Product Description

The Triton 200 is so easy to use that its user manual may never make it out of the box. It reinvents handheld GPS by combining exclusive compatibility with National Geographic TOPO!® maps, new Magellan VantagePoint¿ content management software, a rugged, waterproof design, and the essential feature set that outdoor enthusiasts need and expect.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #43734 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Magellan
• Model: Magellan Triton 200
• Dimensions: 8.40" h x 3.10" w x 6.00" l, 1.00 pounds

Features

• Extremely rugged and waterproof to IPX-7 standards1
• 2.2" (5.59 cm) full-color display delivers vivid imagery in the field.
• Pre-loaded base maps identify major geographical boundaries
• AA batteries provide a readily available power source
• SiRFstarIII¿ delivers the fastest GPS position acquisition in the industry

Customer Reviews

I think it's great
I bought this by chance. I was looking for just a basic model to get my feet wet in the world of hand-held GPS's, so I did my research and decided to buy an eTrex H. Unfortunately, brand new, out of the box, it couldn't find any satellites (bad unit). So when I returned it, I decided to try the Triton 200. I was a bit concerned considering the negative reviews, but... what the hey? I could return it, also.

Well, what a pleasant surprise! For $20 more, I had a color screen, base map, great functionality, SiRF chipset, high-sensitivity GPS receiver, PC connectivity (my Triton 200 came with the USB cord), etc. When I turned it on, whammo! Within 2 minutes, it had a solid lock. On warm boots, it locks within seconds (<3).

I'm not sure why everyone's so down on the software. Maybe it's not as good as the Garmin - I don't know. But I've had no problem understanding how to set up the Vantage Point software or downloading the Topo! maps from National Geographic. The instructions aren't hard to follow. You just have to be willing to READ them. I download geocaching waypoints (or .gpx files, if I want to pay for a membership,)standard waypoints, etc. without a hitch. Oh - and I'm not an engineer. Nor am I a computer tech.

I'm glad I ignored all of the negative reviews and decided to take the chance. Again, I don't own a Garmin, so maybe their interface is very different and easier to use. But again, I've had no problems with the Triton. For the money, it's hard to beat.

Caution! Not What It Claims!
First off, I would recommend any hiking GPS system as a backup to a simply map and compass. That said, I want to clarify something about this particular model. This is a basic beginner's device to learn about Navigation, Waypoints, Trails, GeoCache and all the additional methods that go along with these. It also has a good "Best Fishing & Hunting Times for Current Location" menu as well as "Viewing Sunrise, Sunset Times" and "Lunar Information". The Triton has all these features and a USA map already included. I would highly suggest a class in GPS along with this.

The biggest problem with Magellan Triton products is they have had some problems with their software in the recent past. After contacting SUPPORT, they assured me that anything not up to date would be processed accordingly. Uh-huh. But, the biggest faux paus was to read, "compatibility with National Geographic TOPO!® maps", stamped on the box cover and stated on-line, only to find out that it is not. Nor is the Triton 300 model. You are unable to download base map information to this device. I was able to download a trail (.gpx), but nothing else. The Triton Models 400 and above have an SD Card for this and they can upload map information.

The overseas support for Magellan is pure crap. I wasted over an hour with someone who knew nothing about the product. To make matters worse, not only did I pay for shipping, but when I returned the item, I had to pay for that as well. Not good business practices. I would try Garmin.

DO NOT PURCHASE THIS
First of all, the unit will NOT save a track as a trail. Oh, it will show the trail on the screen, along with all of your attempts to save a track as a trail, but you cannot use the trails. They only get in the way. My unit has all of the available updates, and tech support confirms that this is a problem.

Secondly, the registration form that you are forced to fill out has issues. It doesn't contain all addresses. If yours isn't in their database, it won't let you register.

Thirdly, the software is lousy. What comes on the CD is a web page. All of the buttons simply drive you back to the website, something they can do without a CD.

The VantagePoint application that you download from the website has no advantages. As an example, one button says "Find maps online". Clicking this takes you to a login screen. After logging in, the screen has no links, no search feature, absolutely nothing to help you 'find maps online'. Further, the rest of the functioning of the software is adequate, but is certainly not intuitive.

I'd stay away from all of the Triton units until Magellan gets some issues worked out. Both the unit and the software should still be in beta.