But, there is no incentive for me to buy Garmin with those crazy-a$$
prices. Call me cheap, if you will, but I can't afford $3000 for a GPS,
especially a portable! At that point, I'm going to look for other
options. The airprt directory is ok, I guess, but certainly not
something I care much about. The taxi diagrams have been available from
the government for free for a while now. And, I still carry paper with
me. I think it's something to do with batteries....hmmmm The XM
weather is nice and all, but, being a VFR-only pilot, it doesn't do much
for me.

Chris G.


Jonathan Goodish wrote:

In reality, the practice of minimum sale prices really protects the
margins of the manufacturer from market forces that would otherwise
drive the price (and margin) lower. It does not protect the
manufacturer from other market competition, but, in the case of the
Garmin 396/496, there really is none.