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Thoughts on GPS

I was in California over Christmas and I flashed Assonance 5.0. My GPS started working perfectly. I assumed that the ROM itself was the cause of the improvement, but, when I got back home (Chicago), the GPS reverted back to the way it was before (slow to lock on and always loses lock). This would lead me to believe that the differing results from the GPS are not due to hardware, but location.

Good things in California...like GPS and IN-N-OUT

I just got back from California on Friday, and that trip made me decide to sell my Captivate, gps didnt work at all.

verysafety said:
Good things in California...like GPS and IN-N-OUT
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You bastards with your In-N-Out
If you guys haven't tried Da_G's fix yet I'd look into it. I'm using the Darky port rom and it incorporates the fix and my GPS is really good. I get quick, accurate locks and it follows me properly while driving. Admittedly I've only been running this version of the rom (7.0.1) for a few days now because I keep flashing new versions when they're released but so far there has been no noticeable degradation of GPS.

nybmx said:
You bastards with your In-N-Out
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Nothing like a double-double with fries...

Double double with animal style fries!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

I live in cali and gps works perfect. When I went to arizona it sucked. Location does seem to be a factor.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

Let me just lock this one down right here...
Location may be a factor in such that if you are located inside a concrete bunker the GPS will not work well, and if you are located outside in the middle of a field on a clear day the GPS will work better.
Please, read this before commenting further... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Positioning_System#Space_segment
You will find that the GPS satellites move through the day, and no one satellite is covering the same area all the time. A fundamental property of the GPS system is that coverage is spread across the entire globe. And while any given satellite will follow the same path around the planet (once every 12 hours), the system is intrinsically designed such that it doesn't matter which specific satellites you can hear from the ground.
If you are getting better reception in X state, and worse reception in Y state, then Z confounding factor is causing that difference, not your location.

my gps has been very good (both locks and tracking)
with both Chrnous and Doc's latest roms.

nbs11 said:
Nothing like a double-double with fries...
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Click to collapse
nahrah said:
Double double with animal style fries!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
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Click to collapse
Pffft, 4X4 hold the fries!
Oh, and my GPS has always worked out of the box......

My GPS never worked until I flashed ASSONANCE. Now it works here in Toledo, Ohio, Clearwater, Florida, Pittburgh, PA, Detroit, MI, Los Angeles, CA....no problems whatsover. I use it all the time. Myabe I am just one of the very few "Lucky Ones".

I drove from Seattle, WA to Los Angeles, CA and back for xmas during one and a half week period. Here's what I think about the GPS. Since every time I tried to use it here in Seattle, it doesn't work very well at all and I end up giving up and turn the GPS off. But on this trip, I let it get a lock even though it took more than 4 mins to do so. Then I have it plugged into my car's power, so the backlight stays on. Using Google Maps, I let it keep trying to lock and track during my entire trip. To my surprise, it works better and better. It seems to be needing to gather enough info at each location to get better responses. Now, I can get a lock just about anywhere in the west coast in about 7 to 10 secs. Tracking is still a little off. But it's close enough that I can start using location based apps again, like gas buddy, foursquare, facebook, etc. I wouldn't use it for navigation as I said, the tracking is still a little off. So, my theory is that use the GPS whenever you can. Leave it on if you can. The more you use it, the better it works. Just my 2 cents worth.

Poll: Does your GPS work on Galaxy S 4G/Vibrant 4G

Hello everyone who owns Galaxy S 4G / Vibrant 4G. As a Vibrant owner, I would like to know (and I am sure many others as well) whether GPS works perfectly on Galaxy S 4G ? If it does, then please post screenshots from GPS test app if possible.
Also, please answer the poll and leave any comments regarding drifting/accuracy etc.
Because if it works perfectly, then it's safe to assume the issue with Vibrant's GPS is a hardware issue ( specially now that we have 2.2.1 ported for vibrant)

Moved of : Samsung Vibrant > Vibrant General
To: Samsung Galaxy S 4G > Galaxy S 4G General
thanks

Looks like I was the first one to vote. Tried several readings yesterday and one this morning. All very accurate and this mornings was more accurate than my Garmin for some reason.

the GPS on the SGS4G works as it should... I get 5 second cold start locks and <5m accuracy with no drifting. i drove around with it on and it had no issues on parallel streets that are very close to each other or anything like that.
it works better than my tomtom. so I am a happy camper with the GPS.

I used Root Explorer to pull out Telenav and while my Google Maps is still locking my location inside and outside, News and Weather no longer finds my location. I am really hoping Samsung wasn't trying to use Telenav to backbone it's GPS service.
If anyone else is having this problem let me know.

stellarvelocity said:
I used Root Explorer to pull out Telenav and while my Google Maps is still locking my location inside and outside, News and Weather no longer finds my location. I am really hoping Samsung wasn't trying to use Telenav to backbone it's GPS service.
If anyone else is having this problem let me know.
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odd... I didnt remove Telenav so I couldn't tell you.

It took me a while to get a lock straight out of the box, but I assume that it might have just been a fluke since I'm trying it inside. it functioned after I ran telenav x.x
Sent from my SGH-T959V using Tapatalk

Gps working fine on most if not all apps.even geotagging, etc
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA App

The GPS does not work on either my Vibrant or my 4G at all. By the way yes, I have used a GPS unit before, I have owned several Garmin Nuvi (350, 1490) and currently have a 3790t.

Works fine on mine...
Sent from my DAMN Galaxy 4G¡!

My GPS is working a lot better than I expected coming from the Vibrant. It hasn't failed me yet.
Sent from my Galaxy S 4G using XDA App

psiah1418 said:
My GPS is working a lot better than I expected coming from the Vibrant. It hasn't failed me yet.
Sent from my Galaxy S 4G using XDA App
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Mine too!!
Sent from my SGH-T959V using Tapatalk

For those of you having GPS problems... I just came across this article on Google.
Have you tried this GPS fix? --> blog.photoframd.com/2011/02/09/gps-problems-on-your-samsung-galaxy-s-android-phone-try-this/
Please post your results if you try it.

Guys this is a thread of interest to me as a 3g vibrant owner, who's GPS works but is subpar.
For those reporting results can you confirm:
- you only have GPS on (settings>location&security> use wireless and sensor aiding are both off)
- you are not using maps to test with but an app like GPS test link or accessing the phone's lbsTestMode.

I have both SGS4g and the vibrant-(returning vibrant) side by side when I tested the gps lock. By far the SGS4g is quicker and have yet to experience any issue. Shocking isn't it.

I've been having issues with GPS - hard to get a lock, and low accuracy. But...
Toshinobu said:
For those of you having GPS problems... I just came across this article on Google.
Have you tried this GPS fix? --> blog.photoframd.com/2011/02/09/gps-problems-on-your-samsung-galaxy-s-android-phone-try-this/
Please post your results if you try it.
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Click to collapse
This helped with the accuracy, but it still wasn't up to par with my G1 or iPhone.
SykesAT said:
- you only have GPS on (settings>location&security> use wireless and sensor aiding are both off)
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Wireless didn't make much of a diff on OR off. But I turned off sensor aiding and the accuracy is now almost perfect.

My two cents on this issue is that on my 2nd SGS4G the GPS works 85-90% of the time and on the 1st one I had at lunch day that one the GPS only worked 70% of the 3 days I had it.

Could one of you sgs4g users try and put your gps into ms assisted mode and tell me what your supl settings are?
The original vibrant would lock up, freeze apps and drain the battery 2% a minute when changing from standalone gps to either ms based or assisted. All this can be changed in the lbstestmode--application settings.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

I have actually ran sgs tools and followed the sticky post in the Captivate forums regarding gps fixes. Default settings were exactly like the vibrant, and I have set them to ms based, google supl no security, accuracy 50. Locked quick outside, ~20 seconds or so vs half way home (3 minutes). I'm going to try accuracy 150 with dynamic accuracy on my 2 hr trip up to north jersey this saturday, so I'll post my findings.
I do not use agps nor the sensor aiding. I can else conclude that even with default settings, once a fix is established and a position is determined on google maps, the gps has no trouble following. The only thing that bothers me is first fix, which I hope my current settings will address.
Sent from my SGH-T959V using Tapatalk

Thanks for your input guys, much appreciated. It seems for most of you GPS is a thumbs up!
Sadly Vibrant owners will never have a 100% working gps. Good luck with Galax S 4G custom ROMs now that you have unofficial clockwork recovery

GPS on Thunderbolt

Hows the GPS on the thunderbolt? I have read all about the battery issues, but haven't seen much on the thunderbolt. I have the option to upgrade right now, because of all the complaining I have done to Verizon about my fascinate, and wonder if I should switch? Any thoughts on GPS vs the fascinates?
thanks for the feedback!

420fan said:
Hows the GPS on the thunderbolt? I have read all about the battery issues, but haven't seen much on the thunderbolt. I have the option to upgrade right now, because of all the complaining I have done to Verizon about my fascinate, and wonder if I should switch? Any thoughts on GPS vs the fascinates?
thanks for the feedback!
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GPS works great on mine. Gets a lock quickly and is as accurate as anything else.

crazed_z06 said:
GPS works great on mine. Gets a lock quickly and is as accurate as anything else.
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did you have to do anything special, or was it good out of the box?

Good right out of the box. I get a quick lock in Zillow, Waze and Maps.

420fan said:
did you have to do anything special, or was it good out of the box?
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Good out of the box.

Accurate down to 2m out of the box. Rooted with Das BAMF and still the same.

Perfect out of the box. The first time I used mine it took a minute to search and find a satellite, after that it was super fast and spot on everytime!

Faster than my Droid ever was. Works better indoors too it seems...

The only time I've had a problem is when I'm inside the LSU Rec Center (all metal building). Anywhere else, and almost any other building, I get a fine GPS signal.

looks like I'm trading my Fascinate in for a Thunderbolt then! Tired of waiting on Sammy and Verizon to update the OS.
Thanks for all the replies.

I gotta say the GPS is accurate but it still takes a bit of time for me to get a lock. Not sure why... do you all leave your GPS on? I only turn mine on when needed.

I leave it on. Quick locks.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App

I had quick lock out of the box and rooted stock. Once I flashed Das BAMF I had to run the GPS fix.

bmcclure937 said:
I gotta say the GPS is accurate but it still takes a bit of time for me to get a lock. Not sure why... do you all leave your GPS on? I only turn mine on when needed.
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Mine takes a bit to lock on too. I always leave it off unless I need it. But I leave on Location Services.

bmcclure937 said:
I gotta say the GPS is accurate but it still takes a bit of time for me to get a lock. Not sure why... do you all leave your GPS on? I only turn mine on when needed.
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I use Locale (the latest one that still has location as a condition)... My GPS locks quickly with an accuracy of 6.6 feet running latest Virus rom with lean normal kernel... stand alone GPS only...
Sent from my Thunderbolt using Tapatalk

LSUstang05 said:
The only time I've had a problem is when I'm inside the LSU Rec Center (all metal building). Anywhere else, and almost any other building, I get a fine GPS signal.
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Ah hello fellow BR TB user!

GPS stopped when 4G signal dropped. Had to stop and flip on the switched to 3G only then it worked. I was in a 4G area.

coder_t2 said:
Mine takes a bit to lock on too. I always leave it off unless I need it. But I leave on Location Services.
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Mine takes a second to lock too even after changing the GPS file.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA Premium App

My GPS works great, too. The only thing that I seem to be reading is that the TB isn't using the A-GPS data from the towers in order to get a quick lock after not using the GPS for a long time. That means it's using purely the GPS for location, which is fine, but it might take a bit longer the first time you turn on maps or nav. There's an update from HTC coming out (soon?) that addresses this issue and also some battery issues.

I've had issues with Roms built off of the newer version of ruu 605.9.(htc probably didn't release this version for a reason)
I have instantaneously and accurate gps lock with plane Jane v1
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App

[Q] How many of you are having GPS issues.

Just trying to get count on how many are having GPS issues.
symptoms:
1) no direct lock
2) no lock at all
3) triangulated lock
3) Shows you driving 15 ft off road
4) "Bounces around"
5) Losses signal frequently
i have all of the above

I have 0 GPS issues.
sent via Samsung Infuse 4G using Tapatalk

Google maps will not follow me.i have to move the screen to keep up.google navigation works fine..also co pilot works fine and it uses zero data so far im happy with the gps...on the captivate i have to start the gps test app. Before i can get a lock

the gps is very good but the setting can cause issues. i had some of the issues you mention, changed the sulp setting to auto config in lbs test mode and set it to msbased to match the secgps.conf file. i tried the google supl server but the gps was worse! the url is long for the server used in auto config so instead of writting it i just suggest you use the auto setting.
after that it works amazingly good, reception indoors is not as good as the nexus s or the atrix but the accuracy and lock times are nothing short of amazing.
also i never use wireless networks, it may try to fall back on it if you have a temporary reception issue and just cause major tracking issues. it is basically useless.
but that said if you always have the issues mentioned and not just occasionally then you may have a problem

Mine works great in maps.. didn't try tracking in Navagation but was playing with the voice on Google widget. Would say "navigate to dominos .Gonzales,la "and it would open Navagation but I can't here or get voice guided.
Does any one else get voice nav.
sent from Infuse but miss my captivate on cont. 5.5.... One day this can be as good...

Voice nav. Works fine..google maps is not working good at all..i wil try a reset and see how it goes..i had omnia 1 and 2..never any issues with the gps...sam should rehire those guys!

Dani897 said:
the gps is very good but the setting can cause issues. i had some of the issues you mention, changed the sulp setting to auto config in lbs test mode and set it to msbased to match the secgps.conf file. i tried the google supl server but the gps was worse! the url is long for the server used in auto config so instead of writting it i just suggest you use the auto setting.
after that it works amazingly good, reception indoors is not as good as the nexus s or the atrix but the accuracy and lock times are nothing short of amazing.
also i never use wireless networks, it may try to fall back on it if you have a temporary reception issue and just cause major tracking issues. it is basically useless.
but that said if you always have the issues mentioned and not just occasionally then you may have a problem
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What code do enter you enter to get into the gps settings??

FIREONHIGH said:
What code do enter you enter to get into the gps settings??
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i used launcher pro activities. i didnt care to try dialer codes. you just need launcher pro installed. you dont need to use it as the launcher.

Dani897 said:
i used launcher pro activities. i didnt care to try dialer codes.
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Click to collapse
Thanks.i need buy the lic.for launcher pro,correct? Because i dont see the option you mentioned..

FIREONHIGH said:
Thanks.i need buy the lic.for launcher pro,correct? Because i dont see the option you mentioned..
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nope launcher pro free works fine.

I'm lost. But yes I get voice navigation. Seems to be an issue with Google maps and not navigation. Have any of you looked at the comments on Google maps in the market? Poeple using galaxy s devices have issues too. And come to think another it. Our device s basically a galaxy s device with out the lable... going to go switch it out tho. Get a new one and see how that goes.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using XDA App

Dani897 said:
nope launcher pro free works fine.
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Thanks man i found it..

Yea no actually voice for me. Never talks.
sent from Infuse but miss my captivate on cont. 5.5.... One day this can be as good...

Transformer27 said:
I'm lost. But yes I get voice navigation. Seems to be an issue with Google maps and not navigation. Have any of you looked at the comments on Google maps in the market? Poeple using galaxy s devices have issues too. And come to think another it. Our device s basically a galaxy s device with out the lable... going to go switch it out tho. Get a new one and see how that goes.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using XDA App
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I went through the same crap as you did yesterday.
Used Copilot , all settings were default (not using wireless network , only using USE gps sattellites)
Took 15-20 minutes to grab a lock ... litterally had to park the car to the side and stick my hand out the window on a clear sunny day (total bull$hit) ... once I got a lock as I was driving on the highway it would occasionally show me driving waaaaaaaay off to the right than I actually was.
I hate admitting but I'm missing my iphone 3g , had instant lockon gps times

Transformer27 said:
I'm lost. But yes I get voice navigation. Seems to be an issue with Google maps and not navigation. Have any of you looked at the comments on Google maps in the market? Poeple using galaxy s devices have issues too. And come to think another it. Our device s basically a galaxy s device with out the lable... going to go switch it out tho. Get a new one and see how that goes.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using XDA App
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the galaxy s has different gps hardware or drivers but it can work adequately, this can work better, swap it out. if the second phone has issues i'll walk you through some better settings for it. i had a lot of experience with the captivate and know some things that mess with it. this however has agps (assisted gps) settings that work much better than the captivate and i recommend using them, after that you will not want to use a different device.

Dani897 said:
the galaxy s has different gps hardware or drivers but it can work adequately, this can work better, swap it out. if the second phone has issues i'll walk you through some better settings for it. i had a lot of experience with the captivate and know some things that mess with it. this however has agps (assisted gps) settings that work much better than the captivate and i recommend using them, after that you will not want to use a different device.
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Thanks! Like today it showed me in a Mercedes Benz dealership. I was like that is 9 streets down. what the hell!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using XDA App

Transformer27 said:
Thanks! Like today it showed me in a Mercedes Benz dealership. I was like that is 9 streets down. what the hell!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using XDA App
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that would be the "use wireless networks" feature, dont use that. gps is never that far off.
turning that off will force gps and it may work better, if not you may need to change the supl settings to get the nmea data to download. agps will also help get the nmea data to download fast from the cell towers and not just from the satalites or wifi. having up to date nmea data makes all the difference.

isnt that used for when wifi is around? so even if im not on a wifi network it wouldn't work? so its like pointless to turn it off or on.?

Transformer27 said:
isnt that used for when wifi is around? so even if im not on a wifi network it wouldn't work? so its like pointless to turn it off or on.?
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just turn it off. it is completely useless. i have heard that it works off wifi, but it seems to do something anywhere i go, most people seem to believe that it is cell tower triangulation, either way the accuracy i get from it is as poor as 3600 meters and the center of the blue area is about 1 mile from my actual location. it serves no usefull purpose at all.

On or off still doesn't help
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using XDA App

[Q] Anyone else find the GPS kinda flakey?

I just got the infuse, and especially indoors the gps signal seems to be lost or insufficient very frequently.
Seems to work alright outside.
I'm on stock btw.

requiem3 said:
I just got the infuse, and especially indoors the gps signal seems to be lost or insufficient very frequently.
Seems to work alright outside.
I'm on stock btw.
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GPS isn't supposed to work well indoors. If it does, consider that a bonus.
However, my experience is that the Rogers Gingerbread release seems to perform better and actually does lock indoors - this is usually a feat reserved only for high-end standalone chipsets like MTKv2, STM Cartesio, and the tried and true SiRF Star III.

Lol of course the signal is gonna be weak indoors. Why do you need it indoors? Do you get lost on the way to the bathroom? lol

If you root there is a nice GPS fix that seems to work for some. It appears to lock in better for me when I'm out and about.
Sent from my rooted infuse flashed with infused!

P1 Wookie said:
Lol of course the signal is gonna be weak indoors. Why do you need it indoors? Do you get lost on the way to the bathroom? lol
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Using gps indoors can be useful with apps like foursquare or anything else with location based check ins. However, I've come to accept that phone gps sucks indoors, essentially making foursquare useless for me because once I'm inside where I'm at, I'm not going to go back out just to turn on gps and check in.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997R using XDA Premium App

welchertc said:
Using gps indoors can be useful with apps like foursquare or anything else with location based check ins. However, I've come to accept that phone gps sucks indoors, essentially making foursquare useless for me because once I'm inside where I'm at, I'm not going to go back out just to turn on gps and check in.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997R using XDA Premium App
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WiFi/Cell-tower netloc always works fine for me with Foursquare.