICRO says.... I really like my onstar phone being verizon..... SkyBaby

[Skip]

Top down and driving at speed of 75 MPH and onstar is easy to hear other people on the onstar phone but hard for them to hear me. I think iffen I put down the hamburger and the drink in the other hand and actually did not read the map at the same time that the person I called would be able to hear me scream ...er talk on the onstar network....Skip...of course I could be wrong....

[Texas Red Line]

I have one of the early Redlines and its very difficult for me to hear even with the top up. On one of the other threads it was stated that there might be a download from onstar that makes this better.

[Campbell-Ewald]

I hate when that happens! Check out these instructional videos that should help a lot!

http://www.onstar.com/us_english/jsp...hfc_video.jsp; ONSTAR | CUSTOMER SERVICE | HANDS-FREE CALLING

You should try cutting out the background noise in the car by rolling up the windows and turning down the heat/air con. Also i've found that if you shout, it makes things worse!

Hopefully you'll be trouble free in no time!

Cheers and NO Worries!!!

[Celt03]

Top down w/ windows down on city streets is fine.
But on the highway with top & windows both down it's no can do - the windows have to be up on the highway to work.
IMHO, putting the mic in the A-pillar of a convertible was DUMB.

[southernSKYS]

I use a Pioneer AVIC D3 head unit with Bluetooth, I hid the mic at the bottom of the a pillar where the dash and windshield come together and it works fine with the top up or down.

[lorennerol]

Originally Posted by wj3a

I know this is anti hi tech but what about a close talking, noise cancelling headphone set (mic only). It could be cordless (IR?). Or the current cell phone ear modules that uses bone conductivity for voice transmission.

I bought the 'New' Jawbone last month with high expectations that it would allow me to talk on my cell with the top down. No-go. While their noise cancellation technology is amazing in almost every situation, wind noise is a huge problem for them.