Develop Bugs

GPS Lock, anyone with issues?

Has anyone managed to get their GPS Locking in Google Maps?
I've used QuickGPS to download the database and set Google Maps to use GPS but it never gets a fix.
When in TomTom it knows theres satalites about but doesn't connect to any.
Wondering if I have a duff.... anyone else?
How fast do you connect to satalites?

Have you been out of the house? Some houses really interferre with the connection.
Also, maybe there are some settings in the application you have to change? It should get a fix pretty quick. (first time from 10 sec tot 60, after that, below 10 sec).
So you have updated the quick GPS? Did you (after running tomtom and getting the update for the first time) do a soft reset?

quarintus said:
Have you been out of the house? Some houses really interferre with the connection.
Also, maybe there are some settings in the application you have to change? It should get a fix pretty quick. (first time from 10 sec tot 60, after that, below 10 sec).
So you have updated the quick GPS? Did you (after running tomtom and getting the update for the first time) do a soft reset?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, did a soft reset after I turned A-GPS on in Advanced Config program. Have tried it in work which usually gets a fix, but will try outdoors, just thought I'd ask the question first

why did you do it on in advanced config? maybe that's where it went wrong. Can't remember me having to put A-GPS on in advanced Config program.

I had the issue in google maps where I could not get a lock. I had to manually configure connectivity to com port 4 in settings.
After that it has worked perfectly. I cannot say if TomTom works or not as I am waiting for my ne SD card to be delivered.
I have however noticed that everytime I sync with active sync QuickGPS always moans it is out of date even thoguh I might have updated it about 1/2 an hour ago.
Its not a major issue as its connected to my PC and just downloads the data again. i'm just ignoring it.

Do not use A-gps.
I have my TP2 fixing with no problem without it: first fix in 55", then always under 10".
Try and use for first fix Quickgps.

ninja.rogue said:
Do not use A-gps.
I have my TP2 fixing with no problem without it: first fix in 55", then always under 10".
Try and use for first fix Quickgps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Brilliant, turned off A-GPS and loaded TomTom 7.915/Google Maps, got a lock, even indoors.
Spot on, thanks for that!

Turn off A-GPS?
I keep seeing that to make the GPS work better, while also using QuickGPS, the A-GPS should be turned off?
How do I do this?
I have only had the Touch Pro2 for a few days, but have not been able to get a satellite lock in Google Maps even when standing outside away from many buildings.
If it would work better with A-GPS disabled, please tell me how to do this!
Thanks,
Dazzer

Dazzer said:
I keep seeing that to make the GPS work better, while also using QuickGPS, the A-GPS should be turned off?
How do I do this?
I have only had the Touch Pro2 for a few days, but have not been able to get a satellite lock in Google Maps even when standing outside away from many buildings.
If it would work better with A-GPS disabled, please tell me how to do this!
Thanks,
Dazzer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It should be turned off by default, I turned mine on using a program called Advanced Config.

nicelad_uk said:
It should be turned off by default, I turned mine on using a program called Advanced Config.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, thanks, just going to go try Google Maps again to see if I can get a lock. Maybe I just wasn't outside long enough, or far enough away from buildings last time.
Hopefully I can make GPS work soon

Ok, I just sat outside for about 20 minutes, in the middle of a field, away from any buildings, and was unable to get any GPS lock!
What is wrong here?
I have not touched the GPS Port settings in the control panel, but Google Maps only says Seeking Satellites (0) all the time.
If I do change Google Maps to use COM 4 Baud 4800, it gets worse and says Seeking Satellites (48037656) or some other equally stupid number! At least 0 makes sense, as there are not millions of GPS satellites, only about 20!
Please help, surely there is some way to make GPS work?
Thanks,
DW

Hi all,
AGPS is not currently supported by any UK Networks, so should be turned off if in the UK.
Cheers,
Beasty

i think i ended up setting all mine to com0 but i think it wasn't working originally coz i was sitting in the car and it badly needs a wash (yes that bad). Just stuck it up by window for around 2 mins and it had 8 satellites but i've reset it so often since i last used the gps i wouldn't have been surprised with around 5 mins ... 20 on the other hand is a bit daft

Yeah, I'm beginning to wonder if there is something wrong with settings somewhere, as in 20 minutes outside it never indicated a single satellite in Google Maps.
I have downloaded the Advanced Configuration tool, and it says that A-GPS is Disabled, which is correct for the UK, so there is nothing to change here.
I have tried changing the Port settings, but I don't know what I should change it too. The Hardware GPS port is blank!
Getting close to giving up for the day, but I really want to get GPS working soon!

Dazzer said:
Yeah, I'm beginning to wonder if there is something wrong with settings somewhere, as in 20 minutes outside it never indicated a single satellite in Google Maps.
I have downloaded the Advanced Configuration tool, and it says that A-GPS is Disabled, which is correct for the UK, so there is nothing to change here.
I have tried changing the Port settings, but I don't know what I should change it too. The Hardware GPS port is blank!
Getting close to giving up for the day, but I really want to get GPS working soon!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, I had the same problems, have you updated Quick GPS? Are you using Google Maps?
If you go into settings and go to External GPS my GPS Program Port os COM4 next page GPS Hardware Port is none and Baud Rate is 4800.
Make sure settings are same and restart phone.
Have you installed anything since getting phone? Might be worth doing hard reset and trying is "out of the box" so to speak.

I could confirm the GPS is working and flawlessly! Much quicker than my old HTC P3600i and the locking is done in the CBD area!
I used the QuickGPS (download the latest update) and then using my GPS software called TechrificWay for Australian (it's a rebrand of NavNGo iGo MyWay 8)
Very happy ^^
(I need to set the TechrificWay application settings to find the GPS unit on COM4 though)

I actually spoke to HTC today and they think it's actually a fault with the hardware, possibly the internal antenna for the GPS is not connected properly.
Slightly annoying as I now need to send it back to get a replacement, or have it repaired, but good in that it's not a problem with me using it! There definitely is something wrong that I can't fix, I just can't wait to get one that works now!

I can get a lock, but get bad lag, and it wonders off course regularly. I wonder if it could be that the radio is not that great for GPS, as many other HTCs have suffered with GPS performance that has gotten better with certain flashed radios?
HTC gave me a generic response of "check these settings" (which were all as they should be in terms of com port and baud rate etc... So I think I'll have to call them if it keeps crapping out on me

(Fortunately) For me it turned out to be a genuine hardware fault causing the GPS to not work. I spoke to HTC and they believe I was the first in the UK to need to get a replacement due to a genuine hardware fault, which I guess is an honor (just a very annoying one!).
Even with the GPS not working for the week that I used it, I loved the handset, can't fault it, and can't wait until tomorrow when I should be receiving my brand new replacement, hopefully with working GPS and no faults!
Thanks for the suggestions here though, I needed to make sure it was a hardware fault before sending it back for a replacement.

I've tested three over 30km trips with Tom Tom 7 installed on the device.
Haven't lost a signal once. So it works fine here in Finland.
________________________________________
Check out my in-depth review of HTC's Touch Pro2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgTjS...e=channel_page

Google Maps 4.0 Unable to locate Satellites

I have downloaded the 4.0 update. Now I get a Weak GPS signal alert after it searches for roughly 10 minutes.
I have tried all Com0-9 ports, hard resets, and uninstalling/reinstalling Google Maps 4.0
I have the US Cellular HTC Touch Pro 2, WM 6.5 pro, running the standard ROM.
Is this a HTC hardware issue, Google Maps issue, or USCC tower issues??
I had no problem finding 8 - 10 satellites with the old version.

Using my Tilt2 with stock ROM, Google Maps 4.0 got a fix for me.

GPS is a piece of garbage for this phone, at least for me,
It just never worked again for me since the stock rom (always says seeking satellites 0)
Alos,
"My location" is always is in the same spot (I can be miles away and says i'm in the same place)
I haven't done any research on this two issues, maybe some has my problems too?

Well maybe you should try this.
After I flash a new rom to get gps to work I have to do this.
Run "htcGPStool"
Leave phone outside for about 3-5mins until it gets a lock. After that my gps locks in 30seconds or less
ps, the baud rate for the tilt 2 is 57600- com 4

try the link in my signature for the aGPS cab.
This enables aGPS and changes the servers from the public ones which are configured on HTC (and many other devices) by default to the nokia ones which are maintained better and lead to a faster lock.
After installing the cab, run and update/download QuickGPS and make sure you have a data connection enabled then either try google again or htcGPStool or any other gps utility and see how fast you get a lock then
initial lock might take up to a minute, but locks after that come almost instantly.

fone_fanatic said:
make sure you have a data connection enabled
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why does one need a data connection for GPS? OK, for Google Maps, yes, but just getting a fix doesn't require one -- or does your CAB do something that /does/ require a data connection?

A while ago I read people enabling bluetooth to get GPS working. Yesterday I disabled the cellular phone and it looked like GPS was locking after this. Not a fix if you ask me anyways...

pistou said:
Why does one need a data connection for GPS? OK, for Google Maps, yes, but just getting a fix doesn't require one -- or does your CAB do something that /does/ require a data connection?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you need a data connection for aGPS. GPS itself does not need one, but the a in aGPS stands for assisted where it uses your data connection to connect to a server to locate you more precisely.
(My understanding of this is that basically your device sends info to the server about which cell site towers are near you, the server uses this info to tell your device which satellites are best for your location, so your device isn't just looking for every sat. its looking for specific ones.)
Here's the wiki for aGPS
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assisted_GPS
Theres also a bunch of websites with more info regarding aGPS but its best to have your data connection enabled if you want to use aGPS.

gotwake424 said:
Well maybe you should try this.
After I flash a new rom to get gps to work I have to do this.
Run "htcGPStool"
Leave phone outside for about 3-5mins until it gets a lock. After that my gps locks in 30seconds or less
ps, the baud rate for the tilt 2 is 57600- com 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is "htcGPStool" QuickGPS on the programs list?? If not, explain thank you. As for the baud rate, etc... are you talking about the GPS hardware port? My settings say (none) and Baud rate: 4800???? This I have never messed with, could this be the problem??

ATT Tilt 2 w/ stock ROM...Loaded google 4.0 today with no connectivity issues. I normally able to locked my GPS signal in seconds.....

dataylor said:
Is "htcGPStool" QuickGPS on the programs list?? If not, explain thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, "HTC gps tool" is not the same as QuickGPS and it doesn't do the same thing.
AFAIK, QuickGPS talks to a server and gets info on where/what satellites should be visible for your location, your location determined from triangulation (or some kind of location) of nearby cell towers.
HTCGPStool uses the GPS functionality of your phone in some way that helps subsequent lock on satellites. Honestly, I don't know exactly what/how it does -- but it's not the same as Quick GPS.

MCbrian said:
No, "HTC gps tool" is not the same as QuickGPS and it doesn't do the same thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, where is htcGPStool??? Looked through the settings and have not found anything that directs me to HTC gps tool.
I have an "external GPS" icon that directs me to GPS settings allowing me to change GPS program ports, and the GPS hardware ports.

Brodie619 said:
ATT Tilt 2 w/ stock ROM...Loaded google 4.0 today with no connectivity issues. I normally able to locked my GPS signal in seconds.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
awesome, It locates me just find just doesn't find any satellites. Then I get Weak GPS signal screen.

MCbrian said:
No, "HTC gps tool" is not the same as QuickGPS and it doesn't do the same thing.
AFAIK, QuickGPS talks to a server and gets info on where/what satellites should be visible for your location, your location determined from triangulation (or some kind of location) of nearby cell towers.
HTCGPStool uses the GPS functionality of your phone in some way that helps subsequent lock on satellites. Honestly, I don't know exactly what/how it does -- but it's not the same as Quick GPS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
QuickGPS downloads the ephemeris data so that it can predict where the satelites are, which ones are visible, and which ones to use. From that data it is able to get a fix faster. There is no fix derived from ephemeris data, and any GPS will work without it. The GPS device in that case must basically just scan channels and listen for enough data to get a fix.
That all said; no problems here with Google Maps.. If I'm inside I'll often get a location approximation based on cell ID's and whatever goes on behind that location calculation and depending upon how the building is constructed I may or may not get a GPS signal eventually. For example my house, no problem, I might see the approximate location for 10s then the real GPS location. At work with heavy beamed roofs and several layers of metal between me and the sky I'll never get a signal inside except beside a window. If I'm outside, I nearly immediately get a GPS fix.
http://www.how-gps-works.com/glossary/ephemeris-data.shtml
As far as I know HTC GPS Tool does nothing except allow you to basically reset the GPS, ie: perform a warm or cold restart on it. Perhaps this will help, vs rebooting the phone, if GPS is not behaving. I very rarely will find the GPS is simply not functioning after a reboot.
This tool also might let you change the COM and BAUD but you would not likely need to do that on a phone with a built-in GPS. Even if you were using an external bluetooth GPS I'm not sure you'd want to change the COM/BAUD here, you'd simply use the COM port you set up with that bluetooth device.
That all said, the only time I don't get an immediate GPS fix in Google Maps is if I'm indoors. If I'm in a light structure, like my house, I'll get a cellular approximation for 10-20s. If I'm at work with many beams and much metal above me I'll never get a fix inside.

Let me try to be more specific.
1. When utilizing the app, it locates me within 3100 meters. (pressing the blue button, lower right hand corner)
2. After about 10 minutes of the upper right hand corner stating "seeking GPS satellites (0)" the screen gives me a Weak GPS signal message.
3. I have tried changing com 0-9 ports, with no luck.
4. GPS is enabled
5. I have hard reset the device and reloaded all my working apps.
6. I have uninstalled/reinstalled Google Maps 4.0
7. I have tried different locations throughout Northeast, WISCONSIN.
8. I have tried it while utilizing WIFI. No luck
9. I have tried the Bluetooth remedy. No luck
10. Waiting on replies from HTC, USCC, and GOOGLE.
11. XDA so far is the only place with anybody responding.

HTC Weather TAB
Just got done talking to a USCC tech rep.
He has stated that he is unable to give any technical help with the Google Map app. (no kidding sherlock) He was not even of any help when it comes to the GPS settings, but he did state I am the second person that he has talked to with the same problem.
Now to see how quickly HTC, or Google responds.
The only worry I have is not knowing if it is a hardware issue that should be corrected by HTC. I noticed the HTC WEATHER tab works fine. is this using the same GPS settings as the Google Map app??
also, I have been holding out on the aGPS cab posted earlier. If, and when, I use this fix I will post the results.

dataylor said:
Ok, where is htcGPStool??? Looked through the settings and have not found anything that directs me to HTC gps tool.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HTC GPS Tool is not a standard app. Some cooks include it in their custom roms. I don't have a link for it handy, but if you search on the forum boards for "HTC GPS Tool" you'll find it.
That said, I don't know how important it is anyway...

ok, talked to an HTC tech. We checked the settings and these where adjusted. Still nothing. Got rid of Google Maps and tryd BING, and still nothing. HTC TF3D Weather tab seemed to update just fine, this gave the tech a reason to dump me on MSN and Google. Do you really think BING and GOOGLE share some programming similiarities????

Did you run Quick gps? That did it for me when I first got my phone.
It is installed under the programs lists.

dataylor said:
ok, talked to an HTC tech. We checked the settings and these where adjusted. Still nothing. Got rid of Google Maps and tryd BING, and still nothing. HTC TF3D Weather tab seemed to update just fine, this gave the tech a reason to dump me on MSN and Google. Do you really think BING and GOOGLE share some programming similiarities????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think they both access GPS via WM. Maybe HTC Sense (Weather tab) directly access the GPS?

GPS is not Very good

The gps is not very good atleast it is not working very well in my phone.
I tried using cardio trainer. And the gps jumps about. Plus the gps signal shown is very low can anyone put their phone gps through the paces and then tell me should I ask for a replacement or its in all phones

Mines fine.
Mine works fine, GPS is actually pretty good as navigation tells you the road names..!

Dopedangel said:
The gps is not very good atleast it is not working very well in my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you clarify if you're talking about hardware or software?
And did you compare GS with other GPS at the very same time and place?

I too am seeing poor performance with the GPS. Seems to be a hardware issue.
I did a test over the weekend comparing my Galaxy S with a friend's HTC Desire. Using one of the many GPS utilities the Desire was consistently seeing and locking more satellites when stood in an open area outside. When running Google maps and showing the current location I found that the "accuracy circle" (for want of a better description) was growing and shrinking several times a minute causing the map to zoom in and out.
I've also noticed that the compass is almost unusable and showing a much lower signal compared to the Desire. I did perform the figure of 8 calibration several times.

Not tried the GPS yet, but I'm amazed how accurate network location is on this thing.
On my old G1 network location was laughable, but this thing knows pretty much exactly where it is without GPS.

MarvinTheAndroid said:
Not tried the GPS yet, but I'm amazed how accurate network location is on this thing.
On my old G1 network location was laughable, but this thing knows pretty much exactly where it is without GPS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
probably having wifi on? google can locate you more precise cause it has registered every wifi network during the streetview picture taking.

tommy34 said:
probably having wifi on? google can locate you more precise cause it has registered every wifi network during the streetview picture taking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, this is with wifi turned off.

tommy34 said:
probably having wifi on? google can locate you more precise cause it has registered every wifi network during the streetview picture taking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol what kind of anti-google propaganda have you been reading?
Google streetview cars collected data of open wifi networks.
Besides from the fact that google doesn't use the data (which it isn't allowed to have), there are by far not enough open wifi networks to find your location.
Also. You have to have at least 3 networks to be able to determine a location using wifi access points.
So the statement you just made is rubbish and ofcourse nonsense...

BasieP said:
Lol what kind of anti-google propaganda have you been reading?
Google streetview cars collected data of open wifi networks.
Besides from the fact that google doesn't use the data (which it isn't allowed to have), there are by far not enough open wifi networks to find your location.
Also. You have to have at least 3 networks to be able to determine a location using wifi access points.
So the statement you just made is rubbish and ofcourse nonsense...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i dont care about it, i like it.
hmm. just figured this because where i live there arent any open networks and with wifi on it knows my exact location. Without wifi it has a 1600 m radius.

The GPS seems to work flawlessly for me at least.

BasieP said:
Google streetview cars collected data of open wifi networks. Besides from the fact that google doesn't use the data (which it isn't allowed to have), there are by far not enough open wifi networks to find your location.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google collected the SSID and MAC addresses for all of the wifi networks they found, with the explicit intention of using them as an additional source of location data. They also inadvertently collected more data from open networks, and that's what they're in trouble for.
googleblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/wifi-data-collection-update.html

yes and the new google navigation api in the i9000 and android appears to use this data as the damn thing turns on your wifi even when off when gps tries to get a fix!

lgkahn said:
yes and the new google navigation api in the i9000 and android appears to use this data as the damn thing turns on your wifi even when off when gps tries to get a fix!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can disable it in location settings then it wont look for wireless data

Dopedangel said:
you can disable it in location settings then it wont look for wireless data
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nope it is disabled and try to get a gps fix.. wifi still comes on and then goes off.. not sure what it is doing.

I got mine and tested.
In the beginning I had a perfect fix on location. When I started moving, however, I experienced this "jumping around" issue with a huge loss of accuracy. The circle of accuracy was also changing constantly. I think I show something about the wifi seeing (or not being able to see - can't remember) some hotspots although my wi-fi was turned off.
Maybe indeed - the phone detects wifi networks even if the wifi as such is off and possibly compares it to an internal database (thus explaining the persistence of the problem even when the radio is off and the phone is not connected on the net).
Do you know any good free program that would allow me to get some test data - e.g. number of satellites / signal quality etc (unless there is already one somewhere in the interface - I am new to Android).
Can someone else run a test? Can some one run a test in an area where no wifi exists.

That's bad news,i'm really interested in this phone (money-forgiving for a while ),but i need great gps performances...

Evans_Prophet said:
Do you know any good free program that would allow me to get some test data - e.g. number of satellites / signal quality etc (unless there is already one somewhere in the interface - I am new to Android).
Can someone else run a test? Can some one run a test in an area where no wifi exists.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try "GPS Test" its on the market for free. From my test the GPS is actually quite nice, several 18-25 SNR connections and a few 26-30 SNR ones ( When outside I even find one or two 31-40 SNR ones which is really great).
Anyway I notice that GPS had become far more accurate when I disabled the Wifi-location option. The only problem is that locking down takes some time ( about 10-20 seconds max) in my area.

kitsune223 said:
Try "GPS Test" its on the market for free. From my test the GPS is actually quite nice, several 18-25 SNR connections and a few 26-30 SNR ones ( When outside I even find one or two 31-40 SNR ones which is really great).
Anyway I notice that GPS had become far more accurate when I disabled the Wifi-location option. The only problem is that locking down takes some time ( about 10-20 seconds max) in my area.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok - i will test with that and revert..
By the way, in my wm6 Touch HD there was a utility called quickgps which would download data from server instead of having them downloaded from a satellite with a low speed connection. This increased speed of cold lock. Furthermore there was also another option to enable assisted gps (not sure whether this was different from the quick gps application and what this did exactly). I wonder whether these application / features are automatically enabled in our case.

Evans_Prophet said:
I got mine and tested.
In the beginning I had a perfect fix on location. When I started moving, however, I experienced this "jumping around" issue with a huge loss of accuracy. The circle of accuracy was also changing constantly. I think I show something about the wifi seeing (or not being able to see - can't remember) some hotspots although my wi-fi was turned off.
Maybe indeed - the phone detects wifi networks even if the wifi as such is off and possibly compares it to an internal database (thus explaining the persistence of the problem even when the radio is off and the phone is not connected on the net).
Do you know any good free program that would allow me to get some test data - e.g. number of satellites / signal quality etc (unless there is already one somewhere in the interface - I am new to Android).
Can someone else run a test? Can some one run a test in an area where no wifi exists.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It can also be a problem of google navigation beta?? Did anyone try another gps navigator?

i felt the same thing about GPS, as it is not that good , as there's no wi-fi Google can detect hear. the performance was not that good at all!.
but tonight i used the GPS without the Wifi (i turned it off) and for a surprise the performance was amazing, I was with my friend in his car watching the road as he drive and watching the google map in my phone and was very good indeed.
that's strange!.

GPS receiver chip is not the cause of the problem

Guys,
According to this site, the problem with the GPS is the software Google Maps
Read this:
http://samsungi9000galaxys.com/galaxy-s-gps-review-sygic-gps-signal-and-gps-lock-times/
So it seems that using other Navigation software gives very good GPS performance.....
But how come using the GPS TEST software also shows that the GPS is loosing sattelites lock and erratic performance? I mean if the cause of the problem is the Google Map, testing the GPS receiver using GPS TEST should show good signal lock and stable reception isnt it?

widjaja74_us said:
Guys,
According to this site, the problem with the GPS is the software Google Maps
Read this:
http://samsungi9000galaxys.com/galaxy-s-gps-review-sygic-gps-signal-and-gps-lock-times/
So it seems that using other Navigation software gives very good GPS performance.....
But how come using the GPS TEST software also shows that the GPS is loosing sattelites lock and erratic performance? I mean if the cause of the problem is the Google Map, testing the GPS receiver using GPS TEST should show good signal lock and stable reception isnt it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a software setting: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=7281059
Other android devices have the same problem with a wrong setting.

Its not true, I tried google maps, co-pilot and NDrive and all gave really, really crappy gps performance. Upgrading to JG5 firmware has improved things a lot but its still pretty unusable for me.

You know I was just about to post that I think the issue is with google maps and not the phone. If I apply the ntp europe fix my gps locks very quickly and stays locked to within 16 feet in gps test when driving about.within google maps navigation the performance remains as shocking. Arrrggghhh!
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

I wish i could help testing the phone with different GPS/navigation software to validate the analysis, but I already sold my phone last week out of desperation due to the the GPS problem and lag problem and phone freeze problem and signal drop problem when you hold it a certain way....
but i love the design, size of the screen, the thinness of the phone and the super amoled display.....

Ouch...
Why did you not return your phone instead? I have never had my SGS freeze and I have never been able to drop a call by cupping the antenna, altough the signal strength does go down, wich it will on ALL phones with built in antennas since you are shilding the antenna... ( NOT SAME AS IPHONE4 design flaw where you shortcircuit 2 different antennas and that part seems particulary hard to grasp for some on this forum....)
But, to get on subject again, the GPS has been bad, that is for sure and I hope this is a step in the right direction.

Its clear that testing the gps is waaay too subjective and subject to too many factors. Applications have no effect on the gps performance.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

My gps has been working perfectly with 3 firmwares.. it's much faster then the one on my old iphone 3G
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

My GPS seems to be very hit and miss, but it has worked on the several occasions that I have really needed it (getting lost).
And widjaja why are you still shambling about this forum when you sold your phone? get back under your bridge.

Once again, another thread started because someone made one change, tested it and it worked, then posted how great it was. Trouble is since the GPS can work fine for days on end, and then not work for days on end, these supposed cures are pretty much all wrong.
The GPS doesnt work, and so far there hasnt been a public explaination as to why, just lots of guesswork, and no fix has been released (in any of the firmwares available today). It's coming, but its not here yet.

TravUK said:
Once again, another thread started because someone made one change, tested it and it worked, then posted how great it was. Trouble is since the GPS can work fine for days on end, and then not work for days on end, these supposed cures are pretty much all wrong.
The GPS doesnt work, and so far there hasnt been a public explaination as to why, just lots of guesswork, and no fix has been released (in any of the firmwares available today). It's coming, but its not here yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems some phones work some dont.On jf3 my gps was shocking but on jg5 it has always been spot on with google navigation and co pilot and ive tested it a lot in all weathers.It has never lost lock and is always bang on with position.I even tested google maps satalite view in the car parked next to a tree and it had me right next to the tree-within 10 feet accuracy.I dont change any settings just leave it on whatever settings jg5 uses.Im in england if that makes any difference

Found a fix on another forum and its been working pretty well for me.
Enter *#*#1472365#*#* in the dialer to enter GPS settings and change the following:
Application Settings:
Operation Mode - MS Based
Use SkyHook - ON
Accuracy - 30
SUPL/CP Settings :
Server - supl.google.com
Server Port - 7276
SUPL Secure Socket - OFF
I was having problems with 3G and WIFI with these settings at first, so I left Operation Mode on Standalone and Skyhook OFF. Works great now. Just tested it and got 9 satellite locks and 5 in use.
source: http://www.mobile01.com/topicdetail.php?f=568&t=1661500&r=2&last=21080924
I'm in Hong Kong btw running local JF7 firmware. Hope this helps.

I'm almost convinced that most of the problems people are having is down to google maps. I'm not saying that tweaking the settings as people have, inc me, doesn't improve maters, but I believe there is an underlying compatibility issue between google maps and the galaxy which is making the issue seem worse than it is.
If I leave gps test running while driving I get at worst a lock down to 32 feet, speed is accurate and never lose lock even when on roads totally covered with big wet trees. It looks spot on.
Google maps navigation can't even get me in an accurate position when stationary, start driving and its bloody awful jumps all over the place and sometimes doesn't even move for 30 seconds after I've pulled away from a junction.
I've updated my supl settings to use google (manually edited the conf file, I don't use the hidden menu screen because even if you change nothing it makes changes to the conf file on exit, delete the file and reboot to refresh it) and updated my ntp settings to use europe.
In the jg5 rom google maps is built in, so I can't reinstall it or seem to be able to clear the cache to see if that helps in anyway.
It wouldn't surprise me if any gps fixed rom released by samsung contains a tweaked version of google maps that works.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

[DEV] Lets fix the GPS once and for all

I started investigating this in sbrissen's AOSP JB thread when I was running Alpha 5 (Awesome ROM btw). In the interest of not hijacking/derailing this thread, I think it is time we finally figure out why in the world our phone's GPS is so flaky. The solution is almost assuredly in software.
Items of note:
Modem - Our devices GPS is housed within the Qualcomm QSC6085 silicon. Within there, according to http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1343072 indicates that we have a pretty powerful SiRFStarIV chip. Thus, flashing new modems can affect our interaction with the GPS chip.
Additionally, the aforementioned thread indicates the AGPS is not used on our phone.
I've confirmed that AGPS is not used on our phone via the following logcat:
Code:
D/GPSD ( 1767): load_xtra_bin: buf_len 50000
E/GPSD ( 1767): load_xtra_bin: open /data/gps/xtra.bin failed. Permission denied.
E/GPSD ( 1767): No cached xtra.bin. request to download new binary.
Perhaps with enough digging, we can find where our GPS gets stuck.
-GP
(FYI: Getting a fix on a GB ROM and then immediately flashing is not the solution. At best, the ARM Cortex M3 that operates our baseband, must store data in its own cache since it was recently accessed.)
Update: We have evidence that, in order to save costs on the SPH-D710, the SurfStarIV was removed and our AP (Exynos 4210) handles all GPS duties.
----------------------------------------------
Update 01/23/2013:
First off, I'm sorry for the lack of communication. Second off, I wish I had better news. To respond to a lot of the posts in the thread... this development is all but dead for a couple reasons:
1. IDA Pro is >$1000. IDA Free is free, but doesn't support ARM. I've been using IDA Pro Evaluation, but it only allows a certain amount of use before exiting and does not allow me to save my IDB files (Files that contain refactoring, comments, and changes). I dealt with it for a while, but it is extremely cumbersome to try and deal with while reversing an application of this size.
2. Despite the fact that it would be neat for us to completely understand the modem, it is unlikely that the modem image is directly related to our problem. Our phone has the Qualcomm QSC8085 CDMA Baseband processor. The modem.bin contains, in essence, a completely separate OS that runs in real time all the time (Commonly referred to as an RTOS or Real Time Operating System).
This OS has a lot of responsibilities such as tower negotiations and handoffs, maintaining account information with Sprint, among other things. It likely interfaces with a data buffer that is handled, in part, by the RIL (Radio Interface Layer) which is part of the Android Kernel. Aside from that, it is unknown everything else that the radio has access/control over.
With all of this in mind, it is *possible* that it has some manner of control over the GPS; however, the extent is unclear. Given that we can wipe the EFS partition, flash new Radio Images, and reprovision our phone with virtually no effect on GPS, we can conclude that the problem is unlikely to reside in this image.
--------------------
There are a couple things to consider:
1. Based on all of the above data, it is possible/likely that a small portion of flash memory (Perhaps SRAM (Synchronous RAM) - very small, very fast, very expensive, used for processor cache) is located on the die of the Qualcomm chip that stores data. Because this storage is not accessible to us (Though perhaps the radio OS has access in some way) it persists across data wipes. This would explain why a lock achieved on a TW based ROM will persist across flashes.
2. If we assume the above conclusion has any merit, it is possible/likely that the GPS Daemon or a similar closed source driver packaged with the kernel is not working entirely as expected. It would be very prudent to look into some of these closed source binaries and see what information could be extracted from them; however, they are, ARM binaries and would run into the same obstacles as I outlined above.
3. The tweaks and applications (ie: GPS Status, AngryGPS) that are so widely spread around our forums, while they are useful in optimizing a currently operational GPS, they will NOT/NOT suddenly make a GPS begin to work (This is not meant as a slight to those developers publishing the tweaks. They are, I'm sure, excellent developers who have found fantastic ways to optimize/tweak the functionality of various functions).
When flashing these tweaks, it is important to remember that you are dealing with an extremely complex piece of electronics with many shifting variables. In other words, coincidences happen. A bug fix is only truly a bug fix if it works consistently over a wide set of cases.
--------------
If there is enough developer interest (ie: ONLY those who have significant assembly language or RE experience) and if someone can come up with another way of disassembling ARM binaries, PM me and we can entertain a group effort over a few files that may yield some results.
-Gamingphreek
Edit: Just thought of this... objdump is not a viable disassembler for a binary of this size/complexity. Refactoring and Cross Referencing is all but a necessity.

I wiped and flashed the latest CM9 Nightly. While the first lock took a few minutes, all subsequent locks have been nearly instantaneous.
While JB vs ICS may make this weird, I'm going to look at the diffs over the relevant files. I'd be particularly interest to see the results of a bdiff (Binary Diff) of the GPS Driver across different ROMs.

I used qualcomms qpst program and checked an extra setting under the gps tab and i get almost instant locks. You go through the steps like you are going to manually update a prl but stop at the click roam tab and scroll over to the gps tab. I will have to look in the morning at exactly what the box was that i checked. I did this about a month ago and i have faster locks than ive ever had with any phone.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

Bump

dohchp said:
I used qualcomms qpst program and checked an extra setting under the gps tab and i get almost instant locks. You go through the steps like you are going to manually update a prl but stop at the click roam tab and scroll over to the gps tab. I will have to look in the morning at exactly what the box was that i checked. I did this about a month ago and i have faster locks than ive ever had with any phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please keep us updated with that program.
Another quick question for discussion. Are quick alterations to the gps.conf likely to make any significant changes, or is it all placebo?

After reading through the thread referenced in the OP I found the app mentioned on page 4. Even after i changed my build prop to GT-9100 the app GPS control SiRF refused to work. I emailed the developer to see what tweaks he is using underneath to enable the sleep mode on our SiRF IV gps chip. I'm awaiting feedback and will share any info the we might be able to apply into the Gps lib or through direct ways

dohchp said:
I used qualcomms qpst program and checked an extra setting under the gps tab and i get almost instant locks. You go through the steps like you are going to manually update a prl but stop at the click roam tab and scroll over to the gps tab. I will have to look in the morning at exactly what the box was that i checked. I did this about a month ago and i have faster locks than ive ever had with any phone.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
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Click to collapse
Where did you get this software from? I'm desperate to improve my GPS in anyway possible.

I'M NOT YELLING said:
Where did you get this software from? I'm desperate to improve my GPS in anyway possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Refer to this thread.

dohchp said:
I used qualcomms qpst program and checked an extra setting under the gps tab and i get almost instant locks. You go through the steps like you are going to manually update a prl but stop at the click roam tab and scroll over to the gps tab. I will have to look in the morning at exactly what the box was that i checked. I did this about a month ago and i have faster locks than ive ever had with any phone.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok the information that Dohchp posted got me thinking so I started following what he did. However once to the GPS screen only the top box was selected and I had no clue what the rest meant so I searched and besides finding out what each thing means I found this site with a guide for blackberries. I decided what the heck I'll try before the hack it took 82 seconds to lock here in northern Idaho with mountains all around after the hack it took 17 seconds.
http://bbsoftware.weebly.com/uploads/1/7/9/3/1793039/gps_limitations_pdf.pdf
I take no credit for this since all I did was a little research. I have only had this on my phone for about 5 minutes now and will continue to test it out. if you screw up your phone that is your fault for not reading enough before doing stuff to it. If you are afraid to screw up your phone then don't mess with it.
Update: disabled GPS waited a few minutes turned it back on locked in 16s got 9 sats was only getting 4 sats before the modification
Not sure that is matters but I am using Calk's 3.0 GB rom and like Bigt2003's post below me I have been using Faster Fix from the market. However even with that I was getting the times I posted here in the valley.
update: 45 minutes after the mod. While standing in the yard I enabled the gps and had a lock in 24s. I then walked into my apartment to it's closest to center location and ,not surprising, Imidiately lost all satilites gaining them back with in 16s of moving back outside. Probably to much info but better to have too much than not enough.
Update: after just a few hours with the GPS left on but not mapping software running my lock is taking just as long as it did before 81s to lock all locks after that are sub 20s but that is after it's initial lock. So this method is a bust unless a slight variation of the settings changes something. There were no ill effects to doing this that I noticed.

Don't know if it will help but I'm just reporting what worked for me. I'm using phantom's alpha 4.3 (jb) and I couldn't get a lock for over an hour. I had no satellites showing in GPS Status. I used Faster Fix from the market and set the location North America. I rebooted and locked on to 7/8 in 12 seconds. It may not be a technical repair, but it worked for me.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

All you did was enable all the gps features?

dohchp said:
I used qualcomms qpst program and checked an extra setting under the gps tab and i get almost instant locks. You go through the steps like you are going to manually update a prl but stop at the click roam tab and scroll over to the gps tab. I will have to look in the morning at exactly what the box was that i checked. I did this about a month ago and i have faster locks than ive ever had with any phone.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
calisro said:
All you did was enable all the gps features?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Enabled and the info to the right as well the Ip address and such. I made it so that when I read from the phone It matched the screen from the guide exactly.
I must point out that once written to the phone, the phone will reboot. As is generally the case the GPS locks very fast right after a reboot, at least for me, so all this could just be that and not actually doing a thing to resolve the issue of getting a lock hours or days later.

I had read the sirf gps chip was removed in the sph-D710 to save money and only uses the built in exynos chip for gps.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app

rocket321 said:
I had read the sirf gps chip was removed in the sph-D710 to save money and only uses the built in exynos chip for gps.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you are possibly correct about the chip since we don't have the sirfgps.conf in /etc that is in the international S2. Guess I'll start looking for a link showing it was in fact removed or not.
Update: It appears that Rocket321 may be correct after just a few hours my locks are taking just as long as before to get the initial lock. 81s so this possible solution is in fact not a solution.

Nannuq said:
ok the information that Dohchp posted got me thinking so I started following what he did. However once to the GPS screen only the top box was selected and I had no clue what the rest meant so I searched and besides finding out what each thing means I found this site with a guide for blackberries. I decided what the heck I'll try before the hack it took 82 seconds to lock here in northern Idaho with mountains all around after the hack it took 17 seconds.
http://bbsoftware.weebly.com/uploads/1/7/9/3/1793039/gps_limitations_pdf.pdf
I take no credit for this since all I did was a little research. I have only had this on my phone for about 5 minutes now and will continue to test it out. if you screw up your phone that is your fault for not reading enough before doing stuff to it. If you are afraid to screw up your phone then don't mess with it.
Update: disabled GPS waited a few minutes turned it back on locked in 16s got 9 sats was only getting 4 sats before the modification
Not sure that is matters but I am using Calk's 3.0 GB rom and like Bigt2003's post below me I have been using Faster Fix from the market. However even with that I was getting the times I posted here in the valley.
update: 45 minutes after the mod. While standing in the yard I enabled the gps and had a lock in 24s. I then walked into my apartment to it's closest to center location and ,not surprising, Imidiately lost all satilites gaining them back with in 16s of moving back outside. Probably to much info but better to have too much than not enough.
Update: after just a few hours with the GPS left on but not mapping software running my lock is taking just as long as it did before 81s to lock all locks after that are sub 20s but that is after it's initial lock. So this method is a bust unless a slight variation of the settings changes something. There were no ill effects to doing this that I noticed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good news on my end. I wasn't even getting a lock in CM10, at all, before this method. Mobile Odin'd back to EL29 and with that Blackberry guide I checked all the boxes in the gpsOne box, but I didn't enter in the IP or PDE port number. Flashed back to CM10 and had a lock in what I believe was the fastest I've had with this phone, ever (under 30 seconds). Accuracy was only up to 30-100 meters, though. I'll update this post again tomorrow with how goes the next lock.

I think we need to distinguish between the "GPS problems"we have.
Problem A is a GPS that doesn't lock at all.
Problem B is GPS that locks after a reboot but after idling for a long time, GPS becomes non functional. A reboot however typically fixes this.
I have problem B for example. However, after lashing Dark_Knight's_GPS_Fix, I've had really good luck with GPS. I even get locks after extended periods and even indoors at time. Accuracy is typically around 4-6M with 8+ satellites.
Link: http://forums.androidcentral.com/ep.../183562-mod-fix-gps-dark_knights_gps_fix.html
Anyone else run that fix? Thoughts?

puch0021 said:
I think we need to distinguish between the "GPS problems"we have.
Problem A is a GPS that doesn't lock at all.
Problem B is GPS that locks after a reboot but after idling for a long time, GPS becomes non functional. A reboot however typically fixes this.
I have problem B for example. However, after lashing Dark_Knight's_GPS_Fix, I've had really good luck with GPS. I even get locks after extended periods and even indoors at time. Accuracy is typically around 4-6M with 8+ satellites.
Link: http://forums.androidcentral.com/ep.../183562-mod-fix-gps-dark_knights_gps_fix.html
Anyone else run that fix? Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd take caution flashing anything he made as he was found out to be a hack and a thief. He was banned and all his threads locked.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app

puch0021 said:
I think we need to distinguish between the "GPS problems"we have.
Problem A is a GPS that doesn't lock at all.
Problem B is GPS that locks after a reboot but after idling for a long time, GPS becomes non functional. A reboot however typically fixes this.
I have problem B for example. However, after lashing Dark_Knight's_GPS_Fix, I've had really good luck with GPS. I even get locks after extended periods and even indoors at time. Accuracy is typically around 4-6M with 8+ satellites.
Link: http://forums.androidcentral.com/ep.../183562-mod-fix-gps-dark_knights_gps_fix.html
Anyone else run that fix? Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
seems PLACEBO to me.
---------- Post added at 02:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:12 PM ----------
WhiteWidows said:
I'd take caution flashing anything he made as he was found out to be a hack and a thief. He was banned and all his threads locked.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what he hack and steal? LOL

I'M NOT YELLING said:
Good news on my end. I wasn't even getting a lock in CM10, at all, before this method. Mobile Odin'd back to EL29 and with that Blackberry guide I checked all the boxes in the gpsOne box, but I didn't enter in the IP or PDE port number. Flashed back to CM10 and had a lock in what I believe was the fastest I've had with this phone, ever (under 30 seconds). Accuracy was only up to 30-100 meters, though. I'll update this post again tomorrow with how goes the next lock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Eh, woke up, went outside for a lock and didn't get anything at all. Just like it was before. Sigh.

I'M NOT YELLING said:
Eh, woke up, went outside for a lock and didn't get anything at all. Just like it was before. Sigh.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the exact same issues. I've tried fasterfix and both gps fixes that have been posted on these boards. Have not had any success. I can get a GPS fix after maybe 5 minutes OUSTIDE with NO trees or buildings nearby. Once it locks in, if I move, I lose the signal again.
If I stand still the sats will slowly drop off and I'll be lost again. I took it to sprint and then wouldn't look at it until it's back to unrooted stock. That's my next move.