Budget electronics

[Oldfart9999]

So you're trying to buy "caviar" electronics on a spam budget, an idea that worked for me. Pick a manufacturer and google "remanufactured brand name", I bought an HDS 7 Touch for 750$ that retailed for about 1200$ with a 1 year warranty, I've had it for 3 years and am very happy with it!!
Rodney 

[Princeton_Man]

I've found re-manufactured and refurbished product, particularly through the manufacturers themselves to be very reliable. There are units that have been returned, some never even powered up and often times the devices have been used in sales presentations, demos, repair technician training, support desk training etc. You wouldn't expect that to amount to that many units but it does. They are required to label them as reman, refurb, or demo units.

Most companies like Lowrance, Garmin, and Humminbird put reman/refurb units through a second quality control process before they box them back up. So even little things that didn't get caught the first time, get caught the second time.

I've purchased literally hundreds of refurb/reman computer products in my job and for my private business customers. Always verify the same new product warranty applies to the reman/refurb products. I have never had a DOA reman or refurb computer product.

Now when it comes to third party refurb/reman, you're taking a bit more of a chance. Most of the time those kinds of units have been used, traded in, and sold in lots to buyers who clean them up, maybe reload/reset them, and sell for a quick profit. Those generally have very little warranty and you're at the mercy of the seller and their reputation.

[Smallie_Stalker]

Now when it comes to third party refurb/reman, you're taking a bit more of a chance. Most of the time those kinds of units have been used, traded in, and sold in lots to buyers who clean them up, maybe reload/reset them, and sell for a quick profit. Those generally have very little warranty and you're at the mercy of the seller and their reputation.

Spot on Jim. 

About 10 years ago my wife bought our son a refurbed Dell laptop from a third party seller for Christmas. I had no idea it was refurbed or where she got it from. When it came it was in a Dell box so I just figured she got it new from Dell. Sadly not.    As it turns out it had no warranty and the battery barely held a charge. We got him a new battery off fleabay and that thing worked great - for about 3 weeks. Long story short he got a brand new laptop from me for his birthday in February. 

[Oldfart9999]

Mine came with a one year Lowrance full warranty and at half the price of brand new I thought it was a great deal and I'd do it again. The only thing I had to do was the latest update. That's why I posted this tip. Thanks for the replies and the one thing to remember is look for the factory warranty. It lets you save a lot of money!!
Rodney