User Review: Magellan Triton 500

Magellan Triton 500
Above: The current Triton 500, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed June 18, 2009 by mike068

Rating:
Price Paid: $245

Basic Overview

This is my first GPS that I own, but not the first one that I have used. I have used it pretty extensively for about 6 months. The last two firmware updates seem to have taken care of all the bugs that I have encountered.

This GPS has good accuracy and I have had no problems acquiring satellite connections even under a thick forest canopy. I also find it easy to navigate and operate the unit itself. I have Accuterra Northeast and Nation Geographic Topo Explorer Deluxe installed and a 4Gb SD card with no issues. It syncs both ways with vantage point very easily to save all of your data or you can sync only one way if you so choose to either from the Gps To PC of From the PC to The GPS. It is water resistant not waterproof and the color is bright enough to see if you drop it in the fall leaves.

Bells & Whistles
It has a bunch of extra features on it that make it very versatile for different activates and can also be easily turned off so you can preserve battery power. The back lighting is also adjustable in several levels which also saves battery power.

Power
I have used Standard Duracell & Energizer batteries, Energizer rechargeable batteries & Energizer Lithium batteries. I like the Energizer Lithium batteries best they weigh 1/3 to 1/2 less than other types and last a lot longer. How much longer depends on how many bells & whistles you have activated. When it is connected to the PC it doesn’t use the installed batteries it powers through the connected sync cable you don’t even have to have batteries in the unit.

Maps
It has a very very basic base map and the Accuterra maps are nice they have a lot on trail’s on them but not all of them and it can also be used as a road map in ways because most all roads ate in it. N/G Topo maps work very nice and have 2 levels to there maps a basic 1:00 and the more detailed 1:2400 topo maps. The 1:2400 must be downloaded from N/G through the Topo Manager.

Overall Conclusion
I am very happy with this unit, it is a nice unit to own for a wide verity of activates and will serve you well. Furthermore you get a lot of bang for you buck and it is very reasonably priced for what you get, some other brands are almost double the price for similar options.

Recommended Accessories For A Good Start
Accuterra maps
Energizer Lithium batteries
A carry case with a one piece or closed belt loop
A cheap cut to fit screen protector

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