Garmin Handheld GPS
Garmin Handheld GPS
Garmin pairs decades of GPS heritage with some of the most capable sonar and chartplotting on the water. This is the Garmin handheld gps range: rugged handheld GPS for the cockpit and ashore.
Browse the full Garmin range or Handheld GPS from every brand.
A handheld GPS as backup navigation
A handheld GPS earns its place on board as backup rather than primary navigation: if the main chartplotter loses power or fails, a charged handheld with a basic route or waypoints loaded can get you back to harbour. Waterproof rating matters more here than on a fixed display, since a handheld is likely to end up wet, dropped, or in a liferaft grab bag; check the IPX rating and whether the unit floats before assuming any handheld will survive going over the side.
Battery type is worth considering for extended trips: some handhelds run on replaceable AA batteries, useful if mains charging is not available, while others use an internal rechargeable cell that needs a USB or 12V charge point. Preloaded basemaps are usually enough for basic positioning, but detailed coastal and harbour charts generally need a separate chart card, so a handheld bought purely for its basemap may not show the detail expected close inshore.
