New Supersize Garmin Units

[DrewFlu33]

Still don't understand why companies won't sell screens and "guts" separately.

Oh wait, yes I do. The smallest and biggest screened units are (all but?) identical internally, but they can sell the bigger screens for orders of magnitude more money despite what likely amounts to an actual cost difference for production of less than $100.

Unfortunately the barriers to entry in this market have created an oligopoly that prevents any new entrants from actually upsetting the status quo. Really unfortunate, as I feel like a company selling black boxes and separate monitors could take over things and force the others' hands quickly.

[Mcjenson]

Still don't understand why companies won't sell screens and "guts" separately.

Oh wait, yes I do. The smallest and biggest screened units are (all but?) identical internally, but they can sell the bigger screens for orders of magnitude more money despite what likely amounts to an actual cost difference for production of less than $100.

Unfortunately the barriers to entry in this market have created an oligopoly that prevents any new entrants from actually upsetting the status quo. Really unfortunate, as I feel like a company selling black boxes and separate monitors could take over things and force the others' hands quickly.

I feel like it needs to go that way eventually too. Think of the advantages of being able to keep the "guts" of the fishfinders away from as much shock / water / vibration, and having the displays only having to display and touchscreen functionality. It'd make it so much easier to swap out a transducer or a head unit and not having to worry about pulling wiring everywhere. Like you said though, they are going to ride the high prices for screen size as long as they can.

[Dixie-Raven]

I feel like it needs to go that way eventually too. Think of the advantages of being able to keep the "guts" of the fishfinders away from as much shock / water / vibration, and having the displays only having to display and touchscreen functionality. It'd make it so much easier to swap out a transducer or a head unit and not having to worry about pulling wiring everywhere. Like you said though, they are going to ride the high prices for screen size as long as they can.

Someone is doing that already in a way. Go look at NBT link someone already posted.

[Mcjenson]

Someone is doing that already in a way. Go look at NBT link someone already posted.

True, the saltwater world has definitely embraced it more. I'm pretty set on my current setup (not worth the big investment to upgrade imo), but if I was starting from scratch I'd 100% go with an NBT setup, along with small units for backup.

[duracraftman]

Still don't understand why companies won't sell screens and "guts" separately.

Oh wait, yes I do. The smallest and biggest screened units are (all but?) identical internally, but they can sell the bigger screens for orders of magnitude more money despite what likely amounts to an actual cost difference for production of less than $100.

Unfortunately the barriers to entry in this market have created an oligopoly that prevents any new entrants from actually upsetting the status quo. Really unfortunate, as I feel like a company selling black boxes and separate monitors could take over things and force the others' hands quickly.

Garmin already makes this.....https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/624857

Granted it may be their top tier "guts" but for larger boats they sell plenty of these that hook up to multi-function displays of all sizes.

[ChuckTR21]

Still don't understand why companies won't sell screens and "guts" separately.

Oh wait, yes I do. The smallest and biggest screened units are (all but?) identical internally, but they can sell the bigger screens for orders of magnitude more money despite what likely amounts to an actual cost difference for production of less than $100.

Unfortunately the barriers to entry in this market have created an oligopoly that prevents any new entrants from actually upsetting the status quo. Really unfortunate, as I feel like a company selling black boxes and separate monitors could take over things and force the others' hands quickly.

Money- plain and simple.