Develop Bugs

Tilt 2 - GPS Position Persistence or Worm Hole

I have had several instances now where an application using the GPS reported a position that was many hours old. This has definitely happened with NAV4ALL and AT&T FamilyMap. I'm pretty sure it has also happened with Google Maps.
The latest instance was last night. I was in my car at 7:30 PM and had used NAV4ALL briefly while stopped and had a good GPS fix. At 10:00PM I was home (13 miles away) and used FamilyMap to locate my phone which was in the house and not where the GPS would usually work. FamilyMap reported my phone still at the 7:30 position with 37 yds of accuracy, which was true 2.5 hours before.
Same thing happened at BDL airport Weds. night when NAV4ALL showed my position 22 miles away at the hotel I had cheched out of 8 hours before, with 53 yds accuracy. I had used the GPS the night before at that location. In this case I was also at a place where the GPS would not be able to get a position fix.
I have a stock AT&T Tilt 2 ROM with the OEM radio ROM that came with it (4.48.25.20, which otherwisehas outstanding GPS and data transfer performance vs. my Fuze).
Anybody else experiencing this? Is there a way to see tomorrow's lottery winning numbers today using the same time/space wormhole in this phone?
Peter

plfinch said:
I have had several instances now where an application using the GPS reported a position that was many hours old. This has definitely happened with NAV4ALL and AT&T FamilyMap. I'm pretty sure it has also happened with Google Maps.
The latest instance was last night. I was in my car at 7:30 PM and had used NAV4ALL briefly while stopped and had a good GPS fix. At 10:00PM I was home (13 miles away) and used FamilyMap to locate my phone which was in the house and not where the GPS would usually work. FamilyMap reported my phone still at the 7:30 position with 37 yds of accuracy, which was true 2.5 hours before.
Same thing happened at BDL airport Weds. night when NAV4ALL showed my position 22 miles away at the hotel I had cheched out of 8 hours before, with 53 yds accuracy. I had used the GPS the night before at that location. In this case I was also at a place where the GPS would not be able to get a position fix.
I have a stock AT&T Tilt 2 ROM with the OEM radio ROM that came with it (4.48.25.20, which otherwisehas outstanding GPS and data transfer performance vs. my Fuze).
Anybody else experiencing this? Is there a way to see tomorrow's lottery winning numbers today using the same time/space wormhole in this phone?
Peter
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Using GPSMod or anything like that? It'll continue to send the last known fix until the GPS warms back up, I've seen many times it report me in my last location for a bit until the GPS starts giving live data and suddenly it jump.

No GPS manipulation programs/cabs. No unusual registry tweeks.

I have confirmed this bahavior is repeatable. If FamilyMap polls for a position and the GPS cannot provide a fix, the last GPS position fix will be returned by FamilyMap - even if it is many hours and miles away. This pretty much makes FamilyMap worthless on a Tilt 2, and some applications.
Peter

plfinch said:
I have confirmed this bahavior is repeatable. If FamilyMap polls for a position and the GPS cannot provide a fix, the last GPS position fix will be returned by FamilyMap - even if it is many hours and miles away. This pretty much makes FamilyMap worthless on a Tilt 2, and some applications.
Peter
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Time to start isolating this "FamilyMap" as simply just a poor program.. Try other things, one free/easy/obvious one is Google Maps. Set it up to use the GPS, exit, do your thing, then when it's time to try out the GPS fire it up and see what happens.
Just so you're not alarmed, if you haven't used it yet, what I generally see out of Google Maps is it gets a cellular fix first (ie: cellid estimate) which is sometimes half a mile or more away from the location, then as soon as the GPS fixes it'll move to your correct location, so sometimes you see it appear as if it's gotten a fix then shift some reasonably small distance.

GPS on the TP2

I am losing my mind with my GPS. I have had my TP2 since last August and I have never been able to find a solution to the horrible GPS quality. I have tried matching up the ports, changing the ports, different software, hard-resets, I have installed the hotfix, I have called HTC, but things are still terrible. The only thing that ever cause an improvement was manually choosing the ports and such, however the improvement was only slight.
I have used GPS on Google Maps on the iPhone under the same provider (Optus in Australia) and the moment I opened the program there was always a GPS lock, not once did I ever have to wait or get it ready, but on my TP2 using Google Maps (or any other application), sometimes I am forced to wait minutes before getting a signal, if at all. I have searched and searched for a resolution but im not finding any. I just don't understand what I paid top dollar for, I chose the TP2 over the Xperia for it's GPS capabilities, but its hardly capable. I feel as if I am out of options, i've had it for too long to get my money back; I would really appreciate your thoughts on this?

I use iGuidance2009 and have no problems, though I do update quickGPS regularly. Google Maps I dont know about as I dont use it.

This has been a problem ever since the Touch Pro. My old Kaiser never had these horrible GPS issues, Touch Pro and Touch Pro 2 do.
What I have found to work well is to toggle the phone in the Comm manager when GPS is not working correctly.
Also, if you can get AGPS to work correctly, that does wonders for GPS lock time speeds! It would take minutes before, but once AGPS is set to work correctly, I can get a lock in 10 seconds! You have to go into the registry and make sure AGPS is set to use the right data connection.
This only improves acquisition times, it does not reduce the lag which was introduced in the original Touch Pro.

Google maps is probably the worst test app for speed. I use TomTom and iGo on Juicy R5 now, default rom before, and both have no lag. Google maps lags as much as 30 seconds, Garmin and also a few free gps apps I tried lagged 10-15 secs. So this is really, really app dependent. Don't know why.
As for lock speed, agps is a must. If QuickGPS/SEASGEE isn't working then you get the same lock speeds that you would get on old, old car gps systems (up to 5 mins to get a lock).

petard said:
This has been a problem ever since the Touch Pro. My old Kaiser never had these horrible GPS issues, Touch Pro and Touch Pro 2 do.
What I have found to work well is to toggle the phone in the Comm manager when GPS is not working correctly.
Also, if you can get AGPS to work correctly, that does wonders for GPS lock time speeds! It would take minutes before, but once AGPS is set to work correctly, I can get a lock in 10 seconds! You have to go into the registry and make sure AGPS is set to use the right data connection.
This only improves acquisition times, it does not reduce the lag which was introduced in the original Touch Pro.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's just you with such serious problems, maybe your phone has problems..

AGPS is key to getting a fast lock. That's where you should be focused.

Some registry tweaks may improve your fix. It rocks for me and others owners, but not sure for every body.
take a look there:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=523676
and there:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=524655
It could be a good beginning ;-)

khaytsus said:
It's just you with such serious problems, maybe your phone has problems..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, its not. Everyone has position lag. It isn't unbearable, but it is pretty annoying. You take an exit on a highway and it takes about 3 seconds to realize you took it sometimes. What is really weird is it keeps going on one road while the arrow turns in the direction you are headed until it finally places you on the correct road. That part may be due to TomTom though, but I'm not sure.

petard said:
You take an exit on a highway and it takes about 3 seconds to realize you took it sometimes. What is really weird is it keeps going on one road while the arrow turns in the direction you are headed until it finally places you on the correct road. That part may be due to TomTom though, but I'm not sure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As per my personal experience, this is due to internal GPS data filtering by WM, so tweaks recalled by woaloo (I mean reducing of WM's GPS-related data buffer sizes) can help here.
Be careful however with it as too low values will drives GPS to become "nervous" - your position will become unstable, starting to jump randomly with a radius of few hundreds meters.
Another reason of the lag is (most likely) related to the navi software one uses. I use iGO8 and there are for sure settings moderating position behavior from pretty quick (but unstable) to rather slow but noticeable more stable. I personally prefer this last one.

To the original poster, have you tried running a program like VisualGPS? If so, how much signal strength is it showing for the satellites? I see as high as 39 when indoors. I get quick and accurate locks and I am very happy with the GPS performance. I have to believe that you have a hardware problem.
As for the thread drift on the few seconds delay, yes, that is there, but not a big issue.

Personal experience with the GPS... initially could never get it to connect, basically because every time i tried i was inside behind venitian blinds..... never use GPS before so my bad.
Walked outside and it was great. About 10 secs or less to lock, the lag is only a couple of seconds, no more than 5 secs. Added the tweeks and it was improved slightly. The accuracy was within 5 meters or less (used the property boundries in google maps to verify).
Moving at high speed it was pretty good too.
Compared to other phones and iPhone borrowed from a mate there is negligable difference in the accuracy and lag.
BRETT

So the GPS performance on the Touch Pro 2 is not that much better than the Touch Pro? The receiver on the Touch Pro is extremely weak.
At my work we have a GPS re-radiator for use with the equipment that we build. Indoors using the re-radiator I can get a lock in seconds with 11 satellites (the signal is abnormally strong). Outdoors, I'm happy if I can get a lock with 7.

worwig said:
To the original poster, have you tried running a program like VisualGPS? If so, how much signal strength is it showing for the satellites? I see as high as 39 when indoors. I get quick and accurate locks and I am very happy with the GPS performance. I have to believe that you have a hardware problem.
As for the thread drift on the few seconds delay, yes, that is there, but not a big issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did try something like that, not sure if it was VisualGPS but it showed me the strength of GPS signal and it was quite accurate with how the GPS appeared to be behaving.
I got the phone's motherboard replaced and that fixed the issue. Thank you all for the replies though, it was possibly faulty.

Have the new Energy rom on but used the GPS hotfix. Seems to have increased lock time considerably.
I'll keep an eye on it though in case the lock time increases...
Wonder if we can find an app that would imbed GPS co-ordinates in any pics we take... Got a Samsung S8300t as well & it does this though the GPS navigation software is non-existant....

ultramag69 said:
Have the new Energy rom on but used the GPS hotfix. Seems to have increased lock time considerably.
I'll keep an eye on it though in case the lock time increases...
Wonder if we can find an app that would imbed GPS co-ordinates in any pics we take... Got a Samsung S8300t as well & it does this though the GPS navigation software is non-existant....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One of the extra camera modes you can unlock in the TP2 is a geotagging mode that does exactly that. There's a number of ways to enable them...Rhodium Settings Tool has a switch for each of them individually (burst, sport, video share, and geotagging), or you can just run the cab below

....and, for anybody else on this thread who hasn't tried it already, I'd suggest checking out the cab fone_fanatic put together to help with GPS locks on the TP2, details HERE

[Q] can't get GPS to work properly

I keep having problems with getting a gps fix on my DHD.
I turn on the GPS on the phone, also setting it to checked in the "Location" settings, and I wait forever. Yesterday I tried using the Compass app (By Catch.com), the GPS Status app, Tried using My Tracks and RunKeeper, and couldn't get a fix.
Every time I go back to the "Location" settings, and check and uncheck the "Use wireless networks" box, and also turn on or off the WIFI radio. But nothing seemed to work.
This morning I tried again, set My Tracks to record the road, and it did get a fix after about 5 minutes - So sometimes it does work.
I did manage to get fixes at various times, using all the apps above, but most times I need to fiddle with it quite a lot before it works, by checking and unchecking stuff. Sometimes it finally gets a fix with the "Use wireless networks" checked, and wifi turned on (even on locations where I have no wifi), and sometimes when its off.
Using the GPS Status app I see it usually finds 8-11 satellites, and they all seem green and with high bars, but I get no location at the end. Also with the Compass - I can see it connects to 10/10, but there is no long/lat.
What can cause all this mess? Is there some known bug with the gps? Or maybe some apps are interfering with others?
I also don't have any data plan (2g or 3g), so I only surf on wifi. Maybe this trows the location off somehow?

My location results are less accurate than 3g but still usable. Have you had better gps results from other devices? Your area might have some problems.
Cheers from my DHD.

When it works, it works just fine. Today on my way to work it succeeded in getting a fix after several minutes (which I still consider to be a bit too long - it should do it in less than a minute).
Last week, during a short jog outside of my house, it got a fix using RunKeeper.
Two days ago, while walking outside for well over an hour, and seeing in all the apps it finds multiple satellites, I could not get any fix at all. I want to use GPS only, no need for 3g or wifi. It should be enough (And had been enough on other occasions).
And it wasn't only defective two nights ago - many times I can't seem to get a fix. And only occasionally I get it to work properly.

I have the same problem ,i flashed a few different radios to try them and getting a gps lock was a nightmare.Originally i was on radio 26.03.02.26 and it was actually fine(shouldnt have messed with something that works.I have now flashed back to that radio and same problems.
i am sitting here with the misses hd and it instantly finds 6 sats and gets a gps lock while my hd finds one and does nothing.
i turn off gps on both phones ,turn back on and now her phone gets a lock at least 1 min faster.
Seems to be first time using gps after booting phone,once i have turned gps on give it a few mins then turn it off.I now run gps status on both phones,gps turns on and now get 2 more sats and a much lower error reading.

I have the same issues with gps, if I leave my phone flat on the dashboard of my car so that the screen is facing upwards, the gps seems to work without losing a fix, maybe because it connects to more satellites.
when I place the phone in my dash mount, it seems to drop signals and loses location.
I have tried a solution which I found while browsing the net extensively for the problem you mentioned and there does not seem to be much info on the issue. The solution I found on the net seemed to have made a huge difference although more testing is needed.
I have downloaded a program called "Tracker Booster - Tracker Booster is a small utility to help sports tracker applications (e.g. Endomondo) to get best possible GPS signal by keeping the GPS unit active in the background." It is available for free from the market, the way to use it is by starting this program up and then clicking "Start Booster" followed by "send to Background", then load GPS Status, hopefully once you see some satellites on GPS status and have a fix, you can now load your sat nav software or google maps, I use co-pilot.
Once you have finished with using the GPS, remember to stop Tracker Booster as it runs in the background and keeps your GPS on constantly which will no doubt drain the battery.
This so far has worked for me and as I have stated earlier, I need to do a few more trips before I can say that it works all the time.
I think this is the best solution until something better comes up.

This is not whats happening to me - When it's not working properly, I can't seem to get a fix at all, even after a long while. When I do get a fix, it works just fine even when the DHD is in my pocket, or facing sideways.

Has anyone one of you guys tried using gps status from android market?
Download it reset agps data than redownload agps data and that's it.
I get a fix in aprox 10s without it is few minutes
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App

Why Is The GPS So Bad?

Ever since I've had this phone, I've not had any issues that would make me want to start a thread, except one -- the GPS. Here are the issues I've had, which are probably similar to other's experiences:
1) GPS just stops locking occasionally, and required reboot to fix. This happened at random times, but it always seemed like I had to have the phone on for a long time before it occured.
Solution: Sometimes I can use the "GPS status" program to reset the GPS state, and this would work sometimes. It doesn't always work though, and I need to reboot to get it back.
2) GPS stops turning on at all. This was traced down to my company requiring full encryption of the flash/SD card, which apparently this phone has a bug that prevents GPS from working at all when you do this. I had to remove my work email from the phone to get GPS back.
Solution: None yet, except turning encryption off.
3) The GPS icon in the notifier bar stays on in the "locked" status, even when GPS is turned off.
Solution: Reboot. Not ideal, obviously.
I've also tried replacing the gps.conf file as another user pointed out, but that doesn't appear to have fixed anything. Does anyone have a solution for these issues that I haven't already mentioned, particularly #1? It's getting very annoying when I need to use navigation and I have to reboot just to have a chance of it working.

Get your phone looked at/replaced. I literally have none of those issues.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA App

I know some people have issues with GPS but mine locks INSTANTLY and I have no issues with it.
Locks WAY faster then my HTC EVO 4G ever did!

I havent had one issue with the GPS. I use it in the mornings with runkeeper and it locks nearly instantly. I would say get the phone looked at

I've had similar issues with my GPS.. it takes a long time to get a lock and afterwards it's very temperamental. Unless my phone has an absolutely clear view of the sky in my car it will lose the lock instantly. It's extremely frustrating since I'm coming from a Samsung SGS Vibrant that had a horrible GPS. Samsung needs to start putting in better GPS modules in their phones. Many HTC owners have reported that their GPS works incredible and can lock on sats in their basement etc.

Just to add to my above post about my GPS locking instantly, it even locks instantly in my basement when I have like one bar of phone service.
I'd have to say the GPS is one of the better features on this phone.

I'll echo the view that you should have the phone looked at, I'm coming from a Thundebolt which frequently, literally never locked. My E4gT locks nearly instantly even when my signal is weak.

i leave my gps/ wireless networks off 90% of the time, so sometimes when i first put it on, it takes forever to lock on. i started just putting it on and rebooting and then it locks instantly
sidebar, i love how data isnt needed. i put it on to load the map correctly then turn it off to save battery

Just to clarify, if I reboot the GPS does seem to lock MUCH quicker.. I'm going to flash the stock ROM that was leaked recently and see if my issues go away, if not.. I'll probably see if Sprint can swap my phone out with another. LOS has been driving me insane.. I'm an on-call support engineer so missing a call due to LOS would be very bad for me.

My GPS sucks as well. When it locks (hardly ever) it is super inaccurate. I went to sprint and since I don't have the insurance I had to call Samsung. I'm going to send my phone to them (no loaner). They said once they receive it, I will have it back within 6 days. I'll let you know how it goes.

No problems with gps on both of the phones that I have had. The current one is exceptional actually. I use a GOLF gps program/app WEEKLY and the accuracy is actually remarkable. From my comparing it to a friends gps (also pretty accurate) as well as a LASER rangefinder (to center pin locations) it is usually within 2 or 3 yards from our calculations, which we think is pretty acceptable for our single digit games.
It helps alot on shots inside 150 yards, especially inside 100 when we think it is 50 yard shot and it is really 70, you have a big advantage there whether its 67 or 70 yards compared to your shot of 50 if you didnt have the gps.
It does take about 10 to 15 seconds once you stop moving to catch up and give an accurate yardage, this is likely the program/app as some of them I have tried find it quicker some slower...
JC

Disable "Use sensor aiding" if it's enabled. Locks much faster.

[Q] Can't get good GPS fix (in US)?

Not sure what it is, but I haven't been able to get a solid GPS fix since I got the phone. Any other phone I use may take a minute, but it'll get a pretty accurate fix afterward - 50 feet or less. And this is in the same exact place.
I sat with the phone and the GPS Test app by Chartcross initially, and had 24 satellites in view. I went and downloaded FasterGPS and updated the GPS for US servers (since the Mini came from France I believe), and now I can get between 3 and 6 in use, but it only locks very rarely, and even when it does, it's only to like 500 feet in accuracy. As I'm typing, it randomly jumped to 7 satellites, accuracy bounced between 200 and 300 feet...and a few seconds later it went back to no lock and going between 3 and 6 in use.
Suggestions? I already rooted the phone, as well as installed Xposed and Crossbreeder. And of course, I have all proper GPS settings turned on.
EDIT: I went and did that simple fix all around the web of tightening the screws...didn't seem to help much. I went outside, and had no problem getting like 20/23 satellites, accuracy to like 5 feet. But as I go inside, I lose accuracy/satellites, until I get to my apartment and have nothing again. Is the S4 Mini's GPS antennae just weaker than other's?

When indoors, did you turn your wifi on?

Whosat said:
When indoors, did you turn your wifi on?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, always used data for the phones. And even using Wifi on the S4 Mini doesn't seem to help in terms of a GPS fix.

I've noticed on all 3 android phones I've had, that gps generally doesn't work indoors.
I did get a faster fix outdoors using the app GPS Status and updating the A-GPS data from within the Tools menu.
You should also try moving in one direction as you are trying to get a fix outdoors - always works for me.