[Q] Should I return my Infuse? GPS issues! - Samsung Infuse 4G

I know many people have complained about the Infuse's GPS performance. I have read and tried about 10 different "fixes". It does not matter what I do, it is just horrible.
I am coming from an HTC Inspire, which could sit on my lap in the car, lock within 10-15 seconds, and not show me driving in the trees.
With my Infuse, I have to hold the phone up to the windshield, with the back facing out (cannot lay it on the dashboard), to acquire a lock in 2-10 minutes. After I get a lock, if I do not keep the back of the phone at the windshield, I loose lock.
I have worked with Angry GPS & GPStest. I have tried ATT Stock UCKD5 & UCKE3, S7 (awesome ROM), Infused and Stock with Community Kernal.
Is this just how bad the Infuse performs or should I call Amazon and send it back?

Try my fix click on my name and search posts you'll.find it. If you follow directions it works. Pm me for help
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using xda premium

tyshemi said:
Try my fix click on my name and search posts you'll.find it. If you follow directions it works. Pm me for help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your fix was one of the fixes I have already tried. I tried it under Stock and S7 and tried it again today with S7. Still no improvement.
Question for you Tyshemi which might help clarify this problem. When you have your Infuse indoors and outdoors what are the typical DBHZ (AngryGPS) or SNR (GPSTEST) #'s that you get for satellites?
Here are my typical numbers
[1]Laying on desk 2 foot from window (one floor house), 28-35
[2]in hand 2 foot from window, 17-25
[3]outside laying on leg, 22-28
[4]outside fingers only holding phone by the sides with back of phone to the sky, 25-32
[5]laying on the hood of my wifes Toyota RAV4, 35-45
[6]in the RAV4 on my lap, 20-27
When the phone is on the hood of the RAF 4 it will lock very quick, even after clearing data. But, after locking, not clearing data, I can go to any of the other positions, except #4, and it will not lock.
I am very interested in hearing what you numbers are.
Thanks for the quick response!
Also, it would be interesting to hear from other people what numbers they get and if they have issues or a working GPS.
6

First inside two story house
Second outside
These are just tonight just for you
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using xda premium

I.can help you step by step if ya want
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using xda premium

tyshemi said:
I.can help you step by step if ya want
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really appreaciate the offer but I feel at this point I have followed the directions as well as trying other fixes.
Please correct me if I am wrong but your fix as well as other fixes do not actually change or affect how the OS uses the hardware or how the hardware processes the incomming signals. I believe most fixes just affect how the phone processes available location services. The fixes may help but I doubt the fixes can help failing/deficient hardware.
I think a very clear example of a hardware issue is the fact when my phone is laying in my hand, outdoors, it may or may not reacquire a lock and if it does lock my accuracy will never go less then 100ft. When I place the phone in a metal cake pan (indoors) or on the hood of the RAV4,, my TTFF is about 60sec and accuracy holds 13 to 25ft.
I really wish you could help me but I am convinced this is hardware and I am going to try and return it and get another one.
I will follow up to let you know what happens.
Thanks again for your help.

Hmm thats weird man... i used thie fix proposed by tyshemi thread:
http://www.darkyrom.com/community/index.php?threads/guide-gps-quickest-fix-solution.2022/
Now i get locked under 30 secs In and out doors no matter the situation....
Maybe you do indeed have a bad gps on that phone.... Probably change it as gps not working, just remember to flash back to stock xD and risk it with another Infuse or change.... but those radically unfuctional gps are not common... i seriously havent had ONE single trouble locking my position on different countries, including north and south america...

sixn,
Are you sure you applied the fix and turned on auto in angry gps?
Powered by Infused v2.1.0

marty331 said:
sixn,
Are you sure you applied the fix and turned on auto in angry gps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but thanks for checking. I have tried multiple scenarios over the last week and have spent a lot of hours trying to figure this out. I think I finally have the answer. Check out this thread I just created, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1260944

SOLVED
I contacted Samsung and discussed my GPS issues. I was issued an RMA on 15 Sep. I just received the phone back today and there is a huge improvment. Right out of the box (I flashed back to stock before sending of course) locked in less then 30 seconds. Much more accurate then prevously. Repair ticket indicates they "replaced component".
At least it is working better

Related

The real cause of nonworking gps!

so this is my 3rd G2X, my first was a horrible rebooter so i exchanged it for a second, which was pretty good but i could never get the GPS to work. so i just got my 3rd g2x sent to me, and everything was working, including GPS. Then i downloaded GPS status and toolbox. when i opened the app it told me GPS assistance downloaded, and from then on my GPS won't work. i tried a factory reset and it is still broken, so i think i have found the cause of the problem. Anyone agree?
also is there a fix, or do i need to get a 4th g2x sent to me?
I have GPS status on my G2X and my GPS works perfect.
slowpig38 said:
so this is my 3rd G2X, my first was a horrible rebooter so i exchanged it for a second, which was pretty good but i could never get the GPS to work. so i just got my 3rd g2x sent to me, and everything was working, including GPS. Then i downloaded GPS status and toolbox. when i opened the app it told me GPS assistance downloaded, and from then on my GPS won't work. i tried a factory reset and it is still broken, so i think i have found the cause of the problem. Anyone agree?
also is there a fix, or do i need to get a 4th g2x sent to me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You, sir, should work as a journalist. What a wonderfully sensationalist headline!
'This is the absolute truth!! I think...'
Why would an app that a lot of us don't use be the cause of such a widespread problem?
Man, there is no need to be rude. He is just trying to figure out what is going on with his gps.
Slowpig, I highly doubt it's the program making the gps nonfunctional. You have several options though. You could try rooting and flash EaglesBlood (froyo) and see what that does. I like it a lot better than the stock, and everything works just fine. Also, try searching before you post, as there about a million gps fix threads. Here are a few I found doing a quick search....
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1092016&highlight=gps+fix
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1079304&highlight=gps+fix
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1085664&highlight=gps+fix
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1078750&highlight=gps+fix
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1049370&highlight=gps+fix
Anyway, do some reading, and see what you come up with. Again, I'd give a new rom a shot and see what that does for you. Hope this helps.
before you guys go off calling me retarded, know that this is my 3rd g2x and my second one ahd a faulty gps, and i tried all of the fixes on the forum to fix it. when i aquired my new one it worked out of the box, but after the instalation of the app in question it stopped. when i went into the hidden menu and deleted all aiding data it worked perfectly again. see why i might be led to my conclusion? it mightve been a bit rushed, but i was very upset that my brand new G2X's gps had suddenly stopped working after only an hour of use.
slowpig38 said:
before you guys go off calling me retarded, know that this is my 3rd g2x and my second one ahd a faulty gps, and i tried all of the fixes on the forum to fix it. when i aquired my new one it worked out of the box, but after the instalation of the app in question it stopped. when i went into the hidden menu and deleted all aiding data it worked perfectly again. see why i might be led to my conclusion? it mightve been a bit rushed, but i was very upset that my brand new G2X's gps had suddenly stopped working after only an hour of use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If that is the reason then can you explain why I have those apps on my G2X and the GPS still works better than any other GPS I've ever used?
It seems its just random, some g2xs have problems while others don't. Its just poor QC by LG
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA Premium App
I finally got around to try the gps. Maps, earth, gps status all work fine, except for the speedometer apps.
Are you not getting a lock at all, or is it just taking FOREVER to get a lock. There was a fix I flashed for mine (mine took forever to lock), and now mine locks almost instantly! I'll try to see if I can search and find the thread, but the thread had different files to flash with cwr and each had it's own region. (ie south east, west coast, etc).
Mine works now. I just had to do a factory reset
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA Premium App
Mine finds satellites but takes forever to lock. Even on stock ROM with a factory reset.
Like n 1-2 seconds it find 6 satellites, but lock takes 10 to 20 minutes at least.
ce3jay said:
I finally got around to try the gps. Maps, earth, gps status all work fine, except for the speedometer apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same problem with speedometer apps!
It acts like it only wants to display speed in increments instead of the actual speed.
strung said:
Mine finds satellites but takes forever to lock. Even on stock ROM with a factory reset.
Like n 1-2 seconds it find 6 satellites, but lock takes 10 to 20 minutes at least.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine was taking a long time until I flashed this fix. Give it a shot, it worked for me. I get locks in a few seconds. Here is the link...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1085354
Hope this helps!
This is my third G2X and all have had gps issues. Currently I applied the download fix (southeast region fix) last night and I saw an immediate transformation. Very quick locks and much improved accuracy.Unfortunately this morning I am back to either no locks or locks after 30 seconds to 5 minutes and the accuracy is horrible. Right now where last night I got almost instantaneous locks and 16 to 39 ft accuracy I am getting very very slow locks and 37209 ft accuracy. I was elated last night but now I am as confused as ever. I have tried every gps fix I can get my hands on and I am right back where I started.
Mine works pretty well. Glad a factory reset fixed your problems.
slowpig38 said:
It seems its just random, some g2xs have problems while others don't. Its just poor QC by LG
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed!
I love my android phone but coming from an Iphone 3gs to a vibrant to a g2x. The phone(s) on paper are Superior to Iphone (specs are amazing and way faster) But apples qc is far superior to lgs and sammys I hate waiting over 7 months for an os upgrade so they can bloat it up with crap, What I hate even more is when you spend your hard earned cash on a phone that looks amazing, and a standard feature (GPS) don't work. Despite apples ass raping when it comes to hardware and its lack of software features(android is an will always be king) They put out solid phones (other than that iPhone 4 antennagate crap). Androids strength and most detrimental weakness is its partners. Google Does not get that if a person is disappointed over and over they will jump ship! This is my second disappointment after my vibrant (GPS not working correctly). But i'm quick to forgive, others are not... If I were a regular customer and not a geek who loves tech and i switched from Ios (iphone) to android (vibrant, G2x) and had all these issues screen bleed, gps,freezing etc. id switch back after the first week, and androids image would be tarnished.

[Q] HTC Inspire 4G GPS issues

I am having trouble with the GPS receiver on my phone. I don't think it's an app-specific issue, as I've tried several different apps, including one called GPS Status, and none of them can give me an accurate GPS location anymore.
Brief history: I've used the GPS function before with no problem. Using Google's Map app, it previously worked perfect. I could get a satellite lock almost instantly, and the accuracy was superb. Using the navigation app, I was getting equally superb performance. I have used that app several times over the last 4 months since I've owned the phone.
More history: I rooted it and put a custom ROM on it about a month after getting the phone. I put LeeDroid on it (v2.2.3, IIRC), along with the recommended kernel, and the recommended radio (12.39.60.19x_26.06.04.06_M). The GPS functions worked both before and after the initial flashing of the ROM. I've been on LeeDroid v2.2.3 for about 3 months or so. I took a road trip to Atlanta with my wife, and all of a sudden, the google map app couldn't give me an accurate location. Navigation also wasn't working, so initially I thought there must be something wrong with the updated version of the app. So I uninstalled updates, relaunched the app, still no luck. Thinking perhaps the app was broken, I removed it completely, reinstalled, and still nothing. So, I tried different apps: Mapquest, GPS Status, GPS Tracker, all to no avail. I then rebooted the phone. Again, no dice. Then I disabled the location services, restarted them, and that didn't work either. So I tried a hard reset (pulled battery while phone was powered on). No luck with that, either. Then, I figured perhaps something went wrong with the ROM/Kernel/Radio, etc. (I'm sort of a n00b when it comes to android hacking). So, I figured it wouldn't hurt to update to the latest LeeDroid version, updating the kernel and the radio (probably the most pertinent here is the radio, right?) while I was at it. And then, after all that, GPS STILL won't work right. I even went so far as to delete and restore the location services app itself, to no avail.
My current software is LeeDroid v3.3.1 ROM, LeeDroid v3.2.0 kernel, Radio = 12.39a.60.19x_26.06.06.30_M (the latest radio update from AT&T that I could find). I've also tried the recommended radio from LeeDroid thread, and that didn't help, either.
Could the GPS receiver itself have gone bad? It's strange, the only location data I get inside Google Maps is from the cell towers, which is not accurate at all. I know this, because if I disable "Use wireless networks" under Settings -> Location, I don't get any location at all. And, if wireless networks is on, it's terribly inaccurate, showing me several blocks away from where I really am (standing outside w/ clear line of sight to the sky). Under GPS Status, the status bar just scrolls and scrolls, never giving me a reading or satellite lock.
FYI, most of these tests were done standing outside with clear skies (maybe a few clouds or whatever, but no buildings or trees nearby). A few were done in my car on the road, but that has never hindered my GPS signal/performance before, both on this device, and my previous phone (iPhone 3GS).
I'd take it to an AT&T store, but I'm afraid if the store clerk looks in my phone data, he'll see my software #, realize I've hacked the device, notate my account, and I won't be able to get any warranty support at all. The only thing I can think of is to restore to factory ROM, and then test it and take it in to the store if need be, but I figured I'd give the great folks at XDA forums a shot first, in case you guys have any ideas I haven't thought of yet.
Thanks.
You could try doing a full wipe and re-install as a last resort. But I have read MANY posts in this forum from people who had to return an Inspire because of faulty GPS, so that could very well be your problem.
Thanks for the insight, Jake. I forgot to mention that when I flashed the newer version of LeeDroid I did a full wipe. I didn't wipe Dalvik cache. I'm not sure if that would make any difference. It certainly helps to gain the knowledge that I'm not the only one with this issue...
Try to flash the gps fix that angeldeath created
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA Premium App
dooyoo222 said:
Try to flash the gps fix that angeldeath created
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1. Link to AngelDeath fix is in my signature.
Thanks guys. I will give that a try today.
Tried the angeldeath GPS fix. No luck. Still no satellite lock. I sat outside (it's pretty clear today) for 10 minutes trying.
dvsone79 said:
Tried the angeldeath GPS fix. No luck. Still no satellite lock. I sat outside (it's pretty clear today) for 10 minutes trying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have a case on the phone, take it off. Some cases cause interference with the gps.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA Premium App
dooyoo222 said:
If you have a case on the phone, take it off. Some cases cause interference with the gps.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought of that, and tried it once. It didn't make a difference. Not to mention, I've had the same case since the day I got the phone (I'm particular about cases and screen protectors on touch-screen phones), and it wasn't interfering during the 2 or 3 months where the GPS functionality was working great.
I restored to the stock ROM found in this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1058042
No dice. It seemed to work for a moment immediately after booting post-flash, but now it is not getting any sat locks. I am going to take it in to the store and see what they say...
Hey guys just wanted to stop by and ask if you ever thought it was not rom or hardware related? The US government will from time to time take sats out of commission for repairs and tests. Not to mention they can kill any sats they feel like without telling anyone. Just a thought
Yeah, but your gps usually connects to 5-10 sattelites at once, I'm sure they wouldn't all be out at once.
http://www.google.com/m?hl=en&gl=us...uncher&action=devloc&q=htc+inspire+gps+issues
I suggest you Unroot and run the ruu after calling att to get your replacement on its way. Myself and others have had to do it due to faulty hardware.
I thought I was having issues with my GPS but here's what I did:
Use GPS Status and reset and download the agps information.
Let phone sit near window or outside with screen timeout set to never.
After 5min or so I had a lock on 8 satellites. So now that the device has had it's initial lock it should be able to lock quickly from there on.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA App
zelendel said:
Hey guys just wanted to stop by and ask if you ever thought it was not rom or hardware related? The US government will from time to time take sats out of commission for repairs and tests. Not to mention they can kill any sats they feel like without telling anyone. Just a thought
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, not a bad thought. However, this problem had been ongoing for 2 or 3 weeks, and several of my tests involved another device (iPhone 3GS, a different HTC Inspire, and a few others) side by side, with one working and getting a sat lock, while the HTC continued to fail, so it's safe to say I ruled out the possibility of no satellites available.
akira02rex said:
I thought I was having issues with my GPS but here's what I did:
Use GPS Status and reset and download the agps information.
Let phone sit near window or outside with screen timeout set to never.
After 5min or so I had a lock on 8 satellites. So now that the device has had it's initial lock it should be able to lock quickly from there on.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also tried to re-install the agps information. No luck for me.
Tx Redneck said:
http://www.google.com/m?hl=en&gl=us...uncher&action=devloc&q=htc+inspire+gps+issues
I suggest you Unroot and run the ruu after calling att to get your replacement on its way. Myself and others have had to do it due to faulty hardware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I finally got my issue resolved. After my 2nd trip to my local AT&T store, speaking with the same rep, I was able to get a warranty exchange in-store. I refused to do that XBM (Exchange by mail) thing. That gets you a refurb, and I would have sent mine directly to HTC to let them repair it before I exchanged my phone for a refurb model. I unrooted and returned completely to stock before I went in. So, I've got a new Inspire, and sure enough, GPS is working. It had to be a hardware failure.
Thanks everyone for the ideas and feedback!
Wow, I just ran across this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1101066
Looks like the hardware issue I was having could have been fixed myself, using the instructions found there. I will keep this in mind if I have any issues with my new phone...
dvsone79 said:
Wow, I just ran across this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1101066
Looks like the hardware issue I was having could have been fixed myself, using the instructions found there. I will keep this in mind if I have any issues with my new phone...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Had to thank you for sharing that link. I was having GPS problems on multiple roms and tried every fix I could find on this forum. I did the hardware trick 2 days ago and (due to tinkering) had to flash my rom 3 times of the last couple of days. Each time though I tested the GPS and it's working perfectly.

Anyone with GPS problems????

I've searched the threads for are Verizon variant of the SGSIII. If this has been discussed , mod please remove.
I'm not a noob by any means. My GPS is driving me up a freaking wall. I've tried from on a pure stock ROM, yes out the box and both rooted .img's. Plus all available ROM'S .
Here is where my adventure begins. It takes forever if at all , to get a lock. If I do get a lock it will stick but that is about 1 out of ten times. I've tried to modify the GPS.conf , with known general tweaks and NTP servers to pull from with no luck, also a few general build.prop tweaks. Then I turned to the market and we all no how that goes , thousands of apps claiming to give you the world with a click of a button. Nada , nothing. I've done full restores, formatted system, efs etc ect, a clean start. Still no luck. Now I thought at one point that maby my GPS is fubared, I highly doubt this. I can see all satellites in my region and it connects to about one or two at the most. When I just look at my maps on my location it is close , it will show me about 100 ft away from the road I'm on or the next road over, or show me on the road but riding along side it. If I'm in navigation it just says follow route , searching for GPS. So I no its close.
This is frustrating cause I'm a self employed contractor and I depend on my phone for everything. So if anyone can confirm some of the problems I've been having or any links or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
(EDIT) After some reaserch and tinkering with the gps.conf I have made my GPS 50% better. See page 2.
DirtyDroidX
Sent from my SCH-I535 or XT913
I've had the same problem. My GPS takes forever to lock on (if I try to start it up while navigating, it usually doesn't lock at all). And when it does lock on, the accuracy is terrible.
I haven't tried any of the tweaks, apps, or different ROMs or anything, but I shouldn't be really have to. GPS worked great on my now 2.5 year old HTC Incredible, and works fine on the Rezound I play with a lot. This was one of the things I was worried about when I bought this phone... HTC phones are known for having the best radios around... and Samsung radios are known to be ****. Well, this has only reinforced that for me.
For a comparison to the Rezound, see the attached screenshots taken at pretty much the same time, in pretty much the same spot. In fairness, I was moving (although coming to a stop) when the SGSIII one was taken, but the results that came out were actually one of the better ones. Around the time I took the screenshots, I was getting measurements similar to this as well as much worse than this, while both moving and stopped. Hell, you can even see that the 3G signal is weaker on the SGSIII.
I've seen these same issues discussed in a number of forums on here, and I recognize that not everyone has this problem. Most people's GPS locks on instantly and the accuracy is great. But there are still a lot of people who do have this problem, so it's definitely not just a couple isolated cases. I realize that I can take it in for a warranty replacement, but then I get a refurbished phone back, and those usually come with even more problems... which is the thing that pisses me off about the Verizon warranty program... I buy a brand new phone... it doesn't work... I get a refurbished phone in it's place. Samsung needs to just stop making shoddy hardware and it won't be a problem.
Don't get me wrong, I'd still take this phone over the Rezound any day. It's sexier, has a way better processor, camera, and battery life, and has a bigger screen. I just miss Sense and having radios that actually work well
For whatever reason, the old GPS issue thread disappeared. Initially I had no problems on stock, but when I flashed Invisiblek's JB 8-10 build, I wasn't able to lock on.
What I did was download FasterFix from the PlayStore. With GPS off, I launched it, set the region to my region, closed, and then turned on GPS, waited a minute and launched navigation again. See if that works for you. I think FasterFix calibrates your region or something if it's trying to find you somewhere in the world and is taking a while.
xmrlazyx said:
For whatever reason, the old GPS issue thread disappeared. Initially I had no problems on stock, but when I flashed Invisiblek's JB 8-10 build, I wasn't able to lock on.
What I did was download FasterFix from the PlayStore. With GPS off, I launched it, set the region to my region, closed, and then turned on GPS, waited a minute and launched navigation again. See if that works for you. I think FasterFix calibrates your region or something if it's trying to find you somewhere in the world and is taking a while.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FasterFix seems like it might fix the lock-on time but not the accuracy, which is the (much) bigger problem.
I hope I don't. S2 had a POS GPS at first that took forever to fix.
Yea I can get a lock faster with a few play store apps. The thing is like said before, the accuracy is ****ty. Plus the navigation won't function cause of this. I hope someone with in depth knowledge can see what the problem is. I have not given up hope yet lol. I have a few things I want to test out and then I might throw my hands in the air. I need to get ahold of nitroglycerin33 on talk and ask him a few questions.
Jmo. I flashed the radio before Verizon got there ignorant hands on it. I forget what the version name is . I live on a fringe area and I was dropping calls left and right ,bad 4G conection. Now I would say its 60% better.
Sent from my SCH-I535 or XT913
You should exchange the phone if you can. Mine was terrible before and now its perfect on the new phone.
ChrisNee1988 said:
You should exchange the phone if you can..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, GPS not working in these phones seems to be a hardware problem.
My G3 GPS works perfectly (better than my old Rezound in side by side comparisons, it locks almost instantly even inside where I work), but my boss had one that didn't work for ****.
VZ replaced his & now it works great.
My wife's S3 does something entirely different. GPS locks on fine and fast, but it says she's in Clintwood VA, about 500 miles off. First noticed it in the weather widget, but if she opens maps it starts in Clintwood, but locks on correctly in just a few seconds. Weather can be changed manually, but goes back to Clintwood after a while.
Never been to Clintwood, may need to see if there's anything worth seeing there.
johnnyvol said:
My wife's S3 does something entirely different. GPS locks on fine and fast, but it says she's in Clintwood VA, about 500 miles off. First noticed it in the weather widget, but if she opens maps it starts in Clintwood, but locks on correctly in just a few seconds. Weather can be changed manually, but goes back to Clintwood after a while.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is just a bug in the [email protected] stock weather app, mine does the same thing. It always puts me in NYC which is a 6 1/2 hour drive away.
I use weather & toggle widgets flip clock/weather instead in Nova Launcher & that weather app always locates me perfectly no matter where I am.
Just got it and this is one of the best GPS's I have seen yet. Better than my S2 and my Razr.
My last GS3 had a similar issue too on top of the lock taking forever and it being a bit off. At one point it thought I was in Florida but I really live near DC. My friend noticed it when I was chatting with the FB app and it included Geotags and was wondering what I was doing in Florida.
johnnyvol said:
My wife's S3 does something entirely different. GPS locks on fine and fast, but it says she's in Clintwood VA, about 500 miles off. First noticed it in the weather widget, but if she opens maps it starts in Clintwood, but locks on correctly in just a few seconds. Weather can be changed manually, but goes back to Clintwood after a while.
Never been to Clintwood, may need to see if there's anything worth seeing there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm leaning toward a hardware issue myself cause I'm adjusting the NTP servers as we speak. I've used about 6 different ones . No change. I'm going to try some prop tweaks now.
Sent from my SCH-I535 or XT913
dirtydroidx said:
I'm leaning toward a hardware issue myself cause I'm adjusting the NTP servers as we speak. I've used about 6 different ones . No change. I'm going to try some prop tweaks now.
Sent from my SCH-I535 or XT913
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I could be misinterpreting what you are trying to do, but why would the NTP servers have anything to do with your GPS problem? NTP simply delivers UTC time....
GPS works prefer for me. Takes about ten seconds at most to lock
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Beemer533 said:
I could be misinterpreting what you are trying to do, but why would the NTP servers have anything to do with your GPS problem? NTP simply delivers UTC time....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure what the problem is that's why I'm trying to distinguish between hardware or software. Just exploring all options. Can't hurt.
Sent from my SCH-I535 or XT913
OK might be on to something
If anyone wants to try it out I will post it here in a little bit. From tweaking the GPS.conf file I got this>>>
When I started the day I got not one lock on a satt !
Sent from my SCH-I535 or XT913
dirtydroidx said:
I'm not sure what the problem is that's why I'm trying to distinguish between hardware or software. Just exploring all options. Can't hurt.
Sent from my SCH-I535 or XT913
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it certainly can't! I was just wondering, as NTP just delivers time, and has no positional information...
Agreed the lock does take forever UNLESS you turn on Google Location Services (which I usually have off), and it is accurate as all hell even indoors. I wonder if turning that on with Standalone GPS will solve your issues.
Edit: GPS lock was great with Maps indoors, but switching to Navigation it never locked onto GPS even though it had my location perfectly!
OK if you want to prove my concept feel free to . Let me no if it works for you. Go out side or be in a car while locking on!
1) Download new gps.conf file>>>
http://db.tt/5xvFneRt
2) Replace it in /ect . Rename the original one from .conf to .bak. using a file explorer with R/W enabled , so yes you have to be rooted!
3) Download GPS toolbox https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.eclipsim.gpsstatus2
4) Reboot.
5) Enable standalone GPS and Google services NOT Verizon services.
6) Open GPS status select options/tools/reset . Then options/ tools/download
7) Reboot
8) Open GPS status and wait for lock . Mine took 5 min a friends took 3. Then open up navigation .
9) Profit
Sent from my SCH-I535 or XT913

I Hate the GPS on this phone

Don't get me wrong, I love the GS3 for all the performance and software features but the GPS on this thing is almost unbearable.
I was using Nav this weekend to go see my new baby grand daughter for the first time and I was constantly U-turning, making loops, pulling over for it to find GPS, etc. Finally I asked my girlfriend to plug the address into her Moto Razr (instamt lock) only to find we were just around the corner from the address we were trying to find and that we had passed by it at least twice while trying to follow the screwed up directions the GS3 was giving me.
I sure wish this was just software related but I have tried about evry fix out there including trying several different ROMs. I hate to say I am moving on to something else but this is very frustrating. I really like the specs on the Note2 but I am weary that this is a systemic Samsung issue. Maybe the HTC DNA. never had any issue with my Rezound I gave up for this.
OK I feel better now.
Sounds like a hardware defect. Have you had the phone swapped out?
I have no problems with gps. Heck, I even get a lock indoors in my office.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
try running gps fix from the playstore.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.androidlab.gpsfix&hl=en
I had this same issue. I got a replacement phone, and the problem went a way.
It's most likely hardware.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
jdg1 said:
Don't get me wrong, I love the GS3 for all the performance and software features but the GPS on this thing is almost unbearable.
I was using Nav this weekend to go see my new baby grand daughter for the first time and I was constantly U-turning, making loops, pulling over for it to find GPS, etc. Finally I asked my girlfriend to plug the address into her Moto Razr (instamt lock) only to find we were just around the corner from the address we were trying to find and that we had passed by it at least twice while trying to follow the screwed up directions the GS3 was giving me.
I sure wish this was just software related but I have tried about evry fix out there including trying several different ROMs. I hate to say I am moving on to something else but this is very frustrating. I really like the specs on the Note2 but I am weary that this is a systemic Samsung issue. Maybe the HTC DNA. never had any issue with my Rezound I gave up for this.
OK I feel better now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Keep trying new ROMs. A lot of GPS issues are due to bad config files in the ROM not the actual hardware chips
yeah must be hardware related. I easily get a GPS lock even when I am indoors in my basement.
GPS does suck on it every ROM even stock takes forever to lock on mine
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
I had some really iffy gps when aosp first came out on our phone. BUt in the lastfew weeks I have not had any issues, and I rely on my gps pretty heavily. Last week it seemlessly moved me around stopped traffic due to an accident and I didn't realize it until I saw it on the freeway asI happily made my way on surface streets.
If you are running aosp and still having problems, check out the AGPS fix thread in development (helped me on some touchwiz roms too). But cm10, paranoid android and clean rom have all worked perfect for me as of late.
If none of that works, you wouldn't be the first person with a hardware defect. 30 million phones sold in a few months has to mean some are going to be boogered up, its just a percentage game. I personally have been fighting poor audio quality and have been told that is also a hardware issue, so just get Verizon to take care of you, you'll be happy you did.
I guess ill call verizon. Didnt want to have to go through the trouble of unrooting and returning to stock. Also I know the replacement will be a refurb. Thats always a crap shoot because it may have worse problems than this one.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
I had the same problem and I got a replacement and this phone locks instantly. Get your phone swapped.
I agree with most others in here. Probably hardware. The GPS on my GS3 is flawless. In fact it's one of the best out of all the phones I've had.
Sorry to hear you're having problems..
GPS on mine work flawlessly too. Locks in seconds. I am running the first JB leak. Hope the OP gets it figured out because the S3 is awesome and would hate to see someone ditch it for a isolated gps issue
ilkevinli said:
I had the same problem and I got a replacement and this phone locks instantly. Get your phone swapped.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Went ahead and ordered the replacement. Hoping I'll have the same luck you did.
My GPS works great too. Locks on in my house and never had issues using the navigation.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
I'm wondering if there is a GPS issue with my device as well, but it doesn't sound as bad as this. It gets me where I need to go, but the problem is getting the GPS lock. I often drive five or ten minutes before it gets the signal--it just says "Searching for GPS" until it finally kicks in. Never had any problems like this on my Rezound either.
Don't really want to swap the phone out for a sketchy refurb, but I'm debating whether or not I want to live with the issue. Sounds like something that isn't going to go away if it's hardware related.
Since you are rooted, give this a shot! https://play.google.com/store/apps/...51bGwsMSwyLDEsImNvbS5Eb3VibGUuRmFzdGVyRml4Il0.
This is definitely a hardware problem, I have two G3s and the GPS locks instantly in both of them.
jmorton10 said:
This is definitely a hardware problem, I have two G3s and the GPS locks instantly in both of them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no issue with GPS. 5 - 10 seconds to get GPS lock. Much better compering my old droidx.
My GPS was great until I flashed LiquidSmooth JB. Now I can let it sit all day long, and it won't lock.
RGOLD said:
I have no issue with GPS. 5 - 10 seconds to get GPS lock. Much better compering my old droidx.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't even get be started on Droid X GPS lock times :banghead: lol
Sent from my Secret Base in Outer Space
---------- Post added at 07:19 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:16 AM ----------
spenc938 said:
My GPS was great until I flashed LiquidSmooth JB. Now I can let it sit all day long, and it won't lock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sometimes with certain JB ROMs, the GPS screws up for some reason, the fix is to flash to a ICS nandroid if you have it, if not flash to an ICS ROM, get a lock on GPS, than flashback and that usually fixes the issue
Sent from my Secret Base in Outer Space

[Q] GPS Issues on all ROMS

Hello all,
I'm having issues getting GPS to lock on every rom. Be it AOSP or TW based, my GPS has trouble locking and updating. Often times in Google Maps and Waze it looks as though the arrow is facing 90 degrees in the opposite direction. Another problem is that after the GPS locks, it then does not update as frequently as it should causing the arrow to stay in one place on Maps and it can take minutes to update with your new position.
Has anyone else been experiencing this?
My baseband version is VRUCML1
And my location settings have been set for high accuracy.
Edit: This issue has been fixed thanks to TheHobbyist
TheHobbyist said:
Hey there. I had gps issues before as well. I tried literally everything on the software end of things with no luck. However, I took the back off of my s3, tightened the screws (you need a special small screwdriver), booted back up, and viola!
I know it sounds odd, but trust me on this one and give it a go ☺
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey there. I had gps issues before as well. I tried literally everything on the software end of things with no luck. However, I took the back off of my s3, tightened the screws (you need a special small screwdriver), booted back up, and viola!
I know it sounds odd, but trust me on this one and give it a go ☺
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
tylerch said:
Hello all,
I'm having issues getting GPS to lock on every rom. Be it AOSP or TW based, my GPS has trouble locking and updating. Often times in Google Maps and Waze it looks as though the arrow is facing 90 degrees in the opposite direction. Another problem is that after the GPS locks, it then does not update as frequently as it should causing the arrow to stay in one place on Maps and it can take minutes to update with your new position.
Has anyone else been experiencing this?
My baseband version is VRUCML1
And my location settings have been set for high accuracy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Having a very similar issue. I'll try the screw fix, I suppose, but I feel that the problem is more with updating than locking, leading me to believe that it may be a software problem.
Please post if you have found a solution! Any help would be greatly appreciated!
I swear by the screw fix. After your GPS is fixed, use GPS STATUS free on the play store for optimal gps performance
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
TheHobbyist said:
Hey there. I had gps issues before as well. I tried literally everything on the software end of things with no luck. However, I took the back off of my s3, tightened the screws (you need a special small screwdriver), booted back up, and viola!
I know it sounds odd, but trust me on this one and give it a go ☺
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You Sir are a miracle worker.
If I could get a technical explanation for why this worked I would appreciate it. I have no idea how this was even possible.
tylerch said:
You Sir are a miracle worker.
If I could get a technical explanation for why this worked I would appreciate it. I have no idea how this was even possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm glad to hear yet another success story! :good:
Regarding a technical explanation, the gps does rely on signal reception (gps signal reception) and as such, it makes use of an antennae that is incorporated into the body of the phone. When the screws are tight, the contact between the gps and the antennae it uses is better and you get better gps reception.
(This is my theory)
I don't make cell phones, but I work with electronics hardware a lot. In my case, the screws were loose because my kid is always throwing my phone across the room =)
If you ever are browsing xda and see an s3 owner with gps issues, please take the time to share this fix with them! :good:

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