Hello,
Perhaps you haven't noticed, but Garmin doesn't charge for software updates either and doesn't charge extra for things like the moving map and VP-X support. We don't charge for software updates on our portables, not on G3X and G3X Touch, not even on our certified products like GNS and GTN.
Not only is new software with many new features free, but for portable GPS units, G3X and G3X Touch systems, and even recently for GTN 6XX/7XX, the customer may download this software from our website and install it themselves - all free.
The fact that the GTN 6XX/7XX uses a standard SD card, opened the door for GTN owners to install their own free software upgrades. Read all about it here:
http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=135305
We appreciate that free software upgrades aren't quite as simple for the older GNS products which don't use an SD card, but Garmin does not charge dealers for this software either.
Perhaps you don't care, but that free GNS software update that is available for your 430W which kept up with years of
changing ADS-B Out requirements and allows customers to use their GNS 430W as a FAR 91.227 compliant position source took a small army of engineers to maintain and re-certify to new requirements over the years.
[ed. Edit. dr]
Thanks,
Steve