is Hondalink free or subscription?

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Cool. I had the same question. Thinking that at some point it would expire. How does it communicate? Through a cellular communication? Honda pays for that indefinitely?
 
All data points so far say free and without expiration. As far as I know, Honda doesn’t plan to change this at any time.

Having said that, the app is not super friendly or anything but it works fine once you get used to it.

For example, the app will tell notify you when charging stops, but not when it starts. And while plugged in, the app only updates the battery charge level at preset intervals, like 10, 25, 40, 55, 70, 85 and 100 percents. While in preconditioning mode, the app will update every 5 mins. There are other weird quirks, like using the app to start preconditioning will send a request to the car but won’t update the app for a minute or so.
 
Its free for as long as Honda needs to collect your car's performance data for research and product improvement. In Canada, looks like it works off an old 3G cellular connection. The only mention is this reference to Telematics in the manual between the vehicle and your cell phone. In reality its more like vehicle to Honda Link servers (for data collection) to cellphone. Not a fan but most people don't care about privacy.
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The Gadgeteer said:
How does it communicate? Through a cellular communication? Honda pays for that indefinitely?
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It appears to use AT&T cellular. It works well for me. Not perfectly, but I have yet to find the perfect smartphone app. (Well, I guess I do have to admit that HondaLink is somewhat less perfect than most, but the price is right.)
 
The subscription is free for the Clarity. Honda support told me there is no provision for charging a fee. I’d be more worried about the car’s 3G/3G protocol becoming obsolete in a few years than I would Honda taking this feature away. Think of the class action lawsuit that would happen since Honda has published no info that this feature was temporary.

It’s a cellular packet data transmission. As long as both your phone and the car have a strong enough cell signal and Honda’s servers are up, then it will work. No one know how much info from the CanBus is being sent to Honda. It could potentially be every single metric on the CanBus. So essentially our privacy is in Honda’s hands. Isn’t that a comforting thought.

The not quite real-time reporting on HL is understandable since Honda is paying for the cellular bandwidth and is trying to keep their costs down. I think we’re getting a good deal for a free service. I wish it had a few more features, but, hey, it’s free! I hate subscriptions that eat up my wallet one little nibble at a time
 
DC1 said:
...the app only updates the battery charge level at preset intervals, like 10, 25, 40, 55, 70, 85 and 100 percents. While in preconditioning mode, the app will update every 5 mins. There are other weird quirks, like using the app to start preconditioning will send a request to the car but won’t update the app for a minute or so.
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It updates SoC at 15% intervals, but you can "request" it at any time. You just need to select "Vehicle->Find My Car->Locate Vehicle". When application locates your vehicle it will also update the current SoC.
 
KentuckyKen said:
I’d be more worried about the car’s 3G/3G protocol becoming obsolete in a few years than I would Honda taking this feature away.
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I wouldn't fret. There are a LOT of cell phones out there that only know that protocol and they're going to be out there for many years. There will be a lot louder outcry from all the folks who love their old technology than from HondaLink users!
 
MNSteve said:
I also own a CRV. The CRV shows as a second vehicle with the Clarity. I've never paid anything for the service.
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MNSteve that is interesting. I also have a 18 CRV LX.
What can I do with HondaLink in a CRV? I dont want it just to see odometer.
 
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