All things GPS

[GreatBigDave]

Ok, I've continued using the GPS on my Cappy, just for fun. I haven't used the assist. I wanted to see if the GPS could do it on its own.

Now, I find in neighborhoods with lots of side streets, etc., my position would jump a bit here and there. Occasionally it would have my car creep forward a bit at a stop light.

Driving the expressways, I found I had very good accuracy and kept my lock unless I moved the phone away from a window. Not surprising.

Can one's geographical location affect GPS? I mean, I wouldn't think so, other than driving in a narrow gorge or something like that where one's view of the satellites would be compromised.

Anyway, that's my bit.

 

[Reversesunset]

People are just spoiled..thinking that a phone device should work like a tom tom. Coming from the N97 I think the Captivate is just fine. Only thing I've noticed is it takes a bit to get a lock..up to 2-3 minutes..but once locked that accuracy and staying power is great. The N97 would lock quickly, but would be lucky to get 200 ft accuracy. I think the problem is in the Agps SUPL server. Give Samsung a break..the GPS is fine

Funny. I don't expect my Captivate to work like a tom tom, but I do expect the GPS to work at least as well as the G1 I bought two years ago. That's a pretty long time as far as phone technology goes. I don't think it unreasonable to expect that everyone would get that part right by now, do you?

 

[Reversesunset]

is anyone with 2.2 beta having issues with gps, i know 4 people locally with bad gps' before and great gps' after, which points to one of two things:

1) its all (mostly) software based

2) our hardware gps' all decided to fix themselves at the same time we flashed 2.2

im just really interested in how mine could be so horrible, and so good after the update but im being told again and again that the update couldn't have fixed it. Im locking on 7 satellites inside my office building right now (weeks and weeks after flashing 2.2)

2.2 beta improved my gps, but it is still unacceptable and by no means does it compare to the GPS quality of the dear old G1. It takes a few minutes to lock on to a semi-accurate location, and usually is 20-50 ft off the mark.

 

[s.m.knipe]

Funny. I don't expect my Captivate to work like a tom tom, but I do expect the GPS to work at least as well as the G1 I bought two years ago. That's a pretty long time as far as phone technology goes. I don't think it unreasonable to expect that everyone would get that part right by now, do you?

This is my view as well... That 200 meters from the N97 was NOT GPS, but rather cell-tower triangulation... The G1 could regularly place me on a sidewall, facing the right direction, my Captivate is lucky to place me on a road, and almost never facing the right direction. They atte seeing the same satellites, with the same SNR values, hence it is a firmware/driver implementation issue or a power control/polling frequency issue- both of which are fixable. Broadcom still haven't replied to me about how exactly the chip works, but spec-wise it should be outdoing the G1/N1 chip...

 

[tim3320070]

Used mine today to get to a golf course. Worked perfectly, no accuracy issues. Chicago freeways and secondary roads.

Edit: And it worked great as a yardage finder while playing (within 1 yard of my playing partner's iPhone golf GPS app).

Edit#2: GPS quit after several days like everyone states- back to one unlocked sat. I have read that some apps may be affecting it. I will try one more replacement.

 

[Djidea]

I still have issues with my GPS. Took like 15 minutes to get a lock while driving in the car. But sometimes when I'm stationary I can get a lock in 1-2 minutes. I remember my G1 would get a lock inside my house. Almost have lost hope in a real fix for the GPS from Samsung. Great phone but can't effectively use it for GPS. Just frustrating.

 

[p3t3r133]

This is my first android phone, and I love it, but there seemed to be some problems with it. I fixed most of them like the remounting of the internal SD card, but the one remaining is the GPS. I looked it up and there was supposedly an update that fixed it. When I try to find my location the GPS signal appears and it just searches forever, never finding where I am.
Im At&T and im using firmware 2.1 update 1 and my phone says there are no new updates.
How can I fix me GPS?

 

[jdCaptivate]

 

[ZDroid1]

How can I fix me GPS?

You can't. If GPS is important to you, return the phone.

I've tried every alleged fix there is, and updated and wiped the memory and reset, etc.

My GPS takes a long time to lock, and keeps losing the signal now. Nothing can be done about it. But I'm willing to live with that.

 

[viny2cool]

Ok so I bought co-pilot...but it says no gps....even tho its turned on in settings....

GPS doesnt work at all even for apps like co-pilot???

 

[robhs]

Ok so I bought co-pilot...but it says no gps....even tho its turned on in settings....

GPS doesnt work at all even for apps like co-pilot???

I have Copilot too. You need to have a sat lock before it will work. You might want to download GPS test from the market and open that before you start Copilot.

Copilot works ok at times, but most of the time not. I have been on a straight highway and suddenly copilot will show me in a neighborhood almost a mile away from my true location. But that is the fault of the GPS in the phone, not the Copilot software.

 

[Joav]

I have Galaxy S I9000 phone.
I found suggested 'workaronds' for the GPS problem but non have worked successfully for me (it did help me to find sats quick enough and even find my location, however my location jumps every now and then.

I tried the LbsTestMode several times. Maybe I mistakenly changed any config.

Can anyone please let me know the right configuration accross LbsTestMode options?
And a detailed accurate instruction for a workaround that helps?
Is there any software in the market that is recoommended as a workaround?

Thanks!

 

[viny2cool]

I have Copilot too. You need to have a sat lock before it will work. You might want to download GPS test from the market and open that before you start Copilot.

Copilot works ok at times, but most of the time not. I have been on a straight highway and suddenly copilot will show me in a neighborhood almost a mile away from my true location. But that is the fault of the GPS in the phone, not the Copilot software.

Hey I didnt quite get what you meant here? I installed GPS test from market. I ran it, it shows 0 for everything. I started co-pilot....it still says no GPS signal. I have gps on in settings...

 

[robhs]

Hey I didnt quite get what you meant here? I installed GPS test from market. I ran it, it shows 0 for everything. I started co-pilot....it still says no GPS signal. I have gps on in settings...

Sorry, I didn't know you had done that. If GPS test shows 0 for everything, you may have a problem with the phone, not the software.

 

[robhs]

I hate to ask this, but did you go to settings, location and security, and check the box next to "Use GPS Satellites"? Many times you will have to manually enable the gps.

 

[ewingr]

Post on XDA about using an external GPS (even an old phone) wiht the Captivate.

Frustrating that one would need to do this.

But I've given up on the GPS every being much good on this phone.

 

[GaryStebbins]

I've just spent about an hour on the phone with Samsung and AT&T. At first the Samsung CSR said the problem was fixed with the JH7 update. When I informed her that another Samsung rep (a month ago) had confirmed that JH7 did not fix the GPS issue, she then said the problem is not fixed, and they're still working on it, but they have no date when it will be fixed.

Then I called AT&T, and that CSR also claimed the problem is fixed. When I told her that I had just talked to Samsung, and they confirmed the problem is not fixed, she went back for more information. Surprisingly , she then said her tech support found an article dated July 29 stating "the GPS is slow in acquiring ... and may give errors." She said there is no fix yet, and Samsung hasn't told AT&T when to expect a fix. However, she did state that T-Mobile has received a fix from Samsung, so AT&T should get one soon. Don't know if I can believe that... Anyone have any information on the Vibrant?

The other thing she told me is that her management states that, since this is a software problem not a hardware problem, they will not authorize exchanges for the Captivate, and it is not considered a warranty problem. And, since I am (way) past my 30 days, I can't return it. (I did ask if she thought my state's Attorney General would agree with that decision, since AT&T had sold me something that did not perform to the specifications given to me at the time of the sale...)

My Captivate will rarely get a fix, and will never hold one. Cell Tower triangulation puts my home location about 5 miles west of my actual location (I live near the water, and apparently am hitting a tower across the water).

Not trying to stir the pot - just passing on the information I have.

 

[viny2cool]

Post on XDA about using an external GPS (even an old phone) wiht the Captivate.

Frustrating that one would need to do this.

But I've given up on the GPS every being much good on this phone.

Dumb question...The externel reciever means using another device? or just downloaing the App will do?

 

[Rred]

Gary-
If you should happen to talk to your state AG's office...This isn't just a warranty issue. There are state and federal statutes, on warranty, RICO (racketeering) and other grounds, that just might consider it to be actional "conspiracy to defraud" if it were proven that AT&T continued to advertise, market, and sell certain items after they had been notified of a manufacturing defect, with knowledge of that defect, and intentionally hiding and denying the existance of that defect.
Since AT&T has had the defect reported to them numerous times--as witnessed by many online forums and by their own service logs--some cranky politico who didn't win re-election yesterday just might be willing to slap AT&T with a hefty fine.
Sadly, that's the only way to get a corporation's attention these days. AT&T just doesn't get it: Admit there's a defect, treat the customers like adults, and DEAL WITH IT. Or, make the lawyers rich. Easy choice, isn't it? (sigh)

 

[tim3320070]

And Republicans won big with corporations help, but that's another story.

Edit #3 to my post above: went through AT&T CSR hell today (1.5 hours on the phone) trying to get a 3rd replacement phone for GPS problems. After finally getting to the "Save" dept. where the most angry, disgruntled people arrive after 5 transfers, etc., they told me I could exchange at a local AT&T store, only to find that they would not exchange it because I had a refurb (didn't matter that I needed help with someone watching my kid and driving 20 minutes away to the store), this is after the promise from them I would receive a replacement.
Completely pissed at AT&T, while driving home,I decided to try Google Nav even though I knew it would not acquire my position and........it worked perfectly- sat lock, tight location, everything. I don't know what to say. I have no idea why.

 

[reinbeau]

Republicans were helped by big corporations - like Apple and Google? I get a kick out of people who think that way. Big corporations are filled with Democrats, too, many manage large, multinational corporations, the ones that are sending all jobs overseas - but we digress....

My GPS will be dead on one day, and then won't find any satellites the next. I'm convinced it isn't hardware, it's firmware, or software. I'll just wait patiently for a fix - and use my iQue when I need GPS. It won't last forever, though.

 

[tim3320070]

How many corps funded Dem elections? Thinking zero.
I believe now more than ever that it's a software issue as well- we agree on that at least.

 

[reinbeau]

If you truly believe there are no corporate donations to Democrats you are truly delusional. A simple Google search turns up this list Top Contributors to Barack Obama | OpenSecrets and that just scratches the surface. Google itself is a well known liberal corporation, Micro$oft is run by one of the richest liberal Democrats of all time - I could go on and on. Don't believe for one minute that being rich is the domain of the Republicans. There are stinking rich people on both sides of the aisle, all trying to hang onto their money, and to make more. I live in a very affluent, very blue state, I'm surrounded by rich liberal Democrats (unfortunately). Me? I'm a poor Republican who wants to learn all she can about her Captivate. Small pleasures for small wallets.

 

[Rred]

The smart corporations have always donated to BOTH sides, so no matter who wins they owe the corp a debt. It took Microsoft many years to catch on to this, but other corps run by, ah, real businessmen with business credentials, have been doing this for a very long time.

Not to digress...but if this was a software issue, wouldn't it have been solved by now? All GPS software is basically the same. It takes numbers from the satellites, runs a standard algorithm to convert that to a position, and pushes it to the screen. Maybe Susie at Computer Camp doesn't know about that, but I'd bet Samsung recycles the same core GPS code from one phone to the next.

reinbeau, when you say your GPS works one day and not the next--have you locked it into standalone mode? If not, you really don't know how well just the GPS is working. The difference could be from the assist networks.

 

[fldude99]

My 2c: I think we need to get to a basis for what people accept as a functioning GPS on a cell device. This is basically 1: How long does it take to get a fix, and 2: Once it has obtained a fix, what is the accuracy. So maybe there should be a poll for this? My opinion is anything less than 1 minute for item 1; and for #2: whatever it takes to avoid a recalculation of route on google nav. So what is that: like 75 feet or so? Mine passes on both accounts and I suspect most Captivates do the same. For those that claim it doesn't even see any satellites...well that device needs to be returned.