I notice that some people have reported their S3's to receive poor GPS signal or that their phones can not lock onto a location at all, even to the point of having to return their phones. This paranoia had also struck me, and I noticed that I began to have problems too. However, I realized that at some point (for me personally) it had nothing to do with the phone. I just wanted to provide some tips as to how to improve GPS or use it more properly.
1. You need a line of sight to the satellites from your phone. That means that being in the middle of midtown Manhattan, you're likely to not get a signal. That also means that if you're in the middle of your living room, don't also expect to magically receive a GPS lock. It just doesn't work that way.
2. While it's controversial whether or not bad weather affects GPS signals, I notice that heavy clouds and poor weather affects my phone's ability to lock on at all.
3. If you're in an area where you can't get a lock (i.e. Midtown Manhattan, etc), turn on Google Location Services. This will always put you within a 500-1000 meter radius of where you are (in which case you would just read a map the old fashioned way).
4. I almost never have a problem locking on a location within 5 seconds while driving on a clear day, outside of the city. If your GPS and Google Navigation still does not work in this situation, you probably really have an issue.
5. During my paranoia, I cleared cache/data for Google Framework Services (warning: this will remove your sync account) and uninstalled updates to Maps and reinstalled. That may help if you've been flashing back and forth between roms.
Hope these simple tips might help some people out.
I don't know if it's because I leave GPS and Location services on all the time but I've never had an issue with GPS lock with this phone whether I'm in the burbs or in a city.
Yesterday I was in open line of site in Fitchburg MA, I had the GPS on for 20 minutes as I was scrambling for and event. It just would not lock at all. When I do get a lock. Yesterday same day driving 2 hours to Cape Cod (105 miles of open space) it would lock work good for a couple minutes then lag for a few seconds to minutes and not move then just jump and update. (Says GPS signal lost.) Sometimes it would then put me on side streets and struggle for find that I was still on 495 South. It did this when whole way. I knew where I was going so it wasn't a problem but there is something up and I am interested in finding out what. BTW this started after the first OTA update from Verizon.
If you have problems with gps get a replacement phone.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
A lot of people don't know is to turn on wifi first. You will get a lock on in seconds.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
loonie01 said:
A lot of people don't know is to turn on wifi first. You will get a lock on in seconds.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tough to sign onto wifi on the highway
Even when I was in line of sight and with wifi on. My s3 wouldn't get a gps signal or lock on. My wife's Rezound did. So, I called Verizon and they sent me a replacement and now everything is fine. It was the hardware in my first one that was the problem.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Boss428man said:
Yesterday I was in open line of site in Fitchburg MA, I had the GPS on for 20 minutes as I was scrambling for and event. It just would not lock at all. When I do get a lock. Yesterday same day driving 2 hours to Cape Cod (105 miles of open space) it would lock work good for a couple minutes then lag for a few seconds to minutes and not move then just jump and update. (Says GPS signal lost.) Sometimes it would then put me on side streets and struggle for find that I was still on 495 South. It did this when whole way. I knew where I was going so it wasn't a problem but there is something up and I am interested in finding out what. BTW this started after the first OTA update from Verizon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exact same issue with me. I haven't tried it bout lately because it pissed me off. I started using GPS status and toolbox and beginning to calibrate and update things. Hopefully its better now. Unfortunately, I cant get a replacement because I bought the phone off contract on eBay (just like I always do).
Boss428man said:
Tough to sign onto wifi on the highway
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't have to. For some reason enabling WiFi alone will improve the GPS's ability to get a lock. Though this isn't always the case, its one of the first things I do when I have trouble getting a lock.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Yeah I don't understand it also but when I flash a new ROM, I would go to google maps. At that time I would not get a GPS lock until I turn on Wifi. GPS status app also helps with a good GPS lock.
Div033 said:
You don't have to. For some reason enabling WiFi alone will improve the GPS's ability to get a lock. Though this isn't always the case, its one of the first things I do when I have trouble getting a lock.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's getting a rough location estimate from access points when your turn WiFi on. WiFi location doesn't have anything to do with GPS. This will only work if you're by access points.
I've had problems since day one of owning this phone. I've owned a droid 1 and droid 3. My og droid honestly never failed to lock almost instantly whether in my house or on the road. Its a shame to get such a new phone and have issues like this. Multiple threads show many users are having the same issues. I've tried fixes, clearing caches, flashing new roms and nothing.
http://m.cnet.com/news/street-view-cars-grabbed-locations-of-phones-pcs/20082777?ds=1
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2396403,00.asp
All wifi is used for is helping finding a rough location by send info through Verizon about access points nearby. Turning it doesn't make the internal gps work "better" in regards to seeing satellites it just helps Google get a fix on the phone faster
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
I suspect the Chinese are setting up random gps blockers tuned specifically to the S3. /conspiracy theory
All I know is that I can never get it to work. Ever.
My Nexus 10 is better than your tablet. Hah.
As stated before if you have problems then get the phone replaced. I have never had a single problem getting a lock at all and I live in the cities.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
unique77 said:
As stated before if you have problems then get the phone replaced. I have never had a single problem getting a lock at all and I live in the cities.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same, its probably the rom they're on. Even on 4.2.1 I get GPS though (not inside, but I can on TW roms).
OP: I can get a lock inside my living room
My GPS locks 20% of the time...outside on a clear day in Cali. Not sure what to do anymore. I've tried everything I read on here but returning it. I have a feeling they'll just give me a used refurbished phone so I hesitate to do it.
I can safely say that S3 gps is the best I've had out of all the smartphones I used. I am frequently in midtown Manhattan and it locks there within 10 seconds, and it works in my livingroom
Every time I load a new Rom I open up gps status toolbox get a lock instantly then open maps to locate me then I never have any trouble after that at all.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Related
Howdy all?
I don't know WHAT I was thinking but on impulse bought the LG Revolution last night. It's a decent and I do want to emphasize just decent, however it has an AMAZING GPS capability.
Well I am going to right my wrong and get the Charge, hence how is the GPS on it in comparison? I need a device that locks fast and can get below 20 meters (long story with crap phone at AT&T)!
Any guidance/perspective would be appreciated.
Angieutc
gps is great. Locks quickly. Much better than the fasciante was. I wouldnt regret buying the revo...its a great phone too.
Doesn't the Revo have Bing by default for search engine? I thought about getting the Revo but I hate Bing.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using XDA Premium App
sir2545 said:
Doesn't the Revo have Bing by default for search engine? I thought about getting the Revo but I hate Bing.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly why I am taking it back. I did not know how deeply intergrated bing was into the phone. I thought it was just to higlight the search engine.
Plus there is not excitement about the phone. Verizon reps weren't excited to talk about it and there is not support on XDA.
On thing -- GPS and call quality were some of the best i have had on a phone.
I made a mistake and thankful I can fix it within my 14 day period.
sir2545 said:
Doesn't the Revo have Bing by default for search engine? I thought about getting the Revo but I hate Bing.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Easily removed.
suzook said:
Easily removed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True. However, I would feel better with a Samsung or HTC model. Something is nagging in my mind that I would regret the LG purchase down the line. Just a feeling.
angieutc said:
On thing -- GPS and call quality were some of the best i have had on a phone.
I made a mistake and thankful I can fix it within my 14 day period.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you will maybe regret making the change. There WILL be roms, with debloat. And make the phone what it should be.
GPS on the Charge is okay. Doesn't lock nearly as fast as other Moto devices that I have had.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using XDA App
Gps rocks under 5 meter accuracy and fast lock times. Way better than the captivate I used to own
Sent from my SCH-I510 using XDA App
im very unimpressed by ALL of its wireless network capabilities, the gps can take minutes to lock on its fairly accurate but sometimes i'll go threw 2 songs and pass 4 exits before it locks and i find out im going the wrong way. on top of that i had the HTC TB and it had great 4G signal all around my area but my charge is maybe 1/2 to 3/4 as strong in the same places, also the bluetooth will NOT stay connected to anything which is a HUGE problem at least for me because i have a tablet and the entire reason i bought the charge was for th 4g hotspot to share with my transformer but as of right now that is nothing more than a pipe dream. I'm hoping that some of these issues will be ironed out because i can't take this phone back now and i have to wait for something newer to come out.
sadly i'm slightly disappointed in this phone so far but i do understand that in time problems will be addressed.
as far as another phone to get its hard to suggest ANY of verizons 4G phones as they all kinda suck....
So far, the GPS on my Charge has been awful. I love the phone to death, but every time I try to use the GPS, it just laaaags. Doesn't matter what program I'm using to access the GPS.
Thankfully, there are very few reasons I need GPS and most of those reasons, I really don't need GPS, I just need a location, which I can get with cell tower triangulation or whatever.
...Ok, I just opened my phone, flipped on GPS, opened Google maps and it is working perfectly. Eh... so I guess I'll amend "awful" to "spotty with a chance of awesome."
The GPS in my Charge works. It is not nearly as fast as my Droid X was, and it struggles to get a lock indoors, but I only rely on it for 1 app and can make do.
My DX would have a lock within 2 seconds max, and the Charge will take up to 10 seconds for an initial lock. That being said, I have not experienced any latency/accuracy issues once locked on to 5+ satellites.
--------------------
Sent via the combination of 4G airwaves and a Samsung device, using the full featured version of Tapatalk, better known as Forum Runner.
GPS has been terrible for me. I have had to use additional testing apps to get it to lock at all on occasion and it has been slow in those instance. Prior to EE4 it was excellent, but since it has been horrible.
My GPS completely blows, just like the Fascinate.
For those with the GPS issues, download GPS Test by Chartcross and fire that up one time. It should get a signal within 15 seconds. After opening that one time, my other GPS apps lock a signal very quickly.
It sounds strange but that solved my GPS issues...
robstamack said:
For those with the GPS issues, download GPS Test by Chartcross and fire that up one time. It should get a signal within 15 seconds. After opening that one time, my other GPS apps lock a signal very quickly.
It sounds strange but that solved my GPS issues...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have taken to using that app as well. For me it means the difference between not being able to lock and being able to lock in a minute or three. Now, I have taken to modifying my gps.conf .. so we'll see how that goes.
My wife's takes literally over five minutes to lock the first use each day or so, but sped up with a the testing app. It seems like Samsung has issues with pull GPS data off the net/cell towers to speed the initial connection. Just a theory.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
My GPS has also been very awful since ive gotten my charge last week. It takes forever to lock and mostly it doesn't even lock accurately on my location kinda disappointing coming from a BB that locks on almost instantly on my exact location.
I remember it working real well but then yesterday I went to use Navigation and got nothing. Since then I've tried to clear the DV cache, clear the GPS data, reinstall Maps. Nothing has worked. Through the testing apps, I can see it is getting some gps signal but they are mostly weak and it never locks on to anything. I am thinking about wiping my phone to see if maybe that will do the trick. Might be a good time to start getting into Roms.
I've only used mine twice, but it seems to consistently position me about .25 to .5mi away to the south from my actual location. (Both times I was using it indoors.)
My GPS on the Skyrocket has been horrible since day one. It takes a minute or longer to lock and then loses lock in about 15 seconds. I am currently using SKYICS. Anyone have a fix? Am I the only one?
Sent from my SmartQT20 using Tapatalk 2
agps fix flash via cwm. Google it.
I will be kind.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1438129
Thanks. Will try tomorrow. It is killing me that my HTC hero has great GPS on it - fast lock and doesn't drop and the new phone doesn't.
Sent from my SmartQT20 using Tapatalk 2
Which skyics? And you might try downloading GPS test just to see.
occupational_hazard said:
Which skyics? And you might try downloading GPS test just to see.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
4.2E Update 6
But it didn't work well on stock either. The only other phone I have to compare it with is my old Sprint HTC Hero and it is quick to lock on and solid as a rock. I've flashed the gps fix zip and will try the gps on the way into work in the morning. That is about a 26 mile drive.... here's hoping....
Check your nav settings too.
Go to settings then location service. Check all three options. Then try again. It should work like a charm!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium
The agps fix is nothing short of amazing. Mine will lock in to my location, even inside a building, within a few seconds.
The patch appears to have worked. I'll test again on the way home. Thanks all!
Your welcome.
Works for a few minutes and then loses signal and has to re-acquire. I'll try some of the other versions to see if they are any better. In the meantime, back to the Hero and an offline gps program.
Must be something with your setup, I used it for an hour last night and it worked beautifully.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727
Out of all of the Android phones I have owned the Skyrocket has the best GPS. Locks in just a few seconds. I have gotten quick fixes on Gingerbread and ICS.
Very strange that mine doesn't work right. Can anyone post which ROM you use and if you flashed the agps patch, which one you flashed? Oh.. and do you use a case on your SkyRocket? I'll remove my case tomorrow and test also.
Could be a bad GPS chip. Mine locks in under 10 seconds indoors to an accuracy of 5 meters. It willl hold the lock driving at 80mph. I've tested it stock, on SKY, and on Embryo with the same results. I've never found the need to flash the agps fix. A huge improvement compared to my last phone.
My skyrocket is the best GPS device I've ever had. Including dedicated GPS devices. My skyrocket is stock, with no fixes whatsoever. At 500 miles an hour over the middle of the Pacific Ocean I can get a lock on in less than 30 seconds. Nothing else has ever even come close. Dedicated GPS's from Garmin, tom-tom and others take over 15 minutes under the same situation. Reception in difficult areas, like downtown with lots of buildings around, is also the best I've ever seen. It's really too bad there isn't a decent GPS navigation program for android.
Copilot's maps suck. Sygic has good maps, but a terrible navigation display, and even worse POI implementation. Routing is horrible. Don't even get me started on the problems with Google maps. Sure it's pretty, but it isn't really a great dedicated navigation service. All three of these stress form and features over function.
For great GPS software, nothing beats the old Garmin mobile XT for windows mobile. It didn't have the latest and greatest features, but as far as function, nothing could touch it for use on a worldwide basis. If you could put that software on a skyrocket, you'd have the best handheld GPS device on the planet--bar none.
I had to exchange my skyrocket for a new one because of this issue. It was just terrible - wide open spaces it would just blink for a minute then maybe lock, driving normal speeds trying to use Navigation was futile because it would lose lock all the time. I just took it to an at&t store had them put it next to another skyrocket and showed him how bad it was, in fact indoors it just couldn't get a lock at all ever.
Got a new one and it's flawless, now running cm9.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk
styx66 said:
I had to exchange my skyrocket for a new one because of this issue. It was just terrible - wide open spaces it would just blink for a minute then maybe lock, driving normal speeds trying to use Navigation was futile because it would lose lock all the time. I just took it to an at&t store had them put it next to another skyrocket and showed him how bad it was, in fact indoors it just couldn't get a lock at all ever.
Got a new one and it's flawless, now running cm9.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is very good to know. I am going to try it without my case and then without it running stock. If I still have the issue, I'll take it to an AT&T store and get it swapped out.
Thanks!
occupational_hazard said:
I will be kind.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1438129
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I run this every time i flash a rom or update. I lock onto 10-20 sats with ease. lock on usually takes 3-5 seconds. This is a must have!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium
Has any one else noticed the GPS signal is extremely week on this phone? Next to my Verizon nexus this thing is a joke. It gets confused on which street I'm on and jumps around a hell of a lot street it finally locks. I read there was an issue with the international version but anyone else noticing this problem too?
Forget the built in nav, that takes forever already. I downloaded sygic and co pilot live to see if they would help and they help with the locking on by a few seconds to minutes. This is in queens New York, nj and long island. All with clear views of the sky.
Sent from my HTC One XL using Tapatalk 2
Download gps status and check how many satellites your connecting to. I usually hover around 8-11 consistent connections.
I'm from the Bronx and drive between here, the city and Westchester County on an almost daily basis. Never had a problem with GPS.
Edit: Google navigation gets a permanent connection within 5-10 seconds of setting my destination. Maybe there's a simple fix? Try clearing A-GPS data within the gos status app, that always helped me with my wonky Inspire 4G at least.
I can't say that I've experienced any of this. I'm in Milwaukee, WI and I have had no issues with jumping, and my lock is within 15sec tops. maybe try to recalibrate gps?
I usually lock on 4-6 tops and they drop out a lot. The nexus at the same time locks on 9-11 or more at the same time. So weird. How can I recalibrate the GPS? I've wiped and flashed roms and it never helps.I've even tried faster fix and that doesn't help. Come to think of it, it has been doing it since the 1.85 ruu, not sure about the prior version because I didn't test out the GPS then.
Sent from my HTC One XL using Tapatalk 2
Download GPS Status & Toolbox from the play store. Open it, hit menu, tools, and select Manage A-GPS state (make sure you are outside with a clear view of the sky when you do this), hit reset, then download. Should help as a temporary fix.
Thanks! I'll give this a shot tomorrow.
Sent from my HTC One XL using Tapatalk 2
No problem, let me know how it turns out. I'm curious if it'll fix it for you. If not, it may be a hardware defect.
I think the GPS on this phone rocks. I've only read great reviews of it and I have had similarly great results.
Not hard to beat my old captivate though
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers
Unless I'm underground, I can almost always get a lock within 10 seconds. I usually connect to 10+ satellites too. The GPS on this device has been nothing short of excellent.
thedauntlessone said:
Unless I'm underground, I can almost always get a lock within 10 seconds. I usually connect to 10+ satellites too. The GPS on this device has been nothing short of excellent.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed. Been super impressed with the GPS. 13 satellites within seconds.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
NYC was tough for me, but I am from Oklahoma and probably should have updated with GPS status. Otherwise, live the GPS on this.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
As with everyone else, I really think the HOX nailed it with the GPS. Fast 3-4 second locks upon starting maps, runkeeper.
Compare this to my S2 international....its 3 times quicker.
Keep in mind: (On a really really simplistic level, the only way I understand it ,really ) it may take a good 15 seconds the first time you lock your phone. Your phone will then learn the satellite positions/data, and your next lock should be quicker. The more locks you get, the more satellite positions your phone will learn.
Something like GPS status etc will help with this. Look for a good 8-10+ locks (the more the merrier!) and you should be set! =)
This phone has been great as far as GPS is concerned for me. I've seen a minimum of 15 satallites any time I've checked (usually locking onto 11 - must be the max I'm guessing) but I'm usually seeing 20.
Sent from my htc_evita using xda app-developers app
If you have any issues with the GPS connection (weak/jumpy), try turning off you WiFi connection. That makes a huge difference for me!
Anyone know why the gps takes forever to lock on when in navigation
Sent from my htc_jewel using xda app-developers app
No idea. The GPS signal is almost instantaneous on my phone once I open up Navigation.
Yea its spotty with me. It'll connect quickly, but ill be driving on the highway, then itll think im on some side road, and be really confused. I rebooted, and happened again, three times in a row. Also tried disabling GPS services and everything.
I would recommend taking it to Verizon to get a replacement. GPS isn't one of those things that's that fixable, its kind of hit or miss.
I'll probably take mine to VZW this week and demand a replacement for a faulty GPS.
Mine excellent has not seen this issue with others...if not rooted I would update to the newest radio...well you do not have to be rooted to do that but update for the latest radio to see if that helps...but I had no issues with the old...
You could try downloading an app called FasterGPS which supposedly helps lock on faster.
mine keeps putting me in the wrong place
Im coming from the droid charge and that and this phones gps is garbage. The only way i can get it to work is to turn on gps 5 minutes prior to opening maps/navigation and hope it will lock. That works about 30% of the time. Other than that no gps for me
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
SFniner415 said:
Im coming from the droid charge and that and this phones gps is garbage. The only way i can get it to work is to turn on gps 5 minutes prior to opening maps/navigation and hope it will lock. That works about 30% of the time. Other than that no gps for me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The GPS in the Droid Charge I had was virtually useless half the time, but I am finding the GPS in my G3 works perfectly (it works so well I never use my Garmin portable GPS anymore)
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.
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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.
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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
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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....
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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
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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