Tech Package: Not so tech?

[dflye]

The $3,750 "Tech Package" includes a bunch of features that aren't really "tech" so much as just random options Tesla apparently wanted to bundle with desirable features.

Features that are either non-tech or should be included with any Model S:

• Convenience lighting (vs inconvenience lighting as the standard?)
• Automatic keyless entry
• Homelink
• High definition back-up camera (camera upgrade cost should be minimal)

Features that are reasonable a-la-carte for a few hundred each:

• Xenon headlamps (ow, my eyes!)
• Electrochromatic side mirrors (to defend against those xenon bulbs!)
• Power rear liftgate

Features that are utter BS:

• LED foglights (How often do you drive around with the foglights on? Does LED vs Xenon vs anything else really make a huge difference? If so, make the best one the standard purely for safety purposes!)

The only remaining feature left that seems both "tech" and worthy of a line-item choice by itself:

• Turn-by-turn navigation with seven years of free map updates

And unfortunately here is where I have serious issues. Up to this point, all of the tech package features are either fluff, should be included with all Model S vehicles, or are options I'd pay for a-la-carte (which is where your fluff may be my a-la-carte or vice-versa)

However, once we get to the "turn-by-turn navigation" I'm starting to have serious reservations about the value and quality Tesla is delivering.

From a long email exchange with Tesla, it appears that a POI (Points of interest) database is not actually part of the "seven years of free map updates"; the only way to get to POI data is through google. So better hope you are in cell range when you are out in BFE trying to find the next facility of any type.

If it wasn't for the fact that the tech package is included in a Signature Model S, I'd likely pass, as it sounds like a lot of overpriced fluff with only a few bones to fill out the frame and make it seem legit.

The email back and forth with Tesla made it apparent that the navigation system is visual fluff that works in the city, but don't count on much when you are out in BFE, which is when you really want your navigation system to shine!

[brianman]

Is Tech Package worth getting?

[dflye]

Is Tech Package worth getting?

Thanks for the link to a thread that a relatively newbie such as myself may have not yet perused.

However, that thread does not seem to address my concern that the navigation system is entirely dependent upon google for POI data.

From my conversation with Tesla, you will absolutely, positively have zero percent chance of locating the nearest POI of ANY kind if you cannot connect to google, whether you have the tech package or not.

The Tesla rep stated in no uncertain terms that there were no POI stored in the navigation system, it is entirely dependent upon google.

For those staying in the city, not an issue.
For someone like me who likes to visit those places far outside any city and would like to be able to find the nearest restaurant when out in BFE... apparently the Model S will NOT deliver.

[MikeK]

I generally get better cell coverage in BFE than I get in the San Francisco Bay Area. It is a bit puzzling that the database doesn't have POI info in it. I can understand why they're probably thinking that Google is the way to go, but you have a point about needing data coverage.

As far as I'm concerned, the rest of what you call "fluff" does qualify as "tech". I would never, ever own a car again that didn't have hands-free unlock, entry and start. That by itself is worth the price of admission, and there's not another feature on the list that I would drop, with the possible exception of the power lift gate.

[dflye]

As far as I'm concerned, the rest of what you call "fluff" does qualify as "tech". I would never, ever own a car again that didn't have hands-free unlock, entry and start. That by itself is worth the price of admission, and there's not another feature on the list that I would drop, with the possible exception of the power lift gate.

Exactly, that is why I put the ones you explicitly enumerated in the first list of "non-tech or should be included with any Model S"!

Who wants a car like the Model S without those features? Hertz Rent-A-Dent?

The point I was attempting to make, for the features that are so basic or commonly requested that the majority of purchasers must have those features, including them in a package that has a bunch of overpriced and/or unwanted features is just going right back to the traditional dealer franchise model of only having vehicles on the lot that just happen to always have that package. Which makes it less of an option, and more of extortion.

[ManuVince]

Thanks for the link to a thread that a relatively newbie such as myself may have not yet perused.

However, that thread does not seem to address my concern that the navigation system is entirely dependent upon google for POI data.

From my conversation with Tesla, you will absolutely, positively have zero percent chance of locating the nearest POI of ANY kind if you cannot connect to google, whether you have the tech package or not.

The Tesla rep stated in no uncertain terms that there were no POI stored in the navigation system, it is entirely dependent upon google.

For those staying in the city, not an issue.
For someone like me who likes to visit those places far outside any city and would like to be able to find the nearest restaurant when out in BFE... apparently the Model S will NOT deliver.

If Navigon is one of the top satnav maker, and has the reputation of being as good as TomTom. I can't believe there is no POI in its database. Nowadays, ALL turn by turn satnav I have seen have POI.
Check Navigon website you ill see even the most basic of their devices do have POI.

Tesla rep some times get stuff wrong, so be careful on drawing conclusions.

[brianman]

Who wants a car like the Model S without those features?

We've had this discussion before, but I don't have the thread handy. I'll try to summarize.

You're making a leap here. Tesla is betting that there are customers that will find a base Tesla compelling at the price point (especially after the $7,500 rebate). Anything you add to that base model raises the price of that model and, correspondingly, makes it less compelling. It's simply a numbers game.

[dflye]

If Navigon is one of the top satnav maker, and has the reputation of being as good as TomTom. I can't believe there is no POI in its database. Nowadays, ALL turn by turn satnav I have seen have POI.
Check Navigon website you ill see even the most basic of their devices do have POI.

Tesla rep some times get stuff wrong, so be careful on drawing conclusions.

I find it hard to believe myself, as Navigon has Garmin backing them (and I've had excellent interactions with Garmin in the past) and as you state, the POI database is usually a freebie along for the ride with the turn-by-turn data. Usually the only time the POI database is reduced is due to storage or bandwidth issues on the host device.

Which does put the onus back on Tesla, and unfortunately I went multiple rounds with a rep (with several requests to just pass the question on to the engineer(s) working on navigation integration), so I have to go with the belief that a POI database is just not going to be loaded in my Model S on delivery.

[dflye]

We've had this discussion before, but I don't have the thread handy. I'll try to summarize.

You're making a leap here. Tesla is betting that there are customers that will find a base Tesla compelling at the price point (especially after the $7,500 rebate). Anything you add to that base model raises the price of that model and, correspondingly, makes it less compelling. It's simply a numbers game.

Well, I guess I may be in the minority in that I plan to drive my Model S places where cell service varies between spotty and nonexistent, and still expect that my navigation system can actually navigation to find nearby POI.

If it can't, sure, I've got a TomTom that can, but I would be extremely disappointed if the $3,750 tech package can't include the functionality of a $100 GPSr!

[AustinPowers]

I would never, ever own a car again that didn't have hands-free unlock, entry and start. That by itself is worth the price of admission, ...

Are you serious or joking? Isn't that total and utter fluff?
I approach my car, press the button on the key, it unlocks, I get in, stick the key in its place and turn it to ignite the ICE. All in all the process takes less than ten seconds and no hard labor whatsoever.

How is not having to press one button and turning a key alone worth thousands of dollars

Now if the doors would swing open by themselves, little elves would come, lift me up, place me on the seat and put on my safety belt - THAT would be worth some cash