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Hi all,
I didnt want to start a new thread, but after searching the forums and google for a long time, i decided to bring it up
So ive had my HD2 for about 2 days now, and I recently installed GarminXT (I used to have it on my Nokia N82)
the problem i'm finding is that the GPS doesnt lock as fast as i thought it would be..
GarminXT has not been locking on (little over 5 minutes now)
I'm a noob to Windows Mobile and HTC so please bear with me!
1. How do i know A-GPS is working? Is it automatically enabled? (This wasnt the case for Nokia as you could manually turn off A-GPS and use strictly GPS signal). Under Location settings i have "Location Service Settings" = ON
and HTC Location Service = ON
2. Im still not 100% sure what QuickGPS does. I've read about it , but all i concluded was that it uses your data to get a faster GPS lock.
So i tried running QuickGPS and it updates no problem.
I open GarminXT and it doesnt lock on. Do i need to use this?
3. Can someone tell me if these are the optimal GPS settings? I kept searching around the forum but cant find one specific to the HD2.
So under "All Settings" > System > External GPS
Programs Tab > GPS Program Port = COM4
Hardware Tab > GPS Hardware Port = None > Baud rate = 4800
Access Tab > Managa GPS Auto = Checked
Are these settings correct? Or are there "tweaks" to it that I can change?
4. One last question:
Under GarminXT, i have the ability to choose 3 GPS options:
"Use Bluetooth GPS"
"Use GPS Intermediate Driver" = Checked
"Use Serial GPS" > Once selected, i get 4 other options to choose:
COM1: Bluetooth Serial Port
COM2: Bluetooth Serial Port
COM4: COM4:
COM9: 7500 COM port
Does anyone know if i should be checked on "Use GPS Intermediate Driver" or if i should be checking off "Serial GPS" > COM 4?
This is my first WinMo device with a data plan (I'm on EDGE speeds cause I'm in Canada), but I always had the impression AGPS would really help the lock times.
Anyone with help would be GREATLY appreciated!
Again, loving the new HD2
Thanks
For GarminXT, use intermediate driver.
For Google maps, use Com4, 4800 rate, that enables use of the compass.
Quick GPS should increase startup, and so far I had all fixes on HD2 under 30 seconds, and I did not change anything.
Normally GPS would download information about orbits of satellites from the satellites. That can take time, as it is one way communication and GPS can't ask satellite to send data again in case of error, it must wait untill the satellite starts sending them again by itself.
It is much faster to get that data via network .. and that is exactly what QuickGPS is for. Problem is that at least on my previous X1 there were many problems with it. The data from network was sometimes completely wrong, and you had to delete the file manually. That information is in temp\xtra.bin. Try to delete it and try again. QuickGPS does not test existence of the file, it will download new one in predefined time.
I'm still a bit confused about aGPS. I'm not sure what it is. Some people state it is the same thing as QuickGPS. Some say it is something to get quick basic fix based on BTS. But I haven't seen that in any application, except Google maps, and they seem to use their own technology and data for that.
But AFAIK, those 'location services' is generally Google's 'my location' exposed for other HTC applications.
I set it on max rate, do i do a mistake? I think that this is setting the speed or Im wrong?! Im connecting with sattelites below 15sec, with no other tweaks or quickgps...
^^
what's "max rate"?
btw, thanks for the replies
i'll look into deleting the cache file for QuickGPS and see if it does anything
Quick GPS allows you to download a weeks worth of GPS satellite position data (almanac data) at one time, helpful if for example you don't have a data plan - you can get your A-GPS data in one hit over WiFi. It helps speed lock time.
Not sure what is happening with yours, mine always locks in Garmin within 7-15 seconds, I have Quick GPS set to autoupdate, but otherwise no special tweaks or modifications where GPS is concerned.
Same here - in fact, the HD2's locking faster to GPS than my Touch HD ever did. I'm getting locks in the garage now whereas before I had none with my Touch HD. Haven't touched the default WM GPS settings or the Garmin one at all since I upgraded to the HD2.
GPs lover-Google map hater
Hi guys, firstly thanks for this thread as i too look for answer...and find some only here
i had the Diamond and now the HD2 and share the love.
Garmin maps are much more accurate and have even the smallest unpaved roads which Google map lacks. Google is so basic maps, i simply hate it...sorry Google...not to mention that it cost money to be online all the time
HD2 GPS confuse me. Sorry if I ask u basic staff but could not figure it up myself:
1. using the GPS w/google map, how u set simple setting, as: "north up" or ""track up" Route setting such as "faster time" or any other basic settings that I always had on my Garmin GPS including Garmin mobile XT?
2. What happend to voice navigation wiith google?
3. Reading your info, does it means that I can install Garmin mobile XT I got with Diamond on HD2 ?
4. Anybody know TomTom for HD2 (which I will get shotly from HTC?
I trust someone out here is smarter than me and will come to rescue
hey guys,
my HD2 is fine now, usually i just do a QuickGPS connect before opening Garmin XT and now it connects SUPER fast...usually under 10 seconds
Thanks for all the help!!
Google is not, and does not set out to be a full satellite navigation prpgram, so it doesn't have stuff such as 'North Up', 'Track Up' etc, nor does it have spoken directions.
For these you need a dedicated SatNav program like Garmin, TomTom, CoPilot or iGO8 which are all 'paid-for' applications.
TomTom will run fine but TomTom don't officially support it, meaning you can't download the correct vesion direct from their website. There are easy ways around this though!
With regard to some of the earlier posts- the HD2 can aquire a fix faster than any other device I've used (and I've used a lot!). I find QuickGPS makes very little difference, but as it uses only a small amaount of data I keep it updated.
QuickGPS and A-GPS are not the same thing, though there are quite a few different definitions of A-GPS. Genuine A-GPS is not used in UK, nor as far as I know anywhere else in Europe except by dedicated programs and platforms set up with the infrastructure (such as Apple, who use it to enhance the poor performance of the iPhone's GPS chip). It is used in the Far East, and works by enhancing your accuracy of positioning by using the data channels to send your current cell ID plus any other availble stuff like WiFi hotspot info, which is correlated to a database of locations, and sent back as an approximate position to the phone. Google Maps uses something like this if a GPS signal is not available- the 'Locate Me' feature will show you in a radius of around 1km.
The Baud rate makes no ostensible difference to the lock times or accuracy, as the data stream from the satellites is far lower than even the lowest baud rate. The NMEA default is 4800, and most software is happy to connect at that rate.
The google maps GPS finds me within 80 metres.. that's not accurate right? cause it puts it on wrong street technically.. When I first got it it did 800 metres =/
WOW, that was fast, thank you NeilM.
I will get Tomtom for free from HTC as it is included with Thai purchaded HD2.
Meanwhile I will try to load Garmin XT that I got with My Diamond at the time, let's see if the activation works...
As for Goole, well, I get 60 meter accuracy at the best, that make ones totaly lost in a city and for sure miss a turn, what a pity.
Thanks again for ever so fast reply.
When Google Maps is started it is finding your position throught the carrier's network and that is why it is not acurate at all. There is an option however, named "Use the GPS" in goolge maps and it becomes as acurate as any other navigation software It just have to engage an GPS lock as the others so do not blame google on this one Hence, you are not using the GPS when you get the inacurate positioning For the maps however you still have to be online But if you pay for your Garmin, iGo maps it would be that expensive and you can use it wherever you are ...
You absolutly right. i did use the "use gps" and it's accurate. The thing is that as heavy GPS user the lack of detailed info on google maps, and the inability to set the maps at your convinient (such as "track up" for example) it's nearly a secure way to go crazy while nevigating, specially off road...try to tilt your head to understand your position in real time when you turning and turning. Thanks for the gps tip.
I agree. Curent version of Google Maps is not suitable for navigation while driving indeed! It can help you get orientated sometimes or if you are looking for something big iGo and Garmin are in a whole new league of navigation sofware for now. However, the new version of Google Maps should be at least as good as the others but it is only available for Android at the moment and I dont see it coming to WM any time soon so we will have to stick to iGo, Garmin, TomTom and the others. I'm not using Google Maps for navigation at all by the way so It wouldn't be so difficult for me )
ragelord said:
the new version of Google Maps should be at least as good as the others but it is only available for Android at the moment and I dont see it coming to WM
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Click to collapse
It's called google navigation, not google maps - and it seems to kill every GPS program available today (thank god).
hey guys,
on the same topic, but different nav software. i use iGO 8, can someone please tell me what the optimal setting are for port and baud rate? i did the auto-detect and the signal is a little on/off.
also... is there a way to get iGO 8 to use the HD2s compass? i like the stand-alone compass of the HD2, but i think it would be swell to be able to have iGO's compass function working aswell.
sorry if this has been discussed before, if there is another thread i should be reading... please direct me there.
thanks for all your help.
cheers.
conscept said:
The google maps GPS finds me within 80 metres.. that's not accurate right? cause it puts it on wrong street technically.. When I first got it it did 800 metres =/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Eh, if I'm not wrong, that's agps at work.
It'll find you with the nearest base station. then slowly try to triangulate you. Normally, you'll be in an area with only 1 base station, so there's not much triangulation going on.
When I'm in city, it's pretty accurate. I get my approx distance within a couple of seconds, wait another 10 - 20 secs to get gps fix.
A-Gps and other things
A-GPS is just one thing: Assisted GPS. It is a toggle-- when you toggle it on, in your phone's settings, you will get the locational assistance of the cell towers. That is the towers them selves, two or more towers and your phone triangulate to give an approximation of your location. GPS also uses triangulation (derived from simple trigonometry equations) to determine your location and is much more accurate. In fact it can be ever more accurate as your device locks onto more satellites. I have found that the best thing to do is to turn off A-GPS. I don't know what it is but Googlemaps seems to have a terrible time locking onto satellites on Windows Mobile. But I have found, especially on Android 1.6 and above you get very rapid locks so long as you wipe out the telenav program. I strongly suspect that Google is undermining Windows Mobile in favor of supporting their Android system. They have turn by turn for Android but not for Windows Mobile and it seems like they are also building it not to lock sats nearly as well. You can force it to get moving by pre opening the GPS or other methods just prior to running google maps.
I think everyone should write google and tell them to fully support Windows Mobile (Phone)... T-Mobile is just about set to come out with the HTC HD2 in about a week (March 24th) and I intend to get one. I am not happy that it doesn't have a physical keyboard cloned from the Touch Pro 2, but I expect to like most of the rest of it.
Turning Location on is another thing. You are henceforth allowing all applications to know and your location. this can be helpful but it can also be a potential privacy risk. Of course it's easy to turn off and on. You might want to read the fine print.
Actually, I have a more basic question. Is there a soft "switch" or software application to actually turn the GPS on? On my HD2 I have a few GPS apps and all of them report the GPS being on or "no GPS Device found". Even Goggle maps, if I siwtch to USE GPS mode, keeps endlessly waiting for a GPS signal and then nothing happens. What am I doing wrong?
Thanks much
Gps htc hd2
In my experience with windows mobiles and internal gps, manage gps automatically is best and no ports should be assigned at all unless using bluetooth gps receiver! Also, sounds crazy too many but no every location on this big earth is withing available to public gps devices gps satelite paths (satelites going around the earth!) Make sure your outside the house or flat before thinking your gps ain't picking up. My hd2 is fast, my old mda3 was too and worked better inside but thats down to i was living in a different location at the time and at an higher altitude i would say. 1 of many other reasons could be that the military could be using the sat at the time which would render it unavail to public (offline)!
I am trying to figure out how to use my GPS functions better. GPS works fine in Google maps and navigation and all but the main problem I am having is when trying to geotag pictures. It always puts as located in what I guess is the location of the cell tower. I have tried GPS Status and as soon as it locks and I switch to the camera app it snaps back to the cell tower. Basically any program that does not specifically lock the GPS satellites will be using the wrong location.
So is there a way to either force the GPS to lock until I decide to unlock? Or better yet have the GPS stick the last known locked location?
Hi, What do I need for my blackstone in order to use any (suggestions, which is better, would be a great help) GPS sowtware without internet connection. I am not an expert in this, but I know that GPS devices (like tom tom or similar) use satellite data to show coordinates. How can this be done on my touch hd? As only preinstalled program is google maps that require internet connection.
I don't have unlimited data plan, so this is extremely expensive for me, but I am a fan of geocatching, so I need GPS.
Please help me with description of how this GPS works and what soft should I use?
Thanks
There are lots of good Navigation/GPS Apps around that read standalone maps from your SDCard.
Take your pick.
Some info here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=566657
bethybabes69 said:
There are lots of good Navigation/GPS Apps around that read standalone maps from your SDCard.
Take your pick.
Some info here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=566657
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, thank for the info, but....
I installed TT7 with my region maps, but I still seem not to receive any GPS signal - my phone seems not to catch any satellite signal - is this a setting issue?
in tomtom7, just access the gps settings and set them to "internal gps receiver", then it should work immediately, given that in your very location you have gps coverage.
I've found that my Touch HD's GPS capabilities work great when I'm at home testing them, then fails to locate any satellites when I'm lost! lol
Not exactly true - but has got me before!
I would suggest that you try your GPS in various locations just to make sure that the building you live / work in, or the weather isn't blocking the signal that your phones GPS listens for...
I used TomTom for ages without issue, it can be copied directly from a memory card on a TomTom compatible device usually.
Recently my Dad bought iGo8 with the entire world maps installed, so I pinched that and run it straight off my storage card with just a few teething problems. This is the best GPS / SatNav on my phone so far...
+1 for iGO8
Best GPS software by far for me. This is the only and single reason why I haven't bought an Android phone yet.
If they would have created the same skinable thing for a HTC Desire etc the HD would be history.
If I were you.
1) disable a-gps, causes roaming costs and most gps application freak out on it (download advanced config tool and disable it that way)
Lock, no lock, lock, ... mostly caused by agps (assisted-gps). Assisted means that it also gets data from the cell-tower which abroad can cost you loads of money (and yes I had that once)
If you use HTC quick gps you will probably get a lock in seconds if you are outside so no need for assisted.
2) install the gps mod driver , this one 'thinks' ahead by calculating points that it gets from the GPS receiver. If you don't feel confident about this one skip it but read the thread and keep it in the back of your head.
3) buy iGO8 and install the gurjon skin which makes iGO look fantastic and makes it fully configurable the way you want it.
4) enjoy a fantastic GPS system
I have never had my GPS locate me via google maps. My Phone has no issues. Anyone else have GPS issues? any tips? Hopefully a software update fixes it? I have a friend who has the same issue.
[Should have read "awful", not aweful]
Nothing wrong with my gps. Have you upgraded to the latest firmware? Downloaded the A-GPS data (you can get this by using an app called GPS status)? Switch OFF wifi after you do, then leave it to get a full signal lock (takes up to 15minutes or so with a clear view of the sky).
toddmp said:
I have never had my GPS locate me via google maps. My Phone has no issues. Anyone else have GPS issues? any tips? Hopefully a software update fixes it? I have a friend who has the same issue.
[Should have read "awful", not aweful]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make sure you are outside with a clear view of sky when you test. It can take any GPS up to 10 minutes to acquire the ephemeris information (satellite position at a certain time) and lock up. You phone cheats this by using the cellular network to provide a general location of where your are and therefore where to look for certain satellites.
thanks so much for the info guys. I had a feeling it had something to do with no cell phone band helping out. thanks!
GPS works fine here, as other have said the closer you are to the sky/window the better.
yeah..give your TF a few minutes to lock up sat positions (if you've never done this)..
this applies to most pure gps devices..cellphones can use cellular network signal to quickly locate your position but the data isn't really from gps itself.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1088120
Hope this helps
Acid lestitious 2.0. Fugumod 2.4 800 mhz
jerrykur said:
Make sure you are outside with a clear view of sky when you test. It can take any GPS up to 10 minutes to acquire the ephemeris information (satellite position at a certain time) and lock up. You phone cheats this by using the cellular network to provide a general location of where your are and therefore where to look for certain satellites.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wonder if it does the wifi cheat like maps for android phones, where it uses the known APs to determine location? I say that because when I first fired up my transformer yesterday, after connecting to wifi, I screwed around on maps and it found me inside my house in less than 30 seconds.
toddmp said:
I have never had my GPS locate me via google maps. My Phone has no issues. Anyone else have GPS issues? any tips? Hopefully a software update fixes it? I have a friend who has the same issue.
[Should have read "awful", not aweful]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its the reverse for me! in the same room of house i often cannot get a fix on my Optimus 2x. i use GPS Staus app. but i often get fix within 30secs. as a test i have both machines running the app next to each other and the transformer always gets regular fixes.
..... hmm just realised as i type this that i have a phone called optimus and tablet called transformer, and they both run android!!!
I get fixes with no wifi (ie: only GPS) within 30 seconds.
Quite the opposite, mine is extremely accurate. After it gets a fix on maps that little google person is standing right in my front yard in the satellite view! Better than my Droid!
Mine is almost instantaneous. Just tried it at home based on this thread and had a read in probably 5 seconds.
I have not been able to obtain a GPS lock until today when I set my location to use wireless networks. To me this is really stupid because the GPS shouldn't have to use any location settings to obtain a lock in my mind. That is if the GPS chip in the TF is a true GPS chip it should not to rely on a wifi signal to obtain a lock. If the GPS is turned on then it should lock.
I tested sygic gps navigation 11 and signal lock and quality was better than my galaxy s was pretty accurate
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using XDA Premium App
Works fine for me, apart from one minor detail. When I switch from Google Maps to another app, even for a few seconds, then the tablet has to get a lock all over again. There appears to be no way to set the GPS to keep a lock while Google Maps isn't the active program.
That, for me, makes Google Maps near-useless in a moving vehicle. Hopefully other third-party apps won't have this issue.
Google Maps is prety much useless on the Transformer for GPS navigation as a data connection is need. I have heard of people caching a route before hand but ..... Copilot Live 7 is out for android so that is one option. However if the GPS relies on a wifi signal in order to obtain a lock then it is about useless too.
toddmp said:
I have never had my GPS locate me via google maps. My Phone has no issues. Anyone else have GPS issues? any tips? Hopefully a software update fixes it? I have a friend who has the same issue.
[Should have read "awful", not aweful]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gps works fine on mine....unlike my icons or Samsung...both returned
gps does use wifi to help gps locate, theres options to turn this off in settings, i went to pick up my dock today and couldn't get a gps lock while in the car with the transformer in my lap(gps status app showed 3 sats but none would lock) just lifting it up 12 inches closer to the windshield made 7 satellites pop up and instantly started getting locks
i think proximity to a window/line of sky is a big factor, and the transformer does have a true gps chip for those who seem to doubt it, also the navigation app keeps running in the background, its better to use that than google maps
No issues with gps here. The bastard finds me every time!
jadesse said:
However if the GPS relies on a wifi signal in order to obtain a lock then it is about useless too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't rely on WiFi for a lock, it just uses it to allow a faster connection if you don't already have current ephemeris data downloaded. That's a limitation of all GPS receivers -- it takes a fair while to download the ephemeris data if you're out of date or have travelled a significant distance, and without it the device can't get a GPS fix.
You can think of the WiFi location system as analogous to a cellphone being able to use tower locations to help position itself while waiting for GPS ephemeris data.
Why is the Focus' gps so slow? I don't know what's wrong with my focus, I mean it just takes so long to get the coordinates of my location. I even have to go to a open sky area then wait for few minutes before it can successfully get my coordinates. Its just so annoying, this is a post ipad product, how come an ipad 1 can get my coordinates even inside the room without any difficulty?
Is this a hardware issue or just a firmware fix is due?
my focus gets a very quick lock about 90% of the time, every so often it will take a mintute or so to lock, but i've had this happen with pretty much every phone i've owned, so it seems about average to good for me...
the ipad1 (unless a 3g + wifi model) uses your network to locate you, which is why it's quite fast.
We have 2 Focuses, one AT&T and one Rogers. With both I get about the same time to get a fix, and that's slightly under a minute, in my location (several tall buildings near).
With what app do you check your GPS? I recommend GPS App
It's an AT&T. My ipad is a 3G+Wifi. It gets gps coordinates via gps chip and not A-gps. Most of the time the ipad gets coordinates very fast in span of 20-25 seconds, boom you know where you are in the map.
I am using the built in MAPS software to track my location. Does the software matters? I mean if the chip is really weak, what can the software do ?
jtphl said:
It's an AT&T. My ipad is a 3G+Wifi. It gets gps coordinates via gps chip and not A-gps. Most of the time the ipad gets coordinates very fast in span of 20-25 seconds, boom you know where you are in the map.
I am using the built in MAPS software to track my location. Does the software matters? I mean if the chip is really weak, what can the software do ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sometimes it does. To give you an example why: GPS without efemerides take several minutes to get a fix. GPS with efemerides take 20s to 1 min to get a fix. Efemerides are downloaded via software.
As for the app I found it to be good enough for testing the GPS part.
I can agree with you. Sometimes while driving if I take a different route than the one the phone provided for me, it will either fail to locate where I am for a few minutes or just fail completely.
I think it's time for a small update.
Is it just a minor driver issue? I hope so , otherwise, we have to live with it or change to another device.
jtphl said:
Is it just a minor driver issue? I hope so , otherwise, we have to live with it or change to another device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, other people (including me) haven't experienced any issues.
In fact, it works great for me with Turn by Turn Navigation, even inside the car on the passenger seat (not near the windshield).
Try changing some GPS settings in the focus diagnosis app
Sent from my SGH-i917 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
what are the settings in GPS I have to adjust to make it perform beyond expectations? Which specific diagnostic option I have to tweak?
Did the OP ever find a solution to this? I'm having some slow locks and the occasional non lock.
I know in the diagnostic app you can get to the GPS with*#1575# but I'm unsure of what data can possibly be changed.
I'm having the same issue on my Focus (Rogers). It never connects to sattelite and always uses aGPS. It's very annoying. I tried many different gps apps and get the same behavior - very innacurate. Garmin allways says "Can't connect to sattelite", gMaps always shows cell tower icon. My phone is unlocked using original Chevron method (not Chevron labs). I also tired to change settings in *#1575# and turn ON/OFF TLS and GLONASS but nothing helps. Should I try hard reset?
Ecstatic12 said:
I'm having the same issue on my Focus (Rogers). It never connects to sattelite and always uses aGPS. It's very annoying. I tried many different gps apps and get the same behavior - very innacurate. Garmin allways says "Can't connect to sattelite", gMaps always shows cell tower icon. My phone is unlocked using original Chevron method (not Chevron labs). I also tired to change settings in *#1575# and turn ON/OFF TLS and GLONASS but nothing helps. Should I try hard reset?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did a hard reset last night and it seems to have cleared up. I also installed this app, have to click the link in the post, searching for it didnt work.http://www.wpcentral.com/new-samsung-high-fidelity-position-enhances-gps-modifies-settings
Not sure if it's a placebo or not, but it seems to be working better.
is Focus GPS native chip or just a-gps?
Coelho_rj said:
is Focus GPS native chip or just a-gps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Assisted GPS, which includes standard GPS in Standalone mode, so it's better than any native GPS.
after my hard reset the GPS locked much quicker for about a week, then it started acting up again.
my new solution seems to be much easier than a hard reset. Just briefly switch to airplane mode then re-enable your data and open maps up again. Been working great for me.
Faster solution that's been working for me. Turn on and off location services. My phone never locks without this, which is sorely annoying.
I had this problem on 7392 rom. After updating to mango 7720 and 8107, I get fix in 3 to 7 seconds in my room Tested with gpsinfo, it's real satellite data, not agps. I have also installed high fidelity position settings app. Don't know if it's helping.
Sent from my SGH-i917. using Board Express