Old Card vs. New Card
The eBay market for GNS data cards is 20–30 year old hardware — original equipment that physically degrades, develops hairline cracks, and fails with no warning. Here is a complete, honest comparison.
20–30 Year Old Hardware
Original equipment from the late 1990s and early 2000s. Plastic degrades, pins oxidize, and data is expired. No warranty. No support. No guarantee it will even read.
Brand New — Every Order
Manufactured to current standards. Jet-black virgin plastic, gold connector pins, current AIRAC data written fresh at update time. 60-day replacement warranty on every card.
Full Comparison
Click any category to expand the detail rows.
| Attribute | eBay / OEM Used | NavCard GPS NEW |
|---|---|---|
| Card age | 20–30 years old | Brand new — manufactured to order |
| Physical condition | Yellowed, brittle plastic; hairline cracks common | Jet-black virgin plastic; factory-fresh |
| Connector pins | Oxidized, corroded — intermittent read errors | Gold-plated, factory-clean — reliable every time |
| Warranty | None — sold as-is, no recourse | 60-day replacement warranty on every card |
| Storage history | Unknown — heat, moisture, shock exposure possible | Controlled storage; ships direct to you |
5-Year Cost Comparison
eBay cards look cheap upfront — but you buy a new one every time you need current data. NavCard GPS is a one-time hardware investment with a low annual subscription.
| Option | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | 5-Yr Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NEWNavCard GPS (Kit A) Starter Kit + annual subscription | $299 | $199 | $199 | $199 | $199 | $1,095 |
NEWNavCard GPS (Kit B — WAAS) WAAS Starter Kit + annual subscription | $449 | $299 | $299 | $299 | $299 | $1,645 |
| OEM Annual Service Annual subscription, no hardware included | $449 | $449 | $449 | $449 | $449 | $2,245 |
| eBay (avg per card, expired) Per card purchase — data expired on arrival | ~$200 | ~$200 | ~$200 | ~$200 | ~$200 | ~$1,000 |
eBay pricing based on observed market range $150–$400 per card. OEM pricing based on published annual service rate. NavCard GPS pricing as listed on Products & Pricing page. All figures approximate.
The Supply Is Disappearing
OEM data cards were manufactured in the late 1990s and early 2000s. No new ones are being made. The eBay supply shrinks every year.
20–30 Years Old
Every card on eBay was manufactured between roughly 1995 and 2005. PCMCIA flash memory has a finite lifespan — and these cards are well past their rated service life.
Shrinking Supply
As GNS units age out of service, the pool of available OEM cards shrinks. Prices are rising and condition is declining. Finding a working card is increasingly difficult.
NavCard GPS: Unlimited
NavCard GPS cards are manufactured on demand. There is no supply constraint. Every card ships brand new, regardless of when you order.