• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

To Everyone Who IS/WAS Having GPS Problems

My gps worked great last week (locked under 30 seconds, accurate). Now it only gets a lock if Im driving for 2 minutes and its not as accurate.
 
I've been lurking in the forums for some time. I bought a Captivate a few days after they came out, and like many of you, my GPS doesn't work. I have tried every fix and nothing has helped.

Today I called Samsung and got transfered to their level 3 tech support. I decided to post the audio of the conversation because it was so frustrating. The only thing I did was delete all of my identifying information, amplify the Samsung reps's voice and downsample to make the file small enough to upload.

I am now more convinced than ever, that Samsung is not going to fix this problem. At the end, she says she cannot even tell me if the word "update" in Samsung's statement is in refference to an actual fix, or just further information.

Listen to the audio yourself and see if you are as angry as I am.
 

Attachments

Day 1 Captivate Owner, coming from Iphone 3G.

I *LOVE* this phone. Its a dream, and everything I want from a phone, but this GPS issue is really bugging me. Last Friday I did some testing on the phone, and set it up in a static position on my desk and ran GPS Status. I would get 6/9 Fix/Sats pretty consistently, and move near a window, and that would go upto 8/9 and hit 9/9 on occasion.

Today I am unable to see more then 6 satellites on my device now, and the lock changes from 4-5 constantly, and often only shows 5 Sats, with error of 32ft, vs the 16 I was getting last friday.

I'm going to hold out till Thursday/Friday of this week, and if I don't see a reliable fix, its going back, and I'll just wait for another Android device.

I'm prob gona return the phone, as much as I like it, I use the gps when I travel, and the lack of a serious GPS fix is going to make this a DOA device I Think.
 
That sure does irritate me! I have about 10 days left to return mine. I'm not sure what to do, and what that level 3 tech said really makes me upset and nervous. I use the gps dependent apps/features alot. So this a huge problem for me. I can't believe that with an issue this big they are dragging their feet. I also can't send a picture message while the phone is on the edge network, but it sends fine while on 3g. Heck, my dads $30 flip phone can send pic messages all day long no matter what the network its on. Very frustrating.
 
I have bought 3 captivates for my family, and am extremely upset over these GPS issues. If you research Samsung's history you will clearly see they are the absolute WORST manufacturer when it comes to post-sale support. They flat out do not support their cell phones once released, because they are too busy trying to churn out as many as they possibly can. All Samsung is worried about is releasing the next phone...I really loved this phone, but I do not trust Samsung to fix anything....now if this were Microsoft, Apple, HTC, or about any other manufacturer I wouldn't think for a second that it wouldnt be updated, as these companies all have a history of being reliable and supporting their products, unfortunately there is no history which says the same of Samsung.
 
Slowly everyones remorse period is coming to an end, and there is no fix, and seems like T-mobile and At&t are telling customers "sorry no extension to your remorse." I'm starting to wonder if this is even software, or something more troublesome like hardware.
Stop the online rants, instead rant to your carrier and samsung directly, have your voice heard!

I suggest everyone call your carrier, dial 611, report the problem to tech support.

Then dial samsung at: Make sure to make a trouble ticket and get the ticket number.
1-888-987-4357, Mon-Fri: 7 AM - 9 PM (CST), Sat: 9 AM - 6 PM (CST).

Then visit:
twitter.com/samsungservice
and voice your concern that a fix is still not available and remorse periods are almost ending. You don't want to be stuck in a 2yr contract with a defective phone.

The twitter page just keeps apologizing to customers, without giving any answers. We have no clue if it is software or hardware, we are left in the dark.

If all else fails, return this product so they know we mean business.
Please be proactive, have your voice heard.
 
YMMV: I am getting great lockon after I deleted my GPS data and then performed a position test. I now get a 10 meter lock, before I used to get a 1300 meter lock.
 
AndroidForMe said:
YMMV: I am getting great lockon after I deleted my GPS data and then performed a position test. I now get a 10 meter lock, before I used to get a 1300 meter lock.
Click to expand...

Just tried it... Got a 10 meter lock. Then went to google maps and it showed me 5 blocks away then my location kept bouncing all over the place. So much for 10 meter accuracy...
 
Now I really think the Broadcom GPS chipset needs a physical antenna or something to that effect. I cracked open my Globstat bluetooth GPS BT-338 receiver and discovered the nameplate is transparent plastic. Probably has something to do with the antenna being directly behind it.

I'm stuck on a two year contract now, no sense in returning the Captivate just to go back to my Treo 650. Ugh.

Edit: I also refuse to enable the location based on wireless networks simply to use GPS.
 
mi04se1 said:
So will an external BT antenna work?
Click to expand...
I was able to pair the GPS receiver to the Captivate but beyond that there are no options to configure Google Maps to use an external antenna. Tomtom on the Palm had the option but we'll have to wait and see what options are available when Tomtom releases for Android.
 
mi04se1 said:
So will an external BT antenna work?
Click to expand...

I ordered a MMCX GPS antenna from China the other day. I am going to plug it into the MMCX plug under the battery cover next to the sim when I get it. I believe it is connected directly to the gps receiver. I also don't think it will need any driver. I'll let everyone know what happens when I get it!

BT is another story. Android doesn't support BT gps.
 
ninjadork said:
lol installing GPS Status isn't going to do squat. Everyone having problems has been using that app every day.
Click to expand...

I'll confirm that it's never done anything for me. My GPS is crap regardless of using GPS Status, ATT Mark the Spot, or any other application placebo 'fix.'
 
I haven't seen others mention this, but does no one else have a problem getting their settings to stick after changing them? The only ones that save for me are the supl server and port. Everything else just reverts right back.
 
ChaoticKinesis said:
I haven't seen others mention this, but does no one else have a problem getting their settings to stick after changing them? The only ones that save for me are the supl server and port. Everything else just reverts right back.
Click to expand...

Just run the test before you exit... That will make it stick. I am in the camp of these changes are all placebo, but good luck.
 
jmreed97 said:
Just run the test before you exit... That will make it stick. I am in the camp of these changes are all placebo, but good luck.
Click to expand...

Definitely placebo. I think the only step that helps in the lbsTestMode "fix" is the reboot. You can watch the settings affect the gps functionality immediately without a reboot - so that step isn't necessary for the changes settings to stick. You can just reboot your phone without messing with the settings and you'll see a slight improvement... for a little while.
 
GPS Status app = *#*#1472365#*#* the Get Position Test. Try it, tap get position test then press HOME. You'll notice the GPS animated icon still going. This means LbsTestMode is still talking to GPS satellites. GPS Status will behave in a similar fashion. All at the cost of battery consumption. However if you enter Google Maps with the Position Test running, in theory it will update to your position faster.

I did notice that Google Maps simply will not jump to my position if the phone is on my leg while driving. Placing the phone on the passenger seat it'll lock after a few seconds in Google Maps. Yes I tested this in a parking lot.

-edit, wow I guess the LbsTestMode app hates Wifi because with Wifi enabled it won't obtain a GPS lock. Turning off Wifi and I got a lock in 1-2 minutes.
 
askpcguy said:
GPS Status app = *#*#1472365#*#* the Get Position Test. Try it, tap get position test then press HOME. You'll notice the GPS animated icon still going. This means LbsTestMode is still talking to GPS satellites. GPS Status will behave in a similar fashion. All at the cost of battery consumption. However if you enter Google Maps with the Position Test running, in theory it will update to your position faster.

I did notice that Google Maps simply will not jump to my position if the phone is on my leg while driving. Placing the phone on the passenger seat it'll lock after a few seconds in Google Maps. Yes I tested this in a parking lot.

-edit, wow I guess the LbsTestMode app hates Wifi because with Wifi enabled it won't obtain a GPS lock. Turning off Wifi and I got a lock in 1-2 minutes.
Click to expand...

With wifi on or off, I still get only 1 sat locked. My LbsTestMode doesn't care about wifi.
 
I had read on forum.xda-developers.com or some site that you have to spin the Captivate across on each axis to do something. I gave that a shot but who really knows anymore. I do know that I started LbsTestMode's Get position test, walked to my car and when I got to the wheel I had a lock. Google maps also got a lock pretty quick.

I'd return that device and try another. Also what settings in LbsTest are you using?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom