choosing a gps

I have to buy a gps unit to survey the family's properties. I have been looking at garmin's units like etrex 10 or gpsmap 64, but i wonder if a simple smartphone with a gps can do the trick. I'm having doubts on the precision.

can anyone advise me? thanks!

Joao C: There are or recently till are lots of Orienteering Groups many of which are all over Europe ! and the real serious ones all use gps units !
Check on any within your area !

The more satellites that your unit can "See" the more accurate your positioning will be !

I Do not know if there are any gps units out there that can receive locating signals from both the American Satellites AND the European Satellites
- Both will provide you with lots of 'Hits '

The final word on this is the more you educate yourself on the best uses AND times to use them, the more powerful and accurate your work will become !

For the good of the crafts ! Big AL

Thanks for the input Big AL.

I whent to the store today and got myself a nice garmin etrex 10. Best bang for the buck since the more expensive models just add features i really have no need for. The unit supports GPS and GLONASS so it covers the north american network and the Russian one.

Did a couple of tests and it turns out that it's as acurate as a mobile phone. Still not what i wanted by i guess that for the price tag of 100€ i can't ask for more. Even the other more expensive models, circa 300€ would get me the same accuracy. I just realised that i was only receiving GPS and not both (GPS+GLONASS). Will have to repeat those tests!

Joåo :On this side of the Atlantic we have meet up groups for everything also announcements through Craigs list to make finding people with
common interests easy !

I cant vouch for the existence of these things on your side of the Atlantic, but do try to find people interested in Long distance Orienteering or
Geo-Cashe -ing, with any luck at all you will find someone who is an expert with your Garmin etrex 10

As always the more satellites your Unit sees the more accurately it reports your exact location . For the Good of the Crafts ! Big AL