One of the disadvantages of having an older car is not being able to enjoy some of the amazing features and bells and whistles that the new ones come with. One that you can enjoy though if you have a vehicle that is made after 1996 is the Hum by Verizon.
Hum by Verizon is a 4G LTE connected car solution device that is complete with Google Assistant. This unique product is designed for vehicles made in 1996 and later. This is due to the fact that vehicles made after 1996 contain an onboard diagnostic port (ODB-II). You simply clip it to your visor and insert the USB charging cable into the cigarette lighter power outlet.
The buyer is required to purchase the Hum hardware along with a monthly subscription for tiered packages in order to receive various features and services. Hum also has Android and IOS apps available.
On-The-Go-Safety
Hum provides crash response and 24/7 Pinpoint Roadside Assistance. The device can be used in your own vehicle, a rental or even in a friend’s vehicle. Additional benefits of the Hum are:
Currently $6 per month plus taxes and fees.
*Costs subject to change
Hum+ includes the following features and services:
Currently $19.99 hardware fee and $10 per month plus taxes and fees
*Costs subject to change
Hum X
Hum X includes the following features and services:
Currently $34.99 Hardware fee and $15 per month plus taxes and fees
*Costs subject to change
After purchasing Hum hardware and a subscription you will have several features and services available to you, depending on the package you have chosen. Below you will find some features and how they work.
With google assistant and Verizon’s network, your car now has a voice. Simply ask Google assistant for the information you want like “check the battery level”, “how long will it take to get to work?” To activate simply push the button
on your hum speaker. This feature works with the Hum X subscription. Google Assistant also allows users to check on their vehicle with their Google Assistant-enabled phone or tablet. This feature works with Hum+ and Hum X subscriptions. Google Home can also be utilized with your vehicle Hum device. Google Home works with Hum+ and Hum X subscriptions.Hum has the ability to check your vehicle’s health. Check on your vehicle from your phone before you make that road trip. Hum can also send alerts for problematic issues, along with a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC). This product is capable of monitoring your vehicle’s battery, alternator, coolant, electronics, powertrain, emissions and wiring. Hum will provide you with an alert with a description of the issues found and how it can impact your vehicle. Set up a maintenance reminder for oil changes and other maintenance needs.
The mechanic’s hotline feature allows users to contact independent certified mechanics. These mechanics will provide you with unbiased advice on your vehicle’s issues. They will also provide you with estimates on repair costs. The mechanic’s hotline can be contacted two ways:
The pinpoint roadside assistance feature allows users to obtain help when they need it. Hum can send assistance to your exact location 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Whether you need a tire changing, have a dead battery or have simply lost your keys, help will be on the way. This service includes 4 requests per year, fuel delivery up to 3 gallons and towing up to 10 miles.
Crash response 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you own a Hum speaker and you need help, simply push the button on the speaker and call for help. If Hum detects a crash, and you have a speaker, the Hum Emergency Response Center will call you and has the ability to automatically send EMS to your exact location. The emergency contact will also be notified.
With the assistance of Hum’s realtime location services, stolen vehicles can be recovered by law enforcement agencies. Once the vehicle has been reported stolen, simply contact Hum and give them your police report number and their agents will work collectively with police.
This is a great feature for new drivers to remind them of speed limits and driving boundaries that can be set. Receive phone alerts when the boundaries or speed limits have been exceeded.
With the Hum X subscription, you can turn your vehicle into a Wi-Fi Hotspot for passengers to enjoy the use of their phone to play games, read e-books and live stream.
Hum provides turn by turn driving navigation to provide safe driving without taking your eyes off the road. This navigation tool also provides speed limits so you always know you are driving within the limits.
There are many mixed customer reviews, with the majority being negative. Many people that have purchased and used this device and services would not recommend it. It’s overall rating was 2.4 out of 5 stars.
A customer stated:
“I had a HUM device installed and it worked for about two years. Om 10/28/2019, my daughter called me and the car had stopped running. When I checked it out, the 15amp fuse to the fuel injector pump was blown. I replace the fuse with and without the ignition on and the fuse kept blowing. I had the car towed to a dealer and they removed the HIM device and replaced the fuse. The car has been running with no issues since. I called HIM and talked to them five times and they said it was a problem with my car. They did not reimburse me for my troubles. Genesee a supervisor at the j support HUM let me know about their decision on 12/30/2019. Don’t get this piece of JUNK!”
Recommendation
After reading several customer reviews, we would err on the side of caution and not recommend this product.
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View Comments
This device is a piece of junk. I've got 2 of them. I unplugged it and will just keep paying the $10/month until contract expires. It really doesn't do anything for me and I do NOT want it to mess up my own vehicle's electronic system. A big rip-off. I really give up.
Installed Hum and had 7 dead battery jumps over a course of 11 months. Had no idea it was the hum draining my battery. Finally the alternator went. Replaced that and 3 batteries before I unplugged it and viola, no problems at all. Do NOT buy this product! also never told me my battery was dead before I went out to a dead car. On top of all that, you can only connect one outside device to your account so if you have an iwatch the hum won't even call anyone from the car manually.
The Verizon hum keeps sending false codes about my car. I printed out 4 pages of diagnostics on my car from the hum, saying all these different components in my car were faulty. I brought the pages of info to my mechanic. My mechanic told me my car doesn't have any of the components that the hum said was faulty. Nothing wrong with my car.
original HUM device spit out all kinds of engine problem codes that turned out to be inaccurate. Cost over $100 to have the dealer check out the codes. HUM admitted there "there was a known software issue".They sent a replacement HUM.....said they had to bill me for the new "upgraded product" but would refund later. Beware that many products like this are refurbished. I learned the hard way that refurbished products from Verizon use replacement parts that are not original to the product (ie: cheaper and coming out of China, etc) and this often voids any warranty. No refurbished products in my future. During this learning process, spoke with multiple multiple HUM and Verizon customer service people. So many different stories, it's hard to pin point the truth. Original Verizon store basically lied about the price and expense of the HUM. I'm done with HUM. Replacement is going back (most likely refurbished anyway). and I expect to get taken aback by what they'll bill me for. Shame on Verizon.
I got HUM "free" when I upgraded a phone on my plan. 1. not free. 2. when the HUM diagnosed something wrong with my car I took it to the dealership and told them about the HUM and what the message said. the dealership did not "recognize" this device and said it would cost me $200 for them to hook my car up to their machine to find the problem. fortunately while repairing a different issue they did find the problem that the HUM had diagnosed and was able to make the repairs. not sure if I will keep or not.
The Verizon Hum X device is a piece of junk.
This device is dangerous. I was talked into it by a customer rep at Verizon. He said the new plan included it and it would lower my bill by 50 dollars. So I agreed to it. The guy put it on my vehicle and within 8 minutes of leaving the store it shut my truck completely down with no warning on an extremely busy road. Had to fight it to get it out of harms way. I called Verizon and they said that it wasn’t their fault and that signed the new agreement. So be cautious of this product. Do some research before you buy it. They are being dishonest to sell you this product that could put you and your family at risk.
I had an accident with Hum plugged in my car August 12,2018. It NEVER triggered!! Since then I have been getting notifications that my car has not moved from that intersection! The car was totaled! It isn’t worth the money!!
I have 4 of these, only one works even after exchange. Complete junk
If I could give it 0 stars I would. The only reason why I bought the home is so my grandmother would feel safe me traveling around and know that she would be contacted amediately in case of an accident. Well 2 days ago my car was flipped and I was hanging from my seat belt. Hum did not contact 911 hum did not contact my emergency contact. It contacted no one. I didn't get to contact my emergency phone number until I was pulled out of my wind shield and someone else found my phone. what is the point of having one and paying extra monthly fees if it does nothing?