well, we can disagree on the number of JB3s in the field...there arent that many tapers out there...and hell, alot of them I know still swear by their DATs....but lets assume it is maybe 1000 units...you are right that it is a cash cow IF it works right...if they have any problems with this unit at 24 bits, which the 722/744 proved can happen even with lots of R&D dollars sunk into it...it could become a support nightmare...
and I agree on the brand equity comment, but if tapers stopped buying Nomads products, I doubt the impact would be anything more than a pin prick to them...the taper population and the associated expendable incombe, while high for some folks, is not nearly the profit motivating factor for companies as some believe