I know where you're coming from on this. They introduced a lot of people to the sport. Like most things it's about profit margin. Quality will always sell and once you start selling an inferior product, they say it's much harder to ever get them back.
It would probably take a change like Humminbird went thru when they brought in new people and decided they wanted to make the best. It changed the electronic industry for the better. They used to sell price, now they sell quality. I've learned that I can't afford to buy cheap. You don't have much to start with and it doesn't last long.