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Do I have a lemon GPS chip in my phone?

S

SFBayArea

Android Enthusiast
Hey guys, I have a Verizon S3 version and my GPS sucks big time. It constantly misplacing me on the roads near by instead of the road I am on. I downloaded GPS Test software and tested out accuracy of the GPS position on my phone and with the same app accuracy on my girlfriend's phone (she has one from ATT). My phone showed accuracy between 30-60 feet and hers was 10-15 feet.
Is it software or hardware? Is there a fix for it?

Thanks.
 
For what it is worth, I am consistently getting Accuracy between 10 - 15 feet using the free version of GPS Test for measurement, whether stationary (15/20 sats in view/in use) or moving (14/21 sats in view/in use) on my Verizon 32GB Pebble Blue Galaxy 3.

I have also had good luck with Google Nav.
 

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laptopquestion said:
For what it is worth, I am consistently getting Accuracy between 10 - 15 feet using the free version of GPS Test for measurement, whether stationary (15/20 sats in view/in use) or moving (14/21 sats in view/in use) on my Verizon 32GB Pebble Blue Galaxy 3.

I have also had good luck with Google Nav.
Click to expand...

Well, those are good numbers. I guess my GPS chip either faulty or need calibration.

Does anyone know if GPS chip can be calibrated?
 
SFBayArea said:
Well, those are good numbers. I guess my GPS chip either faulty or need calibration.

Does anyone know if GPS chip can be calibrated?
Click to expand...

There isn't. You likely have a faulty chip. I'd recommend you take it back and get it checked out.
 
SFBayArea said:
Argh, dam it, I am past 14 days. I am still within 30 days though. Is there a way to deal with it?
Click to expand...

IIRC, the 14 day window is specifically for the contract. You're locked into the contract. However, if there's a defect, they should repair/replace it still. Unless, of course, you've done something to void your warranty. Rooting, water damage, drop damage, etc. are examples of such warranty voiding events. But your warranty on the device is much longer than 14 days.

You might have to go through Samsung, though, for warranty.
 
This may be a long post but I had the same situation as you.

My GPS was not accurate at all and most of the time it wasn't accurate enough for google navigation to do anything. I went to one store they did diagnostics on it and couldn't do anything for it. They said I could get a new one but they didn't have any in stock. I went to another store that did have it in stock but they said that since it was outside 14 day window they had to give me a refurbished one. But I was able to talk them into giving me a new phone however when they tried to enter the new phone in the system they said it would kick me off the unlimited data plan. So I decided not to do it and try elsewhere.

What I ended up doing was I called customer service and they also offered me a refurbished phone but I convinced them to give me a new one. They also said that putting in the order would take me off unlimited but they told me that I can always call a CSR and ask to be put back on unlimited. So I took that but they never took me off unlimited. One negative thing about getting it over the phone is that they have to charge you for the new phone until you ship back the old phone. If you do it at the store they can take the old phone right there so they don't have to charge you. I haven't seen the refund on my bill yet but its only been a few days.

So I think with enough talking and looking around, you can probably find someone nice enough to help you get it replaced.
 
Mabashi said:
They also said that putting in the order would take me off unlimited but they told me that I can always call a CSR and ask to be put back on unlimited.
Click to expand...
I would ask them to call a CSR to put you back.

I imagine VZW is doing anything they can to get people off unlimited.
 
ObsceneJesster said:
Yea, your chip is definitely acting strange. Both mine and my wife's GS3's get a lock usually around 3 seconds with a accuracy of 10 feet.
Click to expand...

Same here. I had an original Moto Droid for the last 2.5 years and the GPS would sometimes take a minute to nail down 7 satellites (every once in awhile I'd have to reboot in order for GPS to lock on). My S3 is blisteringly fast! Like you, 3 seconds to nail a lock and within another second I've got 21 of 25 satellites. It even works at my desk at work, where the Moto did not.
 
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