Navigation is GPS based, so it uses the GPS satellites for location. You are receiving signal, not transmitting. StarLink features like remote start, lock/unlock, locate vehicle use AT&T cellular services. You need subscriptions to both StartLink Safety (call for help, alert on air bag deployment), and Security (remote control features from mobile app). As far as map updates, you can do a region via a wi-fi connection but for a complete map update, you need to download to your computer and put on a USB stick. Map updates only come out a few times a year. There is also a wi-fi hot spot feature built in that requires a monthly subscription with ATT. You don't need that for Nav or StarLink services.

 

Thanks much for the clarification. FYI, part of the motivation for my question is with regard to the navi/RAB/moonroof option for the Onyx, ie, on whether or not to get the option or use a mobile phone instead. I read that one feature of Starlink is OTA map updates-is that limited to the regional updates you mention, or is it possible to do a full map update via a cellular connection? Also, is there a cost for map updates when downloading them to one's computer? I'm guessing that some or all of this is in the Subaru manual, so time for me to grab one of those so I will know what I don't know.

 

I also drive a lot in remote areas and here is my perspective.

I would skip the navi and get a seperate Garmin GPS. I have the navigation on my Onyx (I wanted the moonroof, I could have skipped the navigation if it were possible).

Google maps via Android Auto/Car Play: Works well when there is a signal. Offline navigation is very limited if you don't already have maps downloaded. And even then A Garmin is better for reasons below

Garmin Car GPS: Can leave breadcrumbs of your path so you can follow it back, has way better campsite data than the onboard navigation does. Obviously works very well offline. My GPS also connects to my phone via Bluetooth so it gets latest map data and traffic when there is a phpne signal. Has other features like 'up ahead' where it tells you how far the next gas station is etc.

Onboard GPS: I would NOT use it except if the above two failed and I have no other option. Horrible POI (at least in my experience), can't really look for POI closest to you like in the Garmin. Voice recognition is borderline useless. It looks pretty but the UI is information sparce compared to the Garmin.

Here was my experience after a trip last year:

Navigation comment and question

After a 2200 mile trip I thought the Navigation system was very good as far as the screen and the easy to see important info it displayed . I could see all the miles and arrival times without reading glass. The voice direction where clear and easy to follow. What I didn't like was the fact...

www.subaruoutback.org

 

Thanks for the perspective. I actually don't want the moonroof (I've never used them on the cars I've owned that had them), so the main decision is whether or not to pay for the option package just to get the navi and the rear auto braking. I've still got a recent model Garmin car GPS unit, but I only use it in our van, which has no navi. I've got a couple of navi apps for my iPhone (Garmin and a couple of others), so I'm wondering if those might work with the big display. I also have an InReach Mini I use for backpacking, which works great with my iPhone and would give me true satellite connectivity pretty much anywhere I could drive. I wish I could try out these options before I make a decision on the navi!

 

I guess a related question is now: is it possible to use any app on an iPhone with CarPlay? IF so, there are a lot of navi apps that would greatly expand my options.

 

I would not use the on-board nav for the purposes you’re describing. Recently, I was driving some well maintained, two lane Forest Service roads and they didn’t show up on the on-board nav. Apple and Google Maps both showed them. It’s really only good “in town” and even then, Apple and Google offer better functionality and accuracy.

 

TheNedster, that is the conclusion I am coming to from reading more about the in-car navigation capabilities. M<y experience has been the same as yours with the navi in my Acura-I can see my car in a sea of green, but there are no roads on that part of the in-car map being used. Not only are Google and Apple Maps apparently more capable and provide for much easier (and cheaper) map updates, the array of available iOS navi apps would give me quite a few additional options (Waze, Sygic, Garmin, CoPilot, and many more). The benefits of these other apps is that offline maps is the baseline, so no issues with forgetting to download the maps needed for this or that road trip.

 

It's probably worth looking into the cost of map updates for the in-car navi as well-they are $150 a pop for my Acura, so the cost of a few of those equals the cost of a new phone I could dedicate to the car!

 

You get, i believe, 3 years of free upgrades. I’ve updated mine 2 or 3 times now.

 

Thanks, Rsonnens-do you happen to know the cost of map updates after the first 3 years?

 

1 year is $100, 3 years is $200

can look through the online user manual of how the updates work. Subaru Map Update Delivery Portal

 

My Subaru came with three years of free map updates. Unless your phone has an unlimited data plan, you should opt for the home WiFi and USB stick update option. The last map upgrade required 35GB of data. Hopefully you also have unlimited home WiFi data to return that done. I regularly use my navigation in upper Canada where there is NO cellular service. Still got traffic, weather and gas prices so that data comes via the Sirius satellite service.

 

Monsieurmaggot, I agree that 35GB is a lot of data, even for a 5G phone, so the wifi solution sounds better-I have a pretty big broadband pipe and get over 300MB download speed, so that should work. Walker, thanks for the pricing info-cheaper than my Acura ($150 per update when it is "on sale"), but not as cheap as free. What is the typical frequency of the map updates, ie annually, quarterly, etc.? Don't like yet another subscription (I'l probably need one for my coffin), but that seems to be the new world order.

 

For my 2019 it’s been 2 times a year for the major update, full maps on USB. Updates on WiFi are usually available in between. For pricing/usability figure 2 maybe 3 updates a year.

 

I've had my car since May and I've received two updates so far.

 

Walker/Monsieurmaggot, thanks for the info on update frequency, seems like a reasonable price for staying current with navi maps. Rsonnens, I saw that portal before, but you need an account to get past the login screen, which I don't have since I am still a future a Subaru owner. BTWQ, I hope to change my owner status this week, once all the price quotes I requested from the nearby dealers are sent in.

 

OK, I have no idea what BTWQ stands for-yet another senior typing moment!

 

Be sure tou get three years of Starlink and Maps. I also got a year of the full Sirius package thrown in.

 

Good tip, thanks. What is the "standard" that comes with the car purchase for these services, if any?

 

Nevermind, found it on the Subaru web site. 3 years free Starlink Safety Plus, 6 months Starlink Security Plus, no free trial for Starlink Concierge. Now looking for the sat radio info.

 

Nevermind, found it on the Subaru web site. 3 years free Starlink Safety Plus, 6 months Starlink Security Plus, no free trial for Starlink Concierge. Now looking for the sat radio info.

I’ll note that although I have the nav system and 3 years of maps I almost never use it and prefer to use navigation from CarPlay (I like Apple Maps but sometimes use Waze) because it is much better and much better real time data (congestion, accidents...) and does not require any subscriptions to get that real time data.

The Subaru nav system is useful however if you are in area with poor cell coverage. I would not have bought the nav system except that it was standard with my car (touring XT). It’s better than what I had in my 2012 Camry but really can’t compete (except in areas with no cell coverage, but even that can be solved) with phone based systems.

After my 3 years I’ll probably not update my maps on the cars nav system or maybe I will after waiting a number of years as things don’t change enough from year to year anyway.

 

In Canada Starlink was just introduced last year and there is only one package that includes everything. I'm sure they'll end up hosing us as the product evolves. Initially my car only came with three months of Sirius and their travel package but the dealer changed it to one year as part of our deal. We purchased at the height of the pandemic shutdown so they were eager to deal. Still doesn't hurt to ask. I hesitated to sign until they'd throw it in. I would have bought the car without them. I do like the remote start feature in Starlink. That's the only thing I use.

 

I don't see myself or my wife using the Starlink services that much, especially the Concierge service, and we would probably not use sat radio on a daily basis. Having said that, if I can get them to throw it in for free, I won't complain. Rsonnens, I agree with you on map updates-I didn't bother with them for the first several years because we live in a built up area of LA county, so very few new roads to map because there is nowhere to put them, at least until the Big One hits. I am planning some road trips into fairly remote places (southern Utah/northern Arizona, Death Valley/Mojave desert, Great Basin NP, trailhead roads in the Sierras), so the Sat radio would be a nice feature for those trips. However, with Apple CarPlay, the music world is your oyster, so that is probably the route I will go, ie, my own custom playlists.

Thanks again to all that have chimed in-this is an excellent forum, lots of sharing of very useful and valuable information!