What does obsolete mean?

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TYKE

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In a recent post on this forum ( about selling boats I think) the OP stated that if the boat's electronics are more than 5 years old they are obsolete, the broker currently selling my boat made exactly the same statement.

Anything on my boat less than 5 years old is rare indeed but I do have a DSC VHF which works perfectly (8 years old) and performs exactly the same functions as the very latest models. Ditto my chartplotter and radar so am I right in concludig that this is a marketing ploy (vicious rumour) being put around by the people selling marine electronics?
 
martinm4884 said:
In a recent post on this forum ( about selling boats I think) the OP stated that if the boat's electronics are more than 5 years old they are obsolete, the broker currently selling my boat made exactly the same statement.

Anything on my boat less than 5 years old is rare indeed but I do have a DSC VHF which works perfectly (8 years old) and performs exactly the same functions as the very latest models. Ditto my chartplotter and radar so am I right in concludig that this is a marketing ploy (vicious rumour) being put around by the people selling marine electronics?
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Radar 1991
Tack Tick Instruments 2003
VHF dsc radio 2004
Garmin GPS 2004
Plotter - none! so not obsolete.

All work perfectly and I am not thinking of changing them.

As for the plotter - probably better not to have one, than an old one, as it draws attention to what probably is an Obsolete thingy, although it works fine and does what it did on day one.
 
I have an obsolete plotter and Navtex. Both had their software upgraded last year, turns out they are not so obsolete after all. However, the upgrades were not OEM; if I go back to the manufacturer, they are obsolete and not supported, no matter how much I plead for help down the phone. My CTR Radar by Furuno is obsolete. New parts are hard to come by, again no longer supported by the manufacturer.

My compass and paper charts are not obsolete. ;)
 
Obsolete means that its time to do your bit to boost the profits of the corporate machine.
 
In this case obsolete probably means - in most cases - superseded, much as Windows XP is perfectly serviceable but the current version is Widows 7.

However, in these days of 'built in obsolescence' it may mean the period beyond which equipment is worth repairing and/or spares are available.

I have a Garmin 120 GPS which does all I need. If it fails, it's a new unit needed not a repair. And my echo sounder ( a Seafarer 700 ) is backed up by an identical unit off ebayf or £15 which will slot in as a direct replacement to save me buying a complete new system - but what will happen when the 'just found it in the attic' sales of such items stop I don't know.
 
Burnham Bob said:
In this case obsolete probably means - in most cases - superseded, much as Windows XP is perfectly serviceable but the current version is Widows 7.
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Software on computers connected to the Internet is a bit of a funny one. Once it reaches the manufacturer's end-of-support date they stop releasing security patches for it. This means there are more and more known holes for it to be attacked. Obviously the holes have been there from day one, but nobody knew about them; while under support they are found but quickly (hopefully!) patched so the potential for damage is limited. Out of support they're still found, but nobody is fixing them. Botnet ahoy!

Pete
 
Obsolete is just a way of saying the manufacturer wont support that model any more, it doesn't mean it will stop working or become non-"useful". There's nothing wrong with useful innovation and pretty much anything in the last 15 years hasn't been repairable (electronic wise) since the advent of surface mount fabrication
 
All obsolete

Working on the 5 year rule my whole boat is obsolete.
I think I would rather have a 10 year old obsolete piece of equipment that still works as good as new than a 12 month old piece (out of warranty) that's broke!

Isn't the real definition of obsolete, something that is no longer manufactured, even the item you bought brand new off the shelf today was the last one made yesterday?
 
flawed_logic said:
Obsolete is just a way of saying the manufacturer wont support that model any more, it doesn't mean it will stop working or become non-"useful". There's nothing wrong with useful innovation and pretty much anything in the last 15 years hasn't been repairable (electronic wise) since the advent of surface mount fabrication
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Phoebus would have disagreed. Obscelescence is a desired feature.
 
Most of the posters on this forum are obsolete ie barely functional and SWMBO would like to update with new models with a whole lot more interesting functions if she could do.:D
 
I was thinking about obsolescence the other day, on my 'to do before we launch' list of jobs is fitting the brand new in the box depth and log unit that came with the boat. The only trouble is it has been brand new in a box for the last 12 years. I'm wondering what the manufacturer will say when my guarantee registration card drops into their in tray. For a product I'm sure is no longer made.
 
My 1973 Echosounder may be obsolete, but its circular flashing LED display is intuitive to read & there is no way I will swop it for a digital display that is so easy to mis-read. O so it reads in feet & fathoms, but I can think easily enough in either & conversion to meters for the newer charts is simply to divide by 3 or double.

My VHF doesn't have DSC (thank the Lord) so I can leave it on scan if I want to know what is happening around me.

My log IS obsolete because the cable has broken & I can't get (or afford) a replacement. But I don't really need it as I can switch on the GPS or my netbook with Tsunamis99 plotter (& that's 14 years old already isn't it?)

Does ANYONE replace stuff every 5 years if it is still working well? No wonder people think boating is pricey!
 
Searush said:
My 1973 Echosounder may be obsolete, but its circular flashing LED display is intuitive to read & there is no way I will swop it for a digital display that is so easy to mis-read. O so it reads in feet & fathoms, but I can think easily enough in either & conversion to meters for the newer charts is simply to divide by 3 or double.

My VHF doesn't have DSC (thank the Lord) so I can leave it on scan if I want to know what is happening around me.

My log IS obsolete because the cable has broken & I can't get (or afford) a replacement. But I don't really need it as I can switch on the GPS or my netbook with Tsunamis99 plotter (& that's 14 years old already isn't it?)

Does ANYONE replace stuff every 5 years if it is still working well? No wonder people think boating is pricey!
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This is where you have to remind yourself what you really need?

Then when you do not have this gear and go to sell the boat, the need for this gear is brought up :rolleyes:...
 
Obsolete adj Not in use any more, having been replaced by something newer and better or more fashionable.

Certainly in the area of electronics, and especially software controlled electronics, if you have it in your hands it's obsolete. But that doesn't mean it's no longer fit for use. Just about everything on my boat is obsolete, including the boat, but it all still works and it all still does the job I want it to. So do I care that it's obsolete? Err, no. :)
 
I have occasionally calibrated my obsolete thru hull log using my £,-/., pence era trailing log.

I have just fabricated a part for my not-yet-run-in 4 stroke outboard that simply fell off somewhere twixt boat and garage. Perhaps that is what is meant by 'built in' obsolescence ?
 
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