Garmin Plotters - chart updates

[sahona]

*NOTICE TO GARMIN USERS*
Garmin Data Cards Will Be Discontinued 18/12/14
Heavily discounted chart plotters that appear on the internet may not turn out to be the bargain of the year. As from the 18th of December 2014 charts will no longer be available for the following chart plotters:

192, 198, 276C, 278, 292, 298, 376C, 378, 392, 398, 478, 492, 496, 498, 2100 series, 2200 series, and 3000 series devices.

This from Storrar Marine Chandlery. You can order now if you need to.

Guess my 4000 series - just a few years old, is next on the list...

[mm5aho]

"Planned obsolescence"
One of the best sales mechanisms ever invented.

[DaveS]

ISTR reading something similar on TOP a few years ago. I think Garmin are serial offenders at this, though they tried to blame a third party last time.

In contrast the c-Map cards I first got for a monochrome Magellan in (I think) 1998 currently work just fine in a 2003 ? Navman, and I think some brand new plotters could still use them.

[sahona]

I have to admit that I'm not in the habit of buying a new SD card every year (or ever) but I thought it might be worthwhile mentioning to anyone who was interested.
Personally I don't like the presentation of Garmin bluecharts anyway.. I use a Cobra with CmapMax and leave the 4008 turned off unless it's radar time, as it's a wattguzzler.