Buying Used Navionics Cards

Hey guys,
Just wanted to give all of you a heads up, as I have come across this situation a couple different times the past few weeks. I completely understand to a point trying to save a few bucks on fishing equipment and your mapping cards included, but if your Navionics card is not purchased from an authorized dealer or if the gold magnetic strip has been broken when you purchase the card it will not be warrantied by Navionics if there is a problem. The main reason I bring this up is due to a couple guys the past few weeks have come to me with an issue with a card they bought from a guy used online(different sellers) and were told the cards were a certain age or certain card only to find out they were completely mislead and now stuck with a card they cannot use or that does not have the detail they are looking for. One guy purchased a Platinum South card from someone online and when the card came in, the outer hold showed it was a south card, but the micro SD was actually from an East card, now the seller will not answer calls or emails, but that is not something that Navionics can cover under warranty.

I’m guessing they were bought off fleabay

I guess you just can't afford to buy cheap stuff. Sorry, but have no sympathy for people who cheap out on Chinese knockoffs and products from shady venders, or get hooked on ebay bargains then cry about getting ripped off.
Pay a little more, buy from a reputable shop and get what you pay for.

I thought about this yesterday. The wife and I purchased a Rosetta Stone program from someone on Craigslist several years ago. There was some code that you had to have to use the product. We didn't learn that till it was too late and the seller didn't care. No more used software for me.

Well good to know as I am sitting here looking for my card, have not seen it Since I sold my boat back in May.

With Navionics being bought out by Garmin support might get messier anyway.

Mine's never worked and it was purchased new from an authorized dealer. But at least Navionics keeps emailing me to renew my updates..........

Jim,
Did you reach out to Navionics customer service and/or the dealer you bought it from?

I purchased a Lowrance Hook2-5 on fleabay saved over $100. At fist add was item returned for no reason so I ordered it and waited and waited. Seller said he sent it even gave me a tracking #. Finally I chewed him out and he said he would stand behind item 100% because of delays. I flt a little better even after he said it was from a store that was closing,got it and turns out to be brand new never opened. Took card and registered it with warranty.But this is one deal I was sweating.Now to learn how to use it.

Be careful purchasing electronics from Ebay. All the major manufacturers of fishing electronics require that you purchase their equipment from an authorized dealer to have a warranty. I know Lowrance requires a copy of the purchasing invoice when submitting a warranty claim. If that invoice is not from an authorized dealer, they reserve the right to refuse the claim.

My warranty was active when I registered nothing said about where I bought it. Could be like some telling you that you have to buy oil and filters from a dealer for the warranty to be good.

We bought one several years ago that had a holiday rebate deal. We sent in the required proof of purchase and never got the rebate.

Bought another newer card later and it has never worked in my Humminbird.

Almost every time I open my computer, I get a pop up to upgrade my card. I keep thinking I’ll do that, but never take time to go get the card out of the boat. I’m too lazy I guess.

Yea crooks every where now days.. I don't think I need their over priced cards.Just fish in nearby lakes.

They sent me directions on how to use it. Naturally, it still doesn't work and they still keep emailing me to renew my subscription to free updates,

I'll write the Navionics purchase off to a $200 screwup. Is there another chip I can buy to upgrade the details on my GPS charting? Preferably something that I don't need a degree in computer science to install?

Not sure the disconnect here. I wouldn't necessarily purchase a used card online, however purchasing directly from Navionics, it doesn't take much to do updates. Simply use a computer, install the Navionics update app from the site, put your card in and it detects the card and updates it. The only problem I've had is that their main tech support tends to be via email versus over chat or on the phone.
Jim,
not sure where you're located but I'd be glad to help troubleshoot if you're near me in NW Houston.

photofishin, I appreciate the offer; I'm up in New Caney. NW Houston is right around the corner, but I'm off on Mon / Tue rather than weekends. If you are free on one of those days, I can arrange a trip on a private, posted 85 acre lake full of bass and crappie south of Conroe, about 4 1/4 miles east of IH-45 (the owner is one of my fishing partners; he has let me bring guests before). You can show me how to work it (if it works at all) and catch a bunch of fish at the same time. Interested? I'll try to watch this site for a response (I've been internetless lately).
Jim