Best All-around GPS for Under $200?

Question

The Magellan Triton 400 seems to be the best GPS for $200. However, being a GPS newb I'm not entirely sure if the features I'm looking for are just gimmicks.

Is there a better GPS for the same money with similar features? (SD card compatible, colour display, rugged/wproof, add unlimited maps, North America basemap)

Does the Triton base map actually have all of North America's Lakes/roads/etc or do you need to still purchase that map?

Does the Triton lose it's signal much?

Is the interface really that much easier on a Magellan than a Garmin?

Which company is easier to deal with if problems should arise?

Does the Triton series have any major defects or problems?

Is there a website that has many of these simple answers?

If anyone is able to answer any of these questions it would be greatly appreciated as I'd like to purchase one asap.

Thanks

Answer 1

ihave 2 garmin street pilot 7200  the BIGGEST SCREEN 7 " TOUCH SCREEN. plays over car/truck stereo .mp3 player xm satt radio plays audio books,back up camera capable very accurate us , canada , porter rico maps free life time updates from garmin .com  $ 1,000.00 new   will take 500.00

Answer 2

Whoa, please listen to me.  The Magellan Triton is a horrible series of GPS receivers.  I have been following GPS receivers for about five years, and they are just pitiful.  Lots of crashes, missing features, inaccurate trip odometer, slow operation, and Magellan doesn't care.  They have been very slow to release firmware updates.  Magellan's customer service was good years ago, but since the two ownership changes, it has gone in the toilet.  Their tech support is in India, and all they do is read scripts.  They are polite, but not helpful.  The Triton does not offer turn-by-turn directions, and Magellan has not released new maps in two years.  The Triton's basemap, from what I have read, is the worst Magellan has released in years.  The Meridian and eXplorists (both discontinued) had better basemaps.  One guy went as far as replacing the Triton's basemap with the one from his eXplorist.

I have owned three Magellan eXplorists.  I have been satisfied with them, but I stopped recommending Magellans after witnessing the Triton debacle.

I would say the chance of you being happy with the Garmin is much better than you being happy with the Magellan.  Garmin releases firmware updates more often, even for discontinued models.  It shows they want to continue supporting their customers.  Magellan just leaves you hanging.  Garmin support, while not as good as they used to be, still on occasion surprises people by replacing broken units that are out of warranty or were damaged by fault of the user.