Reconditioned Sonar?

[SkunkedAgain]

Has anyone bought a reconditioned sonar? I see that Cabela's has some Lowrance ones for a good clip off the regular price. I'm not too scared of buying scratch & dent from the manufacturer but wanted to see if there were any horror stories out there.

[cylinder]

I don't mind buying refurb electronics if there is a substantial savings, but there can be issues. As an example, a unit is returned because of some malfunction. By the time it gets to the repair department, there may be little or no description of the problem. Maybe the unit locks up or reboots when the save-a-waypoint button is pushed. The repair techs may run the unit through its paces but never push that button - they think the unit is OK and sends it back out. The next person that uses it may push that button to save a spot and get a surprising result.

I would suggest that if you buy a refurb, think about the warranty. If you have a 90 day warranty and buy it in January, there's not much time to give it a good workout. Buy it in season. Don't just turn it on and fish - use all the functions. If there is anything that seems goofy, find out why and return it if necessary.

[Raider4ever]

It has been my experience that refurbs qualify for the extended warranty. I usually don't bother with them but in a case like this I would seriously think about picking it up. A case like the situation described above may be present.

[SkunkedAgain]

They are $150 off with a 6-mo manufacturer warranty. So that gives me until mid-August to figure out if the thing is working well, and essentially gives me a free lake chip. I can deal with a hassle.

[Raider4ever]

Tally-Ho I say!!