From the android market, install THIS. Run it OUTSIDE.
If this gives you 5 satellites and a Green light, your GPS radio works!!!
Now, while you are still outside, go to
Settings
Location & Security
Make Sure the Green Check is on "Use GPS Satellites"
CLICK IT OFF
then CLICK IT BACK ON!
Start Google Navigation and type in another address that's at least one mile from your current location.
Within 30 seconds, you should be golden. If not, return your phone. Hopefully you bought it from Radio Shack!
Not found 404 error... :-[
What's the name if the app you're trying to link to? I'm interested to try this out.
Sent from my Moto Triumph
It's called GPS Test. Search the market for it.
This process worked for me! Found 7 satellites. Thanks for the tip.
The GPS is now locking on instantly.
Sent from my MOTWX435KT using XDA Premium App
Thanks!
Sent from my Moto Triumph
Brilliant. Works great!! :-]
Sent from my Moto Triumph
I hate to be negative here, but I have been using GPS Status and GPS Test for quite some time on all my phones. GPS Status will actually time how long it takes to connect. Using either one, it's still typically 30-60 seconds for me. However, once I have connected, reconnecting shortly there after is fairly quick (<30 sec). Of course, this fails to address the 3G/1x issue when GPS is active. Until a ROM is available, I am just ignoring the GPS for now.
Just tested it. It took 90 seconds to connect, despite telling me that it had found and connected to anywhere from 6 to 9 satellites while 'searching'. This leads me to believe that it is in fact the phone's SOFTWARE that is the issue (it can see and track the sats, but it is taking forever to process the information and determine a location), not the GPS itself.
And now, after connecting once, when I try to search an address it locates me within 10 seconds. However, the next time I attempt to do this (at a later date), I will have to go through this process all over again.
I see 7-9 sats and my accuracy is 18 feet. Navigation locked on and gave me my directions quickly. Still goes to 1x but returns to 3x after a while. Like the previous poster said I'll probably have to do this again because I won't need GPS for a couple weeks.
I've had GPS Test on my phone for a while now but never knew what it really does other than give you your status. Does this actually boost the time it takes get the sat signals?
Outside mine just gets 3 satelites and when it works accuracy is down to 100 meters ...thats if I can even lock on..
Sent from my MOTWX435KT using XDA Premium App
If that's the case, return your phone. Hopefully you purchased from radio shack,;-)
Sent from my LG-VM670 using Tapatalk
This third Triumph has the best GPS I've received of the 3 (first Triumph had USB port defects, and the second triumph had a random sudden death). On this third Triumph, standing outside I'm able to hit 9 satellites and get accuracy down to 7 feet.
That still isn't as good as my Thunderbolt, but I think thats an unfair comparison since the Thunderbolt has its GPS antenna mounted in the battery cover. Side by Side the Thunderbolt was able to get 11 satellites and an accuracy of 3 feet.
Not Bad
I was able to lock on to 10 sats and 5 feet so I believe my Triumph is good to go.
Related
Took a 300 mile each way car trip over the last 2 days. I had my Captivate and 4 year old Tom Tom XLS with 9 month old update. We didnt need the Tom Tom until about 10 miles from our destination. Turned it on at the same time as opening Navigation on the Captivate. It took around 5 minutes for them to get a satellite lock. The interesting thing was they locked at EXACTLY the same time.
Now, the Tom Tom (TT) usually locks in 30 seconds or less if I turn it on near home. If I'm over say 100 miles from home it takes several minutes to lock on. I had heard this is due to the TT looking for the same satellites or number of satellites as when it was last locked on.
So that said, when we were leaving, I turned on the TT and Captivate and did the same thing. TT locked in about 30 seconds, Captivate in about 5 minutes. When we were 100 miles from home I turned off the TT and Captivate. Turned on again at home and they both took exactly the same time to lock on again - about 5 minutes.
I noticed a similar lag with my Tilt 1 if I didnt download the quicksat updates. If they were installed, the thing locked on very quick.
So could the Captivate have no historical data of the last lock and thus is always trying to track and locate satellites that are not visible, gives up then locks onto new ones?
Am I smoking something?
With everyone complaining about the gps, I have had absolutely no trouble with it. Being very inaccurate with the famous blue circle around it is only when it does not have a CLEAR view of the sky. I bought a holder that sticks on the windshield and it locks on in about 2-4 minutes, and it deadly accurate from there. I have the cheap tom tom and the captivate is just as accurate as the TT. Actually locks on faster than my TT if Im moving. I've tested it a lot to see if I can have trouble, but unless I block its view.... I have 100% reliable operation out if it.
klloyd said:
With everyone complaining about the gps, I have had absolutely no trouble with it. Being very inaccurate with the famous blue circle around it is only when it does not have a CLEAR view of the sky. I bought a holder that sticks on the windshield and it locks on in about 2-4 minutes, and it deadly accurate from there. I have the cheap tom tom and the captivate is just as accurate as the TT. Actually locks on faster than my TT if Im moving. I've tested it a lot to see if I can have trouble, but unless I block its view.... I have 100% reliable operation out if it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2-4 minutes sucks bad for locking and needing a 100% clear view of the sky is also bogus. What happens if you don't live in the flat rectangle known as Kansas? The GPS on these flat out sucks. I have a 10+ year old "cobra" handheld GPS that locks faster and holds lock / is more accurate.
I live in that flat rectangle, and it still would get lost.
OP
I think you are on the right track. In addition to othe issues with the gps, such as incorrectly intrpreting the time zone and having GMT 5 hours off, regardless what other people say, it seems to be starting in"cold" mode always, whic means it needs to download all the positional data first, determine the satellites positions and the attempt to get a fix. This takes about 5 min in any gps, simply because the transmission rate of the gps satellites is very low.
Your tomtom attempts to take a shortcut assuming it's not too far from where it was turned off last time. If true, it can get a fix in 20 secs or less, if false, it would take 5 min.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Mine always locks in within 20 seconds, whether I am moving on stationary, hot start or cold start. I've even tried turning it on 100s of miles from my usual location and still locks and holds while driving to 32ft accuracy. I am already on my second captivate, the first one liked to turn off randomly. The first one didn't have a gps problem either.
I did do the supl.google fix to both though. They were slow with factory settings.
Under LbsTestMode do you have it set to HotStart and MS Based?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
jmgelba said:
Took a 300 mile each way car trip over the last 2 days. I had my Captivate and 4 year old Tom Tom XLS with 9 month old update. We didnt need the Tom Tom until about 10 miles from our destination. Turned it on at the same time as opening Navigation on the Captivate. It took around 5 minutes for them to get a satellite lock. The interesting thing was they locked at EXACTLY the same time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did notice the same thing when I was on a trip in Wyoming two weeks ago. I hadn't turned on either GPS (in this case the car one was a Garmin) and when I did both locked at the exact same time (probably after about 3-4 minutes after turning them on). It was quite surprising because I thought the Garmin would go much faster than my Captivate, but this was not the case.
I was extremely lost last night in the city with buildings all over on a cloudy night. Gps found me and directed me in about 1 min coming from a car garage .
I've noticed it locks faster if you back out of Google maps while its finding your location and go back in. It seems to get a lock quicker. Same goes for navigation, I enter a destination and hit navigate, if it don't find a lock within say 10 seconds like it usually does for me ill hit back once and then navigate again. Then it usually finds a lock fast almost instantly ..
I do get the blue circle while navigating sometimes , but it moves along perfectly . Ill even just use google maps without the navigation and watch myself move on the map nicely...
I usually get from 4 to 7 satellites out of 12 or so.
Works for me, if it can be better cool, but its done me well so far can't complain too much.
I tried using it last night. Not sure how many satellites it locked on to, but it did give me the accurate to 5 meters message in Maps.
That said, it was ever so slightly off (probably 6 or 7 meters instead of 5) and my compass is blown. Even after calibrating it, its still a few degrees off (15 - 20 maybe?).
I was wondering if anyone else experienced EXTREME improvements today after updating Google Maps?? I am to 10-20 meters of accuracy compared to the normal 400 meters. It actually shows me at my house which is WAY WAY in the country!
Most of the time I'm at 10 meters, sometimes it'll get to 5 meters. Maybe it's improved, maybe not.
Mines still off by 5-6 miles. Odd because when i first got it my location was only off by 1/2 mile.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
I didn't get to drive but I did get a very fast navigation lock that never happens for me. Also I got a lock inside my house within 10 meters. And the navigation lock was also inside.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Well I tried it with GPS off, here in australia, and my location was only 2 houses off. This is a massive improvement. But that's just based on cell phone towers i guess.., dunno about actual GPS improvement but that would also be nice
Noticed this as well. Was in Orchard Supply earlier and tried out the GPS because my brother was asking about it (he's been thinking about getting captivate). Was able to get a very accurate lock INSIDE the store showing in about 20 seconds where I actually was in the store which was nuts (actually it was pipe fittings aisle ). Tried navigation home from class during the afternoon and it took about 10 seconds to get a lock and never lost me the whole way. My GPS was working fine before but now it's even more accurate/faster.
I second this. I tried with the GPS at home. Locked very quickly, and about 10 meters. Navigation seems working fine too.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Sounds like GMap finally defaults to use A-GPS mode which means faster lock. Accuacy? Not affected.
TRY THIS
Referring to INDOOR accuracy with GPS module off.
I'm noticing that if I have WIFI AND USE WIRELESS NETWORKS ON, the indoor accuracy has improved massively. If I turn WIFI OFF but leave Use Wireless Networks ON, I seem to get standard cell tower location of 500 - 1000 meters.
So, Im assuming this update has enabled Google's version of Skyhook in maps.
Im pretty sure thats what it is since I dont have to be connected to an access point for it to work. Just have WIFI ON.
Nice.
Everyone should disable Skyhook from the LBSmode. I had it disabled since my phone got updated to JH7 but for those how don't...
My settings from factory are:
Skyhook OFF
GPS plus OFF
I to see a improvement. I drive 80 miles one way to work and never lost lock. This has never happened before.
What is GPS plus?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
drfubar said:
Referring to INDOOR accuracy with GPS module off.
I'm noticing that if I have WIFI AND USE WIRELESS NETWORKS ON, the indoor accuracy has improved massively. If I turn WIFI OFF but leave Use Wireless Networks ON, I seem to get standard cell tower location of 500 - 1000 meters.
So, Im assuming this update has enabled Google's version of Skyhook in maps.
Im pretty sure thats what it is since I dont have to be connected to an access point for it to work. Just have WIFI ON.
Nice.
Everyone should disable Skyhook from the LBSmode. I had it disabled since my phone got updated to JH7 but for those how don't...
My settings from factory are:
Skyhook OFF
GPS plus OFF
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wi-fi location fix has been in Google Maps for a long time now. It is not new.
Here's my opinion on this. I have nothing to back this up other than what I interpret from behavior I have seen, so it is strictly my opinion/guess.
Ignoring any GPS hardware or software issues there may or may not be, I think that Google Nav has issues from time to time. I don't know if it is because it relies on 3g data to paint maps and determine routes or whatever, but I think it seems to "lag" sometimes. And if it gets a bit off track, it takes too long to recover. Maybe it does it more on a system that struggles with GPS accuracy a bit more, I don't know.
So, my guess would be that an update to Google maps would not contribute anything to a faster GPS lock or more accuracy from GPS, since I guess this happens at the OS level.
However, what we see when navigating, is Google NAV(maps) interpretation of the GPS. So, when it teleports you off the road maybe it's because it isn't smart enough to think, "Hey, a car doesn't just teleport off a road, so I'll wait a couple more seconds to see if it returns before I show it off the road". It already does this to some degree since your accuracy under good conditions can be 10 or 15 meters which could easily put you on a lawn or sidewalk but NAV continues to show you on the road.
So, maybe, Google Maps updates can help make the Nav experience better by being smarter about interpreting GPS data and showing your position within the context of driving a car down the road.
My $.02
Bob
foxbat121 said:
Wi-fi location fix has been in Google Maps for a long time now. It is not new.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So do your maps show better accuracy or not? Since that is the topic of the thread you might as well refer to the topic. Or are you just trying to show everyone you know better?
One thing is that the feature was there, another is if it worked properly.
Now it works. Before it didn't.
My navigation isn't the best but I am thrilled to have a quick lock in the boonies where I live... GPS worked decent but lagged in little rock our biggest city.... but I haven't been to the city since the update... I'll let everyone know if it can now navigate there. ... I know my location contributes to the issues!!!! But again I was thrilled to be getting locks!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
I updated Maps yesterday and the AGPS sometimes says I'm in Georgia now(I live in PA), lol, in the middle of a highway no less. However the GPS is working better. I got my first lock ever as well as the first time my GPS has ever seen more than 3 satellites(saw 6).
All I can say is that I would be VERY surprised if an update to Google Maps helped GPS locking, how many satellites it sees, or accuracy at the GPS layer on the device.
However, I would not be surprised if a Google Maps update helped with navigation use or even placing you on a map, since it Google Maps can modify it's interpretation of the GPS position.
If your GPS was spotty before, then thinking you are seeing more satellites or better accuracy, using something like GPS Status, is just a placebo.
However, this is pure speculation on my part. I suppose it's possible that Google have modified something at the device layer that controls the GPS chip, but I'm thinking not.
My feedback would be to exchange your phone if your GPS is spotty. I did and my new phone has pretty much perfect GPS.
Bob
How can you tell the actual accuracy in ft or meters in google maps?
If anything for me GPS lock is take longer than before update.
mudfarmer said:
Mines still off by 5-6 miles. Odd because when i first got it my location was only off by 1/2 mile.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it is of by that much it is only giving you a network provided location...not a gps position. Turn off use wireless networks to see a gps location
Sent telepathically using vulcan mind meld app.
I just got my sensation yesterday, coming from the G2x, my gps lock when using google maps/navigation takes more than 10 minutes to lock. I turn in in landscape mode loses data connection as well. Anyone else experiencing very slow gps locks? My g2 was instant
Something is wrong. Mine takes about 20-30 sec.
Return it
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using XDA App
Same exact thing here except for the data issue, on my second device and its nothing like my G2. Have you Tested other areas? Use gps test (by Chartcross Limited) and see your signal strength and how many satellites you can connect to.
My G2 can see 12 in a few sec
My Sensation only sees 3-0 at poor signal
Don't really have an option to return it cause I purchased it off of craigslist, and I use Simple Mobile. So I don't even have a T-Mobile account. Unless someone knows a work around this, I am forced to send it to HTC for "repair".
Just got my Sensation yesterday. First thing I tested was GPS. My heart sank when it saw zero sats outside. Tried various test apps, Google Maps, etc., checked and double checked settings, rebooted several times. Nothing. The GPS icon never even showed in the notification bar. Was about to box it up to send back and decided to pop the battery out. Rebooted, and bingo! Excellent signal strength even indoors, very quick locks, typically accurate to under 15 ft, and very stable map location. As close to perfect GPS as I had hoped for. Coming from the Vibrant GPS fiasco I'm VERY happy.
wish I could say the same about mine
mariopm2005 said:
wish I could say the same about mine
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you download GPS test from the market and use the calibration tools? It could help. Or you can also try pulling the battery (old BB trick) instead of restarting to see if that helps. Keep your head up.
I got mine yesterday and had the same experience. I fixed it as follows:
SETTINGS->LOCATION -> Make sure "Use Wireless Networks" is UNCHECKED
Since unchecking that option, my locks are much faster.
However I turned WiFi Calling on and it started behaving like before. Never seeing satellites, minutes for lock.
I turned off WiFi Calling and now I get <10sec lock again.
Sounds like a software issue that HTC needs to figure out.
Let me know if anyone has success with this.
Did you try it out inside?
I just went outside and it's pretty cloudy and got 5locks in 3seconds and 10locks in under 10 seconds.
So there is something wrong or you are doing something wrong
Hello, I just dug myself out of two Samsung infuse devices, Just miserable GPS performance
How's the GPS on these i727s?
Thanks for your time.
Sent from my LG-P506 using XDA
Mine always locks within seconds if I'm in the car. If I'm inside it takes a bit longer but still fast enough.
I had a Captivate and an Infuse... GPS on both was useless. Got my SR in November and GPS is rock solid. I consistently view 20-23 satellites... and lock anywhere from 9-13 sats.... within a few seconds... and accuracy within 9 ft. MyTracks is unbelievably accurate as well on the SKYROCKET.
GPS locks instantly. Probably in a second or less it is already scrolling to my current location.
I do have an issue where it will say "GPS signal lost". I understand when that happens when I'm under a bridge for a while, but I think it is due to overheating. It usually has the signal again within a few seconds.
I would say other than the annoying random GPS signal lost issue, and battery life, skyrocket works better because it locks on instantly, reroutes faster, than my Garmin Nuvi 360 which I've used for the last 6 years and it has taken me everywhere I wanted to go.
In other words, it is a 100% capable first-class navigation device, but make sure you have a charger.
don't foget you can also flash the GPS universal fix also it works great it here on xda
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium
I have to say WOW. Just got the Skyrocket and can get GPS fix in my basement. No other phone has been able to do this.
Got a fix in six seconds.
My last phone was a Captivate with crappy gps hardware. The only way I could fix the GPS on it was to buy the Skyrocket. Works awesome on this phone.
Drains the battery pretty hard if you're using Navigation on a long drive, but if you have a car charger (or USB port in your car) you can keep it plugged in and everything's fine (battery will actually charge while using it too, so on a long drive you can use gps with car charger and finish the drive with 100% battery).
skrambled,
It was really hard for me to buy the Skyrocket after the wife's Captivate was such a disaster. I read and re-read the reviews and threads here and finally decided to get one. I got a refurb for $20 direct from AT&T and so far I am loving it.
Tried the GPS in the car today and fix time was 2-4 seconds with four trials. I would turn GPS off and leave it off for a while then turn it on and open the GPS status app to check the time to a fix. What ever fixes Samsung implemented for the GPS issue they certainly work.
I wanna comment on one thing. I'm using Google Navigation, which I believe it is up to par with the best of them, if you update text-to-speech. I'm using IVONNA (Kendra) text to speech with Google Navigation.
Just used my one x to navigate to work today. GPS seemed really fragile in that if I wasn't holding.the phone directly under my windshield it quickly lost GPS signal. It would re lock after putting it back under the wibdshield.
Anyone else? Comments/tweaks/solutions greatly appreciated.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium
I saw a few similar comments in other forums as well. I'd suggest you go back and exchange for another one. Any tweaks will only temporary ease the problem for a few days but a permanant solution is to get a phone that just works out of box.
Ugh, was hoping I wouldn't hear this problem pop up. Horrible GPS on my Captivate so was hoping to hear the GPS on the One X was good. Hopefully this is a rare problem...
I've seen it in using the speedtest app - where it will have problems locating a server near me (which there are quite a few) - not sure if this is an app problem or gps problem. I haven't had a chance to use gps much besides that...
I tested out the GPS last night on my way home; it locked extremely quickly and held onto it the whole time. I thought it worked very well.
For what its worth, I'm in Texas.
GPS is amazing on mine. Better than my DHD. I consistently get locks in less than 10 seconds, and most of the time it's less than 5. Maybe it's an AT&T thing, since I'm on Rogers.
Mine locks within 10 seconds in the house, I had a bunch of fc so I reset my phone to factory settings and the GPS and fc are gone. I would try factory rest then use GPS status.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium
when it locks onto you, is it right where you are at or just close by? Mine seems to find me quickly, but it is always like just across the street or similar.
The GPS is definitely weaker,
My Skyrocket locks on inside of my house within 10-20 seconds and gives a very accurate reading (pinpoints my room). The One X takes about a minute to lock and it shows me inside my neighbors house..
I'll have to try this out on the road later on, might be an issue for navigation
Used mine today for something on the job. Locked extremely quick and worked fine the entire time.
Mine took under ten second to lock inside my house, but it did show me at my neighbors home. Good enough for me.
Sent from my HTC One X
I used the GPS a bit last night to track a short walk around my neighborhood and found the results to be a bit disappointing. I don't use GPS often, and my last phone was a Captivate, so I"m not sure if maybe I was expecting too much it seemed to have lost the signal at least twice and it plotted me all over the place (road) when it did hold the signal. I had it in my pocket most of the time, so perhaps I was expecting too much for those conditions.
Did you guys enable GPS satellites from location settings? Mine would load locations before I did but only was super accurate when I turned it on.
mesasone said:
I used the GPS a bit last night to track a short walk around my neighborhood and found the results to be a bit disappointing. I don't use GPS often, and my last phone was a Captivate, so I"m not sure if maybe I was expecting too much it seemed to have lost the signal at least twice and it plotted me all over the place (road) when it did hold the signal. I had it in my pocket most of the time, so perhaps I was expecting too much for those conditions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, GPS in Captivate is crap. That's well known fact. Everything else should be much better. My Galaxy S2 is very consistent in tracking. I don't expect HOX be any different. You should have 15 to 30 feet accuracy all the time.
Does the HOX use GLONASS?
Cryosx said:
Does the HOX use GLONASS?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes.
I tried it out a few times with gps test. I get 10+ satellites within 10 seconds indoors. That's the most satellites I've had on any phone I've owned.
GPS is a little weaker than on my Skyrocket but still good enough to get me around. Just used it today without a problem. If I had never had the skyrocket I would have said that it's "normal" for what I've seen in other phones.