I'm still using an Epic 4G which has been plagued with GPS problems since day one, and still has problems loosing signal every time I use it. I've read various threads on the internet were posters are having difficulty with their GPS performance on the S3. I'm thinking about upgrading to one, but would like to know if all the GPS glitches have been fixed as of late?
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Need to know, have all GPS glitches been fixed on Samsung's Flagship phone?
- Thread starter gme109
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- samsung galaxy s3
Good to know it's not an inherent problem with all S3's, thanks.
TheMuddyPaws
Member
I have only had mine for a week but I haven't had any GPS glitches at all.
Covart
Android Enthusiast
I'm on at&t version and didn't know there was an issue til this thread??? I've had mine since they were released to the U.S. and not once have I had an issue and I use Google Navigation a lot for trips up and down the California coast. Usually between LA and San Fran. I have never lost gps signal (unless I'm underground in a parking structure or basement of building, that sort of thing.)
bigsmokefarmer
Member
I live in Qatar so have no choice but to use the GPS as generally even taxi drivers don't know where they are going and I've not had a problem with it. Its usually able to locate me to within a couple of meters.
happyarthur79
Member
Had my S3 since launch date and had no problems with GPS at all!
Houndofhell
Newbie
Had my S3 since the start of August and I've used the GPS a fair bit with no problems. It's very accurate.
Project2501
Newbie
I've had my GS3 for about 2 weeks now, no problems at all, in fact it's accurate to a couple of metres =)
galaxyphonezz
Member
call quality is amazing on this phone, phone is very fast, i have no issues with it besides the GPS lock in, it takes like 45 seconds for the phone to lock in a GPS signal to locate me which is pretty annoying, but it is accurate so its not too much
ldivinag
Well-Known Member
Can you describe your awful issue? Have you tried the free GPS apps on the store?
One will tell the signal strength of each bird to your phone. Also if you are in a building with lots of metal you will not get as good reception as if you were outside and have a clear view of the sky. Same with in a car with metallic window tint.
In my experience with GPS (since 1996) I never had a bad thing with them. They either work or they didn't.
Covart
Android Enthusiast
GPS accuracy is dependent on number of satellites your phone can see, where you live in the world, which gps system you lock onto, etc.. so, if you live in a mountainous or heavily wooded area and your phone can't see at least 6 of the 24 active gps satellites, your phone may take longer to start gps tracking, assuming you are able to lock onto the bare minimum 3 satellites, or won't engage at all. And less satellites = less accuracy. In the US, you can usually get to within
Sure, not a problem. I have lots of problems with the initial lock on, varying in time from 20 seconds to 2 minutes. Once locked on, generally while driving, the location will get stuck for approximately 10 seconds, and then I hear "GPS signal lost" - then 20 seconds to relock, rinse/repeat. Similarly, while driving the location will often "jump" to an adjacent road often times headed in a completely different direction. This leads to all sorts of nonsense from the turn-by-turn directions.
I understand issues with signal attenuation, but this is happening sitting in my lap while driving. I usually place the phone on the front dashboard in hopes of improved signal strength but it does not seem to help. I've tried it in a few different cars with the same result.
I've tried resetting to factory default, clearing data for various applications, enabling-disabling-enabling the google/verizon location services, with the final results of erratic and unstable performance. Reloading/clearing/downloading the A-GPS settings in various GPS software doesn't seem to help. Not sure what information I should be looking for within these GPS applications, it's just a bunch of bar graphs and technical gabble which doesn't fix the tracking problems in google maps.
As you said, the GPS either works or it doesn't, and in many cases it DOES work, so it seems like the capability is there.
My OG droid had crappy time to lock, but NEVER lost tracking like this. Come to think of it, my old flip phone with VZ navigator worked much better.
I have a hard time believing it's a hardware problem, considering the GPS unit should be on the chip-set. My gut feeling is that there is some real bad code on the firmware level, but if no one else is having this problem I don't know what to say. I really don't want to trade in the phone, since I fear getting a junk refurb, but it's looking like this is the only option.
As you can tell....I =
D
Deleted User
Guest
Had mine about a month without problem, as with all its connectivity it works better than my previous HTC Desire HD
I have owned gps gadgets since the system became available to the public. These days I use navigation on my mobile mainly for walking as I have a separate tomtom gadget for the car. My opinion after using the GS3 for about six weeks is that it is easily the best I have owned. It almost always locks within a couple of seconds and the accuracy is spot on. I use Memory-Map GB ordnance survey maps and if I transfer tracks I have walked into Google earth I can even tell which side of the street I was walking which suggests an accuracy of within a couple of metres.
yours sounds like a bad hardware.. most likely the gps radio is bad/weak.
your only fix.. get the phone replaced.
if you had it for less than 30days.. you might get a new replacement at the store you got it from
I have the same problems. GPS sometimes locks within a few seconds like it should, sometimes it takes a couple minutes or more, even outside. It loses signal in the car while sitting in my lap just like yours does. It will think I'm in a location a few roads away in a different direction too. When I'm at my house it always thinks I'm about a mile away in the same incorrect location everytime.
Haven't tried a factory reset but I've tried GPS Test and GPS Status to calibrate and get new GPS data, etc. Not sure what to think.
ldivinag
Well-Known Member
to those have navigation issues, are you using the the stock oem MAPS app or something else?
i never really tested navigation on my S3. i have however done a few drives with my previous phone a dell streak running 2.2 android. and it was flawless.
only thing i have done with the S3 and gps is while stationary. and that seemed flawless also.
i guess i need to test out the navigation part... doh.
i never really tested navigation on my S3. i have however done a few drives with my previous phone a dell streak running 2.2 android. and it was flawless.
only thing i have done with the S3 and gps is while stationary. and that seemed flawless also.
i guess i need to test out the navigation part... doh.
ldivinag
Well-Known Member
i just did a test in my house. shows my house but the arrow using the MAPS app show me in a different room.
i pulled up GPS TEST app and it shows an error of 10 feet. so that is close enough for me.
one panel of GPS TEST shows ACCURACY (FEET). while i'm inside the house, it fluctuates from 10 feet to 30 feet.
also, the satellite view pane shoes 21 birds in view and 13 in use. also, majority of the birds are show high 20s to mid 30s SNR.
