Blog · September 28, 2026
Why a Handheld GPS Is Not a Survey
Consumer GPS is meters off on a good day.
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Why this comes up
Consumer GPS is meters off on a good day. Use it to return to a place. Do not use it to tell a neighbor where the line is.
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 handheld GPS when that is the job in front of you. Use it to return to a place. Do not use it to tell a neighbor where the line is.
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.
If the line is the real question, call a surveyor. The gear will not answer it.
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.