Magellan Triton 400 - North America: Review

Posted to GPS 2009-06-25

Magellan Triton 400 Review:

If you need a rugged GPS with some class, maybe you should try the handheld Magellan Triton 400 GPS. Featuring a full color screen, preloaded maps, the latest WAAS-pinpointing technology, and more, this GPS is loaded with functions that make it worth the price. Although it is not the fanciest model on the market, the Triton 400 makes navigating fast, easy, and worthwhile. And with a 10-hour battery life, this GPS has enough power to keep you going. You just might appreciate it the next time you hike into the rugged wilderness.

With dimensions measuring 4.65" x 2.16" x 1.22" and a weight of 6.6 oz (with batteries), this hand-held makes a nice addition to the portable GPS market. The color screen is a comfortable 2" diagonal with a QVGA resolution of 240 x 320, and the screen has a LED backlight to give you a clearer image in low-light situations. This model also features a SD memory card slot with capacity for unlimited tracks, waypoints, and maps. Internal memory capacity is a mere 10MB, so an SD card is recommended.

Rating:

3.4 out of 5

Performance

As far as performance goes, this particular model performs averagely. Not much can be expected of a mid-grade model, but users have been disappointed to find that this GPS is very slow. It takes nearly two full minutes before you can even start navigating. The durability and water resistance is great, but this is because of a bulky rubber coating that engulfs the device. This coating seems to hinder hand-held performance at times. Also, a few users have complained of power glitches, but this may be attributed to bad batteries or improper usage. Other than that, this GPS is reliable and easy to use.

Ergonomics

Though the Magellan Triton 400 GPS has an acceptable amount of performance and features for the price, it is not the most stylish hand-held GPS on the market. It is big, red, bulky, and rubber coated- great for rugged wilderness, but a little uncomfortable for your hands. It is obvious that the manufacturer had durability in mind, more so than comfort and style. Despite its negative appeal, this model is great for the beginner who is unsure of what they want or expect in a hand-held GPS.

Summary

Overall, this GPS does a fine job at navigating. The color screen is bright enough to see details, and the rubber-coating makes this device easy to grip. One downside to this model is the amount of time it takes from power-on to navigation. But, although this model does not have very many features, it would suffice the casual explorer. The price is fairly reasonable, but this GPS is another case of "you get what you pay for." If you are looking for more functionality in a GPS, other models would be recommended, but if you just need something basic, then the Magellan Triton 400 GPS may be for you.

Pros

Rugged and water resistant to meet the needs of the casual hiker
SD memory card slot to allow for additional maps, tracks, and waypoints
Specifically WAAS-enabled for better GPS accuracy

Cons

Reasonable price but lacks features found in other models
Performs well but may have the occasional glitch