https://mooneyspace.com/topic/36266-where-do-they-sell-all-those-stolen-garmins/

The best scam was done with radios.  They would break into one plane and steal the radios.  They would break into a second airplane and replace the radios with the stolen ones, pulling the identical radios out of the second aircraft.  The SNs on the first airplane would be reported, but they would never be found because they were put in the second airplane. That second owner would may not even know his airplane was touched, since all of the radios of a given brand look pretty much the same.  The radios from the second airplane would be sold, and since the radios were never reported stolen, the theives could sell them without anyone knowing.  

The same is true of 530s and 430s.  You could replace my 530 and I may not even notice.

I can't understand why the price on eBay of 430s, especially non-WAAS, is so high.  And that's why the thefts are happening.

You can’t get non-WAAS 430s and 530s serviced anymore so you’re stuck replacing them.

I was thinking the same.......but with all the user settings, saved way points and freqs, and updates,  thats going to be noticed easier than a non customized radio.

Wouldn't be surprised if they're being put into smuggling aircraft.

Man I hate thieves. I used to fly in and out of Morristown quite a bit.

And our Baron get tied down in Greeneville (about 30 miles away) when we’re at the in-laws.

Also, I believe it's entirely possible to duplicate data cards for those easily whereas the newer units have updates tied to the installation.

I doubt it.

Most drug planes are semi-disposable, and I imagine if you’re not concerned with legality, there’s nothing you can do with a panel mount Garmin that you can’t do just as easily with an iPad and Bluetooth GPS.  Frankly, I wouldn’t think they’d bother to put the effort into installing a panel mount 430/530.  You need the rack and wiring harness to install them, so it’s not like you can just steal the unit and stick it into your airplane.

I’ve always said the same. 430’s in general are about 2 x what they should be.

We were hit at my airport here in NC about 3 weeks ago.
The aircraft broken into were in open shed hangars and strangely enough all Pipers. Popped the door locks with a screwdriver or something.

They got 2 KX155s out of one, a 430 out of an Arrow, a Garmin audio panel and a nav-com out of another, and some Bose headsets.
The Narco and Collins stuff was left untouched.
Another strange thing was there were two Cessnas with nice equipment they didn’t touch.

In the month or so prior to us, three other airports got hit here in NC.

My understanding on Garmin products is once Garmin is notified that unit can’t accept updates any longer.