The Grim
lifetime updates for $99 was possibly one of the best deals in memory, plus the no 'thought required' to press the buy button was a bonus  and i had already switched to another daw at that time . . . to good a bargain to pass up

No kidding, even if they introduce "Sonar Iridium" this year or something that isn't eligible for the updates, you already got your money's worth. Given that you generally spend $100ish+/year on updates for something like a DAW, it was a great price.

The Grim
lifetime updates for $99 was possibly one of the best deals in memory, plus the no 'thought required' to press the buy button was a bonus  and i had already switched to another daw at that time . . . to good a bargain to pass up

The $199 offer for my lifetime upgrade was acceptable as a X3 Producer holdout. 

Well, I'm very happy I managed to get the lifetime updates and literally in the last few moments before the offer expired. I didn't get to hear about it until the last moment and I can't really afford it with the expense of xmas etc. but I also couldn't afford not to! I do think that Cakewalk have been very good to their customers for running that for 6 months.
 
Software prices go up over time. That's normal, but now anyone can afford to buy Sonar by spreading the cost over a year and getting free updates while they do so. I think that's all very fair and reasonable.

Ironically, the only feature mentioned in the OP that didn't exist a year ago is lenses.

mettelus
Ironically, the only feature mentioned in the OP that didn't exist a year ago is lenses.

All the things mentioned were post X3 additions though (or at least what I quickly read through).  With "Platinum" being the new sonar, and the ceasing of an upgrade path from pre-Platinum being the change the thread is really addressing, seems logical to me. 

Alex Westner [Cakewalk]
 
If you own SONAR, you own SONAR. You can buy 12 months of updates at any time for at least 50% off the regular price.
 
If your 12 months run out, you still own SONAR and you keep what you have. You can buy another 12 months at the 50%+ discount rate, or you can wait a while, enjoy what you have, and then buy another 12 months later on down the road, still at that 50%+ discount rate, because you are a SONAR Owner.

 
We have Sonar 7/8/X1/X2/X3 and Platinum from Feb 2105 that lapsed in Feb 2016
 
With the recent comping and tracking features we are considering upgrading again. However we don't see any options to upgrade for another 12 months for $249.  The only option we can see in our store is the full $499 price.
 
This seems to contradict your statement, highlighted in bold above
 

To see your actual price, click the "Buy Now" button. I believe the price is $199 in the Cakewalk store. It is less at jrrshop with code group.

scook
To see your actual price, click the "Buy Now" button. I believe the price is $199 in the Cakewalk store. It is less at jrrshop with code group.

Ok, I found the discount.. you actually have to click on the Pay $499.... bit silly
 
One last question. Dimension Pro is listed as an £84 "Recommended product" even though I have selected the "Platinum" edition.
 
Will we have to pay extra for Dimension Pro with the discounted "Platinum" upgrade ?
 

Hi, this is all well and good and all, but I'd like to say something about Alex using the words "...you own Sonar" as he did several times in his comments.
 
The term "own" is highly and controversially incorrect with reference to Sonar and all Cakewalk software, as the EULA will testify. If we actually do "own" Sonar then we should be free to sell, trade, or give it away, which, as much previous forum conversation and debate has drilled well into the consciousness of its users, is against the EULA.
 
We pay to have the right to "use", not "own" Sonar from its rightful "owner" Cakewalk Inc.
 
just sayin'

soens
Hi, this is all well and good and all, but I'd like to say something about Alex using the words "...you own Sonar" as he did several times in his comments.
 
The term "own" is highly and controversially incorrect with reference to Sonar and all Cakewalk software, as the EULA will testify. If we actually do "own" Sonar then we should be free to sell, trade, or give it away, which, as much previous forum conversation and debate has drilled well into the consciousness of its users, is against the EULA.
 
We pay to have the right to "use", not "own" Sonar from its rightful "owner" Cakewalk Inc.
 
just sayin'

I believe that means you own a license to use. The license is bound by the EULA.