Canada’s Best Handheld GPS Navigation Systems

Our reputation is built on providing the highest quality handheld GPS receivers and customer service in Canada and worldwide. (Here’s feedback from our customers.) You can find models by Garmin, Spot, ACR and more at competitive prices. Compare all current GPS handheld receivers and get an idea what maybe best for your activities and budget.

When you call or visit us, you talk to a representative who is familiar with GPS navigation systems. We are enthusiastic and knowledgeable about GPS receivers, electronic maps – topographic, street and marine – and GPS accessories like cables, antennas, adapters. We like to help you navigate! We will easily assist you by email too.

The Web Store is a great 24 hour source of GPS. Online ordering is a quick and efficient way to get products. Orders are processed for shipment Monday to Friday.

GPS Central operates primarily as an internet dealer and serves many worldwide locations from Calgary headquarters (Alberta, Canada). We accept orders by phone, email, online and in-store.

Frequently Asked Questions about handheld GPS devices:

What is the most accurate handheld GPS?

All recreational GPS units nowadays are accurate to 3m (10 feet), provided the antenna has a clear view of the sky with no obstructions. If you’re in heavy tree cover, or surrounded by lots of buildings, the GPS accuracy will degrade. Connecting to WAAS/EGNOS satellites (if available) will provide the best accuracy, but it will also drain the GPS’s battery faster. Connecting to GPS+GLONASS or GPS+Galileo (if the GPS is capable), the GPS will acquire a quicker fix, as in show your location faster.

What is the easiest handheld GPS to use?

All Garmin handheld GPS units are easy to use, but usually people find the touchscreen devices, such as the Garmin Montana series and the Garmin Oregon series the most intuitive. If 2-way radio communication is a consideration, then the touchscreen Garmin Rino series is the best choice.

If you don’t want touchscreen, the easiest GPS units to use is the GPSMAP 64 series or the super rugged GPSMAP 66 series. These were built upon the very popular and intuitive GPSMAP 60CSx device. If space saving is of essence, the smallest devices are the eTrex series, if you’re using it mostly on the water, the floating GPSMAP 78 and 86 series are the best choices.

What is the best handheld GPS?

Best handheld GPS is all relative as it depends on the person and how you intend to use it.

Looking for a touchscreen, do-it-all GPS for quadding, snowmobiling or hunting? Look no further than the Garmin Montana series. Still want touchscreen, but smaller form factor for hiking, mountain biking, climbing, hunting, geocaching or fishing? Then the Garmin Oregon series is your best choice. Want to add walkie-talkie features? Then the Garmin Rino series is where it’s at.

Not a fan of touchscreen or intending to use it in extreme conditions such as very low or very high temperatures, wet (rain, waterbodies, humid) terrain, with gloved or messy hands, then a button operated handheld GPS device is the best choice. The Garmin GPSMAP 65, 66 & 67 series were built to MIL-STD-810G military standards, making them the most rugged of all the handheld devices.

Do you want 2-way satellite communication to stay in touch with the world and have the ability to trigger an interactive SOS to the 24/7 search and rescue monitoring centre? You can get these capabilities built right into your handheld GPS device. Devices with these features include the GPSMAP 66i, GPSMAP 67i, GPSMAP 86i, GPSMAP 86sci, Montana 700i and Montana 750i.

What is the best handheld GPS to use on a boat?

Are you a fisherman, canoeist, kayaker, big sail or power boater? Then the waterproof and floating GPSMAP 78 or GPSMAP 86 series or the GPSMAP 79s are the best choices.