Likes: 
Reply With QuoteJust simply from a "Made In the USA" perspective ..... I don't want to see people trampling on the patent rights and getting away with it.
Thanks: 0
HaHa: 0
Crappie.com 2K Star General
* Crappie.com Supporter
Garmin legal defeats
Please don't turn this into brand bashing. Just information.
An 18 November final ruling that Garmin was violating Johnson Outdoors' patent on side imaging sonar was followed up this week with a ruling that Garmin was violating Navico patents on down imaging. This second ruling was a reversal of an earlier finding.
Whether this will be resolved through licensing or whether Garmin will be forced to pull products from the market is still up in the air. Garmin says they have redesigned their units to get around the Johnson Outdoors patent and that they plan similar action for the Navico patent.
Federal agency rules Garmin violated Navico patents | Trade Only Today
Johnson Outdoors and Humminbird(R) Receive Favorable ITC Ruling Against Garmin Nasdaq:JOUT
Things that we as fishermen should watch for IMO:
New Garmin products may or may not have the same features or performance as previous products. No way to know until we see them in action.
Firmware/Software updates to existing products MAY remove functionality that was originally part of the unit. There is a history of this happening when a Lowrance update removed the ability for the unit to boot into the same setup it was in when it was shut down after a court case. I'd recommend you not be the first to update your units. let somebody else be the guinea pig.
Mixed feelings for me on this. As an engineer, I want people to be able to profit from their good ideas without having them poached by others. As a fisherman, I like high performance electronics at lower prices that we get from competition.
Crappie.com 1K Star General
Just simply from a "Made In the USA" perspective ..... I don't want to see people trampling on the patent rights and getting away with it.
_______________________________________
Looking for the one that makes it all worthwhile.
Crappie.com 2011 Man of the Year
* Crappie.com Supporter
I agree with CatFan. I useta be an engineer myself, but have self downgraded to just a piddler.
Member BS Pro-Staff and Billbob Pro-Staff
Proud Member of Team Geezer... authorized by: billbob and "G"
Crappie.com Legend
* Crappie.com Supporter
and still BETTER than a lot of the young ones out there!!Originally Posted by Cane Pole
smiles are contagious, spread them around
Proud Member of the ZIPPER Club
& Team Geezer
Crappie.com 2K Star General
Neither Lowrance or Garmin are USA owned companies. Humminbird is, but their products probably aren't made in the states. Don't feel sorry for any of them. You see them blowing out $2000 units for 1/2 price when new models come out. They still are laughing all the way to the bank.
Crappie.com 1K Star General
All Humminbird units are made in the USA....Not the others.
Edit to clarify ..... made in the USA cannot mean that all components are made in the USA ....I don't think its possible for any electronics company to source all the compenents in the US.
Last edited by BobB; 12-05-2015 at 08:41 PM.
_______________________________________
Looking for the one that makes it all worthwhile.
Crappie.com 2K Star General
That's good to know. I didn't realize they were made in the states.
Crappie.com 1K Star General
Eufaula Alabama is the primary manufacturing location ...... They have some stuff in Minnesota too, but I'm not sure what.
_______________________________________
Looking for the one that makes it all worthwhile.
Super Mod and 2014 Crappie.com Man of the Year
* Crappie.com Supporter
Me too but they never let me drive the train.
Fair Winds and Following Seas
Bill H. PTC USN Ret
Chesapeake, Va
Crappie.com 2011 Man of the Year
* Crappie.com Supporter
My understanding is Humminbird is owned by Johnson Outdoors. Johnson Outdoors also owns Minn Kota and a few other outfits.
PS
My Ulterra was made in Tiawan.
Member BS Pro-Staff and Billbob Pro-Staff
Proud Member of Team Geezer... authorized by: billbob and "G"
