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If whatever Samsung did to the Epic 4g's GPS is what they end up giving the rest of the Galaxy S owners out there we will be in good shape!
Friend at work got an Epic 4g today. First thing I did was compare GPS's. Mine and a coworkers Vibrant, a Captivate and the Epic 4g.
We did this from a cold start (everyone restarted their phones)all standing INSIDE our single story building (where you cannot get a signal if you aren't by a window) by the front door with wireless networks turned OFF. The Captivate locked onto 3 sats out of 10 in view. The Vibrants locked onto 2-3 with 10 in view and the EPIC saw 10 and locked onto 7 in a matter of seconds (compared to 2-3 minutes for the others).
If the rain lets up we may try and do a walking test out in our parking lot to see what difference there is in real world use.
Wanted to take a pic, but since we were all using out phones we couldn't. This was running GPS test on all four phones.
This gives me hope that the fix will actually fix something. BTW, the Epic looks more substantial (with the keyboard and all) but feels just as light as the Vibrant. So far, looks like the Captivate has the sturdiest feeling build of the Galaxy S phones out in the US now.
Yea. I'm confident they got the same gps hardware so hopefully they get it fixed. This is the only issue of the awesome phone.
I am still pissed that our phone's are not fixed, and people getting these newer phone's are working out of the box ...
aohmer said:
I am still pissed that our phone's are not fixed, and people getting these newer phone's are working out of the box ...
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I'm sure it's harder to make a 100% reliable patch than it is to simply release with the fix already cooked into the ROM. It's also possible that Sprint delayed release of the phone until it was fixed, which probably would have lit a fire under Samsung to get it ready.
GPSTest obviously doesn't report all locked sats. It often showed 0 sats but had a 10-20 meter fix. Impossible.
This could be a result of faulty software, but either way it's still not reporting correctly.
heygrl said:
GPSTest obviously doesn't report all locked sats. It often showed 0 sats but had a 10-20 meter fix. Impossible.
This could be a result of faulty software, but either way it's still not reporting correctly.
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Same here. It'll say no sats with 20 ft accuracy and give me a route on navigation .
Gps is weird on this but still works good enough for me. I would like it better if possible but it works on my end.
Any word on how the Epic's compass is working compared to the Vibrant?
XfooYen said:
Any word on how the Epic's compass is working compared to the Vibrant?
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same question. Compass on vibrant is useless now.
I'll check out the compass tomorrow. And PLEASE, EVERYONE, PLEASE don't turn this into a GPStest or a mine works fine flame war like the other threads.
Hopefully we will have time to compare any actual differences in performance with apps like maps, flixster and others that rely on location based services.
Well sammy said that the fix is coming next month .I'm very interested in the out come.
Sent from my Samsung Vibrant using XDA app
From what I gather, it's not truly fixed. People are still having issues. For some reason there are only a few threads about it on here. On AndfroidForums, however, there are multiple threads. It seems most people are getting 98ft accuracy. I don't see anything to be excited about anymore. I am very unimpressed by Samsung. I don't know if they can actually fix it. If they can, they might just be waiting to roll it out with FroYo. Unwise IMO. If the Epic 4G really is not fixed, they are in for a hell ride of bad press after making the statement to Engadget that it's fixed.
http://androidforums.com/samsung-epic-4g/158086-samsung-epic-4g-sprint-gps-test.html
http://androidforums.com/samsung-ep...right-way-have-use-wireless-networks-off.html
http://androidforums.com/samsung-epic-4g/163257-epic-gps-does-yours-work-not.html
Sadly the compass sill doesn't work on the epic.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
some people are reporting it is not fixed, accuracy is way off.
tweak89 said:
If whatever Samsung did to the Epic 4g's GPS is what they end up giving the rest of the Galaxy S owners out there we will be in good shape!
Friend at work got an Epic 4g today. First thing I did was compare GPS's. Mine and a coworkers Vibrant, a Captivate and the Epic 4g.
We did this from a cold start (everyone restarted their phones)all standing INSIDE our single story building (where you cannot get a signal if you aren't by a window) by the front door with wireless networks turned OFF. The Captivate locked onto 3 sats out of 10 in view. The Vibrants locked onto 2-3 with 10 in view and the EPIC saw 10 and locked onto 7 in a matter of seconds (compared to 2-3 minutes for the others).
If the rain lets up we may try and do a walking test out in our parking lot to see what difference there is in real world use.
Wanted to take a pic, but since we were all using out phones we couldn't. This was running GPS test on all four phones.
This gives me hope that the fix will actually fix something. BTW, the Epic looks more substantial (with the keyboard and all) but feels just as light as the Vibrant. So far, looks like the Captivate has the sturdiest feeling build of the Galaxy S phones out in the US now.
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You may have gotten excited a bit too early, pre-mature excitement. It appears the epic is locking onto satellites, but the accuracy is way off, 100ft off, and google maps is still placing people in the wrong place.
QUOTE=coolguy949;7944614]From what I gather, it's not truly fixed. People are still having issues. For some reason there are only a few threads about it on here. On AndfroidForums, however, there are multiple threads. It seems most people are getting 98ft accuracy. I don't see anything to be excited about anymore. I am very unimpressed by Samsung. I don't know if they can actually fix it. If they can, they might just be waiting to roll it out with FroYo. Unwise IMO. If the Epic 4G really is not fixed, they are in for a hell ride of bad press after making the statement to Engadget that it's fixed.
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[
I might have missed something, but when did Samsung say that the Epic 4g gps was fixed? I see on engadget where the reviewer talked about it being fixed based on his limited observations, but he didn't say that SAMSUNG told him it was fixed.
Again, I might have missed it, but I couldn't find on engadget where they quoted or even said Samsung said the Epic was fixed.
In fact, rereading the review on engadget, it seems to suggest that it was never fixed.
"Surprisingly, the now-infamous AGPS bug is still alive and well right now on the Epic. We're not sure how Sprint can justify releasing it with this bug now so well-known, well-documented, and critical to the operation of the phone -- seriously, it cannot find you most of the time -- but we suppose it'll just get fixed at the same time as the remainder of the Galaxy S models in September. In other words, unless we see a quick firmware update prior to the 31st, don't expect Google Maps to work particularly well out of the box. Oh, and here's another bug: like the Captivate and Vibrant, the Epic doesn't seem to want to mount as mass storage. We weren't able to get it working in USB debugging mode on our Mac, either, though we were able to download media to Image Capture without a problem -- it seems as though the computer is treating the phone as a camera, not a drive.
[Update: We just spoke with Samsung, who told us that Google is now requiring that the "use wireless networks" setting for location-based services be turned off by default in Android devices -- in other words, no AGPS unless you manually enable it. Sure enough, we went into Settings, found that it was disabled on the Epic, turned it on, and we were good to go. No GPS bug!]
[Update 2: The fact that AGPS comes disabled by default is a separate issue unto itself, unrelated to issue with actual GPS satellite triangulation. See our full breakdown here.]"
I had the opportunity to play with an Epic tonight and the gps issue affecting the vibrant appears not to be there for the following reasons.
Using tge gps test app from the market:
- it obtained a lock indoors in less tha 5 secs
- it was able to view 8 satellites and obtained a fix from all of them
- accuracy was about 6 metets
- gmt and local times were correct
- speed remained at 0 while the phone was standing still on a desk.
We were not able to replicate any of the above with any of the vibrants sitting next to the epic.
On another note, the compass on the epic appears to be as lame as one of the vibrants. The other vibrant at least pointed to a north-ish direction, although very slow.
Epic gps behavior is comparable to that on the nexus one, which I consider pretty good.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
guardian855 said:
I might have missed something, but when did Samsung say that the Epic 4g gps was fixed?
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Two weeks ago, Samsung made the following statement to Engadget (my emphasis added.):
We have tested and validated both Network Assisted (indoor) and Autonomous (outdoor) GPS on the Epic 4G. With regards to Vibrant and Captivate, we are currently testing software updates which will optimize GPS performance. We expect to be able to make the updates available in September and will communicate more information and download instructions in the next few weeks.
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Suspicious observers noted that neither Samsung nor Sprint ever quite said that this "tested and valdiated" GPS software was actually installed on the units shipped yesterday. But they certainly implied it and many customers expected it.
Today, according to one user, Sprint tech support acknowledged that there is a "known issue" with the Epic GPS.
GPS works intermittantly but rarely when on call
My GPS is very intermittent and rarely (but not never) works when I'm on a call. If the signal strength is weak, the GPS cuts off, but when the signal strength is okay, it can lock on, even when I'm on a call.
First Samsung said they were aware of the GPS issue and would try to fix it but after that they went quiet. A few people have had it confirmed that the problem is hardware-wise. The Nexus S was delayed due to hardware problem and now that it passed through the FCC again the phone has gotten a new set of bluetooth, WIFI and GPS antennas. http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/28/samsung-nexus-s-reappears-at-the-fcc-with-a-pair-of-new-antennas/
So pretty much assuming it is a hardware problem my question is: is it possible and would it help to change the GPS receiver antennae?
No issues with my antennas. I got the galaxy when it was first released and it locks 8 satellites in about 10 seconds.... Gps was not working well with the initial firmware but now on froyo its working fine.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
stierney said:
no issues with my antennas. I got the galaxy when it was first released and it locks 8 satellites in about 10 seconds.... Gps was not working well with the initial firmware but now on froyo its working fine.
Sent from my gt-i9000 using xda app
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go drive for 2 hours and see what will happen...
I posterd about this yesterday and got told I was wrong because this proves nothing...I still think that it does prove the GPS can't be fixed...every body needs to start complaining at Samsung because they are getting a way with some thing that's been miss sold as working but its not...
You'll always have fanboys of <insert brand> that will say that a problem does not exist. Fact is that for many of us it doesn't matter what firmware or "fix" is used, our GPS either takes minutes to lock or doesn't look at all. Evidence that it's a hardware issue is quite overwhelming so that is why I'm wondering if swapping the antennae is possible?
stierney said:
No issues with my antennas. I got the galaxy when it was first released and it locks 8 satellites in about 10 seconds.... Gps was not working well with the initial firmware but now on froyo its working fine.
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First of all, how does that help me figure out if it's possible to change the antennae? Secondly, I got it back when it was first released as well and the gps is both schizophrenic on eclair and froyo. Thirdly, just because you have it well does that mean it works well for everyone else? Thought not.
Thought i'd post these here. Others can post theres as well. If I get any answers I'll post those here also.
1. Are there plans to fix the gps issues on the epic? Or is it simply hardware related?
2. Why did samsung choose the rfs file system?
3. What is Samsung's corporate position on open-source software development?
Sent from my last samsung phone using tapatalk.
I have a question for you and other members. What exactly is the gps issue? Mine works perfectly on my epic on 2.1 and 2.2.1
Sent from my SPH-M900 using XDA App
rgregg504 said:
I have a question for you and other members. What exactly is the gps issue? Mine works perfectly on my epic on 2.1 and 2.2.1
Sent from my SPH-M900 using XDA App
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Some people have gps issues such as accuracy i believe. some don't
Oh ok thanx just curious because me and my wife both have the epic and both are fine.
Sent from my SPH-M900 using XDA App
I have a problem where the gps doesn't lock at random. Usually a battery pull clears the problem. Accuracy is usually within 30 feet or so.
Rfs? It was the thing they had at the time. On new phones they are using ext4.
Supposedly 2.2.1 official on Monday will address GPS.... we will see... not sure the point of that Q&A at this time (the next few days) as we have yet to see what they listened to for the build they are dropping in a few days. I honestly think he wants our input on matters other than software/hardware complaints that are well known. I think that will be useful if everyone is contented with the 2.2.1 release, Its not a bad thing to have a suggestion box, IF the issues are addressed somewhat promptly...
I asked:
Does Samsung intend to address the hardware keyboard issue that causes the phone to miss keystrokes?
and
one other question that I completely forgot.
Edit: strike that, just remembered.
Is Samsung going to offer firmware updates for the Camera which is available in the settings menu of the leaked 2.2 rom??
rgregg504 said:
I have a question for you and other members. What exactly is the gps issue? Mine works perfectly on my epic on 2.1 and 2.2.1
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Gps locks fine and quickly, but then loses lock after 5-15 minutes. You have to manually turn the gps on and off again to get it to re lock.
And I asked because it was supposed to be addressed in an update that came our months ago but still happens for a lot of us.
aleph23 said:
Gps locks fine and quickly, but then loses lock after 5-15 minutes. You have to manually turn the gps on and off again to get it to re lock.
And I asked because it was supposed to be addressed in an update that came our months ago but still happens for a lot of us.
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Dont forget you cant lock GPS with wifi or 4g on.
Well there must be enough wrong with GPS for them to mention it as one of the main features of the udpate to happen monday... hopefully they will fix your issues, I have got my GPS to 2 meters on DK28, but actually have yet to leave it on for an extended period of time, dont really use Nav, I know my city from jobs... and dont really like leaving that on, Ive disabled it since they first came in phones... tinfoil hat and all...
HW Keyboard!!! If it does not improve, I will take it in for service. I got a replacement like Jan 3, for my OG that I had since launch week, and aside from the screen fail, my original never dropped keys... not that I can remember... it also seems to be getting worse, and since January I have not gotten that much faster at typing on it to make a difference that way... but I HOPE its software... else I may end up with another TEP claim.
muyoso said:
Dont forget you cant lock GPS with wifi or 4g on.
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I lock with wifi on.
My question is what is samsung's plans for future os updates for the epic?
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
From the sound of it, Svetius at captivate says that xda will be filtering the questions before they go to Sammy.
Sent from my last samsung phone using tapatalk.
I can probably easily tell you how they will answer it or at least summarize it..
aleph23 said:
1. Are there plans to fix the gps issues on the epic? Or is it simply hardware related?
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We are working hard to isolate and fix this issue..
2. Why did samsung choose the rfs file system?
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We chose RFS for its reliability (they made RFS themselves they are not going to say any bad about it)
3. What is Samsung's corporate position on open-source software development?
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Samsung is committed to open source
---
Those will be your answers..in a fancier manner..
As for GPS locking , I lock just fine..I noticed Google Maps gets stuck here and there but if I use any other software there is no issue...
aleph23 said:
I lock with wifi on.
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Generally not for long. Leave WiFi on for 2 days, without ever shutting it off. Then try getting a lock. Promise you won't be able to.
I've never had problems locking on to GPS
The problem that I share with many others is that the GPS will randomly stop connecting with satellites after 10-20 minutes of use. Sometimes a lot sooner than that. It'll reconnect after about 2 minutes, but its really annoying when you're using google nav.
I've tried using GPS status and I can see that it has a great signal, but it won't connect to a couple of sats at random times. Very buggy.
AFTER the update, if it happens, those with GPS issues should get an ALL GPS thread like the 2.2 one... it seems like a real clusterfuk as it stands, and theres no clear proof that its software, or a crappy GPS radio, and thats the end of the story. After the update, which claims to address GPS, those with GPS issues need to compare notes, and figure out as best as possible what is hardware limitation, what is software, what is user error. As stated above, other software besides google maps should be tried as well, in case there is something weird happening with that... I dont use GPS much, so I wonder why this issue keeps popping up so much, and people dont collaborate enough on solving the issue. After that best GPS fix ever thread popped up, I Odin'ed to DI18, and did all the steps, even considered going to DG27 or whatever to be extra retentive, but once I got all the way up to my rooted, rom'd setup, got 2 meters, or maybe 1... thats all I bothered with. I understand those that use their epics as a tom-tom need much higher standards of connectivity.... hopefully you wont be disappointed.
I hope so too. I work at several different locations and user the phone as nav. Gps locks fine, just loses lock soon enough, often at critical times...
Sent from my last samsung phone using tapatalk.
I just got an SGS 2 last week. GPS locks were extremely quick on KE4. However, since updating to KF3**, I literally cannot get a lock on any satellites. GPS test indicates that the handset is picking up at least five satellites, but isn't locking on to them. Any possible solutions?
Restore KE4 .
jje
Do I have to flash it using ODIN? Or is there an easier way to roll-back firmware versions?
There are some custom roms that include a gps fast fix mod for europe. If you're european, you could check it out.
Benz200x said:
I just got an SGS 2 last week. GPS locks were extremely quick on KE4. However, since updating to KF3**, I literally cannot get a lock on any satellites. GPS test indicates that the handset is picking up at least five satellites, but isn't locking on to them. Any possible solutions?
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Click to collapse
5 satellites is not enough if they're too close to each other (as seen from the phone), so it might simply be an issue with bad coverage where you were. Please note that satellites are moving so it doesn't mean anything that it worked at another occasion.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
Do this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3iVzNoljhQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Sent from my GT-I9100M using XDA Premium App
I used to have a vibrant, and while i had an early model, the gps really suked. after returning the phone the gps was marginal, it locked but had weak reception.
How is the facinate, i hear it had a competely different gps chip? how is the reception on gps test?
install aokp and it will be perfect.
Sent from my ICS SCH-i500
The gps in the fascinate is just as bad. I have tried every possible rom in this world and I cant get the phone to lock into any satellites and when it does it drops them whithin a couple of minutes.
This is not just me, google it and you will find dozens of fascinate owners with the same gps issues. My wife just got a rezound, hers lock into 11 or 12 sats whithin 5 secons while INDOORS!!!!
Given the other options in the market, I would not by a fascinate today. In fact, verizon is sending me a refurb fascinate that maybe will have a better gps radio.
My 2 cents
ljbrenes said:
The gps in the fascinate is just as bad. I have tried every possible rom in this world and I cant get the phone to lock into any satellites and when it does it drops them whithin a couple of minutes.
This is not just me, google it and you will find dozens of fascinate owners with the same gps issues. My wife just got a rezound, hers lock into 11 or 12 sats whithin 5 secons while INDOORS!!!!
Given the other options in the market, I would not by a fascinate today. In fact, verizon is sending me a refurb fascinate that maybe will have a better gps radio.
My 2 cents
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The stick fascinate had ****ty gps.. On mtd roms our super dev changed permissions for the chip. Now on all current mtd/aosp roms we get cry quick locks even indoors.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using xda premium
No me, I tried miui, askp milestone, 25, 26, asop, ths... you name it. Nothing made a difference.
neh4pres said:
The stick fascinate had ****ty gps.. On mtd roms our super dev changed permissions for the chip. Now on all current mtd/aosp roms we get cry quick locks even indoors.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using xda premium
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ljbrenes said:
No me, I tried miui, askp milestone, 25, 26, asop, ths... you name it. Nothing made a difference.
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You are the minority, I'm thinking you have a hardware issue that you should take to Verizon
Sent from my SCH-I500 using xda premium
neh4pres said:
You are the minority, I'm thinking you have a hardware issue that you should take to Verizon
Sent from my SCH-I500 using xda premium
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QFT. I used to have awful GPS and thought my hardware was bad until installing Glitch Kernel and AOKP. Instant locks and 12 satellites now.. I've had the satellite accuracy down to 6 feet. That's almost good enough for military grade munition strikes.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA
Maybe i've never had an uber-super-rad-perfect GPS or something, but the GPS on my fascinate has always worked pretty well, I thought. The girlfriend and I have done a lot of Geocaching using the c:geo app and it's almost never let us down (save a handful of gps resets using gps status).
Perhaps you guys are right and I need to talk to V. Thanks for your opinions guys, i'll keep you posted.
While the gps was weak in the early days, I haven't had a problem with it since froyo. It locks usually within 15 seconds and nearly always within 30.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using xda premium
try enyos espresso tweaks, they saved my gps
Sent from my AOKP SCH-i500
Stock, Touchwiz ROM, MTD Rom has not made a difference for me. I get locked onto 11 0r 12 satellites within 20 seconds outdoors and 6 or 7 while indoors. I get an accuracy of about 6 ft.