luv2sleep

What do ya'll think of mbrace (replaced teleaid)? Do you ever use it? Do you think it's worth the $? Let's hear it. Thanks.

StevethePilot

From what I understand, it sorta-kinda depends on what year your truck is. For instance, on my 2007, there are no capabilities MBRACE has over Teleaid. I just don't have the equipment.

stevedok

Not sure that one is better than the other. Teleaid has the legacy and other top brands (BMW, Maybach, Rolls...) they support. Mbrace is the new kid on the block, but no real heritage in this space. Many posters complain about the service quality they receive from Hughes, and others praise the support they get from teleaid (ATX). Neither one of them is going away in the forseeable future. It will probably come down to features. One thing is for certain, as new models arrive, mbrace will be the sole provider.

LEOSOPHIE

Mbrace is available for a one time lifetime subscription of $299.00.

luv2sleep

I'll have to look into this deal. Is this the lifetime as long as you own your vehicle or can it transfer over to another car over and over again?

Josey92

Lifetime of the vehicle you own. You are allowed to transfer your account to another MB vehicle should you buy a new one. I switched to mBrace because they had me at one-time lifetime charge. Tele-aid asked me what they could do to keep me, but they could not offer the lifetime. Plus, being and iPhone user, their Tele-aid's new app does not offer the "Search and Send" feature that mBrace has. Tele-aid originally had it but I guess they were not allowed to keep it when mBrace took over. I know it's a small feature, but it's the one that I used the most. Another negative to Tele-aid was that everytime I asked them for "Route Assistance," a feature they offered to replace the "Search and Send" they sent me to a non-existent address/area/location the majority of the time.

These are my experiences and what helped me make my decision. We all have different wants and needs so take them all into consideration when deciding.

Hope this helps.

luv2sleep

Thanks for the info. Teleaid is not available on our new MB, not that I was a teleaid fan. I really like the ability to transfer the mbrace account to another MB. $299 is a steal then.

vntgspd

Let us know what you find out. Online info indicates $280/yr - not lifetime. I'd be interested for $300 lifetime!

dougpark714

Is the $299 lifetime offer from the dealer or from mercedes direct?

Josey92

Whe I called mBrace directly to inquiabout it, they said my vehicle just came up as eligible for the offer. I have a MY09 and had to activate Tele cuz there was no such thing as mBrace at the time, so this could be what they are offering to those owners in similar situations. You do have a choice to go to Tele, so you might want to see if they will do it for you or lose you as a customer. Just a thought.

dougpark714

Anyone know if new purchases also qualify? I am taking delivery in 2 weeks.

jimmyp

Just called today its 299.00 a year, I did not go with it on my 2010 just the free time I got but you have to call to cancel.

luv2sleep

6 months free. 3 years free if you finance through MB Financial.

ksalno

I don't get services like mbrace or similar services like OnStar. I had OnStar on my Denali and almost never used it. When I did, it didn't really do anything I couldn't have done with a cell phone. I canceled it once I had to start paying for it. Same thing with mbrace. I had it for free for 6 months and never used it. Between the Nav system and a bluetooth phone, what is the value prop for mbrace?

43221B

The most important feature for me is the vehicle tracking. If some toothless wonder decides he wants to stick a gun in your face and steal your car (like after you've filled up with fuel) with your kids belted in the back seat, you can call and have the location of your vehicle reported real time to law enforcement. Other than that, there aren't many other real benefits for me. I've been on several trips though where I've been in the middle of nowhere and have had to leave my car idling, like at a rest area, with my wife and three kids in the car and it does make me feel a little better to have my cell phone in my pocket with teleaid's number programed in the phone book. You have to remember that you are driving a vehicle that, in some places at least, will make you stick out like a sore thumb.

stevedok

I believe this is in response to Josey62's comment about search and send feature being dropped by Teleaid. For Iphone users, this feature is now available for free via iRoute. This function was announced back in July for all Teleaid subscribers.

Josey92

Yes, I know. Worst app I ever downloaded onto my iPhone. Crash after crash. The few times it actually stayed open, it couldn't find any POI that I input into it. Probably because it uses the same database that Teleaid used to get me lost the majority of the time I called for their help -- since I couldn't do a Search and Send. Also, all it can do is send a POI, not an address of any sort. And, you can't even search for an address.

ksalno

On my ipod, I use Yelp, Poynt or Google Maps - all free. On my Blackberry, Poynt or Google Maps. Don't need a subscription service for finding stuff. Even the YellowPages app isn't bad in a pinch.