Lol, you just listed the exact same reasons I never went with the iPhone. The biggest for me anyway was having to pay (as in $8 a month!) for navigation which I get for free and that works perfect on my Vibrant with Google.
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All Things GPS
- Thread starter Robinelli
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- samsung vibrant
Lol, you just listed the exact same reasons I never went with the iPhone. The biggest for me anyway was having to pay (as in $8 a month!) for navigation which I get for free and that works perfect on my Vibrant with Google.
robo21
Android Expert
First off... forget that Gators joke. We all know they will be worthless again now that Tebow is gone.
Second, go Ducks!
No but really, this GPS problem is indeed a problem that is being experienced by many, many people. Outdoors. Mine was fine for a while, and then it started being dumb randomly. This is the case for a lot of people. I've never attempted to use the satellite indoors.
Like I said, this is the hottest thing going on for the Samsung/TMobile team right now and will be fixed soon.
Ok, Go Ducks! LOL !
I don't doubt the GPS issue is real Spiz, far be it from me to say "there is no GPS issue" just because I haven't personally experienced it. From the sound of this issue it could occur at any time. I don't think Samsung/Tmobile will leave us out in the cold on this issue. They have too much at stake by way of customer goodwill and loyalty to do that.
And I agree the Vibrant is the hottest thing going - so hot in fact, that if I did have a GPS issue and had to resort to using my factory nav in the Z06 or my Garmin in the SUV, it would not be too big a deal.
SamsungVibrant
Android Expert
Here is the number for Galaxy S issues and to raise a service ticket at 1-877-EZ2GALAXY (1-877-392-4252)
They will probably ask you stupid obvious questions like did you do a restart of your phone, did you pull the battery out. Just tell them off the bat you tried everything, battery pull, gps off on, sim card out/in, factory reset etc.
and get your service ticket number from them. also try to ask some hard questions, like how soon will this problem be fixed, and is it hardware or software.
robo21
Android Expert
Those troubleshooting steps may be "stupid and obvious" to you given that you tried them already and to no avail, but if Mark has NOT tried them perhaps it wouldn't hurt.
Not all of the Vibrants are suffering from the serious GPS issue you are alluding to. You seem to be in denial on this point. I'm not the only one here that doesn't have the serious GPS problem you describe. For those of without the issue perhaps a battery pull or reboot might get the GPS started.
SamsungVibrant
Android Expert
I'm not going back and forth with you. If someone is not bright enough to try rebooting their phone when they run into a problem, then maybe they shouldn't own a smartphone. I never personally attacked you, but you seem to have gotten very upset ever since I said people should protect their screens to prevent scratches. You seem to be the one in denial.
Hey Mark if you havent tried common sense stuff, follow the suggestions the rep gives you on the phone first. It might fix your problem.
one last thing, i've been like the only one on this thread from the beggining saying this is probably a software issue and no reason to exchange your phone for the gps yet. So i'm not in denial, i've actually been very confident that this problem will be fixed with gps. While others have done multiple exchanges, i still have my original unit, because i still believe its just software. So whos in denial?
lol
Well, I got my replacement vibrant today. Started it up, the GPS seemed to work, worked all the way to the post office where I returned my other vibrant, and all the way back. I was about to post about how it works but now I get the all to familiar drifting and GPS test shows that I am still only getting 2 satellites. This phone is absolute garbage. Doesn't even display white properly.
I called Samsung and talked to allen. He told me that they have had a few complaints about the GPS, and he went to check on the status of the fix. No update. He said keep watching the website and wait for a fix. He didn't even ask me to troubleshoot. I bet because he knows it doesn't matter.
I bet many people are getting their phone, they test the GPS for 5 min, and it works so they assume it works.
I will lmfao when it turns out to be a hardware issue and samsung does not do a recall.
Should I tell tmobile and try to get a 3rd? then a 4th? until my 14 days run out? lol I was so excited when this phone came out. "finally a really good android phone for tmobile" wow
Well, I got my replacement vibrant today. Started it up, the GPS seemed to work, worked all the way to the post office where I returned my other vibrant, and all the way back. I was about to post about how it works but now I get the all to familiar drifting and GPS test shows that I am still only getting 2 satellites. This phone is absolute garbage. Doesn't even display white properly.
I called Samsung and talked to allen. He told me that they have had a few complaints about the GPS, and he went to check on the status of the fix. No update. He said keep watching the website and wait for a fix. He didn't even ask me to troubleshoot. I bet because he knows it doesn't matter.
I bet many people are getting their phone, they test the GPS for 5 min, and it works so they assume it works.
I will lmfao when it turns out to be a hardware issue and samsung does not do a recall.
Should I tell tmobile and try to get a 3rd? then a 4th? until my 14 days run out? lol I was so excited when this phone came out. "finally a really good android phone for tmobile" wow
robo21
Android Expert
Umm you're not in denial? Let me see wasn't it you that said that "all Vibrants have the GPS issue?" It's like you don't want to hear that some of us have Vibrants with functioning GPS.
Secondly, you seem to be implying that only an idiot would not know to reboot the phone or do a battery pull to try to get the GPS started. What about Android newbies? There are plenty of them with plenty of IQ that may not know the troubleshooting steps.
Thirdly, all I was saying was "Don't assume that everyone has the same GPS issue you do." It may be that their problem is solved easily. I have no GPS issue. Apparently perpetual and others have no GPS issue.
Fourth, I have not personally attacked you and I apologize if you feel that way. I may not agree with you on every point you make (but I do agree with you on many), but I certainly bear no ill will toward you. What you may be detecting is my sense of humor, trying to make light of these perceived issues. They really aren't that big of a deal in the scheme of things.
And finally, why do you feel the need for "people to protect their screens?" Let those that want protection get protection. It's not like they will be spreading STD's by not using protection. Many don't like the effect screen protectors have on their screens. If you reread the other thread you will see that I asked you if you knew of a screen protector that did not adversely effect image quality, you never replied. Far from being an attack or denial I was soliciting your factual data on the subject.
Let's start over, be friends, and drop the defenses. When all is said and done we all want the same thing: The best Android device available - on that we can surely agree.
SamsungVibrant
Android Expert
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ya i rather be friends, i'll talk to you about the screen protector in that thread.
robo21
Android Expert
30glock
Newbie
If you reread the other thread you will see that I asked you if you knew of a screen protector that did not adversely effect image quality, you never replied.
All screen protectors will effect Image. This devise does not need a screen protector, It has rolled in my car on its face, bounced in my pocket w keys and pens, Nothing happened, Screen is like new. Dont wast your Money, Start saving for a Garmin for your GPS Issues.
All screen protectors will effect Image. This devise does not need a screen protector, It has rolled in my car on its face, bounced in my pocket w keys and pens, Nothing happened, Screen is like new. Dont wast your Money, Start saving for a Garmin for your GPS Issues.
Could you please take a picture of your phone running GPS Test showing the Vibrant's gps working as it should? It's not that I don't believe you when you say your phone's gps works fine, it's just that I want to print out a picture of this screenshot and stick it on my phone so I can trick myself into thinking I have the perfect Vibrant.
robo21
Android Expert
Could you please take a picture of your phone running GPS Test showing the Vibrant's gps working as it should? It's not that I don't believe you when you say your phone's gps works fine, it's just that I want to print out a picture of this screenshot and stick it on my phone so I can trick myself into thinking I have the perfect Vibrant.
Yeah I'll get right on that... In fact why not HD video posted to youtube.
robo21
Android Expert
I had shopping to do today for my business at Costco. Next to Costco is the Tmobile owned store where I bought my Vibrant. I decided to go in and talk to the store manager who is very knowledgeable and see if he had heard anything about the GPS issue/fix.
He was very forthcoming with information and told me that he owns the Vibrant, wouldn't consider anything else Tmobile is offering at the moment (he can pick whatever he wants obviously) and that his phone has been affected by the GPS issue along with many others. He pulled his phone out and showed me how it wouldn't lock. He tried for about 3 minutes and no lock. I took mine and got a lock but it took about 30 seconds to get there. However the location was shifted about 50 feet from where I was located.
He said that there is a software fix that is scheduled for approximately September 20th. Time will tell.
He was very forthcoming with information and told me that he owns the Vibrant, wouldn't consider anything else Tmobile is offering at the moment (he can pick whatever he wants obviously) and that his phone has been affected by the GPS issue along with many others. He pulled his phone out and showed me how it wouldn't lock. He tried for about 3 minutes and no lock. I took mine and got a lock but it took about 30 seconds to get there. However the location was shifted about 50 feet from where I was located.
He said that there is a software fix that is scheduled for approximately September 20th. Time will tell.
robo21
Android Expert
LOL! Too funny...
robo21
Android Expert
Could you please take a picture of your phone running GPS Test showing the Vibrant's gps working as it should? It's not that I don't believe you when you say your phone's gps works fine, it's just that I want to print out a picture of this screenshot and stick it on my phone so I can trick myself into thinking I have the perfect Vibrant.
OK, here you go. Keep in mind this was shot indoors at my desk so the accuracy is not that hot. I downloaded GPS Test, installed it, and ran it the good news is I got an immediate lock on 4 birds out of 10. My GPS was turned off prior to install the ap turned on the GPS for me and produced the following result:
SamsungVibrant
Android Expert
Thanks for that photo, 4 indoors is good. Mind going outside and lets see if it locks onto anymore, then take a pic of that. thank you
Robinelli
Android Enthusiast
I am curious why it says 4 when on the graph only 2 bars are colored in showing use?OK, here you go. Keep in mind this was shot indoors at my desk so the accuracy is not that hot. I downloaded GPS Test, installed it, and ran it the good news is I got an immediate lock on 4 birds out of 10. My GPS was turned off prior to install the ap turned on the GPS for me and produced the following result:
SamsungVibrant
Android Expert
I'm so jeleous of you guys, my gps is going downhill fast. It use to see 9-11 satellites, now it sees maybe 2 at best. I just went and stood outside, held the phone up towards the sky, and no luck 
Its a beautiful clear los angeles night, no clouds or nothing. Google Maps is still searching for my location
sorry the pic is kinda blurry and dark since i was taking it outside at night.
Also can someone explain what everything else like the colors, and the big 0:00 means? Whats snr? what do those snr numbers mean?
Vibrant:
Here is what GPS should look like, also taken tonight outside, on an HTC phone.
Just For fun, here is the Blackberry bold, 7 satelites, locked in at a mind blowing fast 5 seconds for a complete FIX! PS blackberry market doesn't have the GPS TEST app above, blackberry uses a different gps app. Also taken tonight, outside.
Its a beautiful clear los angeles night, no clouds or nothing. Google Maps is still searching for my location sorry the pic is kinda blurry and dark since i was taking it outside at night.
Also can someone explain what everything else like the colors, and the big 0:00 means? Whats snr? what do those snr numbers mean?
Vibrant:
Here is what GPS should look like, also taken tonight outside, on an HTC phone.
Just For fun, here is the Blackberry bold, 7 satelites, locked in at a mind blowing fast 5 seconds for a complete FIX! PS blackberry market doesn't have the GPS TEST app above, blackberry uses a different gps app. Also taken tonight, outside.
robo21
Android Expert
Yeah... this was standing outside. After 5 minutes, it finally got a little closer to me and found that third satellite. And I've even done the fix...
Which "fix" is that spiz? And how did you get such a nice screen shot? I have done nothing to my phone for GPS.
SamsungVibrant
Android Expert
whats a change of responsibility, and why would that void your remorse? i say get it in writing.
robo21
Android Expert
I can't answer that I didn't write the ap but it is curious. However if you look at the circular display in the lower left corner it does indicate 4 birds, 2 red and 2 orange are locked.
SamsungVibrant
Android Expert
I took my thank you away. And now i'm thanking you for posting that photo. Scrolll up look at the pics I just took outside, now do you see my problem with the vibrant. Then look at the HTC phone, 10 sats, 9 locked in, and check out that accuracy!