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Nexus S compass not working?

I recently acquired two NS phones, one for wife, one for me. After playing them for a few days, I found the compass is not working for both of them,even after the calibration. They point to everywhere but the right direction.
I came from Samsung Vibrant, the reason I switched was because Vibrant has bad GPS and defective compass, which really bothered me. Now after the jumping, I found NS has the similar compass problem...
Can Samsung really make a working phone?

Maybe you got a bad one, I came from the vibrant a month ago and I'm hooked. Everything works and never going back to a non nexus phone ever. GPS works perfectly and locks in less than ten seconds. My first one was a dud so I got exchanged. If you're not happy than demand to be satisfied. Do it!!
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

I gave up on my compass, too. It rotates with the phone... Not completely anyway, but the display is nearly completely independent from magnetic north. I think the sensor value may be computed by something like
Code:
north = sha1(/dev/urandom + /dev/accelerometer);
On a more serious side note: We have some metal parts in our phones. If one close to the magnetometer sensor is only slightly magnetized, that would likely seriously impact compass performance. Unfortunately, there is neither a (simple) way to find out, whether it is so, nor a (simple) way to fix it.

since I acquired the two NS phones from two independent channels, now both of them showing bad compass, I'd suspect this is something systematic.
I'm surprised to see so little echo on this issue...

coolmib said:
since I acquired the two NS phones from two independent channels, now both of them showing bad compass, I'd suspect this is something systematic.
I'm surprised to see so little echo on this issue...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just checked my compass on my NS and it seems to be real close to pointing north.
I had a G1 before and the compass would occasionally get stuck and give inaccurate readings. To fix that I would shake the phone vigorously like I was trying to take the fizz from a soda bottle and that would make the compass work properly. However I don't think that that is a problem with the NS.

The compass points wherever the point of gravity is. North is always facing down for me for some reason but gps status seems to work, but not entirely accurate.
Is there still no fix for this issue?

I often have to do the figure 8 when I want the compass to point north. Normally this works for me.

Seems like it was a rom issue. I had the newest cm rc1 and north was pointing wherever the ground was. I just returned it back to rooted 2.3.4 stock and seems to work fine, except it's shaky now.
EDIT: There is the "Compass" app that still points down, but google map and the other compass apps works somewhat fine (still shaky and about 10-15 degrees off or so)

I wonder is it pointing TRUE north or MAGNETIC north? Where I live there is almost no declination however some areas are +-15 degrees.

For my case in the original post, both phones are running the stock ROM of 2.3.4 (unrooted). I tried several compass Apps from the Market, none of them pointing to the right direction.....I wonder if it's a hardware problem.

coolmib said:
For my case in the original post, both phones are running the stock ROM of 2.3.4 (unrooted). I tried several compass Apps from the Market, none of them pointing to the right direction.....I wonder if it's a hardware problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try using "Smart Compass" if you search for "Compass" in the market, it's usually the second one from the top.

koyanishi said:
I just checked my compass on my NS and it seems to be real close to pointing north.
I had a G1 before and the compass would occasionally get stuck and give inaccurate readings. To fix that I would shake the phone vigorously like I was trying to take the fizz from a soda bottle and that would make the compass work properly. However I don't think that that is a problem with the NS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have experimented a bit more with NS compass and have to agree that its accuracy is random - occasionally it will point north but more often it will be off by 10 to 20 degrees.

SovereigN7 said:
Try using "Smart Compass" if you search for "Compass" in the market, it's usually the second one from the top.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just downloaded and installed "Smart Compass"。 Same problems persist...

try the compass built into the mapping app Locus. Best compass i've found yet.

coolmib said:
For my case in the original post, both phones are running the stock ROM of 2.3.4 (unrooted). I tried several compass Apps from the Market, none of them pointing to the right direction.....I wonder if it's a hardware problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I think it is a hardware problem.
While researching a problem I have with NFC reading tags I cam upon this gem from this tread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=905512&highlight=nfc+-reading+tags
And chadrockey had this to say in post # 1 of that tread.
chadrockey said:
So I've been noticing that my compass would always misbehave (in terms of accuracy, not stability a la Sky Maps). I would get a pretty large static error (30 to 40 degrees obviously not declination); rotations would not be consistent (IE, a 180 degree turn would yield 100 degrees change.); and the magnitude of raw measurements was not like that of the magnetometer I got from Sparkfun.
Turns out the neodymium magnets I had near my desk actually latched onto my phone and magnetized the NFC antenna. I tested this by removing the cover and putting the magnet near the antenna and it sticks. Without the cover on, the compass worked much better.
I've mostly demagnetized my NFC antenna now by doing some magnet sweeps and leaving it near the heater, but I've learned to keep the magnets away.
If anyone is having problems with the compass overall accuracy, removing the back cover may help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now I never, as far as I know, have had strong magnets near the nfc antenna, but the nfc app does not read nfc tags so it could be that it is magnetized.
But if I take the back cover off my NS as chadrockey recommends, then the compass reading will be spot on.
oh, and btw, the best compass app that I know comes from swiss army knife which is one app containing a number of other neat apps

I have the same problem with my nexus s compass, north is not accurate ever and augmented reality application like streetview defect because the compass seems to vibrate, even if I have my hand stable the screen vibrates like I'm shacking the phone...

walker7373 said:
I have the same problem with my nexus s compass, north is not accurate ever and augmented reality application like streetview defect because the compass seems to vibrate, even if I have my hand stable the screen vibrates like I'm shacking the phone...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did you try using the compass without the case back cover?

tried removing the back case, compass still not working

I gave up my compass a couple of weeks after i got the phone. Shakes like a drug addict and the accuracy is worse than a blind guy trying out sharp shooting for the first time.
Ive removed the back cover, tried different apps and "calibrated" the compass multiple times but to no avail.

Join the club. The compass is a failure and google is not fixing, or not able to fix it.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

GPS fix for Captivate- Share experience

Hi all,
I found out that Captivate has GPS chip problem when it is COLD.
If you can warm it up it will work fine.
You can try it in warm environment.
While it is working, try to turn on AC in your car to cool it down and you will see it say GPS signal lost.
Turn off the AC and turn on the Heater to warm it up, GPS signal will be OK.
Good luck.

Interesting. Thanks for the tip. Will try it out in my friends cappy. He has issues with his GPS but mine has always been fine. Never had a problem even once.

I installed effingps.zip and went from no signal to 7-9 satelite locks in 10 seconds INDOORS.
great fix
knighted4

knighted4 said:
I installed effingps.zip and went from no signal to 7-9 satelite locks in 10 seconds INDOORS.
great fix
knighted4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you post a link to the file or post the zip file.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

It's in Trusselo's EFFIN EH ROM thread #140
A simple search for effinGPS.zip found it.

ctrclckws said:
It's in Trusselo's EFFIN EH ROM thread #140
A simple search for effinGPS.zip found it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will that work on CM based roms? I'm guessing no, but I haven't been able to find an answer anywhere.

And here's a link, for those who want it
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=19631418&postcount=140
Good luck. I haven't flashed this yet, but will soon.

Well....i get a lock now!!!
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S Captivate on Blue Apex

Temperature doesn't seem to affect mine. And no 'fix' has ever worked for me.
I don't care how long it takes to lock as long as it doesn't drift.
I did notice though, that the time is off by 24 hours when I do get a lock (according to GPS Test and GPS Status).
When I connect to my external Bluetooth receiver it is spot on.
Has anyone else had this experience? My guess is that the firmware is returning the wrong time, and that is making the positioning calculations impossible.

can someone explain why temperature would effect the GPS in any way? thanks..

zinkoxyde said:
When I connect to my external Bluetooth receiver it is spot on.
Has anyone else had this experience?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure if you mean time, or GPS being spot on. I haven't paid any attention to time when using GPS. But I have an external one, and it works MUCH BETTER, pretty much what I would call spot on.
However, the last couple times I"ve used it my phone has locked up. I am thinking it is the BT program I am using in order to use the external GPS. What blue tooth program are you using?

Will this work for my Captivate running mosaic 9?
Sent from my Captivate running Gingerbread

ewingr said:
Not sure if you mean time, or GPS being spot on. I haven't paid any attention to time when using GPS. But I have an external one, and it works MUCH BETTER, pretty much what I would call spot on.
However, the last couple times I"ve used it my phone has locked up. I am thinking it is the BT program I am using in order to use the external GPS. What blue tooth program are you using?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Both the time and the GPS location are correct when I use an external BT receiver (Delorme BT-20), but the time is exactly 24 hours off. That could definitely cause drift after initial lock (not to mention cause problems locking in the first place).
I use "Bluetooth GPS Mouse" by Argotronic. There is also a problem with the Captivate's Bluetooth implementation from what I've read. My bluetooth headphones, gps and obd-ii car scanner tool tend to lock up my handset from time to time. It seems to have a problem with sustained serial data communications over bluetooth.
Bluetooth GPS Mouse seems to be pretty stable as opposed to the other BT programs I've used, I guess you get what you pay for. It's a real hassle to drag around two devices on the off chance of needing directions.
I seem to remember stock AT&T Eclair being pretty good with GPS.
---------- Post added at 08:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:48 PM ----------
grndnl said:
can someone explain why temperature would effect the GPS in any way? thanks..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some electronic components are sensitive to temperature. Temperature changes conductive properties, among other things (for example, metal expands when heated). Heat dissipation could also be a factor. Electronic boards can warp, components can separate from the board or the solder can crack. More likely in this case, it just looks like it's working. I've seen tons of people claiming different things have fixed the GPS. Until I can get a lock in standalone mode, and keep it, I'm not calling it fixed.
---------- Post added at 09:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:57 PM ----------
Seems I wasn't crazy about the time thing, but apparently it has only manifested since 2012 rolled around:
code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail? id=24000
This article is about the Tab, but it looks like it is across the board.

Hm i never really thought temperature could affect the gps chip, might have to do some testing.

expansion and contraction of metals possibly fouling the antenna connection is the only real thing I can think of. Anyway, for me there never was a real fix. moving to GB really helped but not enough to make the GPS really reliable. I finally got a replacement phone moving to a build 1101 and that has a pretty good gps that is useable in most circumstances and probably as good as a phone without dedicated antenna can get. Captivates all should have been recalled due to bad gps hardware in my opinion..of course that would have cost samsung a fortune. The phone is great otherwise.
brentett said:
Hm i never really thought temperature could affect the gps chip, might have to do some testing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

did think heat could affect the gps chip, might have to do some testing thanks!

Is it true?So unbelievable!

Sounds like confirmation bias to me... I have had equally crappy GPS in both warm weather and cold.

BeowulfShaeffer said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=19631418&postcount=140
Good luck. I haven't flashed this yet, but will soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did anyone else have luck installing effinGPS.zip?

crazyjerm1 said:
Did anyone else have luck installing effinGPS.zip?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Installed. Didn't help a worth a damn.

GPS Lock on LG Urbane 2 LTE

I am using the Wear GPS app to find if I have a GPS lock. Strange, sometimes when wearing the watch, I couldn't get a lock at all, waited more than 30 mins. It was almost like the watch GPS was broken.
I am still researching the problem, but this is what helped me to get a lock in less than 1 minute:
Method#1. Take the watch off and hold it by the clasp,
Method#2. Flip the watch up-side-down a few times (to calibrate the compass),
Method#3. Open the Hiking watch face.
What is your experience?
Thanks,
S.

smatofu said:
I am using the Wear GPS app to find if I have a GPS lock. Strange, sometimes when wearing the watch, I couldn't get a lock at all, waited more than 30 mins. It was almost like the watch GPS was broken.
I am still researching the problem, but this is what helped me to get a lock in less than 1 minute:
Method#1. Take the watch off and hold it by the clasp,
Method#2. Flip the watch up-side-down a few times (to calibrate the compass),
Method#3. Open the Hiking watch face.
What is your experience?
Thanks,
S.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll try this next time I have an issue, thanks for yet another tip! Today, Wear GPS could not lock into any satellites at all. I saw one after a while, but Ghostracer recorded 0 miles run. I was starting to wonder if I broke the GPS because I have to tighten the watchband all the way to the second hole, but later, I tried again and it locked to a bunch of satellites.
Is the GPS module inside the watchband, do you know?

xendula said:
Is the GPS module inside the watchband, do you know?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know where parts are, but taking the watch off and holding it by the clasp gives me immediate lock with or without Wear GPS.

Smatofu, how do you come with this stuff?!? So, I waited forever for a signal today, then remebered to shake it, and voilá, I had a bazillion signals!
Will try out the holding by the clasp thing next time. Thanks for your solutions!

xendula said:
Smatofu, how do you come with this stuff?!? So, I waited forever for a signal today, then remebered to shake it, and voilá, I had a bazillion signals!
Will try out the holding by the clasp thing next time. Thanks for your solutions!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Shaking/flipping came from the LG Hiking watch face. You have to flip the watch a few times to calibrate the compass. I noticed that calibrating the compass helps in GPS lock.

gps lock problem
Same problem here,
I've installed wear GPS app to see satellite view and signal quality on watch.
With the watch out of the wrist, got lock after few seconds with very good accuracy (4m).
If I put it back on the wrist, the signal quality goes down and accuracy goes very bad. I've the same results if I put two or three fingers in the back of the watch when out of the wrist. Seems that body affects to signal reception.
I don't know if is a core production problem of the watch or is an individual problem of my watch.
Anyone has good gps working? I'll replace it with new one, but maybe is a watch design problem.
Br.

jambolero said:
Same problem here,
I've installed wear GPS app to see satellite view and signal quality on watch.
With the watch out of the wrist, got lock after few seconds with very good accuracy (4m).
If I put it back on the wrist, the signal quality goes down and accuracy goes very bad. I've the same results if I put two or three fingers in the back of the watch when out of the wrist. Seems that body affects to signal reception.
I don't know if is a core production problem of the watch or is an individual problem of my watch.
Anyone has good gps working? I'll replace it with new one, but maybe is a watch design problem.
Br.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had my watch for about 13 months. I had similar issues except mine seemed to be sweat related, similar to issues some have had with the Sony SW3. I would get a lock and start a run but the signal would sometimes lag after a mile or so causing an erratic recording on ghostracer. I started wearing a 2" wristband under my watch during runs starting last summer and GPS has been perfect since then (about 70 runs ranging 3 to 10 miles each).
I'm always paired to my phone through cell data and I think that has helped also.

Compass accuracy and speed?

Hi
I think the last Nexus I've owned with a good compass was the Galaxy Nexus. I owned 3 LG Nexus after that with terrible compass.
So I'd like know how is the compass in the Pixel..Have you had to calibrate the compass sometime during the day after opening Google maps? (After trying in different locations, etc?)
As some reference I'm talking about issues like this one:
https://productforums.google.com/forum/m/#!topic/nexus/SK7gbrV5MhU
Thanks!
Sent from my Nexus 5X

Any news on this? Nobody has used this yet?

I have to calibrate all the time. It's terrible. Tried several cities and environments. Wife's iPhone worked great. It's a shame for Google.

I'm also having exactly this problem with my Pixel. I have to calibrate the compass every time I open Google Maps. And it also puts the blue dot at a random point distant from my real location, with a giant blue circle around it, and then takes some seconds to calculate my real location. It's very annoying.
It must be a bug.

So the pixel is still terrible in Maps like all the other Nexus I had before?
When is Google finally fix the compass? Its a shame that the old iPhone 5S (work phone) im using right now (because my 5X is in LG warranty) has a perfect maps walking navigation. Specially in narrow neighborhoods historic downtowns.
I thought they finally fixed this in the Pixel now I think I'll stick with the 5X or just get a GM 6 Android one (for the extra GB of RAM). And wait for the 2017 Pixel...Maybe they fix this.

vinicius.rodsilva said:
I'm also having exactly this problem with my Pixel. I have to calibrate the compass every time I open Google Maps. And it also puts the blue dot at a random point distant from my real location, with a giant blue circle around it, and then takes some seconds to calculate my real location. It's very annoying.
It must be a bug.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm thinking this is a country thing..
I've never had Google maps not know where I am pretty much as soon as I open it. I do keep GPS on all the time as it doesn't seem to effect battery much on my phone(s) the Nexus 5x and now the Pixel. It doesn't matter where I am in the country (US), in what state etc...
As for the compass, that really is something different. GPS tracks where you are and when you move apps like Google Maps will know you moved, how fast you went and what direction you went.
The compass is pretty much just a compass. I have to calibrate it sometimes but most of the time it is close enough in the general direction correct.
The GPS coordinates are always withing 4m or less in accuracy unless I am in a building or under a mountain.

Yeah but was expecting the Pixel to have a polished compass experience and seems to be the same experience as with the previous generations
I've never been able to use Maps in Cities' historic downtowns (where I need it most, for walking directions, since it's like a labyritnth with lots of hidden streets, restaurants, shops, etc).
https://www.google.com/maps/search/born+barcelona/@41.3842691,2.1802357,19.25z
But now, with the backup iPhone that I'm using temporarily, for the first time I was able to trust the compass with a 95%-100% accuracy for a 20 minutes walking trip, and constantly opening/closing maps.
With Google devices, every time I open maps, at different locations, the compass calibration randomly changes.

thesebastian said:
With Google devices, every time I open maps, at different locations, the compass calibration randomly changes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What mode do you have locations services set to on your phone?
High Accuracy
Battery Saving
Device Only

I tried to use mine in the UK and Amsterdam and it pointed me in the opposite direction to where I was facing. Calibration doesn't do anything. Might exchange it.

Jonathan-H said:
I tried to use mine in the UK and Amsterdam and it pointed me in the opposite direction to where I was facing. Calibration doesn't do anything. Might exchange it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it's a software problem within the Nexus and Pixels binaries. Sometimes you open maps in one location and then you re open maps and calibration is lost.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

I think it's a general android issue.
I have owned a galaxy s7,s6,s4 and note 2 before getting a pixel and always the walking navigation was terrible.
I thought pixel would be better but I am disappointed.
Compass is never reliable on Android phones.
Somehow iPhones do this miles better.

see full
youtu.be/CSYt8nI_UWw[/url]

mukhtar.patel1 said:
I think it's a general android issue.
I have owned a galaxy s7,s6,s4 and note 2 before getting a pixel and always the walking navigation was terrible.
I thought pixel would be better but I am disappointed.
Compass is never reliable on Android phones.
Somehow iPhones do this miles better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The wierd thing is that the compass with Maps in iOS works flawlessly
Sent from my Nexus 6P

thesebastian said:
The wierd thing is that the compass with Maps in iOS works flawlessly
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Somehow due to such issues people consider iPhones and iOS to be better than Android.

mukhtar.patel1 said:
Somehow due to such issues people consider iPhones and iOS to be better than Android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah but I think I had a phone with good compass accuracy in the past...Maybe the S3 or the Galaxy Nexus...Or a Moto G...
Certainly not the Nexus 4…5...5X and now 6P.
Anyway... I've just sent feedback about this using the Settings menu.
The funny thing is that Maps slowly fix this when you are traveling on a train etc
But if you're walking and turning frequently there is no way it can anticipate that and there is where you noticed that it has no idea about the compass situation.
The only answer that Google always gives is "start swinging you phone like a fuc*ing Jedi"
It's ok to do that once every......6 months...But come on....You have to do this every time you change your location.
Sent from my Nexus 6P

Jonathan-H said:
I tried to use mine in the UK and Amsterdam and it pointed me in the opposite direction to where I was facing. Calibration doesn't do anything. Might exchange it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same in Germany, Compass is just 180° off...

Juli112 said:
Same in Germany, Compass is just 180° off...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now Google Maps is patched to autocorrect your compass sight when you're moving... yesterday I was on a bus seated perpendicularly pointing to the exit door but Maps was pointing where the bus was pointing (I was in the main view of Maps...without using Directions or Navigation).
This is embarrassing I hope Google put a good compass in 2017 Pixels...any old iPhone compass is better than this
Sent from my Nexus 6P

thesebastian said:
Now Google Maps is patched to autocorrect your compass sight when you're moving... yesterday I was on a bus seated perpendicularly pointing to the exit door but Maps was pointing where the bus was pointing (I was in the main view of Maps...without using Directions or Navigation).
This is embarrassing I hope Google put a good compass in 2017 Pixels...any old iPhone compass is better than this
Sent from my Nexus 6P
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@thesebastian - I use GPS Status (free from Play Store) to fix my position, update satellite positions, and calibrate my compass. It's the best thing out there and absolutely should help with your issues. Give it a shot and see if that helps.

Jank4AU said:
@thesebastian - I use GPS Status (free from Play Store) to fix my position, update satellite positions, and calibrate my compass. It's the best thing out there and absolutely should help with your issues. Give it a shot and see if that helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem is that, my compass is calibrated. But then walk 15 meters, I open google maps, and it's not calibrated anymore (i could fix this just shaking the phone most of the times, but it's fatiguing and humiliating), maybe I decide to close map, walk another 15 meters, and it's calibrated again.
I had this issue with many devices.
I can calibrate the compass and have perfect calibration in all my home, then I take the tube/subway, and calibration might be ok or wrong again when I open maps again.

What is your location mode set to? It should be set to high accuracy of it isn't. If it is then I'm not really sure what else you can do...

Question GPS Drifting a LOT

Is anyone having an issue where their GPS is drifting when they do trips in their car with android auto? I have it throwing me two or three blocks away or being slow to catch up to where I am. The causes my navigation to go into "rerouting" several times per trip.

Have you tried to calibrate it? Google Maps/Compass should have an option to do a very famous interpretive dance called the 'Figure 8'.
I one time had this phone at work I had to use for deliveries. The GPS ONLY worked on airplane mode. If LTE was on, it would give me a range of address and not the actual one. PITA. And I could never calibrate it it would never progress through the steps. If you have that issue I did, get a new phone. But thats a very rare defect if that happens. Chances are it's just your location settings and/or calibration needs to be done. Good luck.

smokejumper76 said:
Have you tried to calibrate it? Google Maps/Compass should have an option to do a very famous interpretive dance called the 'Figure 8'.
I one time had this phone at work I had to use for deliveries. The GPS ONLY worked on airplane mode. If LTE was on, it would give me a range of address and not the actual one. PITA. And I could never calibrate it it would never progress through the steps. If you have that issue I did, get a new phone. But thats a very rare defect if that happens. Chances are it's just your location settings and/or calibration needs to be done. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. I have calibrated it. And for the record, I have two of these pixels and they both have that problem. This is the worst pixel I have ever owned.

Full gnss measurements turned on in developer settings? That might help, but yes this needs to be improved. Mine isn't as bad as yours, but it's not as accurate as it should be.

ctfrommn said:
Full gnss measurements turned on in developer settings? That might help, but yes this needs to be improved. Mine isn't as bad as yours, but it's not as accurate as it should be.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just checked that setting and turned it on. I don't think that is going to work out for me. That is a huge battery drain.

edufur said:
I just checked that setting and turned it on. I don't think that is going to work out for me. That is a huge battery drain.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, bummer. Have you tried clean flashing?

With Android Auto, the phone may be using the head unit's GPS, if available. I think "official" wireless AA head units are required to have GPS capability. In any case, unless things have changed, Google Maps will try to use the head unit's GPS, and Waze will use the phone's. So, switch between the two to see if one has better GPS. That may point to where your GPS issue is.