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Rezound GPS sucks?

S

snapcase

Android Enthusiast
So a family member has a Rezound, and recently tried using its GPS to record walking tracks to know how far they walked. They tested several programs all with the same results. This is a screenshot (with streets edited out) of what happened when they went for a walk and mapped it with My Tracks by Google:
6p8004.jpg


As you can see, it's all over the place. The same happens to a MUCH lesser degree on my GNex, but not really enough to throw off the distance (like once it said I crossed a street and back outta the blue). Is there anything that can be done to fix this problem? I'm really hoping the GPS isn't just FUBAR... it'd suck to have to replace the phone.
 
I've never tried a walking GPS app with the Rez so I can't say if the problem is typical or a random problem. I have found it to work quite well in my truck. Far faster for a lock than my retired Dinc and very accurate. I hope you get to the bottom of the problem
 
I calibrated the Rezounds compass and it seems to have improved some. I'll have to do some more tests myself to see if it's genuinely fixed though.
 
Did you check to see if the program you are using has a GPS Frequency Update setting? A program I use, Cardio Trainer, has that setting and it makes a big difference in accuracy but the more frequently it updates, the more battery it uses.
 
Coincidence...turned on Google My Tracks today coming home from work and got the exact type of track in your screenshot. Never had any problems using the gps for mapping or directions. Locks on quickly.
 
Grung said:
Coincidence...turned on Google My Tracks today coming home from work and got the exact type of track in your screenshot. Never had any problems using the gps for mapping or directions. Locks on quickly.
Click to expand...

Perhaps you have uncovered the nature of the real problem.
 
Locks on instantly but is not as accurate as my dinc. My dinc could tell me which room of the house my phone was in, the rezound says I'm always in the back yard, im not even inside the blue ring. I can only see this being a problem for me if my phone were stolen and I had to decide between 2 houses which to kick the door in. But yeah its atleast 30 feet off at all times for me, even when the accuracy says its less than that.
 
I found a strange thing this weekend while using the gps on the rezound. I use Cardiotrainer for all my workouts, and have used it for almost a year and a half. It was accurate on the droid, and is on the rezound...except this weekend. I usually use it for rides and runs and the distance and track is usually spot on. I used it on a hike this weekend and I noticed it seemed to be putting me farther than I actually had gone (it seemed). I noticed every time I took the phone out of my pocket and turned the screen on...cardiotrainer (and obviously the units gps) had me walking almost 5mph, then would slow down to about my pace (about 3.5mph) after the screen had been on for a few seconds. I checked this out several times, and it did the same thing every time.
It is odd though, I turn off the screen for all my runs and rides, and I always get an accurate distance/track when I am finished. I wonder if a slow speed (such as walking) is harder for the gps??? And why would it have me faster when the screen was off???
 
h tee tee p :// community.htc.com/na/htc-forums/android/f/176/t/15663.aspx

Please add your support to this htc thread. GPS good with screen on, sucks with screen off.
 
OK I had to wade in here on this one.

I'm a triathlete. Do a lot of biking and running throughout the year.

I used my DINC consistently to track my workouts using an app called Endomondo. GPS worked flawlessly. Even allows real time internet updating, handy to have your family & friends track you while you run a race!

I was going to attach a screenshot here, but can't get it to function and too lazy to post pic to photobucket.

The point I was going to make is that the GPS function of the Rez is no better and no worse than the DINC. It picks up GPS sats quickly and it accurately tracks...at least to the tenth of a mile, probably even more accurate than that.

As a guy who has logged hundreds of miles biking and running while using my phone to track progress via GPS, I can say with assurance that the GPS works well on this phone. The GPS track show in the OP is way out of whack: either the app is doing something weird (I suspect that is the case) or perhaps the phone itself is defective. A normally functioning phone with a well-written app should not display the kind of track that the OP's did.

I think if you go to Endomondo.com you can look up my username (turbomentor) to see a record of my workouts, and the GPS tracks that were generated.
 
There is a real problem many people are experiencing out of the box with their Rezounds. It's not a hardware problem and there is a fix. I plan on posting some before and after Screenshots soon.

People having trouble need to clear The aGPS cache with a program such as GPS status and toolbox. It also doesn't hurt to make sure that the GPS filtering is set to at least medium in any program you're using that allows you to tweak the accuracy settings.

I applied this fix earlier this week and have not had a problem using it in three different locations using CardioTrainer for walks and runs. it now works as well as my incredible did.

The link to the HTC support boards posted by flankp above provides good details, step by step of what to do while clearing the aGPS cache.
 
I just upgraded from an HTC Incredible to an HTC Resound. I never had a problem with the GPS results using the "My Tracks" application on my HTC Incredible. However, my results are terrible with the HTC Resound and "My Tracks". A simple 3 mile walk is now indicating that I walked 5 miles, with the tracks showing wide variations in the path. Additionally, laying the HTC on the console of my vehicle and driving a short distance indicated that I exceeded 90MPH on my short trip. I just downloaded the "GPS status and toolbox" app recommended by Dmark44 (THANKS!), and will give it a try to see if it will improve the GPS performance. I will post my results later this week.
 
I improved the GPS of all my HTC phones with 'GPSTest' by Mike Lockwood.

This app clears also the aGPS cache and can run in the background while your primary GPS app runs on the screen.
Doing this a few times it's like to coach the phone's GPS.

I also use 'GPS Status' and do very like it, e.g. to use its radar for retrieving my car. Or for to set locations with choosen names in Googles Maps's MyPlaces :)
But for to coach the phone's GPS by running in the background, unfortunately 'GPS Status' can't run in the background.

BTW, now I use the HTC One X, the first phone of which GPS doesn't need coaching ;)

Harry
 
I actually find that the Rezound's and my previous phone, the Incredible, GPS to be far superior to my Garmin 60csx which cost 320. USD

The GPS in the Rezound is fast to acquire signal, even indoors and not moving. The Garmin requires clear view of the sky and movement to lock on to the sat signals.

I use CardioTrainer to track my hikes, rides, and runs. Even under a dense canopy I still have signal. Its always spot on with distance, speed, and even altitude.

I've downloaded Navioincs App (Mobile & PC App | Navionics) for when I'm in the boat. Even out on the open water, miles from cell towers I still have good GPS reception for navigation.

I use the app GeoBeagle to geocache with my Rezound. This app is perfect for this phone. No need for a PC or laptop with web access and a separate GPS. Its never failed to get me within 20 yards and allows me to update all my cache finds straight to GeoCaching.com

Last but not least, I used the GPS in my Rezound to calibrate the speedometer in my truck after upgrading my wheel/tires. The larger wheel/tires threw off my speedo by about 12%. Using an engine programmer and my Rezound I was able to program the truck's ECM. Now my speedo reads true.

All-in-all I think the GPS in this phone is one of its best features.
 
I use an app called Keep My GPS Alive. Basically when he screen turns off after a while the GPS updates intermittently. This simple app keeps it running. Worked flawlessly since I started using it for my runs.
 
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