There is no way to put in a dvd/cd/receiver (like the Pioneer 4300) and keep OnStar working with the in-car phone?

 

I'm pretty sure its all in the adaptor you buy, because with the radio I have the onstar and phone still work. The radio must have bluetooth too.

 

OK. That just leads to a little more confusion. I just can't find much info on this. If the aftermarket radio is wired to work with OnStar then why does the aftermarket radio need bluetooth? I don't want a system that I have to add-on component after component so now I'm rethinking the Pioneer AVH-P4300DVD

 

You have to buy the adaptor that is used with onstar, I got mine from crutchfield and they have a whole thing about it. The radio needs to be bluetooth so it can pick up the signal of the phone, otherwise you cant speak through the mic or hear it through the speakers. Thats why its you get what you pay for. If you want a radio that has it all built in and you just plug the adapter in and it all works find, but if you buy a radio that doesnt have this all built in because of cost reasons, you will need to add all of it later on for everything to work.

 

Thanks for explaining it. I definitely want what I pay for and I don't want to pay for what I don't need or wouldn't use.

This forum rocks.

I've changed my mind on the Pioneer 4300 because it takes so many $$$ to add-on and I'm now leaning towards the Pioneer AVH-P3300BT. It features Bluetooth hands-free calling, Pandora integration, direct iPod control, playback from USB and SD/SDHC and an auxiliary input for a rear camera. It has a little smaller in-dash screen but it has an A/V output for a headrest monitor. Seems like all the features I need especially if the OnStar turn-by-turn works and the car phone are still useable.

 

I would agree with you. I think that its a better choice to get a radio with built in bluetooth.

 

do any of these adapters need crimping, sodering, etc. i wanna get a new deck for my 2010 hhr, but don't wanna have to crimp or soder, just want plug and play. thanks

 

That last post was from 2011, I have not seen any of them around here recently.

 

Every adapter needs to be wired to the new radio harness. Scosche, PAC, PIE, Metra etc. knows what vehicles their interfaces work with, but they would have no idea what brand of radio you are installing. Every manufacturer has their own different harness.