[GPS] Possible GPS Fix with Google Sky [works] - Vibrant General

Hey guys I am new to the community and just recently picked up a vibrant for being a loyal T-Mobile customer haha.
Anyways I just wanted to point out something that I noticed while trying yo fix my GPS issue or non-issue. I have detailed my steps exactly so please read below:
1. Got vibrant out of the box and after 5 tries connected it to mini kies and updated to 2.2.
2. Applied GPS restore from market. It did not work at first, but after stepping outside it worked.
3. Tested the GPS and it works, I am amazed and thought the issue is fixed.
4. Went to my other residence 50 miles away, tried GPS, big fail.
5. A week later I remember the GPS issue and try it again at my place, fail again.
6. I became curious and tried Google sky, with GPS on. Google sky reported longitude and latitude. I am in shock because I thought the GPS was broken. I turn on Google maps and bam, location is found again.
7. I become more curious and try the same approach 50 miles away at my other residence, bam location is found again.
My conclusion is something is up, can any of u guys explain and/or try my method?
Thanks!

I've found that google maps doesn't like a cold GPS start, that is, the first time used after changing locations or waiting a few hours. But if I use another gps program, like gps test, wait for it to lock (which is usually pretty fast), then close out and open google maps I'll get a near instant gps lock since it's a warm start. Something about google maps doesn't seem to want to convince our phones that it should get a gps lock.

Google Maps is terrible with cold starts. The solution is to use GPS Test to lock into more than 4 satellites and then open Google Maps. You were basically doing the same thing with Google Skymap, but Mike Lockwood's GPS Test is better because it keeps polling the GPS while you check Maps.

Mannymal said:
Google Maps is terrible with cold starts. The solution is to use GPS Test to lock into more than 4 satellites and then open Google Maps. You were basically doing the same thing with Google Skymap, but Mike Lockwood's GPS Test is better because it keeps polling the GPS while you check Maps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 I found this to work the best as well. I use Ulysses Gizmo though
Either way, with the New KB1 modem (you can flash that by itself) this REALLY improved the GPS

thanks guys your input helped me clarify alot because i always thought my GPS was broken because of google maps didnt show my position.
The iPhone I had and my mytouch 4g and g2 both do not have this problem, this is vibrant isolated, correct? I mean the cold start to the GPS from Google Maps.

oka1 said:
Either way, with the New KB1 modem (you can flash that by itself) this REALLY improved the GPS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Plus 1 - KB1 has great GPS.. I did however have the hardware problem. So the combination of fixing the hardware problem and KB1 has my GPS running better then ever.

Related

GPS?

My Gps on Google maps is tripping -=- tells me -=- location temporarily unavailable .............................
anyone else with this issue??
Yeah, I'm getting it too.
Seems to be common to all galaxy s phones. I'd link you, but I can't!
Try samsunggalaxysforumDOTCOM/samsung-galaxy-s-how-to/gps-problem/
socal_brandon said:
Yeah, I'm getting it too.
Seems to be common to all galaxy s phones. I'd link you, but I can't!
Try samsunggalaxysforumDOTCOM/samsung-galaxy-s-how-to/gps-problem/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks let me gpo read up on it if u find a fix plz post
Neffstarr said:
thanks let me gpo read up on it if u find a fix plz post
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
are you on a vibrant or galaxy s?
Go to
Setting>check use wireless networks and gps. Download update for google maps and you good to go. Also install speech synthesis. Btw this is on the vibrant.
My gps works good and fast as soon as i click google maps for the first time it knew my exact address
guys thank for ur replies ..i have the Vibrant & the GPS is working now... i did nothing to it ..but i am happy also be looking out for my wallpapers coming tonight for the VIbrant
I'm having problems with the GPS.
I have two G1s and got two Vibrants to replace them.
The G1s CPS lock easily and give you 12 feet precision very fast.
The two Vibrants take forever to lock and stay at 35 feet precision, sometimes going down to 30 feet.
G1s are miles ahead in the GPS department.
I'm dissapointed.
^ I'm not seeing those results and my Vibrant locks in quicker.
If you're going to compare it to another phone, then clear all of the google map cache before you start comparing.
My G1 and Vibrant took about 1 minute to fully lock on into my location and both were accurate. Sometimes the G1 is slower though.
Yeah maybr Cellular Data enables A-GPS instead of regular GPS. Not sure but now I get a lock in my house! Phones always suck without AGPS. 10 minutes to acquire a signal without it.
my gps has been snappy... interesting that there have been problems (compass has a slight jitter... but its almost imperceptible)
Nevermind Think I got it
i have yet to have GoogleMaps successfully find my location, both inside my apt and standing outside. My GoogleMaps updated itself this morning. Any tips?
Have you enabled cellular networks for location services?
heygrl said:
Have you enabled cellular networks for location services?
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Click to collapse
This shouldn't be necessary. I know aGPS helps, but pure GPS should work anyway, albeit taking more time to lock.
I bought two Vibrants and left hem out in the backyard for 1 hour, over a table, and they could not lock on the satellites. One hour!
The GPS ship in these unites are either second class or there is a bad batch.
The old G1 locked in 15 seconds.
heygrl said:
Have you enabled cellular networks for location services?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sadly, i did not. I'm very very new to android and didnt know something like that wouldnt be on. That certainly did the trick, thanks!
P.S. anybody put in the gps test code and play around with skyhook? i just turned it on. In addition anybody know what changes the accuracy value does (default is 50)?
nricci said:
This shouldn't be necessary. I know aGPS helps, but pure GPS should work anyway, albeit taking more time to lock.
I bought two Vibrants and left hem out in the backyard for 1 hour, over a table, and they could not lock on the satellites. One hour!
The GPS ship in these unites are either second class or there is a bad batch.
The old G1 locked in 15 seconds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
15 seconds without aGPS is better than a standalone GPS system. You must've had aGPS on..
@jblade1000 Yeah I didn't even think to check it. I think it was left off unintentionally by T-Mobile or Samsung. It works for me. We might not even have standalone GPS. It's not out of the question.
My GPS won't lock for the life of me. Thought it might be due to being inside, but I went out in the middle of a field and got no lock.
copualt3 said:
Go to
Setting>check use wireless networks and gps. Download update for google maps and you good to go. Also install speech synthesis. Btw this is on the vibrant.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Worked perfectly after I did this.
Just to clarify for everyone:
Settings -> Location and security -> check use wireless networks and check use GPS satellites..

Has anyone ever stopped to think that maybe the third party GPS apps are wrong?

Okay so now that I have my vibrant I tested it out (only a few times) but I did test it in different applications, websites, and maps and navigation. Yes in the gps and compass apps it doesn't pick up at all compared to my slide BUT in every other application, on google where it finds your location, on yelp, movie phone, maps, and navigation it finds my location each and every time. It doesn't get me lost, it doesn't show me going in a different direction, and it doesn't show me somewhere else.
What if the configurations or settings are different with samsung, what if the third party app is not completely accurate? Why else would every other program find my location if the app says I am not found by even 1 satellite? I think the"fix" is just a change of setting that helps the app not the gps or the phone.
Time will tell but for me it us working fine for now.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Well you can do gps tests within the os that say basically the same thing...
Ive used my gps with google navigate nermous times with no problem. in fact, it guided me on a 160mile trip just fine... What problems are people having with their gps?
Well, I've only had the phone for a day, so I'm still getting used to the quirks coming from a G1. GPS so far is the biggest disappointment. Android has been pushing location based stuff since the beginning, so the lack of a solid GPS is really screwing up some of my favorite apps. Locale for instance, it's worthless. It can't ever find me. The G1 always worked fine with it on Donut, Eclair, and Froyo.
Google Maps is the ONLY app I have that seems to even be able to get a rough idea where I am, and even then its circle is pretty big, about 4 city blocks. That's not GPS, that's network location, and it's fine for what it is, but not good enough when there aren't a lot of cell towers around. At home, it puts me out in the middle of a corn field. All the time I'm in maps, the GPS icon is up there blinking at me, telling me it can't lock. I've seen it work a couple times, for a short while. In GMaps and in GPS Test. But it takes a LONG time. The G1 could get a lock indoors in about 10 seconds. The Vibrant takes minutes, even with the A-GPS turned on in the test menus. That's insane. And it's not any better outside with a clear sky view. That might be acceptable, if it could hold the lock, but it doesn't.
Even stranger, in GPS Test, I get a single colored bar saying it's using that signal. There are 6 more with the same or higher signal strength being ignored. Very odd. Something is wrong with this GPS. It could very well be software, but Samsung needs to get on this and fast. If I can't find a way to get acceptable GPS performance within my 14 day period, I will likely return it. That will really suck, as otherwise I really like the device, but I need a decent GPS.
ttabbal said:
Even stranger, in GPS Test, I get a single colored bar saying it's using that signal. There are 6 more with the same or higher signal strength being ignored. Very odd. Something is wrong with this GPS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This has been my experience as well, and I found the same thing when trying a friend's phone. If only T-Mobile/Samsung would acknowledge that there is a problem and say they are working on it...
No problem here
But as I came from the G1 I use Google Maps exclusively. I haven't had a single problem with it. Inside my house I can get a fix on my location on the map, exactly where it should be. Are you guys using the TeleNav?
ttabbal said:
Even stranger, in GPS Test, I get a single colored bar saying it's using that signal. There are 6 more with the same or higher signal strength being ignored. Very odd. Something is wrong with this GPS. It could very well be software, but Samsung needs to get on this and fast.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same issue... I can only ever lock on to 1 sat. This is not right. My G1 would lock on to many birds.
zoid_99 said:
I have the same issue... I can only ever lock on to 1 sat. This is not right. My G1 would lock on to many birds.
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Click to collapse
I wonder if GPS Test is either wrong about that, or more likely, getting bad data from the OS or GPS driver. IIRC they are just parsing the NMEA data from the GPS driver, so "garbage in, garbage out". You don't get 20ft accuracy with 1 satellite being used.
I fooled with the settings in the "GPS fix 101" thread and got the thing working decently. Took a number of tries, and we'll see if it keeps working over time.
This really is something that TMO and Samsung should acknowledge and at least promise a fix for. Preferably with a close release date. And we shouldn't have to wait for Froyo either, get us a fix for JUST the GPS and a lot of people would be VERY happy. Well, that and the compass, that thing is even more worthless than the GPS before the fixes.
For the poster with Google Maps working, did you try with network locations disabled? Is the GPS icon in the status bar flashing or solid? If it's flashing, you DON'T have a GPS lock. Maps seems to be really good at using the network location stuff. I also enabled Skyhook in the GPS settings screen and Maps really seems to like that. Doesn't help with GPS performance though.
This thread is idiotic.
cashless said:
This thread is idiotic.
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Click to collapse
Wow.. that statement was idiotic. Maybe you aren't having the GPS issues that others are having but this thread is helping me debug and decide weather or not I'm keeping the Vibrant or returning it.
You guys are not alone. There is obviously something wrong with either the hardware, or the software. Either way, the buyer's remorse period is halfway through, and neither company has said so much as a peep.
I will definitely be returning my device by the time the remorse period expires. What a shame that would be, because I really love this screen. All it would take is for T-Mobile and Samsung to acknowledge the problem, and state that a fix is on the way.
Here's my post, detailing my contact and findings with the two companies.
It's been a few days now, and I've heard nothing back. Never a good sign.
EDIT. Got it working
Care to share?

Interesting GPS find

So my GPS works pretty well when I am outside, but when I am inside it can be pretty bad, I live in the first floor of a 3 story condo complex and its pretty rare that I get a lock inside, without using GPS Status or any AGPS download tool, which I personally find is not needed when it comes to getting your GPS working.
Well I installed the MapQuest app, please don't flame me for not using google, but that app has been getting pretty fast GPS locks now.
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.mapquest.android.ace&feature=search_result
So just from my observances it seems like a mismatch in coding with the GPS and Google maps, and Mapquest can atleast turn on and good a good/decent lock with it.
People don't need gps indoors.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA Premium App
Avelnan said:
People don't need gps indoors.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ever been to the Smithsonian Museum or Library of Congress?
For the OP, the app has nothing to do with the fix time, the GPS is run via Android API, not direct hardware access. You just happened to get lucky or had recently run the GPS and the satellite positioning cache was still recent.
I always thought it was just a bug in Google Maps. Whenever I have trouble getting a fix, I switch to something else, like Bing Maps, and it locks instantly.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
Domush said:
Ever been to the Smithsonian Museum or Library of Congress?
For the OP, the app has nothing to do with the fix time, the GPS is run via Android API, not direct hardware access. You just happened to get lucky or had recently run the GPS and the satellite positioning cache was still recent.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would agree with you, but I rebooted a bunch and tested it, and it had been about 3 days since I used the GPS, I used Mapquest and it it locked pretty quick.
And this morning, which normally after not using not using it for about 8+ hours it doesn't work. It wasn't locking this morning, I opened map quest and it started working again.
+1
Hate to admit this, but this works for me. I've had issues with locks as well as accuracy (always zeroes in to a not-so-nearby spot). I've done the ntp pool edits (which helped a tad). But Mapquest somehow "unblocks" and gets a more accurate location. Then when you open Google Maps it somehow works okay now that Mapquest paved the way. On the other hand, Mapquest forces your WiFi on without asking.
EF 3.3.2 + ED03
Sounds like maybe mapquest us downloading agps data everytime. Seems that google maps expects a functional gps and waits for your phone to handle the data retrieval and fixing. Shame.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk
prehistorical said:
On the other hand, Mapquest forces your WiFi on without asking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If there are any wifi networks visible (doesn't matter if you connect to them or not), Google's Location Services might be the one that's actually finding your location, not the GPS.
mastamoon said:
Sounds like maybe mapquest us downloading agps data everytime.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is this how agps works for sure? aGPS just appeared one day years ago and I've never really learned how it worked. So it downloads a sat position map based on tower connection or something similar?
Domush said:
Is this how agps works for sure? aGPS just appeared one day years ago and I've never really learned how it worked. So it downloads a sat position map based on tower connection or something similar?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A-GPS Wiki
Lots of good info there. So basically yes.
jazzyjames said:
So my GPS works pretty well when I am outside, but when I am inside it can be pretty bad, I live in the first floor of a 3 story condo complex and its pretty rare that I get a lock inside, without using GPS Status or any AGPS download tool, which I personally find is not needed when it comes to getting your GPS working.
Well I installed the MapQuest app, please don't flame me for not using google, but that app has been getting pretty fast GPS locks now.
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.mapquest.android.ace&feature=search_result
So just from my observances it seems like a mismatch in coding with the GPS and Google maps, and Mapquest can atleast turn on and good a good/decent lock with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for this great post. I thought my gps function was going to be lost for good. I can now use some of my favorite apps again.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA Premium App
That could definitely be useful. I typically use the gps every two weeks
After months of gps issues I just leave it on all the time and always get a lock now.
Battery impact is noticeable but minimal.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA Premium App
Remember, the Galaxy S phones were built with SkyHook's aGPS system in mind. Google forced Samsung to rip it out really late in the day after the Moto/SkyHook deal was discussed in the press.
I turn my wifi on when turning on the gps and now I get lock in google maps every time within seconds.
prehistorical said:
Hate to admit this, but this works for me. I've had issues with locks as well as accuracy (always zeroes in to a not-so-nearby spot). I've done the ntp pool edits (which helped a tad). But Mapquest somehow "unblocks" and gets a more accurate location. Then when you open Google Maps it somehow works okay now that Mapquest paved the way. On the other hand, Mapquest forces your WiFi on without asking.
EF 3.3.2 + ED03
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just a follow-up observation, probably obvious to most of you... but doh! not to me.
GPS and aGPS performance has many variables, location and radio being two significant ones. I've recently downloaded GPS Status from Market that some of you recommended (thanks again!) to help figure out what are GPS vs. aGPS locks on both Google Maps and Mapquest, as well as assist with diagnosis.
http://www.appbrain.com/app/gps-status-toolbox/com.eclipsim.gpsstatus2
Using a sample of 1, it turns out that not only am I located in a poor signal area (1x if lucky), but my GPS availablity here is terrible, too. (This also supports the theory that I will always have relatively terrible battery life, as the phone is always struggling for signal.)
ED03
My earlier post shows my enthusiasm for Mapquest, except that it uses aGPS and turns the Wifi on without asking, and also runs hot. I use Mapquest to get things moving, then use Google Maps as I prefer its interface and functionality.
ED03 --> EA28
Recently switched to EA28 (still under Froyo EF 3.3.2) in an attempt to minimize missing calls as well as get better data performance. Got terrible GPS and aGPS. Even Mapquest has started getting "lost". Call signal / performance is marginally better than ED03, but at the expense of GPS accuracy.
However, when I travel to an excellent 3G coverage area, somehow the tables are turned and Google Maps pops us quicker and accurately, while Mapquest is still busy trying to catch up and draw the map.
ED03 --> ED04
As the effort to switch modems around have become trivial, I decided to get the ED04 modem in case there are any improvements to either call performance or GPS. So far GPS/aGPS is still terrible in my normally terrible coverage area. Too soon to tell if call performance improved, or if missed calls problem is fixed.
Play around with modems! Link to Comradesven's thread:
"[MODEM][ODIN][CWM]DL09, EA28, ED01, ED03, ED04 modems without ridiculous 100MB OTAs"
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1097355
I was wondering if anyone has had a chance to evaluate the new GB leak's modem, either with a GB ROM or a Froyo ROM? Might be the next modem to test if ED04 is still terrible.
Link to JPTech7's thread:
"[EC09][MODEM][ODIN] EC09 Radio/Modem for Odin"
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1132236
Thanks to all the devs for giving us all these options to play with!
EF 3.3.2 + ED04
thanks for the tip
prehistorical said:
[...]
ED03 --> ED04
As the effort to switch modems around have become trivial, I decided to get the ED04 modem in case there are any improvements to either call performance or GPS. So far GPS/aGPS is still terrible in my normally terrible coverage area. Too soon to tell if call performance improved, or if missed calls problem is fixed.
Play around with modems! Link to Comradesven's thread:
"[MODEM][ODIN][CWM]DL09, EA28, ED01, ED03, ED04 modems without ridiculous 100MB OTAs"
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1097355
I was wondering if anyone has had a chance to evaluate the new GB leak's modem, either with a GB ROM or a Froyo ROM? Might be the next modem to test if ED04 is still terrible.
Link to JPTech7's thread:
"[EC09][MODEM][ODIN] EC09 Radio/Modem for Odin"
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1132236
Thanks to all the devs for giving us all these options to play with!
[...]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ED04 was such a bad modem with missed calls galore, I quickly ODIN'ed the EC09 modem and was pleasantly surprised with better performance -- calls and GPS/aGPS.
A road trip to the "countryside" then revealed that the countryside had better VZW signal and GPS than my normal location! 3G and GPS accuracy and quick locks... so this is how the phone should work!
Finally got back to the land of poor VZW reception, and had to focus on minimizing missed calls. Between the EC09 and EA28 modems -- EA28 had less missed calls so that's where I ended up. But both have excellent GPS performance in both great and marginal reception areas, specially compared to the EDxx series. ED04 was quite a flop for me.
EF 3.3.2 + EA28
Anybody here know if it is possible to get a replacement for their phone because of the Fascinate GPS problems? By replacement, I mean a different phone and not a refurb with the same problem.
I've been able to live with the phone not locking and being almost right most of the time, but this last week I really needed the GPS to lock and work and it wouldn't. Driving around with broken AC in 105 degree weather was the last straw.
Does mapquest initially turn on Wifi? I tried this by getting mapquest from the market and tried to see if it could find my location. I accidentally clicked the home button and when I saw my power control widget, I saw wifi on and then it suddenly turned off. (I have wifi off almost always).

[Q] Problems with GPS lock on Google Maps?

Recently my GPS lock is epicly slow on google maps.
In fact, using GPS Test is the same as well
Previously I could get a lock using GPS Test within seconds
Nowadays it takes about 5 minutes
The same with me mate, I
use gps status to reset the agps data & it works sometimes
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
Same here!
In fact I just wanted to start a new thread.
It takes like forever to lock, but when it does, the accuracy is awesome and never loses the lock. Tracked almost 100km with it and all the track was on the road and no ghost walking or whatsoever!
Will give GPS Status a test and report back
For me it's quite the contrary :
I have a fairly quick fix, but the accuracy is never perfect (circle around my position in gmaps, ang gps status measures 15m of error most of the time).
Dispite this lack of accuracy detected by my S2, my position seems always correct when using gmaps.
I would agree about the accurate fix part
Once it locks, it stays locked and accurate, no jumpy jumpy stuff
Just wondering if there is something wrong with the Google maps software or the eyes in the sky... cuz this unable-to-gps-lock thingie just surfaced last week. That's why I got GPS Test. Initially GPS Test was able to lock fairly quickly, but this week, it slowed down alot!
Strange, that!
Which modem are you guys using?
I checked mine and it locked on my location in seconds with reported accuracy of 10m
I'm on KE7 modem right now. Seems to work for me better than others.
Used KG1 and sucked for me. Never got an accurate lock (specially when I'm on the move).
I'm trying to switch to ZS*** modems because Hong Kong modems were way better on my SGS. Wonder if it's the case with SGS II..
I have had an unusual effect when navigating. It loads up the route and says 'searching for GPS' However it does find the GPS signal because you can see it tracking but it doesn't switch to the 'in car' view and still says it id searching for GPS. It is as if the GPS chip is unable to tell the phone it has locked.

[Q] My Nexus 7 can't get a GPS fix at all

Hi,
I've recently aquired a Google Nexus 7. One of its great uses, I believed, would be as a driving aid, w/ cached Google Maps or with an alternative driving/location app, such as CoPilot. But, after testing it for two days I see that the device can't get hold of a GPS signal at all.
What the problem seems to be:
- The device is stuck at "searching for GPS". It never actually gets a response; no GPS at all.
What I've tried so far:
- Resetting the device to factory settings -- since it's brand new and I only had a couple of apps installed, I thought that a fresh start would be a good idea just in case.
- Moving to various locations and checking whether it was a location problem. I've tried both "on the go" -i.e. in a car- and static. No GPS at all cases.
- Downloaded GPS Status. It's always at "Looking for GPS location". My longest record so far is 10 minutes of it -- still, no GPS.
- Checked with a couple of other apps just to see if I'd find more information related to the problem, none helped. It seems that if a GPS fix isn't found, they can't offer much help.
- Disabling Google's Location Services and disabling Wi-Fi access, in case it messes up with the GPS receiver. No luck.
- Rebooting the device. Nope, doesn't do anything.
- Using GPS Doctor's -a paid-for app- auto-fix and manual fix features. Tried aquiring a GPS signal for 10+ minutes, nothing happens.
- Leaving the device for more than 30 minutes under clear sky and more than an hour next to the window, trying to find a signal. Nada. No workie.
- Dancing naked under the stars next to twelve lit black candles. No luck, but it felt great.
Things to note:
- It's running Android 4.2.1
- I'm in Greece ATM, maybe this is a country thing? I'd bet against this, just pointing it out.
- AFAIK, the device hasn't aquired a GPS signal at all so far.
- The device is brand new, never operated before I opened the box.
- It has not been rooted, messed with etc. etc. at all.
Any ideas welcome. Thanks in advance for your help!
The reviews of GPS Doctor indicate that it MIGHT solve your problem. It's a paid for app at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.epekware.gpsdoctor&hl=en
peterk-1 said:
The reviews of GPS Doctor indicate that it MIGHT solve your problem. It's a paid for app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. Since it was only 1,5 euros I gave it a try -- no luck. After using both auto-fix and the manual fixes and searching for a GPS fix for 10+ minutes, it doesn't seem to work.
Sorry I've just re-read your initial post and saw you had tried GPS Doctor.
You've tried it outside. Is there any indication that signals are being received - satellite number and a bar graph that changes colour when a satellite has been "resolved". Is this a Greek model? - If it was for a different market then it may be that it is trying to resolve the satellites to give a location in the intended market (once a location has been fixed the GPS will quickly get a fix when powered up again within say 100km using the data it stores, the almanac etc you can clear in GPS Doctor). Before returning the unit I'd give it a try by leaving it with a view of the sky for at least 30mins
peterk-1 said:
Sorry I've just re-read your initial post and saw you had tried GPS Doctor.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's actually not your fault -- I've added GPS Doctor to my initial post *after* you've suggested it & I've tried it, for bookkeeping and so that other who try to help see at one place what I've tried doing so far.
peterk-1 said:
You've tried it outside. Is there any indication that signals are being received - satellite number and a bar graph that changes colour when a satellite has been "resolved". Is this a Greek model? - If it was for a different market then it may be that it is trying to resolve the satellites to give a location in the intended market (once a location has been fixed the GPS will quickly get a fix when powered up again within say 100km using the data it stores, the almanac etc you can clear in GPS Doctor). Before returning the unit I'd give it a try by leaving it with a view of the sky for at least 30mins
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, I've tried it outside. It's a Brittish model, not a Greek one, but I'm trying to use it in Greece ATM. There's no indication whatsoever that it has resolved a connection to a satellite when I'm trying, so I guess it'd be reasonable to say that it hasn't reached one so far.
I'll try your suggestion. 30 minutes of straight satellite-searching it is -- thanks again!
*Update*: 30 mins doesn't seem to do the trick. I'll keep trying, then, until a better suggestion comes up.
There is an app called GPS Test or GPS Test Plus which will show the strength of each satellite signal received. My Nexus 7 often gets a lock inside a wood frame house but going outside with a clear view of the full sky works fastest. Hope you are not using a conductive case as the antennas are on the rear of the tablet.
jinx100 said:
There is an app called GPS Test or GPS Test Plus which will show the strength of each satellite signal received. My Nexus 7 often gets a lock inside a wood frame house but going outside with a clear view of the full sky works fastest. Hope you are not using a conductive case as the antennas are on the rear of the tablet.
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Hi, thanks for the suggestion. I've tried GPS Test -it's under the "couple of other apps" that I've mentioned trying in my OP- but it seems that my Nexus 7 doesn't even get a satellite signal to begin with -- thus GPS Test displays no information.
I'm not using a case and I've tried leaving it for about 30 minutes under the clear sky. No signal at all. I have it by the window, ATM, just searching & on charge.
Okay, after quite some time out in the open sky and next to the window, I'm quite sure it's not about finding the time to contact satellites or anything of the such. The device simply cannot find my location.
Any new ideas?
Send it back if possible,sounds like a faulty GPS.
There are location setting hidden in accounts,see if they are on.
Sent from my A100 using xda app-developers app
My problem with the GPS is that it will SEE the satellites (according to several GPS test apps), it just won't lock on to any - no matter how strong the signal or whether or not I'm indoors or out.
Kodiack99 said:
There are location setting hidden in accounts,see if they are on.
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Hi, thanks for the reply -- do you mind sharing more info on this one?
Try faster fix, its free but requires root.
Sent from my GT-I9100
alferret said:
Try faster fix, its free but requires root.
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I'm not sure of what you mean by that, could you please elaborate? Thanks!
Sino316 said:
Hi, thanks for the suggestion. I've tried GPS Test -it's under the "couple of other apps" that I've mentioned trying in my OP- but it seems that my Nexus 7 doesn't even get a satellite signal to begin with -- thus GPS Test displays no information.
I'm not using a case and I've tried leaving it for about 30 minutes under the clear sky. No signal at all. I have it by the window, ATM, just searching & on charge.
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Click to collapse
If Settings - Location access - location access ON and GPS checked yet you still receive no satellites then your GPS function is defective. Return it to the seller.
Same GPS issue with N7
Hi OP, did you get any solution for your problem?
I am facing a similar issue, I am trying to use GPS on a US bought N7 in India.
Is this a common problem, i have tried many gps apps, but none shows my location.
If your N7 is new and GPS never worked properly and your various location settings are correct, you might want to return & exchange it for a different unit as it could be a hardware problem, beyond any software or Apps-based solutions here. If you are using a weather app, does it find & use your location info?
I had a similar issues with GPS and eventually returned that malfunctioned unit locally to exchange it, upgraded from 16GB to 32GB unit as it was also having the random touch-screen key-pressed issues, etc. It either won't find the location and/or is off by a few miles to as much as a thousand plus miles, sometimes putting the N7 in the middle of the ocean, LOL. The new 32GB unit is flawless.
What I recommend is to try to download from Google "Play Store" - GPS Status by MobiWIA (v 4.0.1 is what I'm running on mine - has been using this for 2 years on multiple devices and it worked for us here - USA) Basically, it download & update, refresh and give assisted hand to the built-in GPS receiver - it run in the background and will turn on to track/lock on to various GPS satellites, inititially showing 5 to 7 sources indoor and at many as 8 to 12 sources within 60 seconds. Outdoor and clear view of open sky, it will lock faser & find more satellites. It is ad-supported and free, not a metered trial-ware
With a WiFi signal, Google Maps open quickly and zoomed it quickly to my locations in 15 seconds - very accurate and as good as when I'm using it on our HTC devices - same is true when I use Nav(free) USA - free off-line GPS software with preloaded maps as it does not drain the battery quickly.
I like the giant 7" screen for "cool" naviagation but until I'm comfortable with a solid & secure mount inside our Honda CRV, I'll stick with the smaller 4" screen of our HTC smartphone with unlimited 3G data access, as a drop will risk breaking the fragile glass lens that's prone to cracking.
similar issue but...
Had already tried Faster Fix (which gave error) and Faster GPS (which managed to reset GPS.conf) but still couldn't get Google Maps to lock in GPS. Was wondering if problem was GMaps or N7.
I googled 'nexus 7 can't get GPS lock' and ended up here. Decided to try GPS Status which showed everything working as it should ('copy location to clipboard' option lets you verify the location via browser). Went back to GMaps hoping GPS Status might help it along, but still got the same 'your location is temporarily unavailable.'
So not hardware must be software. Didn't have to look far checked 'other apps' in the GPS Status program and discovered Orux Maps, free. Upon starting and clicking GPS button didn't take it more than a few seconds to get the lock.
OP issue might still be hardware but thought I'd post here in case someone else ends up here.
i know its an old post but i am facing the same issues here! at the beggining i thought i have got a faulty device. Thats why i bought a used one and tested it before purchase live. The GPS was working just fine. I installed Cyanogen 13 opened GPS Status again and found Satelite. I thought everything was working like it should be. After 10 Min. i went to the car and drove to a friend without any issues. After 3 hours i went home again without any problems. But as the tablet restarted i never got a satelite signal again... always looking for my position.
I am pretty sure thats a software issue. Went back to stock firmware. Problem remains.

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