john smith wrote:
The recent thread regarding the lack of parts for the Garmin 480 got me
to wondering just how long the G-1000's will "live"?
Steam gauges are forever, but integrated circuits are produced for a
given period, then production is ceased as newer chips come along.
Does Garmin mention anywhere how long they will support their products?
Their earliest GPS handhelds are coming up on 20 years.
We have seen Lowrence discontinue support for some of their products
that are less than 10 years old.
I guess the more important question is how long will they support it. A
chip may go out of production but will they commit to coming out with a
new board to replace the old one containing a chip that is no longer
available. I think it all comes down to money. It's one thing to
obsolete a 200.00 handheld, it's another to do so to a 30,000 nav
system. I'm going to guess that they will come out for replacement
modules for a while because they can make enough money on the
service/parts to justify it.