Database Users

I just did a swap

And my GPS is much faster.
Phone was built on the same exact day too.
Factory resetting the phone should be a prerequisite. It eliminated a lot of the loading screens. No different here. The first thing I did was reset the phone.

I just swapped mine too. The GPS problem is not there with this one and I get no lag whatsoever. .. I'm not going to root this one due to the fact its perfect the way it is!

quickex99 said:
I just swapped mine too. The GPS problem is not there with this one and I get no lag whatsoever. .. I'm not going to root this one due to the fact its perfect the way it is!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you just go to t-mobile, complain about the phone, and they'll give you a new one?

ua412 said:
So you just go to t-mobile, complain about the phone, and they'll give you a new one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, within 14 days, exchange.
I am going to do that.
See my last few posts here: http://forums.t-mobile.com/t5/Samsu...Tmobile-know/m-p/427717/highlight/false#M5225
Tmobile acknowledges the issue as of today, Samsung phone support was helpless. He also said those are Shipped dates on the box, not manufacture dates...
I think I am going to exchange when I have time tomorrow.. this sucks as it is.

quickex99 said:
I just swapped mine too. The GPS problem is not there with this one and I get no lag whatsoever. .. I'm not going to root this one due to the fact its perfect the way it is!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand what you're saying and I myself was apprehensive about rooting again but I did and GPS still works the same. I'd understand if you still wouldn't want to mess with what works. WiFi tether doesn't even work so you would basically be rooting just to take screenshots and maybe a couple of other things.
ua412 said:
So you just go to t-mobile, complain about the phone, and they'll give you a new one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wherever you got yours from. Take it back and tell them you want a new one because GPS doesn't work on this one. Don't accept those hacky fixes because they really don't work.
That's interesting about the Build Date, it was still "shipped" on the same day then but this one is much MUCH better with the GPS..

Can you guys confirm if the compass problem its still there with your new devices.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

I was super unhappy with the phone coming from a nexus one.. it had lag and was just a horrible experience. . Getting this new phone shows me what the vibrant can do.. I don't even think twice about the nexus now.
But I just went in there with my receipt and told them the phone was laggy as hell. He gave me a new one no problems at all!
I love this phone!

Lag is fixed with a simple Factory Reset, GPS seems to be a defect.

my last 2 I've had were laggy even after several factory resets.. this one out of the box is amazing no reset needed.

I dont know. I think i may call T-Mobile because if i go back to Radio Shack im sure im just going to get one of the first phones. Plus when I first got this phone i didnt have any of the lag issues but the more I used the phone the more i noticed the lag problem.

u guys have specific dates of the phones that have the issue and the ones that dont?

Can you now lock into more than one GPS? I think I saw 2 of them lok int today for the first time. I guess I will return it.

your post gave me some hope, so i called into Tmo to arrange the return and exchange
the rep, after giving me the return instructions, asked me if i would mind speaking to their "android" dept - gave me over to somebody who wasn't in that dept but wanted to flesh out the return issue
he looked into it, said he found a note in their system from engineering that there was a known issue with the GPS on the T959 and that there was no known work around or fix at this time
it could be bad chipsets that were used in the first shipment, and these replacements or later production units were assembled with better QC'd GPS chipsets
think i'll wait out the full 14 days to see if the replacements continue to function the way they're supposed and exchange. if not, simply return for credit

I get 3-4 sats in my house. So there is still room for improvement but there is no doubting that this one has much better GPS performance
Sent from my SGH-T959

Thanks for following up with your replacement experience. Guess I'm off to the tmo store today.

I called tmobile as well and they admit that there is a problem that tmobile and samsung are working on, currently all devices are supposed to be affected and there is no known workaround.
The compass is something I could live with but the GPS not working is a reason to return it. Big question is if this is a hardware- or software related issue...
Looks like I will be on my way to the store soon as well...

I just tried a swap myself and they gave me the same spiel about the known problem and no known fix. So I couldn't get a swap because they said it wouldn't fix the problem so the only option they gave me was to get a refund... I passed. If this is true I am very disappointed.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

I'd also much appreciate if those of you have swapped and are happy with gps & compass performance can post the date from the box, and maybe serial number sequence (last 4, or something, maybe?)
So far I have no real issues with lag, but definitely get poor gps performance, even after the fixes.
Date on my phone box is 7/12/2010
cheers =)

I've honestly not had any issues with my phone. When I have clear sky its as fast as my G1 was. I will admit its not as strong as my G1 getting a signal in doors near a window, but outside it doesn't have any issues.
I've not exchanged mine or tweaked it. I received mine via UPS last week.

I just received my vibrant today and gps and compass seem to work as good a my old G1. I used gps status from the market and had a 42-38 ft accuracy in the house, didn't test outside, damn tropical depression. The compass seemed pretty stable as well. At least more stable then my G1.
My box ship date is 7/13/10.
Sent from my SGH-T959

Gps very poor indoors

Does anyone have a fix yet? I turned on wireless network location but gps still sucks
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

Oh my dear lord I just said the same thing. I turned mine on and I dint get a good grasp on the signal. I was just convincing my wife for the fascinate and went to show the vividness of the maps.
I went in front of my house but not much changed. Haven't tested whiledriving though.
Sent From The Moon...

Whosdaman said:
Does anyone have a fix yet? I turned on wireless network location but gps still sucks
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I didn't own an EVO, I wouldn't think anything of it. The Epic takes longer to get an initial fix. Indoors, it usually gets no fix at all. Quite a contrast to the EVO. I hope there are improvements. I saw a post saying that the source was released. I find it hard to believe that there is so little buzz about something that was such a big deal in the EVO forum.
Roger

I heard the rumor that the GPS drivers in the Epic aren't up to date which is the problem. That Samsung fixed the GPS issue that was on the other devices, however the drivers are bad and Froyo will fix it. That being said, I can stand outside and have to wait like a minute or 2 before I get a triangular lock, then maybe 5 to 10 minutes before I get an actual GPS lock.

mine takes maybe 20 secs while my evo is almost instant. a few mins sounds like theres something wrong.

Are You Serious?
You can't really expect GPS to work indoors.....
Even car GPS units won't work in a house well or at if all.

In other news toasters do not work well underwater. Maybe some phones can get a good fix inside, but for the most-part, you need to be outside to get a good signal. Sometimes I can get a quick fix, but most of the time it struggles. I don't have any problem with this, because my dedicated TomTom GPS can't even get a fix inside.

USAF22 said:
In other news toasters do not work well underwater. Maybe some phones can get a good fix inside, but for the most-part, you need to be outside to get a good signal. Sometimes I can get a quick fix, but most of the time it struggles. I don't have any problem with this, because my dedicated TomTom GPS can't even get a fix inside.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 My Evo and Epic, BOTH don't work well inside. My Evo takes 20 sec, and the Epic takes 25. Big deal.

I have to ask...how can one be (according to their bio) a SPRINT SALES REP and still expect their phones GPS to work indoors?
I must be missing something here....

jfenton57 said:
I have to ask...how can one be (according to their bio) a SPRINT SALES REP and still expect their phones GPS to work indoors?
I must be missing something here....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me too. I read the title of the thread, and I'm like you've got to be kidding me.
Straight from wikipedia:
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a space-based global navigation satellite system that provides reliable location and time information in all weather and at all times and anywhere on or near the Earth when and where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites. It is maintained by the United States government and is freely accessible by anyone with a GPS receiver.
GPS was created and realized by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and was originally run with 24 satellites. It was established in 1973 to overcome the limitations of previous navigation systems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now I get it that there is a problem with the Epic GPS. But titling a thread like that is just asking to get smartass replies, lol.

It is really the AGPS/GPS relationship that we are looking to work better.
Reset my EVO open google maps. 1 second to location general. 3 seconds to accurate lock.
Reset my Epic open google maps. Well... this time it only took a few seconds.
What I think is going on is that the tower location isn't helping the GPS location the way it should. I'm sure it is a software thing. Still tons better than my touch pro was. That thing took all day to get a lock indoors.
All surfIII chipsets get a fine lock indoors. No need for a view of the sky. The lock isn't accurate, but it is a very sensitive chipset/receiver. Not a crazy post at all.
-Roger

roghaj said:
Not a crazy post at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not a crazy post, just worded poorly, and probably indicative of a lack of understanding of how GPS and AGPS work together.
That said, I'm very happy with the indoors AGPS performance of this device. It's all a function of how long it's been since you used the app. Wait 30 seconds from when you last used it and it's gonna be quick, but wait a week and it's gonna take some time to update the ephemeris... just like any device.

Obviously people have never heard of agps. Everyone in my store can get a lock in five seconds except for me in doors. Do don't call me crazy. Ive been developing for years now for vogue and hero and both had no problems whatso ever
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

My gps wrks fine in doors and out. Mybe u have adefective unit?
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

Does everyone but you have a defective unit? Alot of people who have the epic are reporting bad gps issues

Whosdaman said:
Does everyone but you have a defective unit? Alot of people who have the epic are reporting bad gps issues
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine works AWESOME once I got an initial lock it is now blazing and very accurate

Newer GPS receivers can pick up indirect signals (very weak) and give lock on for a fix--you no longer have to have line-of-sight to the satellites. My Epic is very slow to determine a position indoors or out. I'm beginning to think I'm going to have to return it before the 30 day trial expires.

Whosdaman said:
Does everyone but you have a defective unit? Alot of people who have the epic are reporting bad gps issues
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine works fine. I am aware of how to prevent problems with gps on my phone and made a post about it, but apparently I'm the only one who thinks the gps and time-without-signal bug are connected, when it's reproducible on my phone.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

I've played with 4 epics, and every one of them has had sub-par GPS performance. Especially compared to the Evo. With that said, it still works generally every time outside in good weather, but the lock will take a little longer than you might be used to.
Indoors, I can't get an accurate lock at all. I've tried in a multitude of different indoor areas, and I'm usually around 50ft off, which isn't too bad really. However, like I said, coming from the Evo you may be disappointed.
Hopefully it can be fixed with a software update, but who knows how long that will take.
All my tests were performed with aGPS as well.

To use the GPS accuraely, you"l need to turn off wireless networks and use sole 3/4G networks. WiFi will crew your ****. Also, try opening the com.samsung.GpsSetup.GpsSetup activity. In there you can change different settings for the GPS. Someone with knowledge can help us find the optimal settings.

Spoke to VERIZON about GPS problem!

I spoke to Verizon about the GPS problem. They told me there not responsible for it. So I said So if I buy a Camera Phone with the intention of using the camera...and if the camera doesnt work...your not responsible? They said no the manufacturer is.
I said I purchased the phone with all intention because of the navigation and maps on BING!!!! I emphasized BING. Because If i said GOOGLE maps they would of said well thats 3rd party.
They said sorry we cant help. I asked can I switch the phone. They said no. can You replace the phone with one that works. They said its a known issue there all like that so we cant. We were waiting for a software fix they said. And I said if that fix never comes do i get my $ back....they said NO.
Verizon said there only responsible for data and calling issues...lol If i have a problem with the phone i should contact samsung.

Sounds like a typical response from a csr drone.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App

why is verzion responsible for a problem that is caused by the manufactor?
you have a 30 day period where you can easily replace the phone for htc incredible, droid x, or droid 2..

Ok its simple first I need to say I already put my fascinate up for sale.
Second when I purchased the phone originally I complained about the GPS many times. The issue was confirmed and they swapped it out with a new one. Then when I got the new one the issue was still there. I was told by tech support that the issue is confirmed and that there is no new fix and that there would be a fix released in 2 weeks. So I decided to hold onto the phone after hearing that the fix was being released in that time frame. There was a fix released........but it was not for the GPS.
Now after sometime of no fix. I called verizon explained top them I only bought the phone to use BING maps and without a working GPS of which is advertised it is of no use.
In my history of being with VERIZON any time I had a hardware issue or any issue with there phones I would take it into the store. Tech would look at it and if the problem is confirmed..........warrenty states that they FIX it, or replace it or give my $ back if not solved.
This is THE only phone ive ever had that verizon has told me that they are not responsible. So to have my gps fixed or replaced after the 30 days due to non working GPS id have to speak with SAMSUNG.
You say Verizon is not responsible? Show me a time that anyone has ever gone through the manufacturer for warrenty service. FOR A CELL PHONE.
THE CELL PROVIDER is responsible for the warrenty........how do i know.....I called Samsung and they saids that...And im sure if you call verizon about any other phone they will tell you to go to tech support and have phone fixed or replaced or get a another phone.

Sherwood1 said:
Ok its simple first I need to say I already put my fascinate up for sale.
Second when I purchased the phone originally I complained about the GPS many times. The issue was confirmed and they swapped it out with a new one. Then when I got the new one the issue was still there. I was told by tech support that the issue is confirmed and that there is no new fix and that there would be a fix released in 2 weeks. So I decided to hold onto the phone after hearing that the fix was being released in that time frame. There was a fix released........but it was not for the GPS.
Now after sometime of no fix. I called verizon explained top them I only bought the phone to use BING maps and without a working GPS of which is advertised it is of no use.
In my history of being with VERIZON any time I had a hardware issue or any issue with there phones I would take it into the store. Tech would look at it and if the problem is confirmed..........warrenty states that they FIX it, or replace it or give my $ back if not solved.
This is THE only phone ive ever had that verizon has told me that they are not responsible. So to have my gps fixed or replaced after the 30 days due to non working GPS id have to speak with SAMSUNG.
You say Verizon is not responsible? Show me a time that anyone has ever gone through the manufacturer for warrenty service. FOR A CELL PHONE.
THE CELL PROVIDER is responsible for the warrenty........how do i know.....I called Samsung and they saids that...And im sure if you call verizon about any other phone they will tell you to go to tech support and have phone fixed or replaced or get a another phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you people ever going to do a search? We have a workaround for the GPS - the GPS Status application in the market. Whenever you're about to use GPS, go to GPS Status, hit the Menu key, Settings, GPS & Sensors, Manage A-GPS state, Reset. Then go back to the main GPS Status screen and wait for locks in the lower right hand corner. If there are no locks (only satellite's detected) after about a minute, drag down your notification bar and turn off your GPS for about 10 seconds, then turn it back on and watch the magic happen.
Geez.

There were several people that had HTC fix their TP2s, both VZW and Sprint that I've seen. Usually, the carriers just deal with it themselves and save you the hassle.

Did i really buy a phone for a work around like that?
I bought it to work. And from what people are saying .... 2.2 does not fix the gps on the vibrant.
Either way ... just wanted to say what i was told.
I already packed mine up.
Let me know when your camera doesnt work......ill come up with a work around. lol

Personally, I can wait a minute for it to get a gps lock. I'm never in that much of a hurry that I can't wait a few extra seconds for a lock. I also have found that leaving GPS enabled all the time will result in faster locks than if it's turned on/off as needed. GPS Status also helps, though isn't as needed when GPS is always on. I've used a TomTom and it gets a GPS lock as fast as the Fascinate, and it's a dedicated GPS device, so I won't complain about a minor detail.

My .02, I get a lock in less than 30 seconds on an untouched fascinate. Usually it's 8-10 sats in view and locked on 4 or more in that 30 seconds with 6 locked in another 15 seconds. Seems its a hit or miss problem.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App

Sherwood1 said:
Did i really buy a phone for a work around like that?
I bought it to work. And from what people are saying .... 2.2 does not fix the gps on the vibrant.
Either way ... just wanted to say what i was told.
I already packed mine up.
Let me know when your camera doesnt work......ill come up with a work around. lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
Since you have a faulty phone with your GPS issue you should have a cheap price in mind right? Shoot me a PM on what you want for it...

takes about an hour for my gps to lock

From what I've seen, gps status trick just runs a gps cache clearing script. So to me this just seems like a direct link to samsung's clusterfu*k of a data filesystem.

You should have sent your ninjas. Sorry, I couldn't resist.

My Ninjas are deadly

GPS Booster on the market seems to work for quite a few people.

Daswolven said:
GPS Booster on the market seems to work for quite a few people.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup. Even though it says it fails, it clearly does not fail with 6 sec. locks.
good day.

azturbomini said:
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
Since you have a faulty phone with your GPS issue you should have a cheap price in mind right? Shoot me a PM on what you want for it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
icwudt . . .

Daswolven said:
GPS Booster on the market seems to work for quite a few people.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed, apparently it's software related. Maybe hardware, but I did the gps booster and it locks in 10 flat.

Daswolven said:
GPS Booster on the market seems to work for quite a few people.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Didn't work for me.

adrynalyne said:
Didn't work for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Damnit!
Did you do anything to alter GPS from stock in GPSsetup that maybe others didn't? Wireless network assistance checked?
I haven't tried the Booster yet but was hopeful.

The tale of two Epics

Two epics, exact same software, baseband, kernel, both freshly reflashed... one sees 9 satellites and locks onto 8 right away and the other sees same 9 satellites right away but will not get a fix. I'm getting ready to rip my hair out and gnaw my nails down. Why, Samsung, why can't you get something right that my Nokia n95 got right almost fiv years ago?
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

Not more of the same crap about GPS. We know already some epic, the GPS works others dont.

Let me guess. One phone was your old phone that you had replaced by the new phone because of the GPS issue. The new phone locks on right away when the old phone doesn't. Hmm, this issue has only been covered about 30,000 times in these forums. Your new phone has an empty cache when your old phone had a cache with old data in it. Give your new phone about a week and magically it will be "broken" like your old phone.
If my prediction is correct, move on, nothing to see here.

Actually, no. I got them both on the same day.. one is mine, one is wife's. I'm the biggest preacher on these boards about this retarded cache bug and trust me, this is not it in my case.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

Yay!!! Another thread about gps!!
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

hmm as for the n95, i followed an online tut and downloaded garmin for my n95 a while back and i remember it would take much much longer than the epic to catch a signal..

shook187 said:
Not more of the same crap about GPS. We know already some epic, the GPS works others dont.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wrong!
Every Epic off the assembly line has GPS issue so please no more of the same crap.

sling said:
Wrong!
Every Epic off the assembly line has GPS issue so please no more of the same crap.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine works just fine and Im an avid user of GPS....
Now I'm sure this is where you say, "Just wait...it will start messing up in time"...
Followed by my response of, "Well...its been working thus far so I'm just going to ride the GPS train until I have issues"

sling said:
Wrong!
Every Epic off the assembly line has GPS issue so please no more of the same crap.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not again!!! Dude my GPS works the balls. I use it just for ****s and giggles. I use it even if I know were I'm going.

shook187 said:
Not again!!! Dude my GPS works the balls. I use it just for ****s and giggles. I use it even if I know were I'm going.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol.
This has been gone over so so many times my friends.
Just because you get fast fix doesn't mean your getting true fix.It takes at least 5 loc to get accurate positioning.
On first power up You will get fast fix 9+ loc then when you turn off whatever gps app running then turn back on you will get fast fix only 1 loc if lucky.
gps Cach isn't clearing thus more then one loc is scarce after first gps app open.
Only way to get it working again temporarily is to battery pull so gps cach clears.
That my friends is gps issue.
Why some Epic owners are in denial of that fact is beyond me.
They get fast position fix & think no GPS issue present everything's dandy.
Samsung has been aware of issue for some time hopefully they get their act together and release patch soon put to rest such threads

I agreei have owned 3 Epic's and every single one's gps sucked.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

So I ordered a replacement vibrant because of GPS anyone else?

Just curious if anyone else has and what was there results with the gps like whats the usual accuracy with the new phone when driving etc I will be getting my phone next week and let you guys know

I'm confused, sorry. Did u sell your vibrant and order a new one? Because I've complained to T-Mobile and they aren't going to offer me a replacement. What do you mean you "ordered" a new phone?

They are sending me another phone and I just send this one back.

Useless reason to get a replacement, and I wouldn't be surprised if you got a refurb that was worse than the one you have.

N8ter said:
Useless reason to get a replacement, and I wouldn't be surprised if you got a refurb that was worse than the one you have.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why is it a useless reason? the phone comes with broken GPS, its not his fault its broken, its the manufacturer, its a faulty product, i paid full price for my phone and im thinking of calling samsung to do the same.

angry english said:
Why is it a useless reason? the phone comes with broken GPS, its not his fault its broken, its the manufacturer, its a faulty product, i paid full price for my phone and im thinking of calling samsung to do the same.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because some people (like me) have been thruogh at least 3 phones and the GPS on all of them were borked. If I were you, I'd take the reports of "perfect" GPS from these minority posters with a grain of salt.
Returning it because of the GPS is useless, IMO. Better way to get a good GPS would be simply to sell the phone and buy something else.

Doesnt cost me anything to replace it so why not if its worst then the one I have ill send it back and keep,my old one...
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

I got the phone the next day it came out in July and has not changed it since then.. i dont think there is ever gonna have a perfectly working Gps.. it is not a gps device to begin with.. mine was working ok before tbe Gps restore fix.. but now it is working a lot better.. still not perfect of course but usable enough.. even the maps ob iphone 3gs is not perfect either.. it goes off trackk sometimes while navigating too just like how it is on my phone.. is it broken, i dont 't think so.. is it perfect, no its not.. but does it work? Yes!
If we nitpick on little issues within the app maps.. then we wont be content with it.. im honestly not sure if other android devices gps works perfectly.. hmmmand i changed my settings too to lbstestmode
supl server : supl.google. com
port.. 7276
secure socket... off
the gps restore does not alter any custom settings in lbstestmode anyway... i ran the app every after reboot.. but when you run it.. it fixes your location.. and should work from there..

barmanham said:
Doesnt cost me anything to replace it so why not if its worst then the one I have ill send it back and keep,my old one...
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Man, you guys need to do a little bit of Googling / forum-reading. GPS not working is a SOFTWARE ISSUE on the Vibrant. Getting new hardware won't do a thing. Try one of the many GPS fixes.

Theres so much conflicting information about this issue on this subject telling me to go goggle makes no sense at this point
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

barmanham said:
Theres so much conflicting information about this issue on this subject telling me to go goggle makes no sense at this point
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, making moronic posts and trying to fix software with new hardware is pointless. No one has ever gotten a new device with magical perfect GPS.

Yeah guys software. I'm using the latest Axura Rom and have to say that Master figured the GPS out. I'm now getting consistent locks in under 15 seconds within 5 meters and staying locked. Before it was at least 90 seconds, usually more, and not staying locked. Definitely software issue not hardware.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

explodingboy70 said:
Yeah guys software. I'm using the latest Axura Rom and have to say that Master figured the GPS out. I'm now getting consistent locks in under 15 seconds within 5 meters and staying locked. Before it was at least 90 seconds, usually more, and not staying locked. Definitely software issue not hardware.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Posts like yours are also unnecessary. If you skim over the Axura or any ROM's threads you will find people experiencing GPS problems everywhere.
My GPS with Axura did not work. With Bionix it did not work. I had to use the Samsung app for it to work, and even then I have to re-run the app sometimes.
I doubt a new phone, or a different flash, is the solution. The solution has to come straight from Samsung.

Telanis said:
Man, you guys need to do a little bit of Googling / forum-reading. GPS not working is a SOFTWARE ISSUE on the Vibrant. Getting new hardware won't do a thing. Try one of the many GPS fixes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And I can say with certainty that you are wrong yourself in this software assessment.
I have three Vibrants in my family. And I have tested this out with at least 6 (off the top of my head) other friend's Vibrants and this is what I have found.
All Vibrants have some sort of software related GPS issues
-The ones that work well initially (like my phone) eventually seems to act corrupted and start acting out after a few days/weeks of use
-This obviously can be remedied with the basic google server/port/etc fix. Works flawlessly after that on all google related app (apps that use googlemaps/google services to locate you or whatever you are looking for around you)
-If you are not using a google mapping based app, the GPS locks kinda suck sometimes
Some Vibrants have hardware related problems
-These do not work out of the box, take minutes or longer to lock (like my sister's) and it gets worse and better with use (ie flippity flop)
-None of the software fixes work on these Vibrants. But then some days they seem to work, most other days they just suck.
Conclusion:
If your hardware is bad, you have software related issues too. Doing any of these Roms on the development sections is like putting a bandaid on a heart surgery, it barely holds and you will get issues a few mins later.
My sister exchanged her Vibrant, got another, I installed the same Bionix rom (was still on her computer) and now she gets locks as good as mine. I have tried several fixes and rom's on my uncle's and friends Vibrants with mixed results, suggesting that some have bad hardware.
Another thing, this is not the first Samsung phone with GPS I have owned. Compared to my old HTC phone, ALL my Samsung GPS' have never been that great. My Beholds were so so GPS wise, you can never expect them to stay locked all the time especially if you are standing still. But hands down the GPS on the Vibrants have been the worst (on some units, mine and my sister's replacement unit excluded).
So IMO it is a double whammy of software and hardware issues

barmanham said:
Doesnt cost me anything to replace it so why not if its worst then the one I have ill send it back and keep,my old one...
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
May not cost you anything now, but if you lose, break, or have a phone stolen in the future and the insurance deposit is $25 higher than it is now we can all agree why it's gone up.

First of all I dont even have insurance it's not like I bricked my phone and sending it back did you read the subject of the thread I didn't ask for little kids opinions if I wanna try a different phone that's up to me I asked opinion of people who already have replaced it
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

How do u even get to lbstest mode anymore?
*#*#1472365#*#*
Doesn't do anything
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

*#3214789650# lbstestmode
if you ever wanna change anything in the settings.. make sure you write them down if ever you wanna divert to the default settings..
the only settings i changed were the
supl server ; supl.google.com
server port ; 7276
secure socket ; off , works better, faster locks compared to off in these settings
not sure if any of these settings changes make any difference.. but i prefer to use the google server instead of that www.spirent-lcs.com
i think regardless of your settings in lbstestmode... when you run the gpsrestore app .. the app itself only uses the correct settings despite the lbstestmode changes/settings.. not sure.. i think the gpsrestore app works on its own when you run it and does not rely in the lbstestmode settings per se?? (totally unsure, just taking a wild guess)..
i wish samsung elaborated even more with regards to the gps fix app.. coz it's supposed to restore the settings ,but the custom settings do not get reverted back to the default one anyway even after running the gpsrestore.. maybe it does get restored within the system??? ughhhh
LOL i dont know

Take a lesson from this guy...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=860946

my gps works fine.. ill just wait for the official froyo release..
i can flash the leak if i want to , but id rather just wait.. now if the update doesnt come this month , then i'll be flashing in new years day!! LOL