The first time I heard about Triton power tools was when I came across Torque Work Centre. In the product details it mentions that there is an accessory to connect the Triton router to the work center. I remember thinking, "What is a Triton router?" A quick search online revealed that not only are routers expensive, but there doesn't seem to be much information about them in the US (the company is based in Australia). In recent years, however, Triton has gained quite a bit of momentum here through its partnership with Kreg. I believe the relationship has changed by this time, but details are unknown. No personal experience with the brand, but after reading about some of the unique features of the Triton TRA001 router, I'm glad to hear Triton sent one to get our professional thoughts.
initial thoughts
I currently have five different routers in my shop, and I use them a lot, so it was easy for me to pull the Triton TRA001 out of the box and do an instant comparative analysis. First impressions: Heavy, well-crafted, and feature-rich. The standout feature is the rack and pinion plunge dial with fine adjustment, but one of the coolest features is the automatic locking of the spindle at full plunge for single wrench chuck removal. The right handle has a button that switches the router from traditional free-cutting to rack-and-pinion dial adjustment, giving you more controllable cutting into the workpiece. After switching back and forth several times, I felt the system and found that the operation is very smooth. When you insert the router to its full depth, the shaft lock engages and locks the power switch (prevents accidental activation), allowing for one-handed bit changes – very nice . 
There are also some out-of-the-box details worth mentioning: the drop-in stop system is very easy to use and gives you three stops, two of which come with measurements. The dust shield system looks pretty dainty – I can't seem to get any of my dust collector accessories to work in the Triton TRA001's threaded port, so let's leave the dust collector alone for a while and see how the shield works on their own. Versatile fence for edge guidance and (small) circle cuts that can be opened and closed very quickly without any additional tools.
Router… I barely know her
As mentioned above, I have a collection of routers at Seventeen20 (my shop), each set up for a different purpose based on its own strengths. The first time I tried Triton was in my horizontal formwork jig for 2-1/4" deep box joints. I currently hang my Bosch 1619EVS router from a tool balancer to take the full weight of the router. The balancer allows me to focus on keeping the router level with the formwork rails instead of putting the 13.2 lb weight in front of me for hours on end. While the Triton TRA001 has enough power for this deep cut (it actually feels more powerful than my Bosch 3-1/4 HP), the round handle on the Triton doesn't give me as much control as the Bosch.
I decided to leave the Bosch at the current box joint station and float the Triton TRA001 for a week. I found myself drawn to the Triton because of the larger/deeper insertion grooves for the steel legs and brackets on the bottom and sides of the table top. The rack and pinion and plunge stop system of the Triton TRA001 router absolutely shines here. I was able to repeatedly cut to a consistent depth with more control than I could with a free cut router. This insertion system is by far the best feature of Triton routers.
Two downsides stand out to me in "general" routing usage, I admit the first may be a personal preference as I haven't seen anyone else mention this issue with Triton routers – handle pairs Too tall for me. I often find myself reaching for the base with my left hand just to keep my forearm on the table for control. The handle position may be related to the rack and pinion insertion system (in which case I'd still choose it for the insertion system rather than using a lower handle), but offering a removable handle might be worth the entry The basis for such routing. The second downside is how quickly dust can build up inside the shield, making it impossible for you to see the workpiece. This will most likely change once I figure out the correct dust collection hose to use. However, the inclusion of a dust port attachment that screws into the shielding system properly seems like a very reasonable request, which would eliminate this problem entirely. The internet is full of users asking for hose adapters. I have removed the shield for now.
I don't always use a router table, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis… I mean, Triton.
The final location Triton TRA001 tried was the router bench. I don't use my Kreg router table every day, but it does get a fair amount of overall use, and it's currently underpowered on the 2HP router. In addition to the powerful 3-1/4 HP motor, the Triton has three features that really stand out for tabletop use: a fully removable spring, smooth-operating height adjustment, and an automatic spindle lock for one-handed bit changes. My Bosch router has a snap lock that I use under a table, but engaging/disengaging becomes tricky when dust collects under the dish. The Triton spring comes fully unscrewed with one screw. You do have to store springs, but it's a better solution than other routers. The height adjustment knob is very smooth and works really well, and when you crank the spindle all the way up, you experience the best "table feature" of the TRA001 – the spindle locks automatically. The chuck sits completely above the table surface and the spindle is locked, making changing drills a breeze. You don't have to wrestle with the spindle lock or use a wrench under the table.
I think I have found a new home for the Triton TRA001. The only difficulty I had with leaving it on the table was losing my favorite feature: the rack and pinion cut-in. solution? Pick up a Triton MOF001 2-¼HP router. The design and features are the same as its big brother, but it is 25% lighter and not as top-heavy. The Triton MOF001 feels more stable than the TRA001, although the handle is still higher than I like. The dust cover also seems to work better in the smaller MOF001, especially when milling harder woods. However, MDF dust can still quickly obscure the view of the workpiece. Now I have a beast of a desk with a lot more power and a more manageable, powerful rack and pinion plug-in router for free wiring and boot use.
final thoughts
I've always considered my Bosch 1619EVS to be my favorite 3-1/4 HP router, but for just under the Bosch online, the Triton TRA001 is a serious contender. The Bosch wins with ergonomics and well-controlled power, while the Triton leads with innovative features and raw power. If you do a lot of horizontal routing and/or precise stencil routing, I'd probably recommend the Bosch due to the handle design and fine tuning power. However, if you're a one-man router shop and do a lot of plugging and desktop work, the Triton should be the first choice. For a multi-router shop, the Triton is an excellent choice for a desktop.
Triton TRA001 Router Specifications
- Depth Adjustment: Micro Winder
- Electronic Speed Maintenance: Yes
- Maximum no-load speed: 21,000 RPM
- Speed under load: 8,000 – 21,000 RPM
- Motor: 15 Amp, 3-1/4 HP
- Weight: 13.2 lbs
- Safety Power Switch: Yes
- Price: $281.55 (Amazon)
- Warranty: 3 years
Triton MOF001 Router Specifications
- Depth Adjustment: Micro Winder
- Electronic Speed Maintenance: Yes
- Maximum no-load speed: 21,000 RPM
- Speed under load: 8,000 – 21,000 RPM
- Motor: 13 Amp, 2-1/4 HP
- Weight: 10.4 lbs
- Safety Power Switch: Yes
- Price $229.90 (online)
- Warranty: 3 years