Best Gifts for Tech-Savvy Friends and Family

Finding the perfect gift for your tech-loving friends and family can feel like a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be! Whether they’re adventure enthusiasts, fitness fanatics, or gadget geeks, GPS Central offers cutting-edge options to wow every tech-savvy individual on your list. This gift guide features innovative gadgets, from top-tier smartwatches to reliable navigation…

2024 Gift Guide for the Amateur Radio Enthusiast

Whether you’re shopping for a seasoned operator or someone just getting started with amateur radio, finding the perfect gift can be a rewarding challenge. Radio enthusiasts are always on the lookout for gadgets and tools to enhance their experience, making your thoughtful gift a true delight. At GPS Central, we’ve rounded up some of the…

5 Tech Gadgets That Will Make Holiday Travel Stress-Free

The holidays are a season for family, adventure, and sometimes, long trips that require a bit of planning and patience. However, with the right tech tools you can turn a stressful journey into a smooth, enjoyable experience. Say goodbye to holiday travel headaches with these five essential tech gadgets to help make your holiday travels…

Best Holiday Gifts for Outdoor Adventurers

Looking for the perfect gift for adventure seekers? Whether it’s for a seasoned prospector, outdoor enthusiast, or a family member who loves exploring, this GPS Gift Guide has something for everyone. GPS Central’s latest picks make it easy to gear up for journeys on land or water, with options for every budget—from premium mapping devices…

Garmin Dash Cam Comparison

Compare our current line of dash cams to find the best suited for your needs. Do you need something that records in front and in the cab? Perhaps you want to live-stream your trip? Want a camera that has a small footprint on your windshield? See our comparison table below to find the best camera…

2023 Hunting Guide: Top Product Picks

When it comes to selecting the perfect hunting gear from the variety available in the market, the task can be quite overwhelming. To help point you in the best direction we’ve hand-picked a collection of our favourite hunting products, so you can spend less time doing research and more time out on the prowl this…

Amateur Radio Gift Guide

Gift Guide for the Amateur Radio Enthusiast

Gift shopping for the amateur radio enthusiast in your life doesn’t have to be stressful. We’re here to help. We’ve compiled a thoughtful list that includes a variety of radios, antennas, and accessories that will delight any radio enthusiast. Here’s our 2023 Amateur Radio Gift Guide to get you started! A New Amateur Radio For…

Two-Way Radios 101

People often have questions about two-way radios, especially when they are in the exploration phase. We have compiled the most common questions people have.  What is a two-way radio? A two-way radio is a wireless communication device that allows users to transmit and receive audio messages over short to medium distances. It enables real-time, two-way…

Water Resistance Ratings

Water Resistance Rating Guide

Water resistance is an essential feature for any electronic device and it’s important that you know the difference between waterproof, water resistant, and other water ratings so you can purchase the right product for your needs. Understanding the water ratings is crucial to ensure that the device does not get damaged when exposed to water….

Compare Garmin zumo Series – Motorcycle GPS Units

You love the open road but your choice of ride is a motorcycle? Then the Garmin zumo series is for you. These motorcycle navigators are tough enough for the road and full of features that make it easy for you to get on your bike, pick a winding route and just ride. Product zumo 396…

GPS Central is Voted Best Electronics Store in Calgary!

We are excited to announce that GPS Central has been voted by CommunityVotes as the “Best Electronics Store in Calgary” for the second consecutive year!  We’re grateful to our loyal customers who choose to support our local business and to our dedicated staff who always go above and beyond to provide excellent customer service. More…

Underwater Drones in Canada’s Lakes & Rivers

Forget aerial drones, underwater drones are some of the coolest new tech we’ve been playing with! We get loads of questions on underwater drones so we’re going to break it down for you here if you’re curious, too. What are underwater drones? Just like their aerial drone counterparts, underwater drones are remote-controlled devices that can…

Kids Metal Detecting Scavenger Hunt: 5 Ideas to Get You Started

With the summer holidays right round the corner, many parents are wondering how to keep their kids entertained and away from their screens. If you’re headed out camping, finding fun activities to keep them busy can be an additional challenge.  Metal detecting is a simple and rewarding way to ignite your child or teen’s curiosity…

RAM Laptop Vehicle Mounts

RAM Vehicle and Marine Mounts/Solutions

1.5″ Ball and Swing Arm Systems for Laptops and Heavier Electronics RAM components of the same ball size family are 100% interchangeable. So if you decide to alter configurations or applications, simply switch out the components. One inch ball components are normally used for mounting GPS receivers, PDA’s and similar lightweight equipment. To mount heavier…

ACR, Spot 4, Spot X, Garmin inReach Mini 2, Messenger, Messenger Plus, Montana 700i/750i, Iridium GO!, Iridium GO! exec, ZOLEO & Motorola defy Comparison

When you’re off the beaten path, there are more and more options available to get help in an emergency, or keep in touch with loved ones. Which system will be the best for you, though? Have a look at our handy comparison chart to help you with your decision! Product ACR – 406 Link SPOT…

COMPARE GPS: GARMIN MARQ (Gen 2) vs FENIX 7x PRO vs FENIX 8 vs FENIX E vs ENDURO 3 vs MARQ GEN 2 vs QUATIX 7x SOLAR

What’s the difference between the Garmin MARQ (Gen 2), Fenix 8, Fenix PRO, D2 Mach 1 and Quatix Series? Let’s dive into the difference in detail below. Product MARQ Aviator (Gen 2) D2 Mach 1 MARQ Captain (Gen 2) quatix 7x Solar MARQ Adventurer (Gen 2) MARQ Athlete (Gen 2) MARQ Golfer (Gen 2) MARQ…

How fishfinders work

How Fishfinders Work

Modern recreational sonar equipment (also called a fishfinder, bottom machine, echo sounder, depthsounder, or just sounder) uses sound waves to look through the water. The sonar device then displays a picture of what’s below the hull of a boat. Sound pulse. First it sends a pulse of sound down, via the transducer. The sound bounces off objects in the…

Garmin Edge Series GPS Comparison

Garmin Bicycle GPS Comparison Here’s how the popular Garmin bicycle GPS series, Garmin Edge, models are different and what they have to offer so you can find the right one for you. Product Edge 130 Plus Edge 540 Edge 540 Solar Edge 840 Edge 840 Solar Edge1040 Edge 1040 Solar Edge 1050 EdgeExplore 2 Physical…

COMPARE GARMIN MARQ (Gen 2), FENIX, EPIX (Gen 2), ENDURO 3, INSTINCT, TACTIX and FORETREX WATCHES

Here’s a comparison of the current Garmin watch models Garmin watches are fitness watches, GPS watches, and performance watches that are specialized and customized for a variety of activities. See the overview of each series here and view the overall series comparison below. Garmin MARQ (Gen 2) Watches – Elite Luxury & Performance Garmin’s MARQ…

COMPARE ACTIVITY TRACKERS: GARMIN LILY, VIVO & VENU SERIES

Garmin has a wide selection of activity trackers and fashion smartwatches for any lifestyle. Whether you’re sporty or posh, there’s a watch for you and all the activities you’d like to track. Product Lily 2 Active Lily 2 & Lily 2 Classic vivosmart 5 vivomove Sport vivomove Trend vivoactive 5 Venu 3 Venu 3s General…

Garmin Handheld GPS Comparison Chart

GARMIN HANDHELD AND OUTDOOR GPS Garmin outdoor GPS units are handheld units that you can take with you while you’re hiking, biking and exploring. From basic handheld GPS units to full-feature GPS with two-way radio, we have the right GPS to get you outdoors. This page includes a full features comparison of our most popular…

Garmin Approach Series GPS Comparison

Improving Your Golf Game with Garmin Not sure which Garmin Approach is the right one for you? This comparison chart can help you identify which features each Approach model has. Garmin Approach Series Comparison ApproachS12 ApproachS42 ApproachS62 Approach S70 – 42mm Approach S70 – 47mm ApproachG12 ApproachG30 ApproachG80 Approach Z30 ApproachZ82 Lens Material ❌ chemically…

Compare GARMIN GPSMAP 64, 65, 66 & 67 Series GPS

Garmin GPSMAP handheld navigators are excellent outdoor GPS for hiking, cycling, geocaching or climbing.You are free to explore more with Garmin handheld navigation in the palm of your hand. Here’s how the Garmin GPSMAP 60 series models are different and how to find the GPSMAP 64, 65, 66 or 67 that’s best for your next…

Compare Garmin Solar Smart Watches

Here’s a comparison of the current Garmin solar watch models: Forerunner, fenix, Instinct, tactix, Enduro, & quatix. Stay charged up on the go with the power of the sun. Product Forerunner 955 Solar fenix 7S PRO fenix 7 PRO fenix 7X PRO fenix 8 – 47mm, Solar fenix 8 – 51mm, Solar Instinct 2/2S Solar…

COMPARE GARMIN TACTICAL SMART WATCHES

Here’s a comparison of the current Garmin tactical watch models: Instinct, tactix & Foretrex Product Instinct 2 Solar – Tactical Edition Instinct 2X Solar Tactical Edition Instinct Crossover Solar Tactical Edition tactix 7 – Standard Edition tactix 7 – Pro Editions tactix 7 AMOLED Foretrex 601 & 701 Foretrex 801 Foretrex 901 Lens Material Power…

COMPARE GPS: GARMIN FORERUNNER

Garmin Forerunners are a popular fitness watch for runners. With many different styles and colours to choose from, it’s easy to see why runners chose Garmin to track their performance. Product Forerunner 55 Forerunner 165/165 Music Forerunner 245 Music Forerunner 255/255s Forerunner 255/255s Music Forerunner 265s Forerunner 265 Forerunner 945 Forerunner 955 Forerunner 955 Solar…

GARMIN GPSMAP 78, 79 & 86 Series GPS Comparison

Garmin GPSMAP 78, 79 & 86 series handheld GPS units are reliable and portable GPS devices that are suitable for hiking, hunting, ATV-ing or any outdoor adventure. Some of the key differences between the units in the GPSMAP 78 & 86 series include: Some of the key differences between the units in the GPSMAP 78…

Garmin Montana Series GPS Comparison

Here’s How the Montana Models are Different The Montana series are large, dual-orientation touchscreen GPS navigators good for hunting, hiking, boating, ATV and other outdoor adventures. The new Garmin Montana 700 series was released in August 2020 and features rugged military-grade construction, TopoActive maps, direct-to-device downloads of BirdsEye Satellite Imagery* and dog tracking. The Montana…

Garmin Drive, dezl & RV Series GPS Comparison Chart

Which automotive GPS is the best for you? Ultimate Road Navigator. And a personal Travel Assistant. All Garmin Drives, dezls & RVs are touchscreen and accept a microSD memory card which is not included – have voice prompts, fast off-route/ detour recalculation, choice of route setup (faster time, shorter distance, off road), route avoidance (avoid highways,…

GARMIN Rino Series GPS Comparison

Garmin Rino 700 Basic GPS & Two-Way Radio The Garmin Rino 700 is a basic outdoors GPS & two-way radio combo with a long battery life. The Rino 700 comes with a basemap but has no built-in memory and cannot accept additional maps. Garmin Rino 750, 750t & 755t Additional Features Garmin Rino 750, 750t…

Minelab Metal Detectors Comparison

Find your treasure! Minelab is an excellent brand of metal detectors. Not sure which product is right for you? Check out the differences between these popular Minelab metal detectors below. X-Terra 705 X- Terra 705 Gold Pack CTX 3030 Technology VFLEX VFLEX FBS 2, Smartfind 2, GPSi, Wi-Stream Frequency/Transmission 3, 7.5 & 18.75kHz – change…

The Great Canadian Treasure Hunt

GPS Central is testing your treasure hunting and metal detecting abilities with a Treasure Hunt taking place throughout Western Canada. Get outdoors with friends and family to follow clues and find some TREASURE! The Great Canadian Treasure Hunt starts on July 15th and will be going on until December 31st, so start searching to find…

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,…

What is GPS: Getting Started

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system made up of a network of 24 satellites placed into orbit bythe U.S. Department of Defense. GPS was originally intended for military applications, but in the 1980s, the government made the system available for civilian use. GPS works in any weather conditions,anywhere in the world,…

Garmin Pre-Programmed Marine Charts

What kind of BlueChart card does your Garmin unit take? Garmin offers detailed marine maps and charts on Garmin Navionics+, Garmin Navionics Vision+, BlueChart g3 mircoSD cards, and BlueChart g3 Vision microSD cards, formats that make it easy and convenient to load detailed charts to your compatible Garmin. These data cards do not include any…

KAYAKING AND CANOEING GPS

GPS Central is a leader in handheld GPS for recreational use. Our knowledge and applications experience can enhance your enjoyment and use of a GPS receiver. Our receivers can do a lot! Kayaking and canoeing require special considerations, depending on you, like perhaps topographical mapping capabilities, floatability, 2-way radio capacity and car navigation overlay. It’s…

GARMIN’s Atlantic Autoroute Basemap

This basemap comes factory installed with Atlantic version of the StreetPilot III, StreetPilot 2610, StreetPilot 2620, GPS V, GPSMAP 196, GPSMAP 276C, GPSMAP 76C, GPSMAP 76CS, Quest, GPSMAP 296 and other aviation models. NB: Only the GPSMAP196 Atlantic and GPSMAP 296 Atlantic are available from GPS Central Please note: GARMIN mapping units come with built-in,…

GARMINs Marine Point Database

The Marine Point Database (Americas) basemap comes factory installed into user memory of the GPS 72, GPS 76, GPS152, eTrex Legend and eTrex Vista. [The Legend and Vista also contain a built in Americas Highway basemap.] The standard map coverage includes: Worldwide cities with population 200K and above Nautical navaids for North and South America…

GARMIN’s Americas Autoroute Basemap

This basemap comes factory installed with the StreetPilot III, StreetPilot 2610, StreetPilot 2620, StreetPilot 2720, StreetPilot 7200, GPS V, GPSMAP 196 Americas,  GPSMAP 276C, GPSMAP 376C, GPSMAP 296 Americas, GPSMAP 396, GPSMAP 76C, GPSMAP 76CS, Quest and Quest 2 and other aviation models. Please note: GARMIN mapping units come with built-in, permanent basemaps that cannot…

Iridium: Company Profile

Truly Global Communications Iridium Communications Inc. is the only satellite communications company that offers truly global voice and data communications coverage. A technology innovator and market leader, Iridium is advancing the way global enterprises conduct daily mission-critical activities through reliable, near real-time, communications services. Iridium’s 66 low-Earth orbiting (LEO) cross-linked satellites – the world’s largest…

Learn More About: Side Imaging (SI) Sonar & Dual Beam PLUS

Side Imaging (SI) Sonar Side Imaging® Sonar, with its amazingly clear, picture-like images of fish, the bottom and structure, is available exclusively in select 1100, 900 and 700 Series fishfinders. It’s the ultimate structure-finding tool, and with its massive coverage (480 feet from side to side!) you can scan in mere minutes what used to take hours. Features…

BIRDING GPS and GEOTAGGING PHOTOS

Mark migratory routes as waypoints on your GPS for personal interest, spring bird counts or sharing within the birding community. If you watch or study birds, any handheld GPS receiver in our product catalogue will mark sightings using waypoint features. (It’s easy.) GPS is often used in environmental assessment processes to record & map fragile…