Customer Reviews

Magellan Triton 2000 Waterproof Hiking GPS

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

Magellan, you need to get your act together. First you taunt us with the long and repeatedly delayed release of this "ultra" handheld GPS Magellan Triton 2000 Handheld Navigation System. Then you insult our intelligence with your useless, uninformed "Tech Support Staff". Finally, when the unit ships, it is only capable of displaying your location on the base map between interstate highways. Where are the street level maps? When will they be available? Useless, Bad deal. What are you guys thinking.
Tip: Call Magellan tech support BEFORE buying their product.
I'm giving mine back.

While the promise of the feature set on this product had me ready to switch from my Garmin, the implementation is horrible. I have been testing it for about a week now. Do not buy this unit until Magellan re-releases it correctly.

Areas of problem so far:
* Random crashes. Reminds me of WIN 98. It crashes often.
* SLOW!!! It is especially slow when you switch to the map screen, the main one you use.
* No street maps
* "Nearest cache/waypoint" feature does not work. For some reason, it consistently points me to waypoints/caches at a park about 5 miles away as the closest even if I move around to different locations within the range. Can see waypoints nearby (across the street in one test), but it ignores them.
* Interface with PC is slow. Loaded my Garmin side by side with the Magellan. Garmin took about 10-15 seconds to load 900+ waypoints. Same load on the Magellan took ~2 minutes.
* Magellan on-line help SUCKS! There support page does not even list the Tritons yet in many of the drop down lists. FAQ's are more marketing material then help.

I got a reply back on my post to their support email. It took them three days to respond.

* Issue: Triton is not listed on their support drop downs. Response: It is a new unit and they have not updated the web page. "Wait for some time until this unit gets updated" (Last I checked, that would be a one day job for a competent programmer.)

* Issue: "nearest" function not working on geocaches. Response: please call tech support regarding this issue. (Call to tech support number refers you back to the web page.)

* Message from tech support was obviously from someone who stuggles with writing English. Grammar errors and typos.

I am so disappointed. I love my old Magellan but this new Triton 2000 is terrible! I use it for geocaching and I can't even get the thing to take me to the nearest cache. I've called Tech support 3 times (everyone I have spoken to has been difficult to understand due to heavy accents). They are sending me a new unit and told me "Don't worry about it" when I asked if all of the problems would be fixed. The bells and whistles are sweet on the unit (camera, mp3, flashlight) but the basic function is useless! The base maps are pitiful. All of the user fields that you can change to suit your needs revert back to factory settings if you scroll to another page. Magellan told me this was an identified problem and they are working on a firmware fix for everyone to download. I just need to know one thing, how do I send mine back and get a refund? I think I'm going to stick to e-bay and buy an old, cheap but well working Magellan unit.
Penny aka cpnowak

The Magellan Triton is an OK GPS, but it is nearly impossible to download or upload data to it. VantagePoint is just terrible, and won't even run anymore after an "upgrade" was installed. It crashes every single time before anything can be transferred. You pretty much have to rely on National Geographic Topo to interact with the Triton. What happens if NG stops supporting TOPO, which seems likely considering the free alternatives that are becoming available online.

I would change my rating from 4 to 2 stars.


Now that I have this GPS working with maps from TOPO! loaded in the SD card, this is a fantastic device for locating myself while hiking. The receiver works really well, and I have had no problems with the system crashing. There are lots of nice features, and I'm getting used to the menus quickly. Perhaps Magellan and National Geographic have worked out some of the bugs that bedeviled the initial release of the Triton series.

For context: I started using TOPO! in 1998, before Wildflower Productions was taken over by National Geographic, and I am used to using survey grade GPS devices and connecting them to computers. Even with this background, it took me over two hours to figure out how the get the Triton to negotiate with my computer. Magellan documentation for the Triton is hopeless. NG has a very useful support page that describes how to set up the Triton for communicating with TOPO!, but it is difficult to locate on their web page and it is not entirely accurate. But now that I know what to do, transferring maps is quick and easy, and the device works well.

Magellan's gps software, Vantage Point, is poorly documented and not very robust. Also, the documentation for the camera (which is not a very good camera) and the mp3 player are pretty much non-existent. Apparently, Magellan has a lot of faith in the abilities of the American consumer.

Final thought: this is the future of GPS. Who wants to use a device where all you see is a blank screen with a marching stick figure or highways? If you are out hiking, especially off trail, you need to see where you are on detailed topo maps. Garmin sells 1:100,000 topographic maps , but these are worthless compared to the 1:24,000 USGS topo maps that come with TOPO!. Yes, you have to purchase the topo maps from National Geographic, but you also have to buys maps from Garmin. Remember how awful the first digital cameras were? They got better because people bought them and financed the innovation that lead to the fantastic cameras we now enjoy. Magellan went out on a limb and created a great device that needs a bit of tweaking and a good manual; I'm happy to help support their innovation. Once the Triton is set up, it is very easy to use. I plan on using the Triton 500 for my college-level geology students.

I was excited when first offered the Magellan Triton 2000 Handheld Navigation System, since I had been looking at a number of hand-held units that could be used for cycling. Had considered the more basic Magellan Triton 500 and the Garmin eTrex Legend HCx, but had ruled it out the Magellan product due to its mediocre reviews here. Then came the offer to get it as an Amazon Vine participant, and I figured that I would try out the Triton 2000 GPS, figuring that maybe some of the reviewers just hadn't taken the time to check out the documentation and learn the product.

Must admit right now that I was wrong, and that most of the reviewers got it right.

Opened the box when it arrived, expecting to find a product that lived up to the specs listed on the product description. And it did, after a fashion. Immediately noticed that the documentation was a bit sparse, so I went to the Magellan site, registered the product and downloaded the most recent 66-page manual in .PDF format and sat down with a cup of coffee, GPS in hand, and proceeded to read it in its entirety. And upon following the directions is when I found two things that became quickly apparent: (1) that the Magellan 2000 really loves to eat AA alkaline batteries at a surprising rate, and (2) what other users and reviewers had reported about the unit crashing was an understatement, as it did lock up or completely crash... a lot.

Still I wasn't going to be deterred, so I installed the CD and its programs on my PC, and then hooked up the GPS with the supplied USB data cable, a device that was quickly recognized by the PC. Updated the supplied VantagePoint software and the unit's firmware to V1.71, as per the suggestions from the manufacturer. All went well there except that the unit locked up again immediately after installation, so I reinstalled the firmware upgrade, and all was well... for the time being.

First Impressions:

Other than the observations already noted I found that the Magellan 2000 appeared to be very well made. It had a rugged rubberized orange and black case, and had a number of interesting features that to a mountain bike cyclist were appealing. It's said to be water submersible, and though I didn't want to try dunking it in a sink to test that feature, a subsequent sojourn in unexpected rain proved that to be seemingly true. I have no doubt that it's shock resistant and not flimsy at all. Its built-in LED flashlight adds to the list of handy features, as do the integrated 2Mp digital camera and the MP3 player. They included a few spare stylus units, which I felt was a nice thoughtful touch.

Field Use:

If you buy this GPS, my suggestion is to take the time to read the sometimes confusing documentation before you go out, as you'll likely be lost without a bit of understanding what the unit will do and how to use it. You'll also need to buy and download a few maps and load them before you go, as the pre-loaded base maps are about useless for a beginner. You can get uploadable detail maps which will identify major roads, bodies of water and various geographical boundaries and features, and the best of these appear to be the TOPO! National Geographic USGS Topographic Maps (Pennsylvania, for example).

You view these first (in 3d, no less) on your PC, opt for the map areas you want, and then upload them to your Triton 2000. Be warned that you'll spend an hour or two doing this the first time, and that since this is optional software, be aware that you can spend a few bucks (about $100 or more, depending on the maps you get) doing so. You'll also need a Flash Memory Card on which to store your maps, MP3 music and any photos you may wish to take. As I said, be prepared to spend a few extra bucks before you hit the trails or roads, and that's with out considering a case (or Magellan Triton Handlebar Mount if you're a cyclist such as I am).

Now let's get down to some specific issues regarding the Magellan Triton 2000:

Screen:

The unit's 2.7 inch touch screen is a good feature; it's bright and easy to see, though in bright sunlight it often doesn't seem quite bright enough. It dims automatically to avoid draining the batteries, and you can adjust the screen timer if you find it dims too quickly. A simple touch on the screen makes it brighter. I was able to use a fingertip for many selections. The protective bezel surrounding the screen doesn't allow for selection of some items in the corners, but the included stylus takes care of that. It can be tricky to pull the stylus out of the base of the case, but as noted above, Magellan included a few extras in case one is lost.

User Interface:

The user interface is somewhat clunky to operate. The navigation buttons on the unit don't provide feedback, so it's tricky to know if you pushed the buttons or not. I also had repeated issues with the unit locking up and/or rebooting. It's not particularly user-friendly, but it does get the job done. The data transfer speeds between the PC and the GPS are respectable. The supplied VantagePoint software for loading maps is just adequate, and is PC only, so Mac users might wish to check with Magellan before purchasing this unit. In fact, according to Magellan's support site when queried in January 2010 about Macintosh compatibility, I received the following response: "At this time, Magellan products do not support Apple or Macintosh. It may be possible to connect your GPS to a Macintosh computer by searching [...] for connectivity plugins under COM ports or serial ports."

Sensitivity:

The sensitivity of the Triton 2000 is said to be improved over some Magellan models, and this is attributed to their use of the SiRFstar III chipset. While overall sensitivity is improved, it's said to be not quite as good as that in some of the newer Garmin GPS units which uses the same chipset. The Magellan's smaller antenna may be the cause of this, but the difference probably won't be a nuisance for most.

Batteries:

The product specs simply call for 2x AA batteries, so I installed a fresh pair of AA alkaline batteries. The specs also list "Battery Life: 10 hours." I have an issue with that, as I've never gotten half of that, even without using the LED flashlight, the digital camera or the MP3 player. I was confused by this, until I read of quite a number of other users having the same problem, and more expensive high-capacity lithium batteries only gave me an extra hour over the alkaline cells. Surprisingly I got the best life out of a pair of Sony AA rechargeable NiMH batteries rated at 2500 mAh, but whichever you choose, be sure to carry some spares.

Maps:

Most GPS units of this type come only with base maps, which are maps that only have major roads listed. In the case of the Triton 2000, it's only capable of displaying your location on the base map between interstate highways. These are really out of place for true navigation, especially in this case, as there are no street names. I really got this unit to use for cycling and casual walking, and found that if one wanted to really make use of it for such purposes, then it requires the extra purchase of map software such as those from National Geographic as noted above. And in truth, those are not as detailed as I might like, though some may be satisfied with them.

Geotagging:

In truth I never looked at this unit for geocaching or geotagging, so it's not fair for me to comment on something I've never tried. Just being honest here, but there does seem to be a strong focus on this built within the unit. Others will offer more valid opinions on this topic that this reviewer is qualified to do.

Compass:

The electronic compass is a nice feature, and is visually appealing in all of its ways of display. However if you change the batteries, you must recalibrate it by placing the unit "on a flat, horizontal surface away from any metal objects," then follow the instructions displayed on the screen. That's also true for finding the true north (or magnetic north) on the GPS. It's a nice feature, though it does take a few moments for the compass to find north, and if you use the compass many times, you'll drain the batteries even more quickly. The directions tell you to disable the compass if a GPS fix is available. Go figure.

Digital Camera:

The integrated camera is a pleasant addition, but it's not well implemented. It's a 2 megapixel camera, and the quality is reasonable for simple snapshots, but it is a bit difficult to take photos. You first have to locate the correct menu screen before you can take a picture, then you muse press the "enter" button, then pick the correct menu item to store it. It's a somewhat clunky process, and you can forget about taking quick snapshots.

MP3 Player:

The sound quality is decent, but to use the MP3 player, you'll have to navigate through several menu items first. Since the unit's battery life is so limited, you may not wish to add the extra load on the battery, but just take your favorite MP3 player along if you want music.

Flashlight:

The embedded LED flashlight may help you find your way at night, though it's not as bright as one might hope. And that's probably not really a bad thing, as this reviewer suspects that the flashlight function contributes to the units excessive battery consumption.

Summary:

The Magellan Triton 2000 is a seemingly capable GPS with a lot of nice features. The big 2.7 inch touch screen is a definite plus. It's easier to perform some functions than other GPS units that I played with, but the battery life is not good by any stretch of the imagination. The MP3 player and digital camera are good to have, but they're really not stand-ins for having a decent music player or camera with you. The basic functionality of the unit is OK, but the Triton's firmware could use a good bit of additional tweaking to make it operate reliably.

This reviewer is no GPS expert or geotagger, but just a casual GPS user. In fact, my BlackBerry Curve has a basic no-frills GPS package that responds faster for my basic needs than the Triton 2000, which really surprised me. This has made me consider the Garmin Mobile for BlackBerry package, which seems to have an excellent interface and good features, from what I saw in their trial version. The Magellan Triton 2000 with its rubberized housing is probably more rugged, but there are those of us who just don't need all that this unit seems to be capable of, if they would just get the firmware and software right. Further, the product did not come with a printed manual, only a condensed reference guide, and one that was woefully inadequate considering the price.

Have looked at a number of other GPS units over the past year, and some of these are excellent, highly rated products, as can be seen from some of the user reviews. But this GPS is not that usable right out of the box, and by that I mean that the software costs are steep to just get it to have major roads with street names as reference points.

I really wanted to like this product; in fact I held back on posting a review in order to try and use it with all of its features, but with its excessive battery usage and constant lockups and/or crashes, found it to be more frustrating than I might have ever imagined.

At this price point I have to imagine that you can do a lot better than this particular device, and in good conscience cannot recommend the Magellan Triton 2000 due to the price vs. the issues I have already encountered. All in all, it's a 3-star product, and that's the best that I can do.

1/28/2010

The unit is has many neat option but the best one it the National Geographic Topo maps. Unfortunately after 4 months I have been unable to load the maps onto the unit. Many hours on the phone have yielded no results. Maybe it's my unit?
Sincerely disappointed.

I agree with all the negative reviews!! This piece of equipment brings new meaning to the word awful. Had I read the reviews before my purchase I would be spared the time and cost of returning it. Software defects, can not delete routes after they've been programmed, screen slow to respond etc, etc, etc. Tech support almost worthless.

Save your money.

I've been using this device for biology for about a year now and in fact, the software has improved dramatically, but it still has a ways to go. I find the processor VERY SLOW at times. Yes, all caps. The features buttons are often cranky and stiff - thus needing a good push to work. The touch screen is great - kudos on that feature. I compared reliability to a Magellan sub-meter GPS unit in open grassland and its +/- a meter - that's pretty sharp! I hope that Magellan still works on their end of the software - last release was 6 months ago and it needs some tuning for sure! Certainly you must update to the 11/28/08 update, otherwise the device is unusable.

Awhile back I wrote a review for a sister product Magellan Triton 400 Waterproof Hiking GPS and although I gave it a four star review it wasn't without its faults. On this later reiteration of the same line of products you would imagine that they would work on improving the the negatives to create a superior product. Unfortunately they only added more features and fixed none of the numerous complaints from the same line nearly two years prior. I am giving this product two stars because it works if you can get past all the initial problems but even then it doesn't work well.

Here are the negatives (you will notice many are the same from the older Magellan Triton 400):

- Eats batteries extremely quickly. You will need to bring more if you are planning on spending a half a day geocaching.
- Hard to get started. This is not something that makes sense out of the box. There are no included written instructions. While it does save a tree, there needs to be at least a several page "Getting Started" document for something that isn't user friendly.
- Without a paid map (or at least a downloaded free map from various websites online) the preloaded map is very basic and may not meet your needs.
- Touchscreen is not intuitive and freezes and crashes quite a bit. It is also difficult to press on the intended target and often it does not register. If a touchscreen is the reason you are looking to purchase this item, it is a hindrance and not a plus. While we haven't dropped this GPS, the touchscreen does seem like it would be vulnerable.
- The on-board software is still clunky and hasn't changed or improved at all. In fact, some frequently used options are hidden and harder to get to compared to the older model. At times it is very slow to change from menu to menu and often freezes and crashes.
- Not as accurate as the older model and we have had more trouble finding geocaches with this one when used side-by-side with the Triton 400 model.
- The camera isn't great and most cellphones take better photos. Unfortunately it isn't easy to take a quick shot as you have to go through the menu to get to the camera option.

On the upside...
- Orangey color is easy to see spot
- Can load/store GPX files which include hints and other data that can assist in finding a geocache
- You don't need a screwdriver to replace the batteries (this is helpful while out-and-about as the batteries don't last long!)

As far as I am concerned, until Magellan finds a new user interface which is more user friendly (and doesn't constantly lock up and freeze) you may want to try another option.

According to the product description, "the Magellan Triton 2000 is so easy to use that its user manual may never make it out of the box." Alas, this statement is completely untrue. First of all, the included "manual" consists of a reference pamphlet and a battery installation sheet (the 2000 requires 2 AA batteries). There's also an electronic manual on the CD-ROM, but it doesn't cover many of the 2000's features.

A pity, because the 2000 has a lot of features good for hikers and wildlife lovers alike but the device is quite difficult to use. I consider myself pretty good at deciphering electronic devices without resorting to reading the stuff they call manuals, but with the 2000, I really couldn't figure out much on my own. Indeed, to this day (after a month of use) I still don't know how to access the built-in 2MP camera!

For one thing, although the screen is touchscreen, it's not very sensitive. The physical buttons below the screen are also very difficult to press, resulting in many a frustrating moment, esp. when I'm walking and operating the 2000 at the same time. The 2.7"-diagonal screen is also not bright enough for sunlit use, and its resolution is lacking. The 2000 gives you lots of information (including a barometer) but accessing and using the information is quite an exercise in frustration.

Finally, I understand this is designed for hiking and geocaching alike, but it's still very disappointing that for the price point Magellan charges, they do not include a street-level map. I think you can buy one separately, but that's really like highway robbery given how cheap map data is nowadays.