GuidePoint Connect car kit promises to be "OnStar for everyone else"
By Donald Melanson 
posted Sep 3rd 2009 5:05PM
posted Sep 3rd 2009 5:05PM
It may not exactly look like much, but GuidePoint Systems is making some pretty lofty claims about its new GuidePoint Connect hands-free Bluetooth kit, which it says is nothing short of "OnStar for everyone else." To that end, the device adds emergency dispatch and roadside assistance services to the usual Bluetooth hands-free calling, the former of which is tied into Guidepoint's own response centers, while the latter can also be paired with GuidePoint's optional GPS tracking device for location-based services. Like OnStar, all of that is also simplified about as much as possible, with just four buttons on the main unit used to handle calls and the two emergency services. Look for the unit itself to set you back a somewhat hefty $399, which includes the emergency dispatch service for free, along with a one-year subscription to the GuidePoint Silver service that includes roadside assistance and other services.
Aesthetically abysmal.
Looks like an ashtray, Help!
that looks like something you'd make in High School craft and design. Not well put together or designed.
i'm fairly sure i had one of those when i was in highschool. i got it from the shack. it was a Realistic brand i think. can this thing dub tapes?
From a UI standpoint, why is the dial/up-handset button marked with a down arrow and the end-call/down-handset button marked with an up-arrow?
yeah.... that also looks like 5 buttons to me.
If it's "nothing short of Onstar" for everyone else, it needs some of the more integrated features. Features such as unlocking the vehicle, vehicle diagnostics, maintenance notification, disabling the vehicle (if stolen), etc.
The device may have benefits, but you're going to claim to be "nothing short of Onstar", you get held to a higher level.
i've don a good amount of research on OnStar, and there's no way this thing can match OnStars services. OnStar is integrated with tons of sensors throughout the vehicle (engine, oil, tires, body) to detect things like tire pressure and crash severity. depending on price it might be an ok substitute though.
I've had Onstar in my last 2 cars and absolutely love it. I currently have CTS and the amount of computer integration in to the driving experience is impressive.
I wonder why they are demonstrating the "OnStar for everyone else" in a Saturn Aura which has OnStar standard? Maybe it's their fail-safe?
they should have that as a cheap service on smartphone instead.
That will look sexy in my Yugo!
What about the other features OnStar has for GM vehicles (stolen vehicle slowdown/recovery, remote door locks/horn, GM Diagnostic Service, etc.)?
I'm gonna install this on mah horse.
I don't like it.....it's not shiny :-(
That looks like VCR+ Plus ("it's a Vee Cee Arrr Plus Plus!") I saw on QVC once.
They sold about 10 of them. I think this gadget might sell 11.
That is the cheapest looking product design I've seen in a while. Looks like it's worth about $0.02.