Importing a Garmin Chartplotter from USA

Downhilldai · 26 March 2006, 10:08

Does anyone have any experience of importing a Garmin chartplotter from USA?
I've been looking on e-bay and they're quite bit cheaper than the best UK deals. Are there any drawbacks, eg warranty, compatibility with chart software, import duty, etc.?

Top banana · 26 March 2006, 16:20

Have just bought a garmin 172 colour plotter with cmap regular chart.
from the states. Took a while to come. But great unit. just customise to
your chosen measurements,same as buying one in uk.

GED · 26 March 2006, 17:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top banana

Have just bought a garmin 172 colour plotter with cmap regular chart.
from the states. Took a while to come. But great unit. just customise to
your chosen measurements,same as buying one in uk.

does that include the same warranty...check out my post 'A BIG THANK YOU TO GARMIN'

Top banana · 26 March 2006, 18:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by GED

does that include the same warranty...check out my post 'A BIG THANK YOU TO GARMIN'

I presume it comes with standard 12month waranty, i have the waranty card
and reciept will fill it in and send to garmin. as you would purchasing in the Uk. Your experience seems to say it all. company reputation. How many other
companys would honour out of date guarantee. amazing piece of kit.

Downhilldai · 26 March 2006, 21:17

Where did you buy it? Presumably it was a lot cheaper than UK prices? I've seen lots of them on e-bay, but haven't looked anywhere else.

Top banana · 26 March 2006, 21:31

I bought it of ebay. cost me 400.00 with regular c map chart of irish sea.
it covers from south scotland to south wales including east cost ireland.
buy with paypal for extra security. Was thinking of the new garmin 292c
but reckon the charts will be expensive. my mate allso bought a lowrance
and thats ok. Ive had friends buying mercury spares from the states for
years with no problems. Good luck

Jon Brooks · 27 March 2006, 08:00

I would check your warranty.

Not every one offers a worldwide warranty and you may find if it goes wrong it will need to go back to the US for repair.

Many companies take this stance now to stop "grey importing"

So check before you buy.
Check with Garmin here not the dealer in the US cos they will tell you it does!!

Regards

jwalker · 27 March 2006, 11:06

Jon, what is Icom uk's policy on covering warranty work for a radio which has travelled abroad?

Jon Brooks · 27 March 2006, 12:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwalker

Jon, what is Icom uk's policy on covering warranty work for a radio which has travelled abroad?

JW

We do not offer a world wide warranty and our warranty is back to base.
Having said that if you called here and were over sea's with a problem we would do all we can to assist.

The other thing to consider is type approval with radio's, not such a worry with GPS.
US radio's are not approved for anything oither than fitting to a US vessel.
They have their own class of DSC for domestic vessels (those not leaving US waters) this is a lower class than class D.
Also channels will be missing.

Dealers here should not add the channels as they could be fined.
Most will tell you to go away as would we.

Regards

jwalker · 27 March 2006, 14:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon Brooks

We do not offer a world wide warranty and our warranty is back to base.

Thanks for that. A bit restricted, though, Jon considering boats travel the world.

Quote:

Having said that if you called here and were over sea's with a problem we would do all we can to assist.

I'm pleased to hear that bit.

Downhilldai · 28 March 2006, 13:08

Here's a response I had by e-mail from Garmin, on the warranty issue:

"Thank you for contacting Garmin Europe

Garmin products hold a 1 year warranty period worldwide. As long as you keep
your receipt / proof of purchase then that is fine and we would help you if
you have any problems.

If you have any further problems then please feel free to contact us."

It looks pretty good to me.

Jeff · 28 March 2006, 13:48

I have previously purchased a Garmin Fishfinder (320c) from the States, but it was collected via a friend on holiday to save $$$£££
Otherwise, shipping, import duty and vat can soon add up - always worth checking UK sources to compare - the following have some suprising prices for certain products and have great service ......... imho

http://www.jgtech.com/page3.htm

http://www.marine-super-store.com/index.php

http://www.mesltd.co.uk/

Jeff

jyasaki · 28 March 2006, 19:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon Brooks

US radio's are not approved for anything oither than fitting to a US vessel.
They have their own class of DSC for domestic vessels (those not leaving US waters) this is a lower class than class D.
Also channels will be missing.

Dealers here should not add the channels as they could be fined.
Most will tell you to go away as would we.

Most of the better radios here in the US have selectable US/Int'l channel ranges. I don't know specifics on differences, but you could get that from the manufacturers' websites, I'd bet. So unless you have UK-specific channels, odds are that you'd be covered on that subject.

jky

Jon Brooks · 29 March 2006, 06:42

ok the big channel diff is M1 (37a) and M2 (P4)
These are UK only channels they are not in any other set as standard.

These are progarmmed in to all UK models by everyone.

So no you would not be covered

Regards