Garmin refurbished $79.00 thoughts

Kenny B. Fri Jul 22, 2011 12:58 pm

I have two Garmin 305's and one of them needs to be refurbished. They tend to lose power overtime and/or the side buttons wear out. Anyways they want $79.00. But it seems I can get a NEW one on line I think for $99 or a 405 (which seems like a step backwards IMO for not much more) for $175

What would you do?

Natalie Fri Jul 22, 2011 1:06 pm

I like my 405 much better than my old 305. It looks better and works better. How much information do you actually need to see at one time...?

Nick Morris Fri Jul 22, 2011 1:18 pm

Kenny B. wrote:I have two Garmin 305's and one of them needs to be refurbished. They tend to lose power overtime and/or the side buttons wear out. Anyways they want $79.00. But it seems I can get a NEW one on line I think for $99 or a 405 (which seems like a step backwards IMO for not much more) for $175

What would you do?

I still like the quad screen that the 305 has. I would purchase a new one instead of refurbishing.

Jerry Fri Jul 22, 2011 1:29 pm

Screw the watches. Dead

Schuey Fri Jul 22, 2011 1:32 pm

Well today I will dropping some money on the new 610. I guess running in all the heat this week and the way I sweat, I killed mine last night. I told Dave when we were hanging out after his race last night that my darn 405 keep starting itself and I could not stop it. Not only that the whole time Lisa and I walked home I had problems unlocking the bezel and after that I could not even get the bezel to respond. Put that darn thing on the charger last night and the battery power shows a -1. Charged it all night and said complete charge, soon as I take it off the charger it says -1 charge again. And I still can do anything with the bezel.

Even though I will be getting the new 610, I hope they replace my 405 so I can use it as a back-up. Hoping the new bezel of the 610 works better for me.

Schuey Fri Jul 22, 2011 1:33 pm

Jerry wrote:Screw the watches.

Well when one runs slow like Jerry no need for a watch. Basketball

T Miller Fri Jul 22, 2011 2:00 pm

I had my 405 for about 3 years before the band broke in such a way that it couldn't be fixed. I called Garmin and they offered me the 79.00 referb and I thought was a great deal. The alternative would have been to spend nearly 200 to replace it.

Now if the question is to replace with a referb for 79 or new for 99 I would go with new.

My vote is for the 405 by a long shot if we are comparing watches.

2 cents

charles Fri Jul 22, 2011 2:20 pm

Schuey wrote:
Jerry wrote:Screw the watches.

Well when one runs slow like Jerry no need for a watch.

Jerry runs with a sun dial on his wrist . . . at least that's what I've heard round these parts

Kenny B. Fri Jul 22, 2011 2:41 pm

Thanks guys,

I think for now I will go with a NEW 305 for $99 since I need a new HR strap anyways and it is new! THe next option would be 610 but don't feel like shelling out 350+ for it at this time.

Kevin L Fri Jul 22, 2011 2:44 pm

Sometimes there's a software glitch that makes your Garmin "think" the battery is at 0% while it's got more juice. I found this link that shows you how to "recalibrate" the battery of 405 (not sure about other models).

I don't recommend getting a 405 at this point - the touch bezel is very inconvenient. As I read tons of complaints about the bezel prior to shelling out for the 405, I thought it wouldn't be too much of a problem. I couldn't be more wrong. When you're using it in a moderate rain or beyond, you'll have to be lucky to be able to operate the watch. The only thing you can do when it's wet (be it from the weather or your own sweat), is to lock the bezel and operate the watch with the two side buttons with their limited functionality. The bezel either goes bananas or it doesn't respond at all.

Don't get me wrong - I absolutely love my 405 and I'll buy another one (w/o touch bezel) if this one goes down. However, I just think that there are better alternatives that came out recently.

Chris M Fri Jul 22, 2011 3:28 pm

Kevin L wrote:Sometimes there's a software glitch that makes your Garmin "think" the battery is at 0% while it's got more juice. I found this link that shows you how to "recalibrate" the battery of 405 (not sure about other models).

I don't recommend getting a 405 at this point - the touch bezel is very inconvenient. As I read tons of complaints about the bezel prior to shelling out for the 405, I thought it wouldn't be too much of a problem. I couldn't be more wrong. When you're using it in a moderate rain or beyond, you'll have to be lucky to be able to operate the watch. The only thing you can do when it's wet (be it from the weather or your own sweat), is to lock the bezel and operate the watch with the two side buttons with their limited functionality. The bezel either goes bananas or it doesn't respond at all.

Don't get me wrong - I absolutely love my 405 and I'll buy another one (w/o touch bezel) if this one goes down. However, I just think that there are better alternatives that came out recently.

While the Bezel was always a little annoying on the 405 and helped prompt me to move to the 610, I would never consider staying with the 205/305 if a similar priced option was available to go to the 405/410/610. I could never go back to having that big brick on my wrist.

Jim Lentz Fri Jul 22, 2011 3:55 pm

Schuey wrote:Well today I will dropping some money on the new 610. I guess running in all the heat this week and the way I sweat, I killed mine last night. I told Dave when we were hanging out after his race last night that my darn 405 keep starting itself and I could not stop it. Not only that the whole time Lisa and I walked home I had problems unlocking the bezel and after that I could not even get the bezel to respond. Put that darn thing on the charger last night and the battery power shows a -1. Charged it all night and said complete charge, soon as I take it off the charger it says -1 charge again. And I still can do anything with the bezel.

Even though I will be getting the new 610, I hope they replace my 405 so I can use it as a back-up. Hoping the new bezel of the 610 works better for me.

Have you tried a reset?

Jerry Fri Jul 22, 2011 3:57 pm

Kenny, where do you see 305 @ $99 and 405 $175?

mountandog Fri Jul 22, 2011 4:10 pm

Had my 405 crash and it was replaced for $79 a year ago. No problems since. I like the watch and as long as I can keep replacing it every couple of years for $79 I'll live with the inconveniences. My son just bought a refirb on Ebay for $150 including HR monitor. So far its working as promised.

Nick Morris Fri Jul 22, 2011 4:33 pm

Schuey wrote:
Jerry wrote:Screw the watches.

Well when one runs slow like Jerry no need for a watch.

True

...Wait... scratch

...He's on my team, so I retract my statement...

Dave-O Fri Jul 22, 2011 4:50 pm

$79 for a refurb vs. $99 for a new 305 is a no-brainer. Get the new one.

I think $179 for the 405 is worth the extra $80 as well. You can actually wear it around the house, race expo, etc. while not feeling like you have a computer on your wrist.

T Miller Fri Jul 22, 2011 5:08 pm

I wouldn't be so quick to jump on the 610 bandwagon. Wendy has been having problems with her new 610. The other day she wore both the 610 and 405 and discovered that its distance is off by .15 miles. 1.0 miles on the 610 is equivalent to 1.15 miles on the 405. It probably just needs to be updated she hasn't had a chance to do it yet. Anyone else have this problem?

Jim Lentz Fri Jul 22, 2011 5:13 pm

T Miller wrote:I wouldn't be so quick to jump on the 610 bandwagon. Wendy has been having problems with her new 610. The other day she wore both the 610 and 405 and discovered that its distance is off by .15 miles. 1.0 miles on the 610 is equivalent to 1.15 miles on the 405. It probably just needs to be updated she hasn't had a chance to do it yet. Anyone else have this problem?

Is she using the GPS on both units or footpod? That is a huge difference between the watches.

ounce Fri Jul 22, 2011 5:23 pm

I finally wised up and got a 2 year service contract on my 305 that I bought last November on Amazon for $133. I haven't had one last 2 years yet, so it was a sure thing. And that sure thing paid off yesterday when it had a big malfunction to the degree the Time of Day was about 5 and a half hours off and it couldn't locate a satellite. Now I have a $133 credit with Amazon.

So, I'll either get another 305 because I like getting stuff for free or use the credit on a 610.

In any event, it'll be a new watch WITH a service contract.

Schuey Fri Jul 22, 2011 7:54 pm

Jim Lentz wrote:
Schuey wrote:Well today I will dropping some money on the new 610. I guess running in all the heat this week and the way I sweat, I killed mine last night. I told Dave when we were hanging out after his race last night that my darn 405 keep starting itself and I could not stop it. Not only that the whole time Lisa and I walked home I had problems unlocking the bezel and after that I could not even get the bezel to respond. Put that darn thing on the charger last night and the battery power shows a -1. Charged it all night and said complete charge, soon as I take it off the charger it says -1 charge again. And I still can do anything with the bezel.

Even though I will be getting the new 610, I hope they replace my 405 so I can use it as a back-up. Hoping the new bezel of the 610 works better for me.

Have you tried a reset?

Yeah I tired that it is fried. Since it is not a year old yet they are replacing it for me. Still bought the 610 today. The other good thing is if you buy a 610 you can send your old Garmin's to "Girls on the run" and they will cut a 50.00 check for your old ones ( you can send up to 5). So Lisa and I will be sending in our old 305's for some cash.

T Miller wrote:I wouldn't be so quick to jump on the 610 bandwagon. Wendy has been having problems with her new 610. The other day she wore both the 610 and 405 and discovered that its distance is off by .15 miles. 1.0 miles on the 610 is equivalent to 1.15 miles on the 405. It probably just needs to be updated she hasn't had a chance to do it yet. Anyone else have this problem?

I will let you know tomorrow when I run with my 610. One good thing about buying ours at the Garmin store here in Chicago is they do all the updates in store to make sure there are no problems with them. Something new they just started doing. She might want to check the updates for her 405 also if she has not updated it. I know that there are updates out there for both of them.

Also I know Chris is using the 610 and I haven't heard of him having any distance problems. Maybe Chris can share a little more with us on it.

Natalie Fri Jul 22, 2011 8:18 pm

That's interesting about GOTR and Garmin. I didn't realize that Garmin was a national sponsor. The $50 rebate you mentioned is limited, so I thought I'd post the link to the website. It's a good deal if you're in the market for a new Garmin and helps a great organization that I am proud to be a part of.

http://garmin.blogs.com/promotions/2011/07/forerunner-trade-in-offer.html

Schuey Fri Jul 22, 2011 9:51 pm

Natalie wrote:That's interesting about GOTR and Garmin. I didn't realize that Garmin was a national sponsor. The $50 rebate you mentioned is limited, so I thought I'd post the link to the website. It's a good deal if you're in the market for a new Garmin and helps a great organization that I am proud to be a part of.

http://garmin.blogs.com/promotions/2011/07/forerunner-trade-in-offer.html

Yeah I thought it was a pretty good deal and have no problem sending them our old one's since we just got new one's.

Upadte Tim, just went out to walk the dog. Lisa wore her 405 and I wore the new 610 and we went our normal running route out to the lakefront and the mileage was right on with both watches were we hit our 1 mile mark. For the return trip home we reseted the watches and they were spot on again hitting the 1 mile mark were we start from. Lisa will be wearing her 610 tomorrow so if there is any big difference between distance on her normal route we will let you know.

So maybe it is as simple as the watches being updated.

I must add so far playing around with the 610 I like it much better and a lot of cool new features added to it. I love the touch screen so so so much better then the bezel!

Gobbles Fri Jul 22, 2011 10:20 pm

If you are hunting a 610... $279.99 (or $229.99 after the rebate)

Check this out:
http://catalog.bicycleoutfittersindy.com/product-list/garmin-1244/

Use the discount code: A95436 for a 20% discount.

ounce Fri Jul 22, 2011 11:18 pm

Is there a foot pod that goes with the 610?

Schuey Fri Jul 22, 2011 11:48 pm

ounce wrote:Is there a foot pod that goes with the 610?

Yes you can buy a foot pod for it or if you already own a garmin foot pod you can use it. Same with the HR monitor if you own from the 305 or whatever model it will work with the 610.

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