trailertraveler wrote:
ktmrfs wrote:
ScottG wrote:
Just curious, Why would you use this over a hot spot through your smart phone?
couple of reasons:
a) the onstar phone is higher power output than a handheld cell phone so better chance of connection in remote places
b) we use it because our cell phones are verizon, the onstar is ATT. So..... in places with no verizon coverage and ATT coverage we can still get cell and data coverage with the onstar wifi and phone number.
c) while phone hot spots work well, they are often a big drain on the phone battery, means keeping it plugged in more.
d) convienient, no need to turn on the hotspot.
e) IF you already have ATT for your cell phones, you can add the onstar phone and wifi to your ATT phone and data plan for almost nothing.
However, for us, the driving reason is (b). We do lots of remote camping and have found that while in general Verizon has better coverage, we do have a fair number of sites that verizon/sprint CDMA is zip, but ATT (GSM) is fine.
Curious how you keep the OnStar from draining the vehicle battery? I have left the truck connected to the RV if I have shore power. This provides at least some recharge to the truck battery. I have also hooked a stand alone smart charger to the truck battery. From doing this it appears that the OnStar radio and other phantom draws when the ignition is on total 6.5 amps. Since we mostly use the internet at night, the 160 watt portable solar panel is not an option.
onstar will only operate with continously if the engine is running.
Otherwise the phone/wifi will either
a) turn off when you remove the key from the ignition and open the drivers door.
b) turn off after 15-20 minutes after the key is removed from the ignition and the truck will go to sleep mode.
when I want to run wifi with the truck off, I get in the passenger side, turn the key to on, turn key back to off, get out passenger side. wifi etc. turns off after the 15-20 minutes or so.
