Customer Reviews

Magellan Triton 200 Waterproof Hiking GPS

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

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.

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.

I bought the Magellan Triton 200 today after looking for a new handheld GPS to replace my old trusty Garmin eTrex Legend (B&W display etc). Since GPS chipsets have moved on quite a bit (SIRF III) etc I thought it would be nice to have something that was faster, more colorful and a more polished GUI/user interface. So I was wrong!! Magellan basically look like they have a great piece of hardware that can do all the basic co-ordinate stuff but beyond that it takes software to make the unit usable. The software on the Triton 200 is at such an early development phase that it shouldn't be in the hands of the public (I would call it a rev 0.1 release if I were managing their software group!). The software allows very basic waypoint and route addition (but doesn't allow editing, only creation) which means it's a pain to use. The screens don't really give you an easy (or logical) menu-ing system (the best idea would be that the menu button brings up a full menu of everything you can do on that display opposed to taking you to where the s/w engineer thinks you should go). I would strongly advise Magellan get a Menu designer in to re-vamp the product and then make a mock up GUI program (running under windows) and try it out on some random people (for feedback and usability). I have personally done this in the past and it's amazing what you find out about your product before it gets to the market. You get some very good (and bad) feedback on how the product should behave. All part of the refinement process.

Bottom-line: Nice unit (screen and buttons), nice ergos, basic functionality. Really badly designed and incomplete GUI/software. Basically stay clear until the unit has undergone a major software re-vamp. They were on release 1.28 when I got it. It has a lot of work to get it even close to the polished Garmin eTrex Legend (which has a very logical and systematic menu system). Sorry but I'm staying with my old trusted Legend. Sorry I doubted you my old friend! BTW, this can be a great product and Magellan could completely clean up on the handhelds for this price.

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.

I recieved this unit as a gift.
It is a very basic handheld unit with no frill's straight out of the box.
Someone in one of the prior reviews stated that they actualy read the booklet that came with the unit. EXACTLY! Read the booklet, become familiar with the controll's, etc.
My only beef is that the unit does not come with the required USB cable needed to upload maps, etc. I logged into Amazon to do that since I found a better price and noticed these reviews.
I'm hoping that once I get the cable and am able to work with maps on the unit i can give it a higher rating.
For what it is, it's a fine unit, if you need text to speach, spoken directions, etc. then dont get this unit. It's more for hiking, watercraft and learning GPS.
That said, I'm off to buy a USB cable.
Hope this helped.

Unfortunately the gps unit I received doesn't work correctly. It freezes up and I lose all data.I have been in touch with Magellan and they are going to repair or replace free of charge. I am confident this will be resolved. My son has the same gps unit and it works great.

hard to configure if you are technologically challenged

buggy software

lack of detail in base map

topo software imports a bitmap image into gps unit - pixelated!

This was only useful on the first part of my road trip to the Grand Canyons. I didn't use any paper maps going there. But as you zoom in and out, you see more or less roads depending on the area.

And then the unit froze!

Customer service was fast but the unit is on its way to repair. I've only had this thing for 3 weeks. I hope they get it right.

I bought a Triton 200 and found that its User Datum function does not work. This means that if I want to use it in a system different from the limited loaded datums I cannot. Don't buy this receiver if you may ever want to use it outside of the USA. So much for a global positioning system receiver.