So it doesn't look like most other routers - being a bit dumpy-looking and a bright Triton Orange colour. But as we know, beauty is only skin deep, and to be honest, when it comes to routers, your visual taste is not going to be judged, whereas your skill in choosing the correct router might be. As many thousands of satisfied users know, the Triton router is widely acclaimed. I have seen it being billed as "the best router ever?" So it can't just be a fuss about nothing.A look at the list of specs and features is a good start. At 1400W it has enough oomph for use either freestyle or mounted in a router table. The soft start feature is almost compulsory these days and a useful thing in a very powerful router where the amount of torque can be wrist-twisting. It has a 1/4 inch collet which is auto-releasing and an adjustable speed from 8,000 to 20,000 rpm. Well, you might say, so have other routers, but they haven't got the next bit. The Triton boasts three ways of setting the depth adjustment. Each has its own particular purpose and these allow the router to be used in a wide variety of ways, on a router table and off.

For most of the time if the Triton is used freehand or with guides, the standard "spring plunge" with the depth set via the turrets and the depth stop rod will be good, and this system is used very well in most plunge routers. But with the Triton, the depth settings can also be set on a rack and pinion device on the right hand side handle. While this is good, especially since you have the depth stop lock lever for security, it really comes into its own when the router is used upside down in a table. The rack and pinion mechanism makes for quick and easy raising and lowering of the router for rough depth setting and for changing cutters. Now I, who has spent many an hour at the router table, find this feature fantastic. It will literally save minutes of winding each time you use it, and minutes soon add up to hours when you have a big job on.

Micro adjustment of cutter depth in rack and pinion mode is also very easy by using a big, easy turning, micro adjusting button. This is marked in big increments on the button, but makes only small adjustments on the depth, so accurate depth is really easy to achieve. Again, very useful in a router table. And then, you also have the option of using the winder handle if you go the whole hog and invest in the Triton router table. This winder works from the top of the table, is easy to retrofit, and makes cutter height adjustment in router table mode so simple. It is then that you start to appreciate just how clever the designers of this router have been.

Bit changes are normally achieved using the spindle lock and a spanner, but in table mode, the router can be raised right through the table making bit changes really easy, unlike many other router table designs. The cranked spanner is a bit of inspired design too!

Safety and chip collection are another big plus for the Triton. The clear plastic chip shields come already attached with screws, so they can easily be removed. However, since they are really safety features, it is better to have them in place, where a standard vac extraction spout that can be quickly pushed into place.  This encourages safe use since it is hassle-free and effective. It goes without saying that the plastic shields prevent chips flying into eyes (yes, some users still don't wear safety glasses) as well as keeping fingers well away from speeding cutters.

 With many of the tools that I test, I really wish I could use them for longer and for many more real life situations. With the Triton I was lucky enough to do just that. I had a small office-fitting job to do that tested the "portable" part of the Triton. There was no question that it had the power and capability with a range of straight and moulding cutters, it was also reasonably quiet and didn't disturb the neighbouring office too much. A distinct advantage was the chip collection. When connected to the dust extraction vacuum I had, it made cleaning up the newly laid carpets (they got that timing wrong didn't they) really easy since most of the chips were sucked straight from the cutter area.

I have also been using the Triton router in a Triton table that I own. Fitting it to the table was straightforward and once up and running, the table and the router complement each other perfectly. You get a very good depth of cut from the extra length of the Triton's plunge bars, and using and adjusting cutters, fences and dust extraction is frankly, very easy.  I made at least twenty rebate and slot joints in some boards without much trouble and in a record time.

Frankly, the more I used the Triton, the more I could see why people were calling it "the best router ever". It simply does so much straight from the box and allows trade or DIY users a lot of capacity for doing big jobs. It is a well-designed product, now thankfully re-available from Toolstream who are the UK agents. Go and handle one and see what I mean.