My existing Garmin 705 has had a lot of use, obviously. It's got fine scratches all over from usage and travel. It's missing the cover for the SD slot, fell off sometime. I've had problems with USB connectivity due to corrosion. I've had ongoing problems with the SD slot also due to corrosion -- sometimes if fails to read the card and drops back to the base map of major roads, none of which we actually ride our bikes on !
Needing to get this one serviced but reluctant to be without a unit, I've been watching them on ebay. I figured that I should be able to get one in reasonable shape for around $200, based on what I'd seen sold before. One night there were four units for sale, all finishing around 9pm -- it was time to do some bidding !
The first one was missing the rubber usb cover, nope, don't want that. The second one had no picture but the guy said that it was in good shape, the description saying scratches from normal use were just because some people are picky. That was based on my query and early on the final day he finally posted some pictures.
I bid and won, paying under $200, but once you added on shipping I was over by $1.50. I was happy. He shipped it immediately and it arrived on Saturday. Imagine my surprise when I turned the thing over and found that the USB cover was missing ! What ?!?
I emailed the guy and he said that he'd give me $25 due to the missing cover. I replied saying, no, I'll send it back if I cannot get the cover from Garmin and based on my search through blogs, Garmin wanted you to either send it back and for $100 they would replace the cover (Garmin Taiwan) or they'd mail it for free (think this was USA). I told the guy that no, I didn't want $25 back, that we'd call it square if I could get the cover for free.
So ... I called Garmin this a.m. and no problem, they'd send me a cover. Well, since I was already talking to them -- how about the SD cover ? No problem ! They've both already been shipped !
I let the ebay seller know that we were probably ok, that the unit worked and I was getting the cover but oh, by the way, your unit is less "normal wear" scratched than mine, but mine doesn't have major gouges on two corners due to being dropped on a hard unforgiving surface (like pavement).
In my experience, sellers go out of their way to over-describe issues like this so that they only get good feedback. This guy, apparently, is either a little the other way or isn't familiar with the units.
No matter. I think that I'm good. Now I have to decide if I'm going to send the other back immediately or give it some time. The other problem with my unit is that the rubber cover around the perimeter is disintegrating. That's probably as much of or more of an issue than the SD mis-reads.
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I'm stocked up with more parts now, probably ok to last the summer. I also took delivery of the Cycleops wheels and watched the power during the Fleche. It averaged around 125 through mid ride, gradually increasing. It has some 2000 watt peaks in there, probably errors. I don't think that I can really push 2000 watts. I take that back ... I KNOW that I cannot push 2000 watts !
I need a new front rim for my generator wheel at some point, not sure if I should order that now.
Oh yes -- rode with the new insoles during the fleche; they didn't give me any problems. That's good.
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We had an at-home day. I took Emma and Abby out in the little Whaler. We went to the shallows and Emma had a blast running around in her bathing suit. Abby looked for, but didn't find many, minnows. Today we're going big-boating, or at least that's the plan.
Jeffrey, Sara and Emma went to a show in the afternoon. Zoe hung around -- actually she did get a walk in the stroller. I don't think that the day will be particularly memorable for her :).
We had shrimp for dinner with rice and sauteed spinach -- sound familiar ? It's a frequent combo.
Jim Brendel came over and gave us the quote for the staircase, which will look something like the following ...
I think that we're going for the straight shot. I'm still waiting to hear back from the plumber, about to write him off for being non-responsive.
Onward ...
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