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To Everyone Who IS/WAS Having GPS Problems

sdelliott31 said:
I've read everything and I have found besides changing the settings that I needed to enable Use wireless networks as well as use GPS satellites in location and security. Is this what everyone else is doing? Or just using the GPS satellites? I am also assuming just enable this when you want to use the Navigator, otherwise we will lose precious battery life correct, or is it a big deal? Thanks very much.
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I have the use wireless networks checked and it helps some... I have noticed no difference in battery use. I believe it is only used on demand and I have my phone plugged in most of the time I use GPS.
 
I have both GPS and wireless network assist on, but it still takes more than a minute to get any sort of GPS lock if I'm lucky. But most of the time it fails and I'm stuck with something like 3,000 meter accuracy.
 
jmreed97 said:
Your first post is from this forum... The second is flimsy at best. AT&T would have to test any update before it was Pushed out of their network and an AT&T Tech manager told me, they have receive a lot of complaints regarding the GPS but have not received any updates or fix for the problem from Samsung.
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Here is the email response I received yesterday from Samsung after writing them about the GPS issue -- certainly no indication that they are on top of the problem:

Thank you for your inquiry. We understand your distress concerning the GPS feature of your Samsung Captivate (SGH-I897). We recommend obtaining the initial lock while outdoors in clear view of the sky.
You can also try this steps:
You must select Settings > Location and security > Use wireless networks or Use GPS satellites.
We will forward your report of this behavior along to the appropriate parties for additional review and consideration. Please bear in mind that network features, to include the GPS functionality, are best supported by your service provider. We recommend contacting an at&t Customer Service Representative to confirm that there are no service issues that may be affecting your handset.
 
I too emailed Samsung the other day... Here is my email and their response (or non-response). At least they imply that there is a "GPS problem" and that they are aware of it... Even if they then try to pawn the problem off onto AT&T.


My Email
icon_01.gif
GPS Issues with the Samsung Captivate I called on Monday regarding my Samsung Captivate's GPS problems. I was told that a GPS issue is a known problem and a patch fix is being worked on. I have a few questions and don't want to be on hold again for an hour.

1. What is the time frame before the patch fixing this GPS issue will be released?
2. Will it be released before Android 2.2? With 2.2? or After 2.2? Or is that completely unknown?
3. Will this fix make it so that the GPS functions as well as your competitor's phones?

If you, are unaware of the issue, please take a look at the video below which illustrates the problem facing all of you Galaxy S phones (the video shows 2 Vibrants compared to a Motorola Clique).

YouTube - Vibrant GPS Test Motorola CLIQ vs TWO Vibrants initial lock

Please get back to me ASAP. If I don't hear back, I will have to take the phone back to AT&T.

Thank-you,

Their Response

Thank you for your inquiry. We understand your distress concerning the GPS feature of your Captivate. There is no estimated time frame when will the GPS issue will be resolved. We assure you that we are working hard for this problem to be fix as soon as possible.
We will forward your report of this behavior along to the appropriate parties for additional review and consideration. Please bear in mind that network features, to include the GPS functionality, are best supported by your service provider. We recommend contacting an at&t Customer Service Representative to confirm that there are no service issues that may be affecting your handset.
Online: Answer Center | AT&T
Phone: 1-888-333-6651
We appreciate your patience and understanding.
Thank you for your continued interest in Samsung products.
Sincerely,
Technical Support
 
jmreed97 said:
Your first post is from this forum... The second is flimsy at best. AT&T would have to test any update before it was Pushed out of their network and an AT&T Tech manager told me, they have receive a lot of complaints regarding the GPS but have not received any updates or fix for the problem from Samsung.
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did you post a youtube video about your captivate and wifes vibrant? i think i just saw a video that remined me of you. I remember you saying you have the captivate and your wife the vibrant!
 
SamsungVibrant said:
did you post a youtube video about your captivate and wifes vibrant? i think i just saw a video that remined me of you. I remember you saying you have the captivate and your wife the vibrant!
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Yes... It was regarding the help that enabling wifi has... Only works in very dense populated areas with lots of wifi though...

Often I can get lock using wifi then by the time I get to the freeway, I have a GPS lock that sticks...
 
The auto config and skyhook on seem to be working for me. The settings on intomobile.com made it a lot worse. I am in my house where I can usually never get a lock but now i get a lock within a minute with 5 meter accuracy. Thanks Kappa, I hope it continues to work for me. But regardless, this issue still needs to be addressed by Samsung very soon.
 
I have tried all the combinations of settings for the past two weeks without consistent success. Sometimes, some change would work temporarily, only to poop out later that day. I exchanged for a new unit, and am now getting lock-in within 6 seconds. I am using stock settings but am afraid to mess with them for fear of getting back into the horrible GPS situation I was in with the previous unit. If it messes up with GPS lock *at all* over the next two weeks, I am taking it back for a refund and wait for the Dell Streak. I will not roll the dice and wait for a firmware fix by Samsung/AT&T.

Good luck to all,
- okoklahoman
 
Samsung has replied to Engadget Mobile today:

"Samsung Mobile is aware that under certain conditions, the GPS on our U.S. Galaxy S devices may not be meeting performance expectations. We are diligently evaluating the situation and will provide an update as soon as possible."
 
If Samsung/AT&T doesnt officially fix this problem within the next week I say we all mass return every captivate and vibrant phone back to the stores...That will get their attention and a speedy fix in place.
 
I agree totally with Chris Ziegler's analysis in his Engadget Mobile piece. This thing needs to work "under corner cases" not when we have a strong 3G signal or WiFi. From what I understand from this thread and the XDA explanation of the different modes, it should work in "standalone mode" from a "cold start" without any of these workarounds. In other words, just like any GPS device, it should be able to find the satellites on its own and just work. Otherwise, it should be returned as malfunctioning.
 
hayesb2 said:
If Samsung/AT&T doesnt officially fix this problem within the next week I say we all mass return every captivate and vibrant phone back to the stores...That will get their attention and a speedy fix in place.
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Unfortunately only a fraction will be returned, not enough to have an impact near term. Long term some of us will not purchase nor recommend Samsung phones.
 
My gps used to be terrible (accurate to 3000+ meters) now it stays around 70 (but never less) after playing with the settings. But when I try to use the "gps test" app, it will show 7-10 satellites and not lock onto any of them. Am I doing something wrong here?
 
c2k said:
My gps used to be terrible (accurate to 3000+ meters) now it stays around 70 (but never less) after playing with the settings. But when I try to use the "gps test" app, it will show 7-10 satellites and not lock onto any of them. Am I doing something wrong here?
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Its very hit or miss at least in my personal experience sometimes i can get a lock other times i cannot. How long are you letting the gps app run for my phone sometimes would take as long as 30 seconds to get a lock, other times would lock within 5 seconds and be as accurate as 5 meters.
 
Alright, well I landed in Atlanta yesterday (from Seattle) and my GPS is shot....It locks on but very inaccurate and does not follow me when i drive but just jumps around. Although I did manage to get a lock on of 5 meters the other day. It has not happened again though..


EDIT: as i was typing this it locked on to about 60 meters in my house
 
BobPaul said:
Nope, not at all. The problem is that your phone is broken.
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I don't believe you.
mongstradamus said:
Its very hit or miss at least in my personal experience sometimes i can get a lock other times i cannot. How long are you letting the gps app run for my phone sometimes would take as long as 30 seconds to get a lock, other times would lock within 5 seconds and be as accurate as 5 meters.
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Well, i had it running for a couple minutes, but google earth and google maps were locked while I was running the program. That's why I'm a bit confused.I'm locked onto no satellites and some satellites at the same time?
 
well i did an little comparison of the new captivate and the old one i have the new one seems to connect to all satellites in view, and old one would hit with maybe 4/7. The signal on the newer one seems to be a little bit better as well. Was getting a few green connections. Dont know what that exactly all means
 
mongstradamus said:
well i did an little comparison of the new captivate and the old one i have the new one seems to connect to all satellites in view, and old one would hit with maybe 4/7. The signal on the newer one seems to be a little bit better as well. Was getting a few green connections. Dont know what that exactly all means
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can you do a factory reset and then test them side-by-side?
 
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