Garmin 2610: Refurb or New ??

[AZST]

I am exploring the idea of adding a 2610.

Any thoughts about refurb versus new?? I don't want to spend alot for one of these units and would consider refurb if I was confident that it would work ok.

Any suggestions are welcome --also where to buy, etc.

Thanks in advance for the feedback.

--Bryan
04ST1300A
STOC# 5197
:04biker:

[Osibisa]

Bryan,

I had that same question about a year ago after seeing a number of them offered on eBay. I submitted the question to Garmiin's customer support group and their reply was that Garmin performs the refurbishment and offers full warranty on the product. That said, I could see no reason not to take advantage of a refurb unit provided that it is offered to you in a sealed package.

Cheers,

Bruce

[nm6r]

I bought a "Newly Overhauled" unit (refurb). Once the weather got cold, I found moisture behind the display and sent it in. Garmin replaced it with another refurb unit. A few weeks later I find moisture behind the display and sent it back to Garmin. I actually sent it yesterday (2/24).

Before you get turned off completely on the refurb units, I rode with a friend a few weeks ago that bought a new unit earlier this year. He too had moisture behind the display. He will receive a refurb replacement.

I spoke to Garmin about this and told them I want to know the unit they send me this time is not going to have this problem. The rep noted this on the paperwork, so we'll see.

You cannot tell the difference between a new unit and a refurb. The refurb is cosmetically perfect and comes with the one year warranty like the new units.

BTW, there have been others that had this condensation or moisture appearing behind the display. I don't know the cause of it or just how common the problem is. It will only show up under certain circumstances. In other words, you'll probably never see it in the summer.

Ray
http://www.frontiernet.net/~st1300rider/smile04Bikerwheelie.gif

[RetArmy]

I also have a refirbished unit. Lower cost than new and it comes with all of the accessories a new unit does at a lot less cost. I have only used mine in a car in cooler weather so have not seen the moisture problem. Garmin seems to stand behind their product and try to satisfy their customers.

[AZST]

Thanks for the replies.

Ray, I remember you mentioning the moisture saga before. I assume that I will rarely ever have this problem as there is no water at all where I live (130 days w/out rain) It seems like Garmin took care of you though.

Any suggestions on vendors of the refurb variety or should I just continue to troll E-Bay?

--Bryan
04ST1300A
STOC# 5197
:04biker:

[texxter]

I bought mine refurbished. My unit didn't work when I got it, but Garmin replaced it with another unit, and I haven't had any problems since. In general refurbished items are pretty safe, especially with Garmin... their customer support is good.

I bought my 2610 from getfeetwet.com (http://getfeetwet.com)for $499.99. The current price is 449.99.

The 2610 is a great unit for this price.

[John Anthony]

With no mechanical devices to wear out, why not go with a refurb unit on something like this?? Especially since you're dealing with a company that stands behind their products, take the savings in invest them in something else for your ride.

[AZST]

With no mechanical devices to wear out, why not go with a refurb unit on something like this?? Especially since you're dealing with a company that stands behind their products, take the savings in invest them in something else for your ride.

Just bought a refurb 2610. Now I wait for the :ups1:

Thanks for the help all.

--Bryan
04ST1300A
STOC# 5197
:04biker:

[headdoc427]

When scanning for 2610 prices found it here (http://www.refurbdepot.com/productdetails2.cfm?Product_ID=4276&refererid=dealtime) for $434. Can't vouch for the company, I know nothing about them. Just an FYI.

[AZST]

In answer to your next question. About the best price for the 2 gig. CF card is
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820171074
The 2 gig CF card will hold all the US and Canada.

Paul

lol. Actually I need to figure out the mounting set up.

But, even before THAT, I need to figure a way to break the news to the Mrs. that she is part owner (AZ is a community property state) of a brand new refurbished 2610 !! :eek:

--Bryan
04ST1300A
STOC# 5197
:04biker:

[texxter]

When scanning for 2610 prices found it here (http://www.refurbdepot.com/productdetails2.cfm?Product_ID=4276&refererid=dealtime) for $434. Can't vouch for the company, I know nothing about them. Just an FYI.

A company with many negative reviews, so be careful.

http://www.resellerratings.com/seller1515.html

[Jeff F]

FWIW, I recently bought a Scandisk 2 GIG card at Costco for $100 Cdn, or about $75US.

[ekcwmi]

[QUOTE=AZST]lol.
But, even before THAT, I need to figure a way to break the news to the Mrs. that she is part owner (AZ is a community property state) of a brand new refurbished 2610 !! :eek:

[--QUOTE]

Wife notification options::old1:

1. (Emotion=short, sobbing breaths with long pauses between questions.) Just ask her why she never noticed it on the bike before? It's been there the whole time. Is she not sensitive to your hobbies? Does she not care? Does she have no interests in common?

2. Tell her it was only $2000.00 on sale. :money1: Then while she's blowing a gasket, tell her it was only $500.00. Works better AFTER she just bought new furniture.

3. Hide the bike at a neighbors. (That's where mine is. She doesn't even know I bought it yet)

4. Let her buy furniture.:couch1:

5. Tell her it is HER part of OUR bike.:shock:

6. Truth might work. (RARE);)

Got any more?

[number9]

Tell her the 2610 GPS unit has "auto-routing" and you bought it for this feature alone so you can spend more time with her instead of route-planning ;)


I will be looking to get a 2610 sometime before this summer. *may* look at a quest2 but most likely a 2610 will be on my dash shelf - Oh, I still have to buy a dash shelf too :p:

[Tor]

lol. Actually I need to figure out the mounting set up.

But, even before THAT, I need to figure a way to break the news to the Mrs. that she is part owner (AZ is a community property state) of a brand new refurbished 2610 !! :eek:

--Bryan
04ST1300A
STOC# 5197
:04biker:

LOL, well the CF card justification is easy. You simply tell here you gotta have it, or you will have to buy a laptop to keep your map software on on ya'lls trips.

[AZST]

Just my luck...I marry an accountant. I can't buy a stick of gum without her knowing about it. Must explore setting up some sort of off-shore account I guess.

Usually with farkles, I order first without telling....then wait. Sort of like lighting a fuse on a stick of tnt. Anticipation of seeing the :ups1: and the credit card bill is sometimes too much !!!

This time, however, I told her about the 2610 right after I bought it. Surprisingly, she was ok with it. Then I explained that I would need a $16.00 quartet harness, etc and that is when she starting *****ing me out.

Women = Rubik's Cube ***

--Bryan
04ST1300A
STOC# 5197
:04biker:

[nm6r]

Bryan, your mistake was telling her more than you needed to. She is obviously a very intelligent individual. You should have just let it go when she was ok with the 2610. Then, if she went off on you when the quartet harness, mounting brackets and the 2610 m/c cable showed up, just point out to her that it's common knowledge that these other pieces are required and you figured she knew this as smart as she is.

Ray
http://www.frontiernet.net/~st1300rider/smile04Bikerwheelie.gif

[number9]

^^^ Great line, spoken like a pro :clap2: