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Hi Guys,
I've been hearing about lots of problems with the GPS not picking up low SNR satellites and the GPS being wildly inaccurate on the samsung vibrant and also the euro variants of the galaxy s.
Does the captivate have the same issue?
Its true. I bought it on sunday an notice that issue. Hope there will be a update(Bug fix) soon.
Compare to my G1, the Captivate take about the same time to lock and GPStest says the SNR is better. I'm happy with it.
MFister said:
Hi Guys,
I've been hearing about lots of problems with the GPS not picking up low SNR satellites and the GPS being wildly inaccurate on the samsung vibrant and also the euro variants of the galaxy s.
Does the captivate have the same issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Define Wildly inaccurate. On my Captivate it is dead on (within 9 feet)
I am having major problems with GPS. I am getting a lock but only within 50-75 feet. It isn't good at all. The GPS is slow to update and throws me everywhere.
I amthinking of returning the phone if Samsung doesn't make an announcement about s fix for this.
dial this from your phone:
*#*#1472365#*#*
Change startup from hot to cold.....worked for me. GPS locks much much faster
What are the settings on your phone Citznfish? My phone is off by anywhere from 100-500ft. Thanks!
Ok, I tried it again... In the house I'm about 500 ft off from where I really am and placed in a golf fairway. Outside I am FURTHER off: I'd estimate at least 5 blocks and placed in the middle of a different golf fairway. For comparision sake, my wife's iPhone 3Gs has her within 10-20' while inside the house. To me, this is unacceptable and a great cause for concern. What can I do???
Smalls2 said:
dial this from your phone:
*#*#1472365#*#*
Change startup from hot to cold.....worked for me. GPS locks much much faster
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm having the same problem here. My iPhone 3GS GPS responded way quicker then this phone does. I have a Weather Channel widget up, and it doesn't find the location to display the weather for a good minute and a half after. Same goes for using Google Maps to find my location. Lot of times it says, "Your location is unavailable." I even tried switching the startup from hot to cold, and that didn't have much effect either.
When I was driving today, the GPS locator had a bad lag in it, I would be down two blocks before it would catch up, and I live in a 3G area, and not a giant city like NY or something.
I wonder if it's because it's so bloated with Samsung UI on it, or if it's just the a bug. Either way, if I'm still having issues with it, I'll see if AT&T will exchange it out for a different one. Otherwise back to the 3GS, which I really don't want to do since I'm loving Android right now.
What does hot start and cold start do?
skizzz said:
What does hot start and cold start do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hot Start - The GPS receiver remembers its last calculated position and which satellites were in view, the almanac used, and the UTC Time. It then performs a reset and attempts to acquire satellites and calculate a new position based upon the previous information.
Cold Start - The GPS receiver dumps all information and resets. It then attempts to locate satellites and then calculate a GPS lock. This takes the longest because there is no known information. The GPS receiver has to attempt to lock a satellite signal from all of the satellites, basically like polling, which takes a lot longer than knowing which satellites to look for.
Danm a cold start sounds like it would be slower. I tried it and I still can't get a lock within a reasonable range.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA Appb
I've been reading online that the Galaxy S got a firmware update that greatly improved/fixed the GPS problems we are experiencing. I can only assume that we will have to wait as well for this firmware to completely fix the gps issue.
Try the fix/workaround in the Vibrant forum.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=728611
I went from seeing 1 satellite and none locked to 7-10 seen and 5-7 locked.
tbae2 said:
I've been reading online that the Galaxy S got a firmware update that greatly improved/fixed the GPS problems we are experiencing. I can only assume that we will have to wait as well for this firmware to completely fix the gps issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where did you read this? I've been looking for something like this, preferably from Samsung.
i havent had too many problems with GPS here
Google maps usually locks me in a few seconds
Third party applications can take much longer, however
The problem might be the way the third party apps utilize the GPS
lyu370 said:
Try the fix/workaround in the Vibrant forum.
I went from seeing 1 satellite and none locked to 7-10 seen and 5-7 locked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually that isn't a fix at all. It makes locking onto satellites much faster, but nothing to address the sensitivity issues, and there is definitely an issue. I 'found' 9 satellites, but could only lock onto two of them, for a few seconds at a time, then back to zero, out in the open.
Hopefully a software fix is on the way.
Source: /showthread.php?t=728611&page=5
This fix did help me so now i get a quick lock...as ling as i dint start moving around. It stays close enough to exact to use for driving around but not more accurate than that. The problem isn't really getting a lock so much as keeping it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
tdusen said:
Compare to my G1, the Captivate take about the same time to lock and GPStest says the SNR is better. I'm happy with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I change my mind. While what I said still stands, I've since found that the GPS and the Compass don't track very well. I tried find a geocache using the same GeOrg software I use on my G1. The location seemed to be stuck as I was walking. From my experience with the Tilt, I'd say the GPS is running in "Static Navigation"
The clock is ticking, GPS has to be fixed in 28 days, or the phone gets returned.
lyu370 said:
Try the fix/workaround in the Vibrant forum.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=728611
I went from seeing 1 satellite and none locked to 7-10 seen and 5-7 locked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was having problems w/ GPS on my phone as well. Would be way off in Google Maps, Navigator took forever to lock, and geo-tagging photos was also way off. I did something similar - dialed the code to get to the GPS settings. However, all I did was turn Skyhook to ON and switched configuration from manual to auto. I don't seem to have any problems between yesterday and today. It locks incredibly quick and is very very accurate.
Some of you should try this method and see if it helps with anything. Good luck.
I've had the NS (i9023 on stock 2.3.3) for a few days now and I must say I'm generally rather impressed ... if only the GPS and other location sources didn't suck so much.
GPS (outside, on my top floor balcony):
With mobile data and wifi on it more often than not won't get a lock for tens of minutes, if at all. Even if it has a lock it'll lose it every few seconds. With both off it's actually somewhat usable - takes a while, the accuracy isn't too good (10 m does seem to be the best it can do), and the lock's rather erratic, but still, better than nothing. Makes the thing bloody useless for navigation, though.
For comparison: A Galaxy S (i9000 on stock 2.2.1) locks within 3-10 seconds, gets about a third more satellites and gives me 10-5 m accuracy. Almost no fluctuation in either accuracy or number of sats. A Desire S locks as fast if not faster and shows 8-3 m accuracy even, even though it generally shows the fewest sats.
Wifi- and/or cell-based location (indoors)
Even my trusty old i5700 (Galaxy Spica) puts me within 100-20 m of my true location even when GPS is disabled, using just cell towers, or that and wifi. Even more importantly, it gauges the accuracy correctly, that is, I'm always within the blue circle.
The Nexus S (and, to be fair, the Desire S) on the other hand puts me in a 1000-400 m circle - and I'm not even near that, it's a couple of kilometers off. What's with that?
Compass
Well, it's not strictly about location and the horse has been beaten to death but it still needs to be said: It doesn't work. At all. Instead it spins wildly, even when the phone's perfectly stationary.
On to the questions:
Is this a sw bug, a hw bug or just a defective unit?
If it is a sw bug, is there anything known about the eta of an incoming hot fix?
Are there any known workarounds?
I really hope there's a solution to this because I really like the thing generally.
+1
roughly the same here.
Same problem. We need help.
Enviado desde mi Nexus S usando Tapatalk
Yes .. I just don't know if I should return it over this issue or not, and I'm running out of time as today's the last opportunity.
Does anyone know if the GPS, network location and/or compass work flawlessly under CM7? That would at least tell us that a fix is possible.
yep, and i'm guessing as it's on stock it's not a software issue. it's a major issue for me as i want to dev augmented reality stuff and having the visual jump around when you're stood still is not cool.
Same thing here. Acquiring a lock can sometimes take forever. I think it's Samsung's crappy hardware, so we may all be stuck.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA Premium App
I am also facing the same problem with my SNS here in Bangladesh.
Peculiarly the sets gets location data using Cell tower in some areas while it doesn't in many of the areas. As for example, I dint find any problem in checking in Facebook places ot Google Place in my Work.
But have never been able to do the same same in my Home. :-S !
This flaw is giving some hard time.
Is it bcz I've rooted my SNS and using CM7 ?
MarkusPO said:
i'm guessing as it's on stock it's not a software issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's dire news ... You'd think with all the problems the SGS's GPS had and all the attention the early reviews of the NS gave to the issue someone would have spotted it - yet most were quite positive the GPS was fine.
Unfortunately reports on this and other forums are very mixed on the question if and when the NS GPS started acting up.
I guess I'll just have to send it back for now, after all I can always get another one if there's an update that fixes GPS and the rest of the location providers.
like i said in my own thread: exactly the same problems. really sucks. especially GPS and Compass are pissing me off, really doesn't work at all..
bought this new phone and expected a perfect device but got a device full of bugs, i even had a HW problem and had to give it to the support here..i thought i have a completly defective device but since others got this problems i have a little more hope.
and i really hope for a fix soon and really hope this is a SW and no HW bug.
Has anyone with a sucky GPS tried this trick (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1043034) or a similar one on the Nexus S?
I haven't had any issues with my GPS, however sometimes it may take 30sec-1min to find a solid signal. My experiences have been with stock rom and also SupeAosp 6.2 (which I'm currently using).
I bought a T-Mobile nexus s to try out at best buy before committing to dish out 600$ on the att version and noticing that my GPS is having a difficult time locking a signal. Could this be because I'm on edge signal or it shouldn't matter?
I had that captivate before and I had the same issue, does this problem also exist on the nexus s also? It's a great device but I don't think its worth it to me if the GPS isn't reliable
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
If the GPS is having trouble finding your location, then it's not your network's fault. It's your GPS's. Anyway, 2.3.4 should fix that, so just manual install 2.3.4 and you should be good to go.
i do note though, i have problems around areas densely populated with buildings and trees.
Not trying to be an ass, but do you even know how gps works? There's nothing to do with edge cellphone towers or anything... The phone receives signals from satellites that orbit earth and by comparing the time delay it takes to receive the signal from at least 3 different satellites it locks your location.
Now, because the signal is very weak you need to have a clear view of the sky. Buildings, trees, clouds, anything aside a blue clear sky can prevent your phone from getting a gps signal.
So every phone first use radio strength from cellphone towers to triangulate your position faster, but again it has nothing to do with 3g or edge stuff since it just compare the strength of radio signals from differents cellphone towers that have know locations.
So try out getting a gps fix in a clear day, if even in perfect conditions you don't get squat than replace the phone.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
Well I was trying to use the gps on the express way with nothing but blue sits and I wasn't able to achieve a lock until half way to my destination. As much as I like the nexus s if I have to update my rom to get the gps to work then im thinking about returning it. Plus I bought the attic 4g and the gps works wonderfully!! And even though its not as open to run the latest roms I find it far smoother then the nexus s aside from the screen im really impressed with the phone.
gratti said:
Not trying to be an ass, but do you even know how gps works? ...anything aside a blue clear sky can prevent your phone from getting a gps signal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not trying to be an ass, but do you even know how gps works? it also works if the sky is black.
doug0365 said:
Well I was trying to use the gps on the express way with nothing but blue sits and I wasn't able to achieve a lock until half way to my destination. As much as I like the nexus s if I have to update my rom to get the gps to work then im thinking about returning it. Plus I bought the attic 4g and the gps works wonderfully!! And even though its not as open to run the latest roms I find it far smoother then the nexus s aside from the screen im really impressed with the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the GPS lock time is decreased when you try to get it whilst moving. So if you were on express way, then that explains it. Just try to get a GPS lock in the park or standing still in an open environment. See if that helps.
MarkusPO said:
Not trying to be an ass, but do you even know how gps works? it also works if the sky is black.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You had to try hard to make that joke, eh?
There are 21 satellites up there sending signals at any giving moment, and yeah, that includes night time
Now back to topic, I don't think that you speed effect lock time since no matter how fast you are moving in your car it won't make a difference since area covered by a satellite is huge and the time stamp on those signals are in the order of 1x10^-6 seconds. And ofc a electro magnetic wave move practically at the speed of light.
There's always a visible delay when you are moving, like the position on the map is always a bit behind of where you really are, but that's because the phone only reflash your position each 2 to 4 seconds to save some battery.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
Oh, ok gratti, thanks for the input. It was just a thought. So then what would be his problem ?
i'm gonna recommend you download gps status, go to the menu / tools / manage gps, and download the gps data - which is the location of the satellites. and this will help you get lock faster.
you're welcome.
lambda30 said:
Oh, ok gratti, thanks for the input. It was just a thought. So then what would be his problem ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, hard to say. Most likely it's software related. He can try download "gps status" from market and use it's tool clear and redownload gps data. That seems to work most of the times... even tho I'm not sure it actually do something or if it's more like a placebo effect. If his phone can never get a location than better replace it and be done with it.
I had gps issues with all my phones at one point or another and most of the time it resolved by itself. One day it didn't worked the next worked like a charm.
As an electrical engineer it piss me off when my phone's gps simply can't locate me even with ideal conditions. It should work. Period. But like Lewis CK says "the ****tier cellphone is a god damn miracle" sooo...... yeah
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
Please, watch here : http://forum.frandroid.com/topic/52821-fix-gps-full-speed/
It's my topic (in french :/) but it's a fix full speed gps.
8/8 satelites in 15s !
Thread title pretty much says it all: Did 2.3.4 fix your GPS (and other location-related) issues?
Please also reply with your answer and exact phone model, including open/branded, country and carrier.
Yes.
The compass is now always right, not randomly out and unresponsive.
T
Yes, I now always get a GPS lock within few secs unlike earlier when it takes forever or sometimes just doesn't work at all.
Also my location related issue where my phone thinks I'm somewhere in India, Mauritius or sometimes Russia is now fixed. Since I got 2.3.4 i never encountered that issue. So I'm happy
I have a Nexus S (AWS version) with Wind Mobile in Canada.
Navigation can never get a lock, usless!!! 2.3.4 i9023
Indoor GPS reception (like just beside the window) is extremely poor (~120 seconds to first fix compared to 10 seconds for Nexus One).
Outdoor GPS reception depends on the mood of the Nexus S. Sometimes it takes less than 15 seconds, other times it never gets a fix. No such issues on my Nexus One; less that 10 seconds to first fix 99% of the time.
i didn't use any GPS related stuff before i updated to 2.3.4, so i really can't say, if it has been bad before.
right now i used the navigation software and got a lock within seconds..
no problems at all.. I9023.
Yes. Used to take several minutes to get gps lock.
i9023
I definitely can't get a lock indoor, is my GPS chip defective ? In the same room my iPhone can locate me with GPS on ...
Outdoor I can get a signal within 30 seconds but is it normal not to be able to locate me in my own apartment ?
Bls440 said:
is it normal not to be able to locate me in my own apartment ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Normal for GPS, yes. Network location (via wifi/cell towers) should still work, though.
Thanks for your answer. But I can see that a lot of users manage to get a lock indoors. Some youtube videos testify this aswell (and it is gps geolocalisation, not cell towers). Also, my iPhone can locate me in the same room using gps within seconds ...
Gps sensitivity varies between devices and Nexus doesn't seem to be very sensitive. Regardless of that, the GPS was never meant to be used indoors so, while you maybe be able to compare sensitivity it's not a good way to test the GPS.
GPS has always locked in around 15-20s for me.
It's not about locking speed, it's mostly about accuracy and stability, or lack of it.
Same with 2.3.3 - sometimes it get fix in 15 second, sometimes 2-3 minutes. If I use Navigon, it runs, but randomly looses signal - then it seems to get fix, but with wrong position (sometimes 4-500 meters away from the real pos...) On highways it works perfect for hours, but if I go in town it looses signal between buildings /under trees. I hope google can fix it, seems like it just holds the minimum amount of satelites to get position (but why, battery saving?), and if something hides 1-2 sats is looses fix till it finds another one. It might be good with correct gps and shorter battery time...
i never get a lock with gps since 2.3.1 ... and compass is totally ****ed up does not work at all and after reboot it just stands still, this sucks and I need Google to fix this crap!
I too have an issue with 2.3.4 NS4G on Sprint. The GPS usually doesn't lock, or, if it does, takes several minutes to do so. I have turned network location off to solely rely on the GPS radio to no avail.
Is there a fix for this?
As you may know by now I've been having problems with GPS on my Nexus S (i9023, bought factory unlocked from Amazon Germany, carrier code EUR, running rooted stock 2.3.4 AKA GRJ22). A quick search of the Nexus S forums will tell you that I'm not the only one who complains about GPS issues - I always assumed that the GPS was just sub-par on the model and I'd have to live with it.
Only now a few helpful souls over in the accessories section said it was probably defective and I should exchange it. (I've already exchanged it once for this and the new unit I got performed exactly the same.) So I'm just going to tell you the current situation and I'm hoping you'll tell me if that's within the normal tolerances for the model: [All tests done outside in suburbia]
"Network location" (geolocation, wifi / cell triangulation) is fine since 2.3.4 [just to get that out of the way]
Time to First Fix (TtFF) is decent now, usually 15-30 s cold and < 15 s hot. I've seen much better (yes, on a phone), but that doesn't bother me.
Accuracy however, is still bad. GPS Status shows 20-10 m mostly, but it fluctuates wildly going from 5 to 30 in a heartbeat even when it's just stationary. Other phones don't show this behavior. This translates into real-world problems in Maps (checked via sat view): The blue circle goes from large to enormous and back and while my true position is somewhere within the circle most of the time, the center dot is way off. Most other implementations manage to guess the location correctly even when the accuracy is bad (as tested side-by-side).
Stability is my biggest concern. The lock'll be fine for a few minutes, especially if the phone was just rebooted, but then the GPS will lose it every few (say 5-10) seconds and take time to reacquire it. Additionally, it doesn't pick up movement very well. I did a few tests watching my position in Maps while on the tram (in a window seat) and basically it would register an (approximately correct) location every now and then but then just hang there for a while. Usually it wouldn't register that the tram had left a stop before it had arrived at the next one or even just left it again. All other phones trace the tracks almost perfectly and in real time. There goes any kind of usable navigation and - in concert with the compass issues - all augmented reality apps.
Again, this isn't meant as a complaint or even a request for a fix (though if you have one I'll gladly take it) - I'd only like to gauge if my particular phone's have been bad or if "that just how it is".
Thanks for listening.
I have a nexus s4g from sprint and my gps was working great and then one day it just stopped. I can never pick up a signal and if out does it takes about five minutes our more. I have a gps radar app that shows me signal strengths and stuff and our barely picks up give signals and they are always really weak I have to refresh the agps status all the time to even get a lock and like I said it still takes about gives minutes or more if it even locks at all. I am looking for a fix my epic had the same problems and then with the latest update for it, it was amazing and fast accurate locks. And help with the nexus s4g would be great
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA App
Get your msl, go to your dialer and dial *#*#gpsclrx#*#*, then put in msl and it will clear gps for you. It will reboot on its own
snandlal said:
Get your msl, go to your dialer and dial *#*#gpsclrx#*#*, then put in msl and it will clear gps for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's an msl and what does "clear gps" mean? Also, way to derail a thread ...
I tried that before on my epic and it messed up my gps but I will give it a shot
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA App
nice post. finally some oen who get it.that there are just failts in phones and thats just how it is.
thougfh.yes try returning it in the hope to get a proper nexus s xp
I did the clear gps code and it seemed to fix mine so thanks I would recommend people try it.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA App
whats an msl? can't find that on google so what is it? would like to try out that code...really have problems with GPS on my nexus s
floomat said:
my GPS does just not work at all, it can't get a fix for hours even if there are 10 sats.
but sometimes I'm lucky (really rare) and it gets a fix but the longest time it hold it was 5minutes, then lose GPS fix can't get one again. it's even not while i'm moving, phone lays on the table and outside to test.
really disappointing for me, second thing is my compass does not work after reboot and is really inaccurate and unstable (jumping around)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your GPS sounds even worse than that on my NSs, the compass doesn't work for anyone. Out of curiosity - where did you get yours?
for msl: http://goo.gl/x3IKR
i'd like to ask if this code is good for Nexus gsm or cdma??
freakness51 said:
for msl: http://goo.gl/x3IKR
i'd like to ask if this code is good for Nexus gsm or cdma??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
According to the article you linked: "This program reads your Master Subsidy Lock (MSL) code for your CDMA Android phone."
In other news, I'd really appreciate some on-topic replys
fallenguru said:
Your GPS sounds even worse than that on my NSs, the compass doesn't work for anyone. Out of curiosity - where did you get yours?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I even think my GPS is the worst of all the Nexus S.
Mine was bought from Ebay-UK and since it was on a repairing-tour to samsung germany i know its from CPW. Its a I9020 not I9023. BTW there was nothing repaired because they said "The discribed issue cannot be found" or something like that..
what do you mean with compass does not work for anyone?? does it really not work on any nexus? thats interesting, isn't it a little bit illegal to sell a device and say it has compass and than compass does not work at all?
freakness51 said:
for msl: http://goo.gl/x3IKR
i'd like to ask if this code is good for Nexus gsm or cdma??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mh sounds like this will not work for GSM-Nexus
the GPS on my NS behaves similar (but better) to what you describe in the first post but overall it seems to have better accuracy and stability.
Have you tried recording a track while in a car? The results should be better. At least with mine it's mostly accurate and rarely looses signal (unless you go under a bridge/tunnel)
abrcrmdl23 said:
I have a nexus s4g from sprint and my gps was working great and then one day it just stopped. I can never pick up a signal and if out does it takes about five minutes our more. I have a gps radar app that shows me signal strengths and stuff and our barely picks up give signals and they are always really weak I have to refresh the agps status all the time to even get a lock and like I said it still takes about gives minutes or more if it even locks at all. I am looking for a fix my epic had the same problems and then with the latest update for it, it was amazing and fast accurate locks. And help with the nexus s4g would be great
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello,
I have the same phone, NS4G from Sprint, and the same symptoms. The GPS worked fine for a week or so, and now I'm lucky to get it to work at all. Sometimes I can get a lock after 5+ minutes (while not moving), but other times it never occurs.
I just tried resetting the GPS as is described in the post above. It says "it will reboot automatically" - does that mean the phone or the radio?
In any case I just pulled my device battery after GPS reset - I'll post back with results in a few minutes. In the meantime can you explain what you did after following the reset with dialpad/MSL?
Also attempted return...had to send in for repair
I also got a bad GPS Nexus S i9020 from Amazon.com USA site. The GPS would not lock without a wifi signal. I eventually caved in trying to get it working with rom flashes, drove me nutz, but tried to return for cash and missed the date. Had to send in to Samsung then and get the repair. I have been somewhat satisfied, having gone from no GPS to finally getting it to lock, but its a poor excuse for a gps chipset. The SiRFSTAR from my old WinMo days kicks this gps in the arse.
I also get the bouncing sensitivity and wandering location circle, but accuracy hovers around 5-10m now, but the location is never fixed solid, its wobbly, even outside with clear skies above. The compass is another huge weak spot. Samsung dropped the ball on this device, I wish I could return mine and grab an HTC unit. Google should learn from this and drop them for the Nexus Prime. I think this is unacceptable as location services are whats hot now and this device fails as a flagship product.
I like the gps on my sgs2 more (it has a sirfstar IV) but, i have to say, it's not that much better.
What i gained in stability i lost in TTL. Sometimes you need one more than the other.
The SGS2 has taken me up to 10 minutes to get a lock and if conditions aren't good (cloudy sky, tall buildings) it can easily take 5 minutes. Sometimes you just want to get some signal to get you going.
I did a trip of more than 2000 miles with my Nexus S, using the GPS most of the time, and it worked ok enough for navigation for most of the time. The only times it failed me were, as i mentioned earlier, in old parts of cities with narrow streets.
You are right when you mention HTC, because usually their devices have better working GPS.
Overall i wouldn't say it's a bad device, you have to keep in mind this is not a dedicated GPS device, it's a smartphone that does a lot of things, some better than others, it's still a good developer phone, which i think was the main goal of the Nexus.
After upgrading to the SGS2, the main differences i noticed were not the GPS but the speed and extra memory! The Nexus S is not slow and has average memory (512mb but with only around 380 free) but if you have a lot of apps running (and it's easy for this to happen) it will get sluggish and begin to close the launcher when you start a heavier app. I found this had a lot more impact on usability than the GPS weakness.