OK, so I was a little impulsive the other day and won an auction on eBay for a reconditioned Garmin c330 StreetPilot GPS unit. Total price came to $385 after shipping.

Anyone using or have experience w/ a remanufactured/reconditioned/refurbished/overhauled GPS unit. Did I make a colossal mistake? Thanks

As long as it's warrantied still, and the company you bought from is reputable (like BizRate'ed), you should be fine.

With buying refurbished products oen is always taking a risk. I've found it a bit more of a risk when purchasing off of Ebay or similar auction sites. More than likely they will not come with a manufacturer's guarantee or the seller will make all sales final.

If I were to ever buy refurbish again it would be directly from the products company and/or a store with a good reputation with the possibility of purchasing or having a warranty.

Like I said, more than likely your auction is going to be hit or miss. Don't bee too surprised if it is a miss and you don't get a refund.

I do however everything works out...specially for that price.

I bought a refurbed Magellan 700 from Fry's in November last year. Couldn't be more pleased with it. I saved about $300 at the time. Bought Fry's $49 3 year replacement warranty. Hope I don't have to use it, but made me feel better since the refurbs only had 30 day warrantys from Magellan. I wouldn't worry about it too much. You'll probably be fine.

DH

Thanks, DH.....I needed to hear that!

Many times a Refurb could just be a cosmetic thing, or a return. When someone buys a brand new item and returns it to the store it gets shipped back to the manufacturer. They can't sell it new and now they have all of this "used" stock. They sell it as refurbished but in fact is for all practical purposes brand new. They take the product back, put it through a quality inspection and repackage it for sale as refurbished.

I don't see why you should have an issue beyond the usual eBay issue of always taking a risk when buying on there. I buy a ton of stuff on eBay and am willing to take the risks as well. :)

Thanks for the input, Larry. I know what you mean re eBay! I mistakenly bid on two Garmin units (thinking I would win only one..or zero) and won both!! It got to the point where I was being outbid at the very last second on several earlier auctions. So, I thought I wouldn't get stuck if I bid on several....making a serious run for the most attractive (cheapest!) bid.

So, I have to find a way to offload the other unit....probably on eBay or Amazon. I just want to break even on the second unit....if possible.

Other than that, I'm anxiously awaiting the unit. No more hesitation about going to a LI meet.

Thanks again!

just a side note:

GRMN stock up 8% in early trading today, up 50% in the last 4 months

they announced earnings today, profits sore +85%

http://finance.yahoo.com/q?d=t&s=GRMN

Thanks for the financials. Based on recent product reviews, I can see why they are flourishing.

Update: Just received my Garmin unit today. Looks great! Functions well out of the box. I was able to update the software via my PC w/o any problems.

Now comes the real test....accuracy of maps/directions & signal reception in my E.

I'll add here that I have never had any troubles with refurbished electronics in all the years I have been buying them.

My TomTom GO functioned just fine without the external antenna in my E. I was a little concerned that if the satellites were behind me that the roof overhang would block the signals terribly...its not really much of an issue. Your Garmin should be fine.

So far, so good! I get full signal strength when placing the unit on the center dash, above the two vents - no overhang issues. I think it looks best there - low profile too. I'm not too crazy about placing it on the windshield. Although it's not that far away, I enjoy the convenience of having the unit well within arms reach. That being said, I ordered a dash mount (see below) so I don't have to worry about the suction cup coming undone in-transit...it happened already. I guess the slight curvature of the dash above the vents weakens the suction effect - even though it appears to be a smooth, flat surface. There's an adhesive disc that comes w/ the unit, but I want to avoid sticking any foreign parts on the dash that I might later come to regret.

The second test, for accuracy, went very well! I was able to find a new Thai restaurant in the area :D

I like the fact that there are three map views to choose from. Right now, I'm using the "bird's eye" view. Also, the unit is very vocal as to when I have to make a turn.

Question: Between the GPS, iPod, cellphone, PDA and other accessories that many E owners haul around.....how do you transport them from place to place? Will I be relegated to acquiring a man bag? :confused:

James - I've seen pics of your antenna installation.....do you have pics on how you mounted your TomTom on the side pillar? I was the guy drooling when I saw your setup in Wildwood. I assume that it was a complete custom job.....very clean at that! Let me know. thanks

My first thread involving my TTG is right here (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12801) and shows the mount on the pillar. I had another thread which showed pictures of the mount itself that I fabricated behind the pillar garnish, but those pictures were lost in the server upgrade over Labor Day weekend 05. I'll take the pillar apart this weekend and snap some pictures...this time I'll store them at my webspace and link them here.

Thanks for the thread (and the pics to come)....I love the wiring job! That's something I'd like to do, but I'll live w/ battery power for now. I'm as sharp as a marble when it comes to things like that :sad:

Well you did say that you can travel to Long Island now that you have the navi:D...so stop by when we have a meet and we'll hook up your hidden power outlet like Larry (spdrcr5) and I have.

Will do! Thanks again :-)

OK...I got off my lazy ass and took pictures of my permanent TTG mount (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14656) and reloaded the pics in the original thread.

Just be careful of the length of the sheet metal screws used to attach the angle iron to the pillar...any longer than 3/8" or 1/2" and you risk contacting the outer finished metal on the pillar.

Thanks again, James :D Nice detail.

I think I'll work on this project next weekend. My only issue is finding a spot on the Garmin bracket that will attach to the metal bracket.

I'll keep you posted, w/ pics.