My GPS is a 1996 Lowrance Globalmap Sport. It still works just fine and meets my needs, so I've had no reason to upgrade. Up to this point, I've just manually programmed in critical navigation aids and obstructions.

But I recently came into possession of a MapCreate 4 CD. It's an old (like me, my boat, and my gear) mapping program that enables the user to create custom maps and download them onto a programmable flash cartridge. The problem is that I don't have a programmable cartridge. I've done an Internet search with no success. Not surprising since they're not only obsolete but were only used for the Globalmap Sport, Globalmap 12, and Airmap 300 (although they could also be used in other Globalmaps of the same vintage with an adapter).

I haven't even been able to discover much about the programmable cartridges. The part number appears to be FMC-1, FMC-2, FMC-4, and maybe FMC-8 (which, as far as I can figure, stands for flash memory/map cartridge 1 MB, 2MB, etc.). I've read (although don't know whether it's true), that once one of these programmable map cartridges had been programmed in one Lowrance GPS, it will not work in any other Lowrance GPS that accepts these cartridges. If true, it means I need a new, unused cartridge -- which means unsold inventory gathering dust on a back shelf somewhere. I haven't even been able to find a picture of the cartridge, but assume it looks like a SmartMap cartridge (photo below).

I've been checking eBay for a while with no luck. I figure my odds of finding one are pretty slim, but am posting this on the off-chance some reader will know someone who knows someone who knows someone who knows where I can get a cartridge. Not a high priority. Just something to play with.