I am traveling overseas and trying to use my offline maps bit I cannot seem to get a fix with the Gps while in airplane mode. The icon is on, it says it is searching for satellites but it won't work no matter how long I wait. Any ideas what the problem is?
It might be stuck in a loop trying to find satellites since it expects the ones over your previous location. Usually the GPS uses your wireless tower signal to get a quick idea of where you are and which satellites to use (unless you turn that off). If it can't do that and you are way far away from your last fix, it may take a very long time to locate you. How long did you wait? Maybe the GPS isn't programmed to use satellites over your current location. It's a US handset, after all.
I've been walking around Stockholm for a day and it hasn't even come close to getting a fix. Is there any way to tell it where I am so it can look for the right satellites? The g in gps stands for global, so I assumed it would j"just work."
Related
Hi,
I am a complete newbie to smart phones and a proud owner of a TP2. I am having trouble using the GPS.
Doesn't the TP2 come with GPS chipset? Do I need to do any configuration before I can use it.
My phone came installed with Google maps and McGuider softwares. When I use McGuider, it says "waiting for a valid signal" and remains in that stage for a while. When I choose "Use GPS" in Googlemaps, it says "Seeking GPS Satellite (0)).
What should I do? Please help me.
It said that for mine when using google maps as well but yesterday I took it in the car and drove around for a bit and it latched on to 11 satellites about 5minutes into the drive. Also go to 'All Programs' and update QuickGPS
Goodluck
this may help with the GPS.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=542699
No Luck
I saw in other threads of this forum that GPS might take sometime to connect to the satellite the first time you use it.
So I opened my McGuider program and left it overnight for it to find a valid signal. In the morning I was terribly disappointed to see tat it was still searching for a signal.
I did try the quick GPS option.
I have not installed the hotfix that was mentioned by drgi_sk. Shall try that.
Meanwhile any other suggestions? The program I am using says it is using Com4 with 4800 BD. Is this by default?
koopharaoh said:
I saw in other threads of this forum that GPS might take sometime to connect to the satellite the first time you use it.
So I opened my McGuider program and left it overnight for it to find a valid signal. In the morning I was terribly disappointed to see tat it was still searching for a signal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you leave it in your car? GPS doesn't work well indoors - best if there is a visible line of sight to the satellites.
Fixed
Ok guys..I am really sorry about my ignorance.
Today, I went outside and stood under the sun for a good 5 minutes and it finally connected. Even though I put the phone near my window sill yesterday night, it didnt work.. I guess it is the "visible line of sight to the satellites" that Mesquire mentioned that was the issue.
Once again sorry for wasting your time and thanks for the support..
Hi
I really dont think its your ignorance here that is the problem.
The GPS seems really Buggy.
Sometimes it will connect, othertimes I get the searching for satellites problem.
When using Tomtom in the car out on country roads and I stopped waiting for a signal, after 10mins I gave up, no signal, LOST
Every once and a while it does work and I get 5-10 satellites, so it can work...
I am used to using a BT GPS so I know about how the signal works, so thats not the problem.
I'll give that link a go hopefully it helps I dont want to carry around a BT GPS and my phone, thats half the reason I upgraded...
No problem with mine, obviously indoors it struggles but outside can easily get 9-10. mine has just picked up 4/5 satellites indoors on my desk about 8 ft from a window
Why is it taking so long to find satellites??? I have to wait about 3-5 minutes...
Any ideas on how to make it work faster?????
Never heard about this problem.
my one locks into GPS satellite within 30 sec of turning on the GPS every time.
maybe you need to turn on the use Wi-Fi to locate function from setting>location.
which help to locate itself by using wireless mast triangulation.
might boost the speed of GPS lock.
also get the app called GPS Test from market to see how many satellite your phone picks up.
it gives a detail breakdown of satellite info and number of satellites.
I tried that but I can see no difference.
Is there a programme like the one I used to have in windows mobile diamond2, that connects to internet and speed up the process???? I am talking about the one that needs to be updated every week, but I can't remember the name right now. . .
When i plug my phone into the car charger it cnt find gps
I think it was called QuickGPS?
I had it on my HTC Touch HD too.
I don't think there is such app for Android as the built-in triangulation via mobile network mast does it for you anyway.
You know how it shows your current location weather in the clock. also if you use Google map your location within 500 meters.
Try getting the GPS Test app from market for free to see if the phone is picking up any satellite at all.
if it's a brand new handset might be the chip is faulty. then you should be able to get an exchange as it should be easily demonstrated side by side on a working Desire.
Sorry could not be any more help, not much of an expert myself.
well there are a lot of more knowledge people in this forum some one might be able to help.
I will have a look around at other forum to see if anyone else came up with the same problem.
checked my phone just now and I still get GPS lock in 40 sec inside my house even though it's quite a bit cloudy in London today.
Gps locks in about 20 secs for me, however i always had problems until i factory defaulted since then it has worked perfectly
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
What is the difference between VZW Location Services and Google Location Services?
Thanks,
Jeff
Not to be a smart ass but ones from VZW and ones from Google. Lol, I'm pretty sure thats the only difference.
cmlusco said:
Not to be a smart ass but ones from VZW and ones from Google. Lol, I'm pretty sure thats the only difference.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was fairly obvious!
Been reading up on it myself and google brought me here. Thought I may learn something new. So Far I have learned:
VZW Location Services provides location data to phone/apps via Cell Towers (Useful if indoors), GPS location data when a clear line of sight to sky is available (Will use more battery power as it is a seperate chip/component) and Google Location services uses a Wifi Network "Guesstimate" (the least accurate of all three). What it comes down to is accuracy and battery life/usage.
Go with vzw services if you want accuracy and little battery usage, however if you keep wifi on allot (or have eg Juice Defender Installed) use Google. Most of time I use Google. I am however on the paranoid side as it is. I read where a Verizon Tech stated that you can be located within 2-10seconds with that enabled. However if I were up to no good I would simply remove battery, just bothers me my phone company knows where I am. They sell that data possibly more, yet do I get a discount for that?
I only use GPS when driving.
I think you've got it a bit mixed up. There's a few ways our phones can get location information.
Think of it this way.
--- satellite GPS = Your phone connects with satellites to determine the location. It can pinpoint your location within feet if it has a good enough lock. You can still get locks indoors, and yes it does use a considerable about of battery if you use it continually. If it only turns on for about a minute just to get a single lock on your location, it really has no impact on battery. If you run it for 20-30mins+ is when you start to notice. You have the option to completely turn this off if you want. Really it's best to keep it on, because your phone will not actually turn it on and use it unless an app tells it to (like navigation).
--- WIFI GPS = Your phone can determine your location by using the WiFi the same way you can go to http://www.geoiptool.com/ on your desktop and it can get a generic idea of where you're at (usually not more specific than the city you're in). Google likes to use this because it needs some sort of location information so it can best provide searches and advertisements. This is the least accurate. This also has an option to be turned off.
--- assisted GPS or aGPS = your phone uses the network you're on (in this case, Verizon) and it can give a rough estimate by triangulating your position through nearby cell towers.
It's called assisted GPS because it actually helps the 'satellite GPS' by letting the satellites know the general area of where you're at, so it can get a lock quicker and with less battery.
Assisted GPS does not require any additional battery or wait time because your phone is already connecting with those towers just by having a signal (the more towers in your area, the smaller area it can guess you're at)
When you first start up a GPS application (or if you disable the 'satellite GPS'), you'll see a circle around a very wide area. This is what the radio tower/VZW/assisted GPS is. Then after a minute or so, it'll lock on, this is the 'satellite GPS'.
Also there is a separate chip in all phones that determines your location if you dial 911. You can not turn it off, and I'd imagine that the government could use it with reason. If this is in use there should be an icon that pops up, you've probably never seen it.
If you're worried about your location, the only thing you can do is turn off your phone or remove your battery if you're really paranoid.
All this info is to the best of my understanding.
Hope this clears it up.
POQbum said:
I think you've got it a bit mixed up. There's a few ways our phones can get location information.
Think of it this way.
--- satellite GPS = Your phone connects with satellites to determine the location. It can pinpoint your location within feet if it has a good enough lock. You can still get locks indoors, and yes it does use a considerable about of battery if you use it continually. If it only turns on for about a minute just to get a single lock on your location, it really has no impact on battery. If you run it for 20-30mins+ is when you start to notice. You have the option to completely turn this off if you want. Really it's best to keep it on, because your phone will not actually turn it on and use it unless an app tells it to (like navigation).
--- WIFI GPS = Your phone can determine your location by using the WiFi the same way you can go to on your desktop and it can get a generic idea of where you're at (usually not more specific than the city you're in). Google likes to use this because it needs some sort of location information so it can best provide searches and advertisements. This is the least accurate. This also has an option to be turned off.
--- assisted GPS or aGPS = your phone uses the network you're on (in this case, Verizon) and it can give a rough estimate by triangulating your position through nearby cell towers.
It's called assisted GPS because it actually helps the 'satellite GPS' by letting the satellites know the general area of where you're at, so it can get a lock quicker and with less battery.
Assisted GPS does not require any additional battery or wait time because your phone is already connecting with those towers just by having a signal (the more towers in your area, the smaller area it can guess you're at)
When you first start up a GPS application (or if you disable the 'satellite GPS'), you'll see a circle around a very wide area. This is what the radio tower/VZW/assisted GPS is. Then after a minute or so, it'll lock on, this is the 'satellite GPS'.
Also there is a separate chip in all phones that determines your location if you dial 911. You can not turn it off, and I'd imagine that the government could use it with reason. If this is in use there should be an icon that pops up, you've probably never seen it.
If you're worried about your location, the only thing you can do is turn off your phone or remove your battery if you're really paranoid.
All this info is to the best of my understanding.
Hope this clears it up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just joined to say thanks for this. I've been searching forums for this, and could only find half the info or smart @$$ responses on other sites. I've been searching for possible bugs and battery drains ever since the ics update and the media app smoked razr maxx battery and burned my phone to the point where the back turned brown.
Hey guys,
I tried searching on google but to no solution.
The problem is when I switch off all forms of data except cellular coverage, my location changes to a City where I'm not at. I went to that place maybe thrice since I got the phone.
My location in Maps, Weather or even location saved along when I take pictures will be that other/wrong location.
Its easily fixable by just starting one of the data services, but why should I even face it in the first place.
Its happened on all ROMs and wipes don't fix it. Done a full wipe twice from cwm.
My GPS works normally when I'm using maps, it takes about 30 seconds to get a lock on my location.
Any workaround or solution or fix? (except for not keeping data switched on all the time)
Thank You.
Cheers.
death__machine said:
Hey guys,
I tried searching on google but to no solution.
The problem is when I switch off all forms of data except cellular coverage, my location changes to a City where I'm not at. I went to that place maybe thrice since I got the phone.
My location in Maps, Weather or even location saved along when I take pictures will be that other/wrong location.
Its easily fixable by just starting one of the data services, but why should I even face it in the first place.
Its happened on all ROMs and wipes don't fix it. Done a full wipe twice from cwm.
My GPS works normally when I'm using maps, it takes about 30 seconds to get a lock on my location.
Any workaround or solution or fix? (except for not keeping data switched on all the time)
Thank You.
Cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Location without GPS is online service. I hope that answers your question about "fixing" it.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium
There's three things at play in plotting location: 1) GPS, 2), aGPS, and 3) Geo-location
GPS is the onboard chip functioning alone to pick up satellite signals and lock on them. You can test how well your GPS chip alone works by putting the phone in airplane mode and rebooting it.
All aGPS does is use a wireless signal (Wi-FI or cellular) to help the chip get its first lock faster. Once lock is established the chip is on its own.
From Wiki...
"Assisted GPS is a system which can, under certain conditions, improve the startup performance, or time-to-first-fix (TTFF) of a GPS satellite-based positioning system. It is used extensively with GPS-capable cellular phones as its development was accelerated by the U.S. FCC's 911 mandate making the location of a cell phone available to emergency call dispatchers."
Geo-location uses wireless signals alone to approximate position. Devices w/o a GPS rely on this for location based services.
From Wiki...
"Geolocation is the identification of the real-world geographic location of an object, such as a radar, mobile phone or an Internet-connected computer terminal. Geolocation may refer to the practice of assessing the location, or to the actual assessed location."
Once the chip locks, it memorizes the position of the satellites. So if you had your wireless on to get first lock and then turned it off the chip is still using the satellite locations aGPS helped it find. If you want to test the performance of your chip itself reboot it in airplane mode. Download GPS Test from Play. It'll give you a much better picture of what's happening with your phone. I just tried it on mine and indoors it locked and got down to 15’ accuracy in less than a minute. Conditions affect performance but, at least outdoors, yours should do as well or better than mine. If it doesn’t, it’s a h/w problem.
tkolev said:
Location without GPS is online service. I hope that answers your question about "fixing" it.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BarryH_GEG said:
There's three things at play in plotting location: 1) GPS, 2), aGPS, and 3) Geo-location
GPS is the onboard chip functioning alone to pick up satellite signals and lock on them. You can test how well your GPS chip alone works by putting the phone in airplane mode and rebooting it.
All aGPS does is use a wireless signal (Wi-FI or cellular) to help the chip get its first lock faster. Once lock is established the chip is on its own.
From Wiki...
"Assisted GPS is a system which can, under certain conditions, improve the startup performance, or time-to-first-fix (TTFF) of a GPS satellite-based positioning system. It is used extensively with GPS-capable cellular phones as its development was accelerated by the U.S. FCC's 911 mandate making the location of a cell phone available to emergency call dispatchers."
Geo-location uses wireless signals alone to approximate position. Devices w/o a GPS rely on this for location based services.
From Wiki...
"Geolocation is the identification of the real-world geographic location of an object, such as a radar, mobile phone or an Internet-connected computer terminal. Geolocation may refer to the practice of assessing the location, or to the actual assessed location."
Once the chip locks, it memorizes the position of the satellites. So if you had your wireless on to get first lock and then turned it off the chip is still using the satellite locations aGPS helped it find. If you want to test the performance of your chip itself reboot it in airplane mode. Download GPS Test from Play. It'll give you a much better picture of what's happening with your phone. I just tried it on mine and indoors it locked and got down to 15’ accuracy in less than a minute. Conditions affect performance but, at least outdoors, yours should do as well or better than mine. If it doesn’t, it’s a h/w problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, that was a very informative post.
Well I switched on GPS and put my phone in airplane mode and restarted. The Maps App keeps saying "Your current location is temporarily unavailable" and I can't figure how to use the GPS Test yet.
Okay, I did get a lock-on from the Maps and the GPS Test app. I went closer to my window lol . Now I'll see if my location comes up wrong.
Edit:Location came up accurate in weather.
Edit2:Location is accurate in a photo I clicked with everything off.
By accurate I hope you understand what I mean, when all the data goes off the phone should still think its in the place/location where it was when the data was on. Ii.e Surat in my case. But what used to happened before today(gps in airplane) was without data the phone will think its in Pune, which is a 12 hours drive from here.
I'm not the only one who's faced this, some say its a bug in sense :/
Anyways here's a thread I saw earlier
http://www.htconesource.com/forum/htc-one-x-discussion/1042-incorrect-location.html
The answers the guy gets are retarded.
To be sure, are you saying that when only on mobile data and relying upon that, you cannot get an accurate location down to 1 KM?
If so, this sounds like a software issue or a carrier issue.
If your GPS has poor reception then I would advise getting warranty repair. It might have the same issue as the Wifi antennas do.
Yeah just so you know pure GPS is line of sight, you have to have a clear view of the sky to work (no clouds either).
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
Hunt3r.j2 said:
To be sure, are you saying that when only on mobile data and relying upon that, you cannot get an accurate location down to 1 KM?
If so, this sounds like a software issue or a carrier issue.
If your GPS has poor reception then I would advise getting warranty repair. It might have the same issue as the Wifi antennas do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
jonshipman said:
Yeah just so you know pure GPS is line of sight, you have to have a clear view of the sky to work (no clouds either).
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No no.
My location when all services are on shows up fine. But say I have a weather widget and all my data services are off, instead of showing the location detected last when data services was on the widget and other settings will show another city.
I'll explain it with an example.
Lets have a hypothetical country with all the letters as its cities.
I stay in 'S' at present. I have visited 'P' and 'M' a couple of times but I'm back to 'S' now. On the occasion that my data services switch off, intentionally or because of weak coverage. Instead of showing 'S' as my location in the weather widget, app and geotag the phone will show 'P' which I had visited days ago.
Can someone recommend a good gps app that doesn't rely on Google Navigation? Google maps wouldn't lock any satellites on 4.1.2 and it works even less in kit kat. My wife had a very important doctors appointment today and we almost missed it because it was the 1st time using the navigation on kit kat and to my dismay, it's still garbage!
And I refuse to play the blame game between AT&T and LG as to who is to blame and needs to fix it.
First, let it do an initial fix. Install GPS Status & Toolbox from Play (or don't, use Maps application you already have), go out, enable High precision location (if using Maps, tap on My location button) and wait for a fix. It takes around 5 minutes, if device's GPS wasn't initialised. If devices GPS was initialised but can't get a fix, I suggest installing GPS Status and check the number of available satelites.
osmand uses OpenStreetMap, so you may try with that.
zamajalo said:
First, let it do an initial fix. Install GPS Status & Toolbox from Play (or don't, use Maps application you already have), go out, enable High precision location (if using Maps, tap on My location button) and wait for a fix. It takes around 5 minutes, if device's GPS wasn't initialised. If devices GPS was initialised but can't get a fix, I suggest installing GPS Status and check the number of available satelites.
osmand uses OpenStreetMap, so you may try with that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks zamajalo. I think that may have worked but I didn't test it by going for a drive. But I do have to go into town tomorrow so I'll test it on the road then. But so you know, it's connecting to 10 out of 22 satellites. I applied the fix from gps status but also used another app called gps fix so who knows which one did the trick....lol.
cougar214 said:
Thanks zamajalo. I think that may have worked but I didn't test it by going for a drive. But I do have to go into town tomorrow so I'll test it on the road then. But so you know, it's connecting to 10 out of 22 satellites. I applied the fix from gps status but also used another app called gps fix so who knows which one did the trick....lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I usually have a lock on 8 to 10 satellites on open, so that's pretty much OK. If you get a location fix, there should be no more problems.
Yeah it did the location fix but it said something about it only lasting a couple days?
What exactly? I've never seen that message on my phone or others.
When it downloads the extra content for the gps fix. it gives some disclaimer about how it may only last a couple days before having to download the content again. But it doesn't matter. It didn't work. It kept dropping the gps signal every two minutes and the screen would hardly refresh and show the direction properly. It just sits on the starting screen(your starting point), tells me how far down the road to go, then drops signal, doesn't give you directions anymore, and when it finally does pick up the gps signal it takes forever for it to "recalculate" your position. Oh and losing the signal again. Did I mention losing the signal?....lol
This happened with 4.1.2 also so it leads me to believe it's not a software issue but rather a hardware issue. I:E LG sucks for gps!