I got a Case-Mate Barely There" for my Desire S.
I recently noticed that my GPS reception is very poor when this case is on the DS. Blinking icon, not getting any location in Navigation etc.
When I remove the case, after a few seconds the reception is stable and I get a proper location.
Is this something I can fix with a radio update? Or should I just not use that case anymore?
PS Wifi + 3G seem fine all the time.
Quark^2 said:
I got a Case-Mate Barely There" for my Desire S.
I recently noticed that my GPS reception is very poor when this case is on the DS. Blinking icon, not getting any location in Navigation etc.
When I remove the case, after a few seconds the reception is stable and I get a proper location.
Is this something I can fix with a radio update? Or should I just not use that case anymore?
PS Wifi + 3G seem fine all the time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that you answered your own question....
I'm not good at how these things work, but when you take you phone's case off you holding the phone in your hand could mean that your body is acting as an additional antenna?
Although have you seen this GPS related thread
My investigations of similar GPS case-related issues may be of interest :
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1229660
I would NOT expect to see any significant improvement by software or firmware change. When the incoming signal is degraded, there's little that can be done to improve matters.
The GPS and WiFi antennas of the DS are built into the plastic cover around the camera lens and are limited in performance.
I bet that your case is either black rubber gel or metallic - In either instance, I expect that it is absorbing the GPS signal.
Not all types of case will have the same bad effect.
- Steve
Thanks for your link. Interesting and it does confirm my findings.
I've decided to not use the Barely There Case anymore, I've ordered a small but good looking pouch to protect my DS.
I don't use GPS very often, but I do use Wifi a lot and that seems a little better now too (especially for already poor wifi connection).
I also have the Barely There case, but have not noticed any significant difference. The Cygnett case however really blocks out my wifi. Strange isn't it?
Related
I gave up using my Alu case because of drop in power. I had seen another post from someone that changed their case but this one is really nice.
If there are any of the case makers that look at this forum then take this as a wish list of what I (we?) would like to see in the future.
http://www.pda4thai.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=22
This looks really cool! Thumbs up!
The only drawback seems to be the gap between the custom case and the hardware buttons, it seems you have to put your finger (or thumb ) deep into the holes of the case to reach the buttons...
This is the first time I heard of casemodding a PocketPC I am curious if there are any other contributions!
but that case is not really going to protect the screen also i doubt it would inc the signal strength all that much more then the std alu one
As the XDAII has no antenna, are there signal problem with this case ?
Drop in Power with XDAII and alloy case
I would have to confirm that there is most definitely a drop in signal strength when using an alloy case and the XDAII. This will be usually at least one bar on the signal meter, and can be verified by just inserting the thing and watching.
Given the lack of an external antenna, this is not surprising. I just wish I'd thought about it before lashing out 50 bucks!!!
The Thai casemod would help with the caller ID problem, but unless someone has delved inside the case of one of these to find the antenna then I would say that an alloy case is near useless unless you live next to a base station.
I would have thought that a well designed alloy case could include a connection to the external aerial socket on the back of the XDA with a flip up aerial on the case.....
Cheers
Funny, I don't seem to have the same problem. Full signal, and still full bars after putting it in the case. But i'll try checking with Phone Dashboard as it has a percentage of the signal displayed.
In the event that there's no loss, either the new radio-stack COULD actually affect the signal performance, or you were just in a borderline signal area when you put the jacket on.
In any case, i think it's still worth it as it really protects the PDA. I mean take the free the leather case: it falls on any of it's corners, and you'll have cosmetic issues immediately.
The Alu case however, i only spotted one weak angle of falling, and its like a 1/100 chance to fall exactly like that (assuming you drop it in flat surfaces) that would have to be TOP first, and a little tilted to the back (where the SD card /antenna cover is exposed)
So overall, I think dropping a bar is worth it (if you are one of those who actually suffer from this) as you can always take out the XDAII when in critical need of signal.
Guys,
I am in the market for an alu case for the XDAII. Are you talking about this one ?
http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=109749
Thanks,
Rob.
yes, that's excactly it :wink:
Other ally case issues
The modification looks good - where can I get a Cover Pack for iPAQ 3870 ?
Another thing that would help would be to use voice dialling - because the modification still doesn't help for making a call, unless you have dialled it before closing the case. However, I can't seem to find a voice dialling setting. Is there one?
The other problem with the case is it taking two hands to open. Please let me know if you find one that has a nice swish press-catch that can be operated with one hand... Also one that you can put in the cradle while in its case
There is also a strand about the case in 'Using it'. W were talking about how slippery the case is, and raises the likelihood of dropping it in the first place. Someone suggests something from Egrips.com that will help...
Incidentally, I don't lose any signal bars with it in the case.
cathy
http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=249707-B21
you mean this one ?
if not or you want to get it more local then expansys
look for yourself
http://www.google.dk/search?q=+Cover+Pack+for+iPAQ+3870&hl=da&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&start=10&sa=N
Alu Case
I Have got the alu case for my XDAII there id definatley a signal drop when i put it into the case but it still looks good i guess
It not only cut radio signal, it kills the bluetooth connections too. Good looking but not too functional.
Hi Guys,
Got myself a Casemate Tough. Brilliant case & I love the feel of it. Makes holding the phone so much more easier. I always felt without the case I was going to let the HD slip
Anyways, as with some people I have noticed a real drop in GPS signal with the silicone part on. The hard back makes no difference. Without case I have maybe 20ft error, with the case this can rise to over 200ft error & it maybe loses half the sats.
I have read the reviews on the Tough & Pop, but must say I prefer my Tough.
My question is, does anyone know where the GPS antenna is situated in the phone. I am just going to take a stanley blade & trim some silicone out around the affected area. It appears to be mid to low down, but I want to remove as little as possible from my case.
Any gurus out there had one of these in pieces yet.
Cheers guys, Shane
I don't know where the GPS part is located but I have also a case-mate case and I have no problems to get GPS signal.
But I read that some people have the same problem with the metalic case.
Hi lilil
It is strange.
How long have you had your case. I wonder if it is a manufacturing date change or something equally weird.
Cheers, Shane
I have a case mate pop on my DHD since 3 months and no problems with gps signal strong and fast as ever...really weird problem!
Hi Guys,
I have just ordered a case mate Pop tonight, so I will see what that is like when it arrives.
Cheers, Shane
my casemate pop doesnt seem to have issues though.. I read that the gps is at the top of the phone too!
Glad you like the Tough case its my favourite case also.
Can't say I have noticed any issues with location, its dead on where I am and the case mate Tough is always on my phone.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
I was using this case before switching to the Otterbox commuter. As far as I remember I did not have any GPS problems with the Tough. I read that the GPS receiver is behind the rubbery part around the flash LED.
This is very weird. I have the Tough and I also have a great drop in signal with it on. Is it possible that the firmware version of the phone might have something to do with it?
Removing my case increases a faster gps fix.
Although the newest leaked radio does a great job too.
The gps antenna is situated at the bottom, I read somewhere
Doctor.Who said:
Although the newest leaked radio does a great job too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you be a bit more specific, please - a link would be even better Also, how's the battery life on that radio? Any difference?
el_commandante said:
Could you be a bit more specific, please - a link would be even better Also, how's the battery life on that radio? Any difference?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
04th April 2011: Radio_12.48.60.23U_26.08.04.07_M3
http://www.multiupload.com/LMGHQ26L1R
batterylife is a bit better in my experience
For info......
The GPS antenna is on the back of the SIM/Sdcard cover, remove the cover and you'll see it.
As for the radio, I agree with the above, Radio 12.48.60.23U_26.08.04.07_M3 is for me the best radio I've tested both for signal and battery life. Be aware though that different radios perform differently for different people and is dependant on location (country), carrier, etc. Try different radios to see which works best for you.
Hello,
just for infomration a solve doubts the GPS is in the backside of the Flash Leds.
Look this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfatoeWbMRk
Thanks
Gps antenna is under the flash cover.
I have a tough case, and yeah i realise that in certain places, my positioning is way off. But here in Trinidad GPS has no real functionality (sucky EDGE network), so not a big deal for me.
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
Click to expand...
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
I have the candyshell Speck case and have been battling weak signal issues compared to my Vibrant. At work today I had absolutely no signal all morning long. Granted, the signal is always very weak for me at work and with the Vibrant it would intermittently drop off completely but generally I had enough signal for the phone to adequately provide text and e-mail updates. I was going to check my sim card so I pulled the Speck case off and as soon as I did, I got signal...weak, just like I'm used to with the Vibrant, but at least it was something. I left the case off the rest of the day and the phone behaved very similarly to my old Vibrant.
Obviously the Speck doesn't have any metal which could interfere with the signal, but perhaps with the case being so tight fitting (it's a royal pain to get off!) it is somehow distorting a connection to the antenna or something. I would be curious to know if anyone else could confirm this behavior.
bluemoon737 said:
I have the candyshell Speck case and have been battling weak signal issues compared to my Vibrant. At work today I had absolutely no signal all morning long. Granted, the signal is always very weak for me at work and with the Vibrant it would intermittently drop off completely but generally I had enough signal for the phone to adequately provide text and e-mail updates. I was going to check my sim card so I pulled the Speck case off and as soon as I did, I got signal...weak, just like I'm used to with the Vibrant, but at least it was something. I left the case off the rest of the day and the phone behaved very similarly to my old Vibrant.
Obviously the Speck doesn't have any metal which could interfere with the signal, but perhaps with the case being so tight fitting (it's a royal pain to get off!) it is somehow distorting a connection to the antenna or something. I would be curious to know if anyone else could confirm this behavior.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also have the speck case and also have a Vibrant. I have noticed that the signal strength and consistency of the G2X is not as stable nor is it as strong a signal. I am getting a lot of no signal or X when it was just 3 bars of 4G and then drops to nothing. I have tried it without the speck case and I find it makes no difference for me at this time. However my Vibrant does not display an X or no signal and have had no data issues with it. I believe the G2X has enormous potential but right now there are some flaws or issues which I hope can be rectified by soft ware.
Just exchanged my G2x and the signal strength is all over the place. Way unstable.
I came from a vibrant. Had 2. Both with way worse signal issues. I mean way.
My g2x is much more reliable.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA Premium App
The signal strength compared to the radio version that my G1 came with is about the same. After several updates to the radio on my G1, it was rock solid. I hope future radio updates improve signal strength for the G2x as they did with my G1. Already ordered the speck case so I hope it doesn't give me issues.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App
I get a better signal with my G2X than I did with my Vibrant.
same here. I got better signal strength than my old Vibrant.
I returned my powerskin because my reception would drop from 3-4 bars to 1-2 bars and could make me lose signal at my hiouse which has never been a problem with my cliq
I got a gloss blqck case fro. Tpu cases and while it is a really well made case and very nice, i am seeing the same drop in reception. I spent 10 minutes taking it on and off, and leaving it on or off for 1 linute at a time and it was extremely consistant.
I know others have experienced this problem on this forum, and my dad has the same issue. Anyone have a solution? I am considering cutting out a part of the tpu cases back.
I just replied about this here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=16048202#post16048202
Darnell_Chat_TN said:
I just replied about this here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=16048202#post16048202
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much! I have been considering the "tough" case that has an ABS exterior and a silicone interior.
i've been using the tough case and there is no issues about the signal or wifi bar dropping
Are u guys talking about this case?
http://www.google.com/products/cata...a=X&ei=AmMwTseMHtO3twfM06ikCQ&ved=0CFQQ8gIwAA
MxFadzil92 said:
i've been using the tough case and there is no issues about the signal or wifi bar dropping
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good deal. have you used the OpenSignal map app to watch the actual signal strength when putting the case on and off? Mine drops a ton. Even if I am very very close to the tower (and getting way over 4 bars) I drop to the low side of 4 bars.
Then again, at my house, I get only 1-2 when I usually get 3-4 with my cliq (and the cliq has much higher signal strength) and I lose reception if I lay it on my stomach (reclining computer chair.)
riverajuan said:
Are u guys talking about this case?
http://www.google.com/products/cata...a=X&ei=AmMwTseMHtO3twfM06ikCQ&ved=0CFQQ8gIwAA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes.
weird mine is more stable at 75-83% when using with the case... without the case the percentage keeps jumping from 70- 89%
MxFadzil92 said:
i've been using the tough case and there is no issues about the signal or wifi bar dropping
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here... Been using the Tough case from Case-Mate for about 5 days now and there are ZERO issues whatsoever.
MxFadzil92 said:
weird mine is more stable at 75-83% when using with the case... without the case the percentage keeps jumping from 70- 89%
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What case? (he said tough case)
Your phone signal will fluctuate wildly based on where you hold it (with no case)
I ordered 2x tough cases today to test.
I hope to God that at the very damned least it won't reduce my cell phone signal. The signal on this stupid phone is highly sensitive to proximity to humans. If I lay it on my bare belly it loses all signal. If I hold it at the bottom it loses all signal. I really need a dock to just keep myself from forgetting not to place the phone away from me.
chisleu said:
What case? (he said tough case)
Your phone signal will fluctuate wildly based on where you hold it (with no case)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im using casemate tough case? when using the case doesnt matter how i hold the phone the percentage of the signal strength is still 75% and above and doesnt reach 100 percent... hope this well help you in any way
I ordered 2 from case-mate yesterday and they shipped out yesterday from GA. I live in SC so I may have them tomorrow! I will report back on signal issues with this case.
It seems poor quality TPU can be more conductive than higher quality (which still only registers ~1kohm.)
Got it today...
My fault for not checking but these covers all the holes on the back including the noise isolation mic. WEAK.
It doesn't seem to affect wireless signal nearly as much as the TPU case.
Yes it definitely does not affect my wireless signal as much as the TPU case. It's a big difference.
I still get signal strength changes depending on how I hold the phone. It seems that my hand's proximity to the lower part of the phone is the key. I don't even have to touch it. If I dangle it by my thumb and pointer finger by the top of the phone, I get good reception. If do it the same way with the bottom I lose 20-30%.
The only reason I'm harping on that is that with my Motorola Cliq I get much much higher signal strength in the same spot (side by side) and the other two sensations and other 1 cliq I have access to have the same results.
We are all T-Mobile US customers.
I'm resorting to using Wifi calling at the house because of the huge signal issue. Often it has no signal at all, especially when sat on my lap otherwise. The Cliq does not go below 2-3 bars (usually 3-4 bars) while the sensation can be disconnected completely. The sensation also seems to jump towers much more often and the signal strength on each tower varies.
I am using a the stock radio which is not listed in the radio's thread and I pray that if I can figure out how to radio s-off and actually get a radio to flash, that maybe I can get some improvement in reception.
I can't be the only one noticing this problem...