Blog · September 28, 2026
How Many Meters Off a Consumer GPS Can Sit
Several meters is normal. A lot line can be closer than that.
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Why this comes up
Several meters is normal. A lot line can be closer than that. If the question is the line, the GPS is the wrong instrument.
What to check on the map first
County GIS lines are assessment maps. They are not a survey, and a product will not redraw them.
Open Platbookmapper and choose the state. The directory sends you to the county viewer. Match the parcel ID before you trust a pin on an aerial photo.
A tool that matches the job
Shop the Garmin GPS when that is the job in front of you. If the question is the line, the GPS is the wrong instrument.
The limit
A handheld GPS gets you back to the truck. It is often several meters off, so it cannot tell you where the legal line is.
Walk the parcel in daylight before you trust a gadget at dusk.
Not a survey. County GIS and tax parcel maps are assessment and planning layers. They are not a substitute for a recorded plat, deed, or licensed survey.