Topic: XM or HD radio

[FieroVin]

So my XM trial runs out this week... I'm wondering if I should subscribe or look into a new head unit that will do HD radio and perhaps more.  As far as the XM goes, I can't say I was overly impressed with the sound quality, but on the other hand, I have no experience with HD radio either.  I realize that XM has a million choices where there are only a handful of HD stations, but honestly after having XM for three months I usually listened to the same 6 XM channels.

XM reminds me alot of cable television... in the beginning they said pay a monthly fee for commercial free television.  Slowly but surely cable added commercials and we still pay, some XM channels now have commercials.  Also like cable you have to buy the whole service with 100 channels to get the 10 you want.

Another consideration is that I do use the hands free calling feature of my on-star, and I like that.  As of now, I'm planning to keep the on-star safe and sound.  I know on-star is tied into the radio to some extent, will replacing the head unit kill on-star?

TIA

[BLK GXP]

I have an HD radio tuner added to my stock setup. It sounds good , but does have a few drawbacks. You need to live/drive somewhat near the source. The range of HD radio is somewhat less than standard FM signals. The signal sometimes switches back and forth between standard and digital signals when the signal is weak. This can get kind of annoying. If you're listening to a multicast station then they might drop altogether. If the stations in your area play what you like then they will sound better when you can get the digital signal. I have a few local stations that I like around here. Some of them also have nice multicast channels. I found that I rarely listened to XM, so I dropped it.

[chuckdoc]

No comparison.  It is about content!  If you think programing on regular radio meets your needs than you will love HD radio.  If you think the old fashion radio has crap music with some consultant making every station sound the same, get Sirius/XM.   I still prefer sirius and changed out my head unit.

[Critterman]

One of the guys that works for me got tired of paying for Sirus and bought a new radio with the HD module.  He may have lasted 2 months before he put the Sirus module back in the radio.   And we live in a large metropolitan area.

[smartin]

I love my XM/Sirius. 

[FieroVin]

Thanks for the input guys... I will have to give it some thought.

What about the on-star factor?  Will on-star still work if I switch to another head unit?