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so I bought a htc hd2 using it to type this, however gps wont lock (and kb Really is bad lol) im on o2
any ideas..
Re gps won't find anything
Hi,
A couple of questions. What software are you using? (like Google Maps). You say you can't get a lock, are you able to access any satellite? Have you selected Google Maps Use GPS Option. Have you enabled QuickGPS (Start/Tools/QuickGPS). There is a setting there to let you download Satellite data using your PC connection during Activesync which might help you if you have data issues.
Now, silly question, are you indoors or outdoors when you are trying to get a fix?. Im not always able to get a satellite fix from my living room).
Regards.
Re: gps won't find anything
Hi,
A couple of questions. What software are you using? (like Google Maps). You say you can't get a lock, are you able to access any satellite? Have you selected Google Maps Use GPS Option. Have you enabled QuickGPS (Start/Tools/QuickGPS). There is a setting there to let you download Satellite data using your PC connection during Activesync which might help you if you have data issues.
Now, silly question, are you indoors or outdoors when you are trying to get a fix?. Im not always able to get a satellite fix from my living room).
Regards.
sorry took so long to reply (keyboard really has issues ... or maybe i have the issues and just cant use it) so i came to pc to reply.
i was indoors at the time (trying to show my gf how great my phone is and shes with her iphone getting a gps location in seconds) so i was indoors , i have tried outside however and it dont seem to work, i had the same (and still do) with my xda ignito and just give up on it , but this is a new phone and i just want to be able to sit in my house and go oooh phone says im here haha.
i used quickgps however that has not helped
LOL, knowing that you couldn't get it working on your other phone might have helped in your original posting . Have you talked to O2?
gps does not care about the carrier...
BTW: What the iphone does (and your phone can do too) is the self positining using the google api. that works over the cellular network, using a table of positions where the antennas are lokated and not gps!
GPS indoors is not possible with a antenna like the HD2 or the Iphone has, aslong as you live in a "normal house" and not in some weird mobile home ect...
If it cant get a fix using google maps or tomtom outside of your house within 2minutes of not moving somewhere on the street, or the gps tuner did not even find one satellite, think of hard-resetting your phone and then try again.
if you sill can find anything your antenna might be broken so you need to return your phone to warrenty and get a new one, or yours fixed!
greetz
Intereseting, I've never actually seen a phone using nagigation software without data services from a carrier. I must live a really sheltered life. Good luck.
Usually, every GPS phone has trouble locking from inside houses, with the exception of when you are standing next to a window sometimes. My HD2 however locks in seconds when outside.
I would suggest running QuickGPS (or something along those lines) from Start->Tools, it updates the locations of the satellites so the GPS takes less to locate them when locking.
All the best,
shpatar.
cMMY69 said:
Intereseting, I've never actually seen a phone using nagigation software without data services from a carrier. I must live a really sheltered life. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what are you talking about? tomtom, garmin etc. never use the carrier to get a fixed gps position. thats why you call it gps, because it uses it and gps is not run by any phone carrier but by the us. forces... so you dont need any dataservice or even simcard to get your gps position with your gps-enabled phone...
larrytango said:
sorry took so long to reply (keyboard really has issues ... or maybe i have the issues and just cant use it) so i came to pc to reply.
i was indoors at the time (trying to show my gf how great my phone is and shes with her iphone getting a gps location in seconds) so i was indoors , i have tried outside however and it dont seem to work, i had the same (and still do) with my xda ignito and just give up on it , but this is a new phone and i just want to be able to sit in my house and go oooh phone says im here haha.
i used quickgps however that has not helped
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you using igo8? I know i had to manually set the correct com port (COM4) within igo settings before it would work.
Also you can manually set it in google maps. Try setting it to COM4 baud rate of 4800
The carrier locating in my area is useless when i am inside my house. Says i am like a mile away in the middle of a field! lol.
larrytango said:
sorry took so long to reply (keyboard really has issues ... or maybe i have the issues and just cant use it) so i came to pc to reply.
i was indoors at the time (trying to show my gf how great my phone is and shes with her iphone getting a gps location in seconds) so i was indoors , i have tried outside however and it dont seem to work, i had the same (and still do) with my xda ignito and just give up on it , but this is a new phone and i just want to be able to sit in my house and go oooh phone says im here haha.
i used quickgps however that has not helped
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As others have replied- the iPhone uses a different method of getting your position, as its GPS receiver is pretty poor (which is why TomTom needs its own GPS receiver in a dedicated cradle to work properly )
The HD2 has the best GPS receiver I've yet seen in a mobile device- no longer than 1 minute even from cold start in most cases- and I've used it in UK, Italy and Slovenia in the last 6 weeks. However, if you are indoors it will struggle.
Which software are you using to try and get a fix? Maybe it isn't initiating the GPS correctly.
The Ignito is also pretty good, so maybe you are in a 'dead' area? Have you tried in a different location?
brandi said:
gps does not care about the carrier...
BTW: What the iphone does (and your phone can do too) is the self positining using the google api. that works over the cellular network, using a table of positions where the antennas are lokated and not gps!
GPS indoors is not possible with a antenna like the HD2 or the Iphone has, aslong as you live in a "normal house" and not in some weird mobile home ect...
If it cant get a fix using google maps or tomtom outside of your house within 2minutes of not moving somewhere on the street, or the gps tuner did not even find one satellite, think of hard-resetting your phone and then try again.
if you sill can find anything your antenna might be broken so you need to return your phone to warrenty and get a new one, or yours fixed!
greetz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i said what network i was on to imply what rom i was on (was first day with hd2 and i was typing using it .. and i wanted to make it as small as possible - hate the kb lol)
and my gf iphone does actually pick up gps in the house , mine doesnt tho.
i got a signal once since i started this when outside after about 20 mins.
i understand what you mean with regards to cell network etc and obviously that works fine .. however gps seems to not like me
Does the Tablet Really Require the Wifi to be On to use it? Only way we can get it to work is if we turn the Wifi on and then it uses AGPS.
Downloaded GPS Status and it sorta seems to confirm this. Ive read other sites of people returning the product and getting another and GPS works outta the box w/o Wifi?
Thoughts? Solutions?
--Solved -- Issue seems defective Equipment. GPS works Fine in Airplane Mode with GPS on. Tablet was returned for another and now works.
Haven't checked this, but it seems a bit silly. Why would you need a (static) wifi connection when u use the GPS (for moving around). Doesn't make any sense. I will test this tonight.
spaanplaat said:
Haven't checked this, but it seems a bit silly. Why would you need a (static) wifi connection when u use the GPS (for moving around). Doesn't make any sense. I will test this tonight.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With the one we have here I can Confirm the only way i can get it to work is with WiFi on. And Acer Support confirms this..
But there is so much conflicting information out there that Id like to see if it can get cleared up.
If people are returning them and their new ones are working fine with normal GPS then did ACER have a Bad Lot? Or are these folks just making rumors.
I've just quickly checked this with Chartcross GPS Test. With WIFI on I could see one satellite indoors. I switched off WIFI and then saw four satelites, so it would seem that WIFI does not have to be switched on for GPS to work. However, having a data connection is always a good thing to get AGPS data with.
Sent from my A500 using XDA Premium App
From my experiance, no it doesn't . I have been using mine with the wifi off with no problems. I use Copilot Live USA to get around all day at work. One thing is, is that Copilot freezes on me if I try to go into the settings menues.
Acer Says Yes
I chatted with an Acer rep this morning and was informed WIFI or 3G is designed to work with the GPS. GPS will not work if there is no data signal. Being hardheaded I called hoping to find someone with more knowledge on this matter and was told the exact same thing, NO WIFI/3G = NO GPS. With this set back I have decided to return.
But I am curious why some peoples are working and others are not?
Im sure my Buddy will post here soon.
but he called Acer and they are saying that it requires Wifi for GPS by Design.
So if everyone else is able to do it.. and he isnt and Acer says thats the way it should be..
Then either some folks have an "added' feature design flaw or they are Fibbing about it. Or Acer just dont know what they are talking about and my buddy has a defective one.
I do not seem to need to be connected to Wifi for GPS to work. I did notice something interesting while researching this though. 22% of my battery usage was coming from cellular. Thats a huge amount of power being used up to poll for a cellular signal that a wifi device isn't doing anything with.
I added about two hours to my battery life by turning the tablet on Airplane mode and then enabled Wifi. Thankfully the little airplane icon in the status bar is only there for a few seconds
The issue is not GPS need WiFi. It is the map need WiFi or 3G datalink in order to be updated with the GPS signal. Your tablet does not preloaded a map like a portable Garmin or TomTom GPS device does.
The GPS does not require Wifi to work, however if you are using an app like Google Maps, this app DEPENDS on wifi to download map and pois. Google Maps is not like your GPS software on your TomTom or Garmin GPS, it downloads the data using the cell modem or in this case the wifi on the device.
To summarize, if you use an app like Copilot or another GPS app that has maps predownloaded then the GPS works just fine on it's own without Wifi.
I hope this clears it up.
john0dean said:
The issue is not GPS need WiFi. It is the map need WiFi or 3G datalink in order to be updated with the GPS signal. Your tablet does not preloaded a map like a portable Garmin or TomTom GPS device does.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Neoprimal said:
The GPS does not require Wifi to work, however if you are using an app like Google Maps, this app DEPENDS on wifi to download map and pois. Google Maps is not like your GPS software on your TomTom or Garmin GPS, it downloads the data using the cell modem or in this case the wifi on the device.
To summarize, if you use an app like Copilot or another GPS app that has maps predownloaded then the GPS works just fine on it's own without Wifi.
I hope this clears it up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then Why Doesn't Foursquare, Gowalla, Or even the GPS Icon Activate.. Or Even using GPS Status.. Using GPS Status It wont do anything unless WiFi is on.
Totally Understand that you need wifi For Map Downloading. But when you have a Static Predownloaded Map using like MapDroid or Even TomTom Software the Maps are preloaded nothing to download.
So you all Are SERIOUSLY saying that your GPS works Fine with out WiFi I ask you to download GPS Status and Try it with out Wifi Being on and See if you can get your GPS to come on and get a Lock.
Because Acer Support has already said that the GPS is WiFi dependent.
sammyboy405 said:
Then Why Doesn't Foursquare, Gowalla, Or even the GPS Icon Activate.. Or Even using GPS Status.. Using GPS Status It wont do anything unless WiFi is on.
Totally Understand that you need wifi For Map Downloading. But when you have a Static Predownloaded Map using like MapDroid or Even TomTom Software the Maps are preloaded nothing to download.
So you all Are SERIOUSLY saying that your GPS works Fine with out WiFi I ask you to download GPS Status and Try it with out Wifi Being on and See if you can get your GPS to come on and get a Lock.
Because Acer Support has already said that the GPS is WiFi dependent.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, this is what I did. Turned off wifi and ran GPS status. It locked on to 3 of 6 sat so I guess it works. With wifi on it seems to locate more sat and locks on quickee.
Just to make sure in settings you do have GPS on under location and security correct?
Reply
I tried using MapDroyd with all preloaded maps, it would not give me a Red X for location until I flipped on wifi. That was the only reason I contacted tech support and both chat and phone told me the same thing. There is no power to the GPS until 3G/WIFI is active. Sounds stupid I know, I like the tablet and what nothing more than to keep it but I just refuse to keep something that is configured in such a way. I can live with the AdHoc issue since I know that can eventually be resolved.
Disclaimer - These are not my words but the words directly from Acer tech support.
Trust me I was very clear that I had maps pre-downloaded and the person on the phone was very clear what they told me about how the hardware was configured.
michaelg1030 - YES
T0yman said:
I tried using MapDroyd with all preloaded maps, it would not give me a Red X for location until I flipped on wifi. That was the only reason I contacted tech support and both chat and phone told me the same thing. There is no power to the GPS until 3G/WIFI is active. Sounds stupid I know, I like the tablet and what nothing more than to keep it but I just refuse to keep something that is configured in such a way. I can live with the AdHoc issue since I know that can eventually be resolved.
Disclaimer - These are not my words but the words directly from Acer tech support.
Trust me I was very clear that I had maps pre-downloaded and the person on the phone was very clear what they told me about how it the hardware was configured.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure I believe what they said.
I just did one more test. I turned wifi off. Reset my tablet. Made sure wifi was still off. Opened up GPS Statues and it locked on to 5 of 7 sat in less than a min indoors. I dont have any nav software with maps so I can't test that. If GPS status shows nothing with wifi off for you I'd exchange it for a new one.
sammyboy405 said:
Then Why Doesn't Foursquare, Gowalla, Or even the GPS Icon Activate.. Or Even using GPS Status.. Using GPS Status It wont do anything unless WiFi is on.
Totally Understand that you need wifi For Map Downloading. But when you have a Static Predownloaded Map using like MapDroid or Even TomTom Software the Maps are preloaded nothing to download.
So you all Are SERIOUSLY saying that your GPS works Fine with out WiFi I ask you to download GPS Status and Try it with out Wifi Being on and See if you can get your GPS to come on and get a Lock.
Because Acer Support has already said that the GPS is WiFi dependent.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
None of those programs work without a data connection. Once you use a program that works without requiring some sort of data, the GPS will work.
I don't really care what Acer says - if you call acer and ask 10 people the same question, there's a possibility you'll get several different answers.
I know what I've experienced, and that is that the gps works with wifi disabled.
I'm confused on what you're debating exactly though, are you saying that the gps does not activate/work without wifi or that it doesn't lock on to satellites?
If you want a simpler test to see if it works/activates simply refresh your weather widget manually and with no wifi connection - you'll see the gps icon pop up and it will say searching for satellites. It won't work, since the weather can't update without data but you'll see that it activates the gps.
In essence, the gps in the A500 works exactly like our cell gps, there's no difference. It's Assisted GPS (aGPS) and requires a data connection to locate the satellites quickly vs. standalone or autonomous GPS found in our Garmin/Tom Tom/etc. Without data it's going to take you 10m-20m to find a lock, with data, 3-5m. This might be what's messing with people. The good thing is if you lock on when you get into your vehicle with help from your wifi for example, then you won't have to wait for it to lock on at some other point. Since my gps is on in the tablet all the time, it's locked in and I suppose that's why I'm not having a problem in my tests.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the GPS in use on these devices uses aGPS (assisted GPS) - which uses a combination of cell tower info (if using 3G) and/or known WiFi hotspot locations to help nail down the starting location and speed up the discovery of satellites.
Y'know, the stuff that Apple & Google are getting in so much trouble for having recently
michaelg1030 said:
Not sure I believe what they said.
I just did one more test. I turned wifi off. Reset my tablet. Made sure wifi was still off. Opened up GPS Statues and it locked on to 5 of 7 sat in less than a min indoors. I dont have any nav software with maps so I can't test that. If GPS status shows nothing with wifi off for you I'd exchange it for a new one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK I will be heading that way for an exchange and update the info once I am back home. Thanks everyone for your input, like I said I like the tablet but the no GPS thing just never made since.
T0yman said:
OK I will be heading that way for an exchange and update the info once I am back home. Thanks everyone for your input, like I said I like the tablet but the no GPS thing just never made since.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good Luck.
you can get app fasterfix from market t
it worked great for me.
i also can not keeo co-pilot from crashing locking up sent them email hope its fixed
soon
Replacement
Ok I am back home after going to BestBuy and picking up a replacement Acer A500. This one grabs my current location using current setup.
Airplane Mode On
WIFI Off
GPS On
I will be going in to the city tomorrow and run a few more tests, will post a new update after but this is looking promising. Thanks again for the feedback!
dont know if you guys have this, but i used one of those files for my area and GPS locked super fast. maybe will work for you ?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=953630&highlight=gps
EDIT: Might NOT work on some ROMs, I am using MIUI ROM. I think all files are there: click "XDA Members Click Here", download v1.2 for your location.
Thanks!
Will be trying it out tomorrow
just in case, i am on latest miui rom
i used it on both n1 and hd2
woks faster for me, cm7. this is the first try though. seems good.
south states n1
all v1.2 files are there by the way. have to click "XDA Members Click Here" for ftp site
If anything its slower now :-( In UK (used UK files)
cymru said:
If anything its slower now :-( In UK (used UK files)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dev said its ROM dependent. I am using on HD2 and N1 and works better then ever. Almost instant locks on both....even indoors
Awesome! Works like a dream. Couldn't connect at all with cm7. Now its instant
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
I have never had an issue with GPS locks on either of my Android devices.
Also, that guy seems to have a fundamental misunderstanding of HOW GPS actually works.
The GPS basically sends signals down to earth and earth sends signals up to the Satellite to determine locations, this as we all have come to know as "PINGS".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't trust **** from him. This is flat out WRONG.
NO data is sent back to the satellite to determine location... christ. It's all time based (satellite distance is determined off time) and uses triangulation. The GPS satellites basically transmit a time code. GPS receivers listen to these codes. When they have enough (at least 3. The more, the higher the accuracy) to determine the millisecond difference in the time codes received, the distance from the 3 satellites can be determined, and thus, your position can be triangulated.
GldRush98 said:
I have never had an issue with GPS locks on either of my Android devices.
Also, that guy seems to have a fundamental misunderstanding of HOW GPS actually works.
I wouldn't trust **** from him. This is flat out WRONG.
NO data is sent back to the satellite to determine location... christ. It's all time based (satellite distance is determined off time) and uses triangulation. The GPS satellites basically transmit a time code. GPS receivers listen to these codes. When they have enough (at least 3. The more, the higher the accuracy) to determine the millisecond difference in the time codes received, the distance from the 3 satellites can be determined, and thus, your position can be triangulated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah.....i hardly doubt that what signals get sent where needed in order to configure gps.cnfg file for your location
To all of you that had luck with this working, do any of you have ATT by chance?
I'm very curious about this, as I cannot get a lock with CM7 at all on my N1, but I have no problems at all with CM6. If I restore my CM6 backup and restore my CM7 backup my gps will work intermittently for a few hours/day max and then
I can only get it to find 2 satellites max.
I backed up my existing gps.conf and flashed the one for my area and I still can't get a lock. I looked a bit further and noticed that the SUPL server is a t-mobile one, and my stock one is google's servers.
I have tried many other fixes and numerous full wipes and the only thing that works for me is stock roms (actual stock roms, none of the stock-based ones that I've tried work) or CM6 and before.
yes mine's an att n1. I'm not smart enough to know all there is to know about why or why not this shouldn't help the gps.
but I can say that the gps status app, that I've use lots, along with waypoint, fixes on 8 satellites in about 3-5 seconds.
before it would take minutes, if it even got a lock. I use speedview, maps, and waypoint a fair amount. and I think it did help it, just don't know how.
How do you see how many satellites it connected to?
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
^ by getting an app from the market which shows you...
Hi,When I use my phone for finding my location without using data connectivity - without relying on A-GPS so my phone finds my location after a lot of time or sometimes google maps can't find my location.
How can I solve this?
Thanks.
After day or so it won't get fix at all. Samsung just did something wrong I'm afraid. Looks like the GPS in SG2 NEEDS data to work. I found the hard way on my trip to Japan. I know no solution.
So I cant change my gps settings?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
GPS in the S2 is weird. Some days it locks in seconds other times it takes forever. I never use A-GPS.
Today I couldn't get it to lock but last night it was instant. So I restored a CWM backup from last night, rebooted and it locked instantly.
I played around with MIUI for a couple of days and found lock time much better than stock or custom rom.
Also, changing server with fasterfix makes no difference when its having problems locking.
I just don't get it.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
GPS Aids in Market. It will take a bit of time on first lock but from then it will be fast.
sxi200 said:
GPS in the S2 is weird. Some days it locks in seconds other times it takes forever. I never use A-GPS.
Today I couldn't get it to lock but last night it was instant. So I restored a CWM backup from last night, rebooted and it locked instantly.
I played around with MIUI for a couple of days and found lock time much better than stock or custom rom.
Also, changing server with fasterfix makes no difference when its having problems locking.
I just don't get it.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you 'never use AGPS' ? Btw. my problem is not time of the lock. But the fact, that without network, I don't get fix AT ALL. With network AGPS reset helps (many apps can do that). But without network GPS works only for some time (AGPS data still valid). After that you just won't get fix. It even looks like wifi connection won't help, it has to be mobile network.
It's because of crappy gps reciever or it can be improved by another rom?
Thanks
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
It seems the problem is that GPS is in mode, where it simply relies on AGPS. In older ROMs there was app called LBSTestMode where you could change the mode to stand alone, or just AGPS based. This application is not in newer ROMs, so it cannot be switched. It clearly is just a software thing. Except it looks that there is no solution which does not involve flashing roms and/or rooting.
Dr.Sid said:
How do you 'never use AGPS' ? Btw. my problem is not time of the lock. But the fact, that without network, I don't get fix AT ALL. With network AGPS reset helps (many apps can do that). But without network GPS works only for some time (AGPS data still valid). After that you just won't get fix. It even looks like wifi connection won't help, it has to be mobile network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I never use it. I don't tick 'use wireless networks' at all. To me that's fake GPS.
Since my last post, GPS has been perfect. Am able to lock up to 11 satellites sitting on the couch. On average it takes about 10 seconds to lock. Tested it at least 20 times today.
But who knows what will happen tomorrow!!!
Man, if you can only get a lock using wireless networks then I think your GPS might be stuffed.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
sxi200 said:
Yeah I never use it. I don't tick 'use wireless networks' at all. To me that's fake GPS.
Since my last post, GPS has been perfect. Am able to lock up to 11 satellites sitting on the couch. On average it takes about 10 seconds to lock. Tested it at least 20 times today.
But who knows what will happen tomorrow!!!
Man, if you can only get a lock using wireless networks then I think your GPS might be stuffed.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That does not mean you don't use AGPS. AGPS is method, where data about GPS satellites are not downloaded from those satellites via GPS receiver, but rather from server via. mobile network. So I'm afraid you do use AGPS, unless you disable mobile networking (and wait about day for current data to become obsolete).
One thing I've noticed is that when I run Z-DeviceTest and bring up the GPS status display, it shows that none of the satellites have almanac data, and very rarely have ephemeris data. If that's accurate, that would suggest that if you've turned off AGPS and mobile networking, you could have some trouble.
3waygeek said:
One thing I've noticed is that when I run Z-DeviceTest and bring up the GPS status display, it shows that none of the satellites have almanac data, and very rarely have ephemeris data. If that's accurate, that would suggest that if you've turned off AGPS and mobile networking, you could have some trouble.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice find. First app I know which shows this. Now I can test if that almanac is downloading via GPS satellites or not.
Dr.Sid said:
That does not mean you don't use AGPS. AGPS is method, where data about GPS satellites are not downloaded from those satellites via GPS receiver, but rather from server via. mobile network. So I'm afraid you do use AGPS, unless you disable mobile networking (and wait about day for current data to become obsolete).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok. So does that would mean it's impossible to get a GPS lock without data enabled? Or just harder to?
Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned AGPS, but instead wireless networks which show your position even though GPS is not locked.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
sxi200 said:
Ok. So does that would mean it's impossible to get a GPS lock without data enabled? Or just harder to?
Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned AGPS, but instead wireless networks which show your position even though GPS is not locked.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems it may vary with ROM, and it is possible to switch it, at least older ROMs contain service menu module (LbsTestMode) to switch it. But my SG2 seems to be unable to get a fix without network. It simply does not even try do download Almanac or Ephemerides data from the satellites.
Also for AGPS, mobile network must be used, not WiFi. As I understand it, those AGPS server names are virtual, and network provider redirects them based on location .. which is not possible via WiFi.
I wonder WHY there is such option at all. Do mobile network providers want us to be unable to get a fix without them ?
Dr.Sid said:
It seems it may vary with ROM, and it is possible to switch it, at least older ROMs contain service menu module (LbsTestMode) to switch it. But my SG2 seems to be unable to get a fix without network. It simply does not even try do download Almanac or Ephemerides data from the satellites.
Also for AGPS, mobile network must be used, not WiFi. As I understand it, those AGPS server names are virtual, and network provider redirects them based on location .. which is not possible via WiFi.
I wonder WHY there is such option at all. Do mobile network providers want us to be unable to get a fix without them ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey Dr, I think you have diagnosed my problem
Every so often I turn off data and use only wifi. One day my GPS locks in seconds then the next it takes forever.
So I have now tested it a couple of times over the last couple of days, when I can't get a lock I turn off wifi and turn on data. All of a sudden GPS locks again. Interesting!!
Hopefully that is it. Will test again the next time it won't lock.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
Ha ! Breakthrough. I could get a fix without network ! But ..
I used newer version of 'GPS Status' app. It shows state of unconnected satellites with gray/blue/yellow based on how much data it has - none/almanac/ephemerides. So you can see if there is some progress or not.
So I disabled network (both wifi and mobile), disabled location from mobile network, left just GPS on .. run GPS status and used 'Reset AGPS'.
The connection has few 'phases':
1) you get signals from satellites .. you see it in power meter .. all are gray .. and their dots on the 'sky' view are all in the N. Sure, GPS does not know where the satellites are, and does not know where you are .. so it can't know where on the 'sky' they should show.
2) Some signals/dots turn blue. That means you have almanac data. Rough position of all satellites, which is transmitted by all satellites. That already means your GPS receiver was used to download some data from the satellites. Based on this, GPS can tell very roughly where you are, and will paint dots on the skyview.
3) Some signals/dots turn yellow. That means you successfully downloaded ephemerides data from that satellite, and it can be used in fix. Have enough of them, and you are done.
4) Some signals/dots turn green - you have fix. The error will get better over time as more satellites are used.
I took me over 5 minutes .. but thanks to this tool I could see I'm indeed receiving some data and there is some progress. Also it only worked outside, under open skies. I tried that in a car, in a bus, in a train .. after 10 minutes I did not get over phase 1. With AGPS I get fix in all such situations in few seconds.
It just looks like the data decoding module for almanac/ephemerides is not the same as for the time (which is used in fix itself). While time channel is quite sensitive and fine, data channel seems to have troubles with even slightest disturbances.
Still I'm happy I made it work in the end !
Btw. the fact that AGPS does not work over WiFi still holds.
ayosopov said:
Hi,When I use my phone for finding my location without using data connectivity - without relying on A-GPS so my phone finds my location after a lot of time or sometimes google maps can't find my location.
How can I solve this?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try fasterfix from market
I rarely have the data connection on (just to save battery) and WiFi is only on where I know I have a known connection - thus it is off when outside.
I put on the GPS then immediately run Sygic satnav program. I will have a fix normally within 30 seconds and a worst case of about a minute (that I can remember).
I have just tried switching off and on my phone, putting on the GPS (from the Pull down menu) and run Sygic. From switching on the GPS, I had a lock in about a minute.
KI3 Stock ROM
fred_up said:
I rarely have the data connection on (just to save battery) and WiFi is only on where I know I have a known connection - thus it is off when outside.
I put on the GPS then immediately run Sygic satnav program. I will have a fix normally within 30 seconds and a worst case of about a minute (that I can remember).
I have just tried switching off and on my phone, putting on the GPS (from the Pull down menu) and run Sygic. From switching on the GPS, I had a lock in about a minute.
KI3 Stock ROM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you try that with AGPS manually reset ? I recommend 'GPS Status' tool to do it, it's in 'tools' menu.
GPS lock time seems much improved in KJ4 firmware for me (i'm on orange 2.3.5)
all three DOP values in GPS Status now show figures (instead of infinity for two of them), and i'm getting reported accuracies of around 5 metres, instead of 14 - 20 metres on the older firmware.
Before buying this set I want to know something about its GPS.
1. Can it get a lock on the satellites without an internet connection.
2. If yes, how much time it takes to get an accurate position.
Please can anyone test it.
GPS has nothing to do with internet. So yeah it works without internet.
I've read reports that positioning time is around 4-5 seconds.
GPS is not dependent on the internet, but my Tmobile Sensation 4G sure needed a data connection for it to function as a navigation device. I had to download the Google maps for my area to my phone so I could navigate without a data connection.
Gavin S. said:
GPS is not dependent on the internet, but my Tmobile Sensation 4G sure needed a data connection for it to function as a navigation device. I had to download the Google maps for my area to my phone so I could navigate without a data connection.
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Click to collapse
This. If you pre-download whatever area you will need while on WiFi, it will make it so it doesn't need a data connection in use for navigating out in the "wild".
How do you pre-download an area?
Nitemare3219 said:
How do you pre-download an area?
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Click to collapse
I know Google Maps has this function now, but I'm not sure how to go about it. Personally, when I'm hiking or going to a remote place, I use Backcountry Pro. It's a little pricey for a phone app, but they have lots of topographical and aerial satellite shots of the entire North America.
In short, GPS does NOT require an Internet connection to function (find your phone). The app that uses the GPS may need an Internet connection to work though.
EDIT: I found this for instructions on how to do offline navigation with Google Maps.
Open maps and hit menu and one option will be make available offline. Choose that and delineate the area you want. I think I had like a 80mb limit to the size of the file. It was a fairly large bit of map, though.
There is a 80mb limit but you can save 10 of these squares so it's more than enough. A large city can be covered in about 3 or 4 squares.
I've used Google Maps including a lock with navigation in a car without a SIM card in foreign countries, so yes.
Gavin S. said:
Open maps and hit menu and one option will be make available offline. Choose that and delineate the area you want. I think I had like a 80mb limit to the size of the file. It was a fairly large bit of map, though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have tried that but I don't see a way to save it with a given name and I could only save one image as the second replaced the first. Also the map when you are off line looses a lot of detail except for a small area in the center. At least it did when I tried.
donec said:
I have tried that but I don't see a way to save it with a given name and I could only save one image as the second replaced the first. Also the map when you are off line looses a lot of detail except for a small area in the center. At least it did when I tried.
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Click to collapse
Got me. Maybe you can only have 1 image at a time. Neotekz might have more information.
you could try the app - navfreeworld - that's offline open street maps. I use it with the GPS when overseas so I don't eat up my data connection. Its a free app so if you don't like it, all you lose is time
donec said:
I have tried that but I don't see a way to save it with a given name and I could only save one image as the second replaced the first. Also the map when you are off line looses a lot of detail except for a small area in the center. At least it did when I tried.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think you can change the name, it just auto assigns the name of the area you are saving. I just checked with my gnex and I'm able to save more than one. You can go see the list of your saved maps by going to maps settings->my places->offline tab. There is an option there to add new maps too.
Seemonsters said:
GPS has nothing to do with internet. So yeah it works without internet.
I've read reports that positioning time is around 4-5 seconds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried it yourself...GPS position without internet in just 4-5 sec is impossible...
Please give it another try ...this time without internet...and let me know...
I want to make sure without internet GPS is good on this device before I buy it
Sent from my LG-SU660 using XDA Premium App
Seemonsters said:
GPS has nothing to do with internet. So yeah it works without internet.
I've read reports that positioning time is around 4-5 seconds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not necessarily. My epic 4g will not enable the GPS if there has been no data connection since boot. So if its in airplane mode because I'm somewhere with bad/no signal (sprint, so this was common) there's no way to use GPS with offline maps.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
zman0900 said:
Not necessarily. My epic 4g will not enable the GPS if there has been no data connection since boot. So if its in airplane mode because I'm somewhere with bad/no signal (sprint, so this was common) there's no way to use GPS with offline maps.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
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Click to collapse
I have used GPS on some samsung phones without internet...
but I am asking about Nexus 4...?
Has anyone tried GPS on it without internet?
I just tried it, phone in airplane mode and it grabbed 8/19 sats in the area in <8s. That is a HUGE improvement over my sensation which could never get a good (green) lock but it only grabbed ~3 sats in the area and it could take up to 30s with data on, it also constantly lost connection when on a drive so I'll see if that has improved later today.
threeclaws said:
I just tried it, phone in airplane mode and it grabbed 8/19 sats in the area in <8s. That is a HUGE improvement over my sensation which could never get a good (green) lock but it only grabbed ~3 sats in the area and it could take up to 30s with data on, it also constantly lost connection when on a drive so I'll see if that has improved later today.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You tried it over Nexus 4?
Thanks a lot...
If the mobile is saving information every once and then, it's not useful to turn of internet. I think it should be turned off several days until the "assisted" info gets out of date (A-GPS without A).
I have a TomTom GPS, and it downloads once a WEEK the GPS information. If Nexus4 does the same, it's not useful to turn down the internet for a couple of minutes. I think
Struck89 said:
If the mobile is saving information every once and then, it's not useful to turn of internet. I think it should be turned off several days until the "assisted" info gets out of date (A-GPS without A).
I have a TomTom GPS, and it downloads once a WEEK the GPS information. If Nexus4 does the same, it's not useful to turn down the internet for a couple of minutes. I think
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Click to collapse
threeclaws
Can you re test?
Can you delete your a-gps data before trying it again.
Use this tool
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.eclipsim.gpsstatus2
Then try this software to check ur gps positioning
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.chartcross.gpstest&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5jaGFydGNyb3NzLmdwc3Rlc3QiXQ..
Thanks in advance