Tesla Motors Club

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!