As said above, they are a marketing company. They change their products quickly, not because the technology changes but because "new" is a huge marketing tool. After all, how much have standard sailing instruments changed in the last decade? Many time they change their products for a new look, with no change in functionality.

When someone sends in an old unit and they offer 50% off it is on returned - serviced components, not brand new products. A great way to get rid of returned goods. They do not service anything made by their own predecessor companies, even if Raymarine made the same exact item. Once someone buys a new instrument there is a lot of psychology urging them to buy all new instruments so they match in appearance.

Service from Raytheon and Autohelm in the US was no better. Horror stories from cruisers are many. I have a few myself. Most recently (2007) I bought a new SG3 autopilot and installed it while in the Caribbean. Within 24 hours of use the control head failed. It took them four weeks to repair it and send it back. Almost immediately upon return, the course computer failed. I called them from Panama and talked to a very rude technician. At least then, they turned it around in a week. I can't tell you the number of times other cruisers have told me they sent equipment in for repair, only to have it sent back, still broken, with a large bill for the service. One cruiser I know put a note inside a unit, describing the problem in detail, only to get the unit back with the note still inside and the the unit not fixed.

2007 was the last time I purchased any Raymarine and will probably be the last.