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If you are going nuts because of a problem with your GPS signal, make sure you remove the candyshell case because it masks the antenna. Inside with no case when I try to get the first fix, I can get 8 satellites in view with GPS test. It isn't enough that AT&T has to throttle your speed; they also have to kill your GPS.
Wow, I have a hard rubber /placstic two piece case from best buy and I have had the hardest time locking into GPS. In the car it can be very glitchy at times. Inside no signal at all. I started the gps test app and had case off and got perfect gps signal. Keeping phone in the exact same location I slowly slid on the case without touching the phone and it indeed killed my gps to no signal at all and did not recover. This was inside also. With the case on it must be perfectly placed in the window to get decent reception. That sucks. I hate taking my case on and off
I was wondering what the deal was. My buddy has a moto droid of some type from verizon. He was in the back seat of the car today and he has some case from verizon, I want to say its rubber or silicone and he was getting instant perfect gps fix while mine was struggling.
I have speck candyshell case and do not have this problem. takes at most 5 seconds to get signal.
This seems to be a problem after you flash a rom and are trying to get the first fix after reboot. Once you get the first fix, it works ok with the case on. So my advice is: for the first fix, take the case off. And if you have a case and you feel like you are getting substandard gps signal, try it with the case off and see.
simulatordos said:
This seems to be a problem after you flash a rom and are trying to get the first fix after reboot. Once you get the first fix, it works ok with the case on. So my advice is: for the first fix, take the case off. And if you have a case and you feel like you are getting substandard gps signal, try it with the case off and see.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me it lasts after the first fix. Even after it has built a cache of all the satellites it stil give issues with the case on trying to get a fix in the car sometimes.
Same here. This is starting to feel like the Captivate. GPS on this phone is definitely flakey with or without a case, though that Speck case seems to make the issue worse.
I've already exchanged the original. The second one worked flawlessly for about a week and now rarely locks on straight away and usually with 30m accuracy.
OTOH, the Atrix would lock on instantly, indoors and accurate to 3m.
Strange things, these devices...
Wow. Thanks for the case tips. Took mine off and so far so good.
Fix for Speck GPS Problem
My HTC Desire HD GPS quit working when I installed a CandyShell case. The GPS signals virtually disappeared (using GPS Test app) when the case was on (or even partially on) but worked just fine with the case off. I only paid $5 for the case, so I thought I would have a stab at fixing the problem. I peeled off the rubber liner behind where the GPS antenna is located on the phone. That resulted in only a very sleight degradation of the signals!
I have always looked at Zagg invisibleSheild style cases... Now i know they dont have one for the DHD but i did buy an off brand one that i do like. The less bulk you add to the phone the better imo.
I've never had a reliable GPS signal on the two years of ownership of this phone.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using xda premium
Good to know, I wonder if this will be the same problem with the Otterbox Defender case
dfmalone said:
Good to know, I wonder if this will be the same problem with the Otterbox Defender case
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Click to collapse
Absolutely not. I can not see any difference in signal strength between Defender on or off. I posted pics in a thread in accessories section. I still have pics but don't remember which is which.
Sent using the power of the dark side
Desire HD's GPS antenna is okay, the connection from the antenna to the motherboard is a piece of **** that is terrible.
Any case that covers up the plastic LED flash cover will degrade GPS signal.
This is pretty unrelated to cases, but I highly recommend this GPS fix. Worked like magic on my Inspire and now I get a lock in less than 30 seconds with or without my Otterbox.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1442032
Hi there,
some time ago I compared some cases for the Desire HD and focused on the GPS signal. I uploaded a video to youtube.
Just search for 'HTC Desire HD case GPS test ' on youtube.
Comments are welcome!
Nice video,
Keep in mind the Case-mate Barely There Mirrored Silver case blocks the signal. This video and other people have noticed GPS does indeed work with the black case, but the silver case is bad news.
I've contacted case-mate about the mirrored silver model, and I'm hoping they send me a matte black version to compare. If they do, I'll be sure to post my findings!
interesting... I have a CaseMate Tough (silicone plus hard matt plastic)
I was sat in the attic of my house, underneath a skylight winidow.
I did get more satellites visible and locked without the case. I got 8 on average (max 10), whilst without the case I got mostly 4 (max 6).
The silicone skin did not make any difference.
Still acceptable, in an area of good-poor visibility of the satellites.
But should this really be a surprise since the GPS signal is very weak anyway, and it has difficulty passing though material?
The strange thing for me is the fact, that some cases do not block the signal, but others do. There are reports that not all silicone cases block.
Sent from my HTC Desire HD using XDA Premium App
GerdJ said:
The strange thing for me is the fact, that some cases do not block the signal, but others do. There are reports that not all silicone cases block.
Sent from my HTC Desire HD using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I forgot I had a Barely There which I don't use (since as cases go, it doesn't offer much protection )
Took the CaseMate Tough off, the signal went from 6 to 9 satellites locked.
Put on the Barely There - the signal dropped to JUST ONE in view/use (average 2).
So, this Barely There case doesn't offer protection, and stops the GPS function!
Sorry, black or silver bt?
Sent from my HTC Desire HD using XDA Premium App
good point - silver for the barely there case
paul c said:
good point - silver for the barely there case
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for grabbing the old case and testing it. I hope we can get some more input from people with the other color variations to see if it's something to do with the paint/material/finish...
Good idea. I will get some other cases for testing maybe. If so I will post the results.
Sent from my HTC Desire HD using XDA Premium App
A quick update with another case...
This case purchased off ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260746755524
It does block GPS, not as much as the case-mate mirrored silver, but enough that I won't be using it whenever I try to use GPS function.
paul c said:
interesting... I have a CaseMate Tough (silicone plus hard matt plastic)
I was sat in the attic of my house, underneath a skylight winidow.
I did get more satellites visible and locked without the case. I got 8 on average (max 10), whilst without the case I got mostly 4 (max 6).
The silicone skin did not make any difference.
Still acceptable, in an area of good-poor visibility of the satellites.
But should this really be a surprise since the GPS signal is very weak anyway, and it has difficulty passing though material?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's interesting. I also have the Case-Mate Tough and it seems to block a great amount of signal. While having it on and sitting inside a tram I can't get a fix at all. After taking it off and waiting a minute I do a decent signal. Same happens while using it inside a car. Sometimes I do get a signal with the case on, but very slowly and the signal is much weaker than with the case off. What ROM are you using?
very nice video
White Barely There Case
Hello,
Does anybody know if the white Barely there case causes the same reception problems as the silver one? I was just going to buy it when I've stumbled on this topic.
very nice vid i like it
internet4o said:
Hello,
Does anybody know if the white Barely there case causes the same reception problems as the silver one? I was just going to buy it when I've stumbled on this topic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, case-mate doesn't even officially offer the mirrored silver anymore, so that might suggest the white one is ok.
**** i have the silver one XD
totaly agree, had a white rubbery silicone case and GPS was virtually disabled.
SensationStyler said:
**** i have the silver one XD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Keep in mind, you can visit case-mate's website and contact them. They allowed me to RMA my mirrored silver case, and promptly shipped me a matte black case as replacement.
Case-Mate Pop case
Hello,
my black Pop case reduces the GPS signal of my Desire HD: the Error in the "Gps Status" app come from 3m (DHD naked) to 41m (DHD with Pop case) ..
I've also found this video, that exactly prove my test:
search for "Case-Mate Pop significantly degrades HTC Desire HD GPS performance"
Incredible!!!
My current case (purchased from the T-Mobile store no less) blocks the GPS satellite signals from reaching my phone. That's not that bad when I'm driving because I can just take it out of the case, but if I need an app like Where's My Droid to work then I need a case that doesn't block signals. Any suggestions? Do all/most cases do this?
bump..........
ishould said:
bump..........
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope it's just you lol...
I have many cases and none have blocked my gps signal. Do you get a signal upon taking out the phone from the case? Thats really weird. If you can replicate it each time, I would go to the tmo store and demand a refund and a better case if there is one.
I have used cases from mobi hard clip cases, barely there cases, as well as the Seidio Active cases with kickstand and others. All varied from sizes and thickness and not a single time my gps not worked. Kinda weird.
Currently using an aprolink hybrid tpu/plastic case. No issues there either.
I'm after a case that will not interfere with GPS activity. I'm currently using 'case-mate pop' and after some tests it severely hinders GPS signal. I've read that 'barely there' case in silver has a lot of problems but what about in different colours?
I was also interested in the 'case-mate tough' but it looks like that has the same issues as the pop case blocking the signal.
I had a pop and now a tough. Have you got a rooted DHD? try the app called Fasterfix and set it to your location pool. You shouldn't have any problems then.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
ToneyEricsson said:
I had a pop and now a tough. Have you got a rooted DHD? try the app called Fasterfix and set it to your location pool. You shouldn't have any problems then.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you notice any difference with GPS from pop to tough?
The Specimen said:
Did you notice any difference with GPS from pop to tough?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would like to know that too
follow this guide and you will get improved gps even with a case. i did this and get a fix in 2 seconds in the car using co pilot.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1266525
I have a CaseMate Pop (silver) & Tough:
Pop - beautiful, but indeed blocks the GPS signal badly. DON'T buy one, other colours appear OK, tbh.
Tough - excellent case, been on the phone a year now, looks like day 1. Would recommend this.
HOWEVER, there is also a bit of a loss of signal. I did a test in the top floor of my house, and the Pop blocked almost all of the signal, and the Tough blocked just a little bit, compared to the naked phone.
I don't consider it to be a significant loss with the Tough case, I have the case on all the time, stick it in my bag & go mountainbiking for hours, and the track is always well recorded. Equally in the car, the satnav works perfectly.
breakbystealth said:
follow this guide and you will get improved gps even with a case. i did this and get a fix in 2 seconds in the car using co pilot.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1266525
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
works, thanks m8
I have an Otter Box Commuter case for my Desire HD, and it doesn't appear to block any kind of GPS signal that I can speak of. I am rooted and am running the latest Android Revolution HD as my current software on the phone, so I can't speak about stock GPS connectivity.
I too have an Otterbox Commuter case and it doesn't block the GPS signal at all.
Matt
Don't use a case when using GPS, the phones in the cradle on the HTC car kit, can't imagine using GPS elsewhere tbh
Otterbox commuter user here
The Specimen said:
Did you notice any difference with GPS from pop to tough?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In honesty I haven't noticed any difference with GPS with any of them cases GPS works the same.
Sent from my Desire HD using xda premium
I have beautiful silver Case-Mate Pop and I can say that it kills GPS on my DHD.
Bought this case, didn't notice any GPS troubles.
I bought this the other day, arrived today and thankfully no GPS problem.
I have just bought a case-mate barely there (black). No problem with GPS.
Sent from my HTC Desire HD A9191 using XDA App
A thin layer of plastic/rubber does not degrade signal enough to have any noticeable impact (not even half full db).
Shiny cases that sparkle have a very slight impact due to metal flake in the silicone/plastic/paint that makes it its sparkly/metalic color.
- The Fight Against Mis-information
The GPS from DHD is generally not so good. I'm geocacher and had many trouble with it. I recommend you an external bluetooth gps receiver, that's a very good, precise and powerfull solution, which also at very bad conditions works.
komigo said:
I have just bought a case-mate barely there (black). No problem with GPS.
Sent from my HTC Desire HD A9191 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can confirm that GPS works fine with this case.
I've use google maps navigation for the last two days.
Normally gps and even the normal location thing (i guess that's agps?) are turned off.
When i turn on both and then start a navigation in google maps i get a gps lock within 5 seconds.
I did install some "gps fix" from this subforum (don't remember which one) but i haven't modified the hardware for the 5 second lock!
/edit:
okay so i forgot to mention: i'm using the otterbox commuter.....no problem with gps at all!
well, I use silicon case on my Inspire 4G and I suspected it is the reason for poor GPS performances. but then, i followed all possible threads from this forum related to Inspire 4G GPS issues and got my GPS to work. so I recommend silicon case, best choice there is for phone case
I'm an expat living in a third world country (Pakistan) and getting refunds here isn't all that easy.
Phone is supposed to be brand new. I have about a week to check to make sure everything works, since that's when the refund window closes. How can I be sure that the box has the original seal, isn't repackaged, etc.? The phone should be one of the later revisions (with the improved speakers/buttons/sim tray).
Much appreciated.
Sent from my GT-N7105 using XDA Free mobile app
There was never a hardware revision as far as I remember. There's a thread here somewhere if you search for it. There's no real way to tell if it's been repackaged either. Enjoy the N5.
I recommend you the 32 GB (I have the 16).
RoyJ said:
There was never a hardware revision as far as I remember. There's a thread here somewhere if you search for it. There's no real way to tell if it's been repackaged either. Enjoy the N5.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wikipedia:
"As of December 2013, a revised version of the Nexus 5 became available, featuring speaker and microphone holes to allow louder audio, and better fitted buttons and SIM card tray."
Wouldn't that be considered a hardware revision?
Sent from my GT-N7105 using XDA Free mobile app
http://forum.xda-developers.com/goo...lease-stop-talking-hardware-versions-t2597276
iArtisan said:
Wikipedia:
"As of December 2013, a revised version of the Nexus 5 became available, featuring speaker and microphone holes to allow louder audio, and better fitted buttons and SIM card tray."
Wouldn't that be considered a hardware revision?
Sent from my GT-N7105 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Instead of it being an official hardware revision, that could fall under the not all devices are created equal scenario.
Manufacturers silently change little things all the time I'm sure. Often explains why some have a certain bug and some don't.
RoyJ said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/goo...lease-stop-talking-hardware-versions-t2597276
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting. Thanks for the heads up!
Sent from my GT-N7105 using XDA Free mobile app
The casing is alot softer than any other plastic phones I've EVER had. Check out my sig if had my fair share. Id almost compare it to the softness of the iPhone 5 but thats softer. You definitely will not be able to dent it or put a line through it by running your finger nail so it will hold up but just not as good as my Q10's stainless steel band. The whole plastic vs Metal and whatnot
You may need a case to protect it. And on mine the ring around the camera lens wore out within a month because of it being on tables.
I highly recommend a case. I'm using a N5 with shattered glass here, due to dropping it from 1m onto the asphalt in Sydney. I recommend the Spigen hybrid case - they provide great drop protection (protected my N5 many times, wasn't in the case when the glass cracked), I've literally thrown my phone down from 2m onto the floor with the case and it survived. Also I heard great stories about tempered glass protectors as well.
tangosierra_ said:
I highly recommend a case. I'm using a N5 with shattered glass here, due to dropping it from 1m onto the asphalt in Sydney. I recommend the Spigen hybrid case - they provide great drop protection (protected my N5 many times, wasn't in the case when the glass cracked), I've literally thrown my phone down from 2m onto the floor with the case and it survived. Also I heard great stories about tempered glass protectors as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I definitely second this. Using a case is a must if you're even slightly clumsy. Had mine for less then a month and already have a big ass dent in the plastic from when I tripped. And that was with a case on, so YMMV.
Tachycardia, uncontrollable giggling, general feeling of euphoria...
:laugh: