Steal Deal (IMO) Garmin 2730

[RenoJohn]

Short story:

good deals out there on the Garmin 2730 (under 200bucks delivered) and you can *likely* dump the included GXM30 antenna for 100bucks+

~~this all equals well under 100bucks net for a fantastic unit.

LONG STORY:

about 20months ago I bought a 2730 via a great Promotion/Deal on Costco's website for a bit over 500bucks ..upon delivery I sold the included GXM30 antenna (for xm radio) on ebay INSTANTLY for 200bucks = net of about 300bucks for the unit. I thought (and still do) one of my more savy moves)

Well, I've noticed that if you look around, the 2730 can be had for under 200bucks (delivered) -and the included GXM30 antennas are going for aprox 125-150bucks on Ebay. Me guesses a person could dump the antenna for a bit over a hundred bucks instantly(??) ...making a net price of under 100bucks for a Garmin 2730.

Today I ordered two of the units for a total of aprox 375bucks delivered. -I plan on dumping both the GXM30 antennas as I still don't see my need for XM radio. This, I'm guessing will put my actual cost on these units somewhere around 75bucks +/- per unit.

My thinking:

- I'll have a backup unit to have in the saddle bag during rallies should the primary fail

- I'll have an extra to use in the car ....or whatever/wherever

- I'll have one for each bike without having to swap the current one back and forth ...

- I'll have duplicates of all the accessories so wall-wart, usb cord, etc etc ....I'll have set at the home computer and one in my travel bag so no need to constantly swap things around. Plus spares of all the above.

~~And most importantly ....I believe this will give me updates a year (or maybe two?) into the future of free software upgrades from Garmin ...just this alone pays for the units.

Not sure if I'll keep both units ....but at the price, I just might. Might just throw the old and heavily used one on Ebay and likely more than recoup the cost of one of these new ones.

Passing this info along for others who like this unit and might want to do the same.

...renojohn

 

[twistedcricket]

from where did you order them? Costco again?

 

[motorcycle-ed]

Just bought one. Great deal!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks, Ed

 

[n7myr]

you guys are better finders than I am. I am not finding a bargain anywhere

 

[Wild72]

I recently bought the 2730 for $279, and I thought I got a great deal then.

I did however keep the XM antenna for the radio, traffic and weather updates, and have since removed my TomTom Rider 2 and Starmate 4 sat radio. Much cleaner looks on the bars, and although I preferred the TomTom's navigation performance, it's nice to have almost the same interface on the bike, car and company vehicle.

And to think the 2730 originally sold for around $1000.

 

[jwilly]

you guys are better finders than I am. I am not finding a bargain anywhere

Ebay has them for $199.99 w/GXM30 ant. Clicky

JW

 

[FJRBill]

Here they are on E-bay, 15 available with XM, shipped for under $200.00 Garmin 2730

 

[Bluestreek]

Best I could find was a referb unit with a 1 year warranty

189.99 delivered to my door :yahoo:

Now I just hope the referb unit doesn't come back to bite me in the butt.

 

[dcarver]

No Xm Radio? Jeesh John, how can you stand the silence? Where are the lambs? Guess that explains that horrible noise I heard when riding with you.. your rendition of singing? LOL

Sounds like a great deal - are they waterproof?

 

[n7myr]

thats the best I could find also

 

[RenoJohn]

Best I could find was a referb unit with a 1 year warranty189.99 delivered to my door :yahoo:

Now I just hope the referb unit doesn't come back to bite me in the butt.

Steve, nice job on your 2nd 2730My first 'new' factory unit failed. Garmin with tremendous customer service instantly sent me a "refurbished" one at no charge. The refurbished one had newer firmware etc etc and had better operation than the original 'new' one.

and since has lasted through some pretty abusive conditions and riding -and is still going strong. With the GREAT customer service that Garmin has, I'll always buy refurbished from now on ...In my experience they're better units. of course YMMV ......

My customer service experience with garmin on my orginal 2730 (clicky)

are they waterproof?

Mine has been pissed on, paint-balled and even rained on .....and check this out: (someone with too much time on their hands)Go Here Clicky

 

[Auburn]

Just orderd 2 at $189.99 each. What a screamin' deal. Thanks for let us know!

 

[antirustbug]

Heres what i payed for a refurbished 2730 + free shipping ebay $ 159.99

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...em=120305195794

It says $ 169.99 but at the time it was marked doun to 159.99

Plus i called garmin and had the 2009 map sent to me for free

 

[Wolfhound]

Heres what i payed for a refurbished 2730 + free shipping ebay $ 159.99
https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...em=120305195794

It says $ 169.99 but at the time it was marked doun to 159.99

But it doesn't come with the XM radio adaptor . . . .selling for over a $100 on ebarf

 

[antirustbug]

Heres what i payed for a refurbished 2730 + free shipping ebay $ 159.99
https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...em=120305195794

It says $ 169.99 but at the time it was marked doun to 159.99

But it doesn't come with the XM radio adaptor . . . .selling for over a $100 on ebarf

Opps, I didnt read it very carefully. Me bad

 

[FatNakedGuy]

John, would you know offhand if the 2730 is the same size as the 2620, and if the connector on the back of the unit is the same?

My bike is wired for the 2620 and it would be awesome to be able to plug in the 2730 and go. I'll do some research but thought I'd ask.

Thanks!

 

[RenoJohn]

John, would you know offhand if the 2730 is the same size as the 2620, and if the connector on the back of the unit is the same?
My bike is wired for the 2620 and it would be awesome to be able to plug in the 2730 and go. I'll do some research but thought I'd ask.

Thanks!

Here is what I *believe* to be accruate:- The powercord will work, --however the 27XX series powercord for bikes is wired for mono audio as well as DC power (there is a jack for audio as part of the wiring harness) I don't believe you 2620 wiring harness has that.

-IMO, no big deal as you'll likely use the stereo audio jack on the side of the unit instead, and not having the mono audio out on the wiring harness is no big deal.

-I *BELIEVE* that the bracket/cradle etc is the same, as I think shell of the units is the same ....perhaps someone can verify this.

Here(clicky) you can see side-by-side comparison of the differences between various Garmin units

Also, note the MSRP of these units, what many people paid when they first came out: ...$1,292 and $1,071 crazy.

 

[stryg8r]

Heres what i payed for a refurbished 2730 + free shipping ebay $ 159.99
https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...em=120305195794

It says $ 169.99 but at the time it was marked doun to 159.99

Plus i called garmin and had the 2009 map sent to me for free

You can get the map for free, but you'll need to pay the $75.00 to unlock it when you load it on your system.

The last I heard was that Garmin wasn't giving away any free map updates to Ebay purchased units. I haven't verified this info yet so don't take it as gospel. I would check check to see which version of maps the unit is shipping with and contact Garmin to see if you'll be able to update without cost.

 

[RenoJohn]

You can get the map for free, but you'll need to pay the $75.00 to unlock it when you load it on your system.
The last I heard was that Garmin wasn't giving away any free map updates to Ebay purchased units. I haven't verified this info yet so don't take it as gospel. I would check check to see which version of maps the unit is shipping with and contact Garmin to see if you'll be able to update without cost.

I don't know about the 75bucks, may be true, but I've never had that.
My experience:

- Refurbished units do not have free upgrade ...HOWEVER, many of us have had luck with Garmin getting upgrades.

- while I have no problem with good ebay retailers (often best pricing) Garmin is not fond of them and saying "Ebay" is likey not the best way to start out negotiation for an upgrade or whatever.

-*MOST* of the good Ebay retailers selling Garmin are strong on-line retailers of Garmin products and using that company name as a source of purchase is likey better than saying "Ebay"

One of my primary reasons for being fond of Garmin is the great support and willingness to make experiences positive -and of course, putting on a good attitude always helps.

I've got a free upgrade coming on my original 2730 ....when my recently ordered units arrive I'll compare all firmware, and map versions that I have and then see what makes sense to get them all upgraded -and when the best time to do this upgrade. I'm optimistic that garmin will work with me for the best outcome.