I recently made up my mind to purchase a new head-unit, as my old one was broken, and decided upon two Pioneer models. I have three questions.

1) Should I go with the Pioneer AVH-X3500BHS or the AVH-X2500BT where the only difference between the two is $50 and HD Radio?

2) Is HD Radio worth the price difference?

3) Amazon is selling both models around $300 and my nearby audio place is selling theirs for Crutchfield price and the install would be $80. Should I go with Amazon or another unwarrantied distributor or go with my nearby audio place that sells it with warranty?

Thanks! -Tristyn

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2004 Ford Ranger Edge 3.0 2WD Manual/31's
Custom Matte Black/Smoked Rear Lights
LED Toolbox\Cooler
http://www.fordrangerforum.com/proje...ld-thread.html

Not sure about HD radio, don't know much about it.

I know someone who has a AVH-X2500BT for sale right now on the forum here

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Recently bought an Alpine (see below) with HD Radio. I only have one HD station. What that gives you is an additional station on the same frequency.

Is it worth it? The other station is Hip-Hop and I'm a 50+ white male. To me? No.

If you live in a bigger city than Birmingham, it might be.

2005 2.3L XL - Alpine CDE-134HD Head - Rockford Fosgate T1682's next

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2005 2.3L XL 5SOD 3.73 K&N
KYB Shocks Husky Toolbox
Alpine / Rockford Fosgate Sound

"Ask me about my AC Vent fix!"

For FM radio it does sound much better. That being said...I damn near never listen to the radio.

On the non warranty dealer...hell no! Buy local, get the warranty, and do the install yourself! This is a Ranger we're talking about...10 minute install for $80? Kiss my ass. Parts are like $15 cost to the shop.

Get a wire harness from Walmart for $7, and dash kit for $13

Your radio market probably has a decent HD line up so if you are a big radio listener I'd go for it. I don't care about HD or am/fm really for that matter so it isn't a big deal for me. As for where to buy it, I say buy it local and get the warranty. If everything is the same, why not support your local economy? Those online guys certainly aren't.

As for it being a 10 minute install... I don't think so. Even if your truck is already modded for a double din, you still have a mic to install, e-brake to connect to and harness to swap over. Not saying it's difficult but I can't tell you how many 10 minute installs I've fixed over the years. If you want to take the time to do it yourself then do it. You will find plenty of help on this forum to get the job done. If you don't want to mess with it and would rather spend time doing something else like playing golf, doing yard work or spending time with kids/family, then just have the shop do it. You can't put a value on your own time.

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2001 XLT, 3.0, 18k miles, stock???
www.streamline-audio.com

Oops...double DIN install. 30 minutes. Lol