DIY GPS Wire to speed up GPS and improve accuracy - Galaxy S I9000 General

Hi Friends, i have made a wire to speed up the GPS.
now the speed is very good.
before i do it, the google maps accuracy in my spot is 500m,
now it is 30m.
i will upload the pic to clear it.
but you need to DIY it, so not everyone is suitable to it.

ttsunny said:
Hi Friends, i have made a wire to speed up the GPS.
now the speed is very good.
before i do it, the google maps accuracy in my spot is 500m,
now it is 30m.
i will upload the pic to clear it.
but you need to DIY it, so not everyone is suitable to it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No wire no mods accuracy 5/10 m .
For info only.
Please post your GPS wire trick for others .
jje

Without any mod, My GPS is doing great with 5-10m accuracy.

1. i found out the two metal point that related with GPS siganal.
2. i put the wire on these two points
3. put the wire porperly and hide it under the back cover. no one will find it.
the test shows it took me 20 seconds to catch all the sats and accuracy is not VERY GOOD. but good than before(500m)
4. when i put the wire out, it took me 10 seconds to get the sats and accuracy is good.
you can find the look when the wire is out.
i know most of you have good GPS condition, but mine is poor, usually 500m before. so i did that and hope you can show us a better solution.
just for your reference.

Does the wire have to stick out like that or can it be looped inside the casing?
You can probably use some wire wrap to do a few loops around the internal casing?>

Top most red circle explains the sweet spot on other posts .
jje

yes, when it is hidden inside the case .i found out the signal is improved but not the best.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA Premium App

@ttsunny
Thanks a lot for posting the images & solving the mystery of gspot.

thanks a lot for this, but im currently using the simple gps fix and seems that my gps can lock in 5-10 m accuracy

Will that improve even better with handsets that are already working? My GPS works fine for Google maps and other navigation software but I use it also for runkeeper and Google my tracks and it is bad as I want to calculate running distance and end up with a few 100 meters more in a 5k run
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA Premium App

i have checked my device today, in 5 seconds caught 9 sats.
i think this wire is very useful for me.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA Premium App

Looks bloody awfull would not use something like that on my phone
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

Thanks for this. A post like this is what I was looking for when I figured out the "g-spot"
While the trick with blue-tack/tape is working, this may still be needed later as I don't know if plasticity will play an effect and eventually the blue-tack/tape trick may stop working.
So thanks again!
PS: Could you please post a link with the instructions you used to safely open the cover to expose the contacts? Was it easy?

What Kind of Wire You are Using ???
And if u Can Please Upload a video ....... it will be helpful
Thanks

Query
ttsunny said:
1. i found out the two metal point that related with GPS siganal.
2. i put the wire on these two points
3. put the wire porperly and hide it under the back cover. no one will find it.
the test shows it took me 20 seconds to catch all the sats and accuracy is not VERY GOOD. but good than before(500m)
4. when i put the wire out, it took me 10 seconds to get the sats and accuracy is good.
you can find the look when the wire is out.
i know most of you have good GPS condition, but mine is poor, usually 500m before. so i did that and hope you can show us a better solution.
just for your reference.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you know that those two points are related to GPS signal ? Do you have any datasheet ?
Also, do you know where is the GPS sensor located for GT-i5801 ( Known as samsung galaxy apollo ) ?

will try to find some hires pictures of that gps spot later

Related

Better 3G and Reception Modification.

I'm only sharing this to give those with intermittent 3G data to improve theirs as well since I had such good success with it. I know it's strange, and if you don't have any issues with your 3G signal quality than there is no purpose in trying this.
To those of you who have done the hardware GPS fix, this is very similar.
There is another metal tab on the opposite side of the phone, it looks exactly like the one you bend up for the GPS fix.
I was having very spotty and slow 3G covereage, so was my fiance. It would just hang when trying to load websites or using the XDA app. The download arrow would take FOREVER before finally lighting up and going somewhere.
So I opened the phones and bent up that other metal tab, assuming it is the antenna for the phone. I have found out, apparently, it is the WiFi contact. But strangely enough, this has had a huge impact on my 3G consistency.
DarkSandz93 said he noticed two more tabs near the bottom of the phone. You might also bend those a bit to make a better contact. I don't have any pictures of them but With some looking you should find them. I can confirm this fix works without bending the ones on the bottom, but it Wouldn't hurt to try as it will only improve the weak contacts.
When I put the phone back together me and my Fiance's phone both have great consistent 3G and reception went up a bar or two.
I've been testing this for two days and it has definitely helped!
***PLEASE BE CAREFUL WHEN BENDING UP THE TAB, IT MAY BE FRAGILE*** Take it slow, Its almost flat when you start but you need to bend it up a bit to make a good contact with the antenna.
I'm not responsible for any damage you do to your phone.
Thank you AndroidMonkey for the pic.
Labeled is both the GPS on the left and the Antenna on the right. The one on the right in the one I bent up slightly to improve the contact and get better signal.
http://s305.photobucket.com/albums/nn210/imitebewrong/?action=view&current=phone.jpg
DarkSandz93 said he noticed two more tabs near the bottom of the phone. You might also bend those a bit to make a better contact. I don't have any pictures of them but With some looking you should find them. I can confirm this fix works without bending the ones on the bottom, but it Wouldn't hurt to try as it will only improve the weak contacts.
Here is a video of my phone browsing AFTER the mod was performed. Before I could barely surf at all, it would take around 5 minutes to load ANY web page. The download arrow would hardly ever light up. These pages are not cached and are using my 3G connection.
I just want to clarify this fix did not improve my actual download speed (kb/s), but made my connection more reliable and steady. Fixed the hanging and having to reload constantly to try and get a connection.
Also, thank you Plato56, who came up with the original Hardware GPS Fix. I would not have ever tried this if it wasn't for KWKSLVR's thread.
UPDATED: I've tried this in many different areas now and it works great. No more waiting on the download arrow to light up.. kicks on and stays on
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
I Thought that was the wifi contact and the cell antenna was on the bottom of the phone.
In any case.. I'll prolly give this a shot since the GPS fix worked so well for me. Instead of trying to bend it up though I think Ill follow the lead of some people in the GPS thread and place a small piece of rubberband under the contact. Dont wana have to solder due to breaking the contract a second time lol.
You might be right. I wasn't 100 percent sure it was the antenna. But In any case it definitely improved my signal quality on two seperate phones.
Please let me know if this works for you!
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
I'm interested in hearing if anyone else tries it. This sounds very promising!
Sent from my mobile
sorry to go off topic, but is this real? - http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn210/imitebewrong/storm.jpg
Haha yeah that's real. I took that picture I think in 08. That storm produced a tornado that killed a few boyscouts near Omaha nebraska. I was driving to visit a friend in Omaha and I got hit with 80 mph winds while in my car! It was nuts.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
I can confirm this, when i did the hardware fix i noticed 2 of the same tabs at the bottom and the one on the left that the OP is talking about so i decided to bend ALL of them up and voila getting pretty good signal ever since
haha *sigh* I guess I'll give it a go! Taking the phone apart is a real B*[email protected]# though. I'll report back when it's done
darksandz93 said:
I can confirm this, when i did the hardware fix i noticed 2 of the same tabs at the bottom and the one on the left that the OP is talking about so i decided to bend ALL of them up and voila getting pretty good signal ever since
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for sharing, I'll post the option of bending the other tabs in the OP. Doesn't hurt to try.
yea sounds good but don't forget to mention in big giant bold letters to take EXTREME caution so as not to snap any of the connections off, don't want anyone coming back here to ***** at everyone because they made a stupid mistake.
darksandz93 said:
yea sounds good but don't forget to mention in big giant bold letters to take EXTREME caution so as not to snap any of the connections off, don't want anyone coming back here to ***** at everyone because they made a stupid mistake.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha, good point. OP updated.
man i want to try this because i don't have 3g at my place when i'm holding the phone on the bottom. I'm just scared, really scared.
Alright I just tried the hardware fix and I can report that it has not improved my 3g connection dramatically. I'm not sure if I'm under placebo effect but I think it is helping a tiny bit with keeping the connection strong; could be wrong. Report back after some more testing.
I just want to clarify this fix did not improve my actual speed, but made my connection more reliable and steady. before I could barely browse, now i can very consistently go from page to page with no hanging or having to reload many times.
yupp...so the unthinkable ,while having a very heated discussion with girlfriend on instant messenger via computer ,i broke the little copper contact ,,,,
if your as dumb as me (argueing with girlfriend )while bending the little tabs, all hope is not lost i stripped some copper wire out of a phone cord and looped it through the little hole where the copper is attached to the phone twisted it together tight snapped the phone together and did some intense browsing ,seems to be working great
Unless you're using wifi this shouldnt do anything. The tab you are bending is used for wifi only. The tab that is used for cellular is on the bottom.
I tried this, and now my phone is out of commission. Might be a coincidence since I have been doing some modem changes but any thoughts on the matter would be appreciated. I posted in the Vibrant Q&A forum:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=949089
If everything is in place inside the phone and its just the screen you can get it into odin (Plug in USB and hold volume buttons while booting.) and then flash back to stock and warranty the thing. You dont even need to see the screen to do it, your computer should tell you if the phone is connected.
My instructions suck, try these
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=848737
I did this too sometime last month and saw an improvement. I decided to take it a step farther like the a couple guys did in the GPS thread did. All 4 of the contacts now have a small drop of solder on them, filed down to the right height, and I am seeing improvements across the board (nothing dramatic, but more of consistency). I need to file 1 down just a hair more though.

GPS Signal Booster

Was playing with my Vibrant using 'GPS Test Plus' and stumbled onto something. I've always had weak GPS issues like everybody else. By the way I have not done the hardware fix yet. I set my phone down on a metal surface and noticed that I started getting locks within a few seconds. So I played around for a few days and came up with the solution shown in the attached picture. These pictures are from my office at works and letting it sit for 5 minutes without any covers and I couldn't get a lock. Then I popped on the modified factory cover and the modified Case-Mate cover.....and boom.....I get locks in a few seconds. All I've done is add a 1" strip of copper tape along the top inside surface of the cover. at first aluminum foil was used until I refined it a bit. Can't say this will work for everyone...but give it a shot.
Hoopty
Wow. Looks too good to be true.
Can you do a test outside?
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
K, I saw what you did, but obviously the phone is facing up when tested,right? It seems the copper tape is acting as a reflector to the GPS signal (since the signal comes from the sky).I would like to know if it would give you the same results if it was facing down to see if the copper tape would in this case block the GPS signal.I'm just curious because in real life when using Navigation the phone (face)will either facing you directly or (if mounted high on the windshield) slightly tilted down.
mrrobc97 said:
K, I saw what you did, but obviously the phone is facing up when tested,right? It seems the copper tape is acting as a reflector to the GPS signal (since the signal comes from the sky).I would like to know if it would give you the same results if it was facing down to see if the copper tape would in this case block the GPS signal.I'm just curious because in real life when using Navigation the phone (face)will either facing you directly or (if mounted high on the windshield) slightly tilted down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tested it at:
0 degrees (facing up)
90 degrees (facing me)
130 degrees (angled down)
and got the same results with each one. In fact the 130 degree test seemed to have the strongest signal. Take a 2" X 2" piece of aluminum foil and fold it in half and stick it in there. This must work on other Vibrant phone too. Come on.....it would only take a couple minutes to test it.
Hoopty
Hoopty-2011 said:
I tested it at:
0 degrees (facing up)
90 degrees (facing me)
130 degrees (angled down)
and got the same results with each one. In fact the 130 degree test seemed to have the strongest signal. Take a 2" X 2" piece of aluminum foil and fold it in half and stick it in there. This must work on other Vibrant phone too. Come on.....it would only take a couple minutes to test it.
Hoopty
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool...trust me Im gonna try it and let u know.THX
Have you tried using g maps navigation while driving to a location, my phone always goes nuts while driving to a location rerouting, gps signal lost you know that game...?
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA Premium App
Hoopty-2011 said:
Was playing with my Vibrant using 'GPS Test Plus' and stumbled onto something. I've always had weak GPS issues like everybody else. By the way I have not done the hardware fix yet. I set my phone down on a metal surface and noticed that I started getting locks within a few seconds. So I played around for a few days and came up with the solution shown in the attached picture. These pictures are from my office at works and letting it sit for 5 minutes without any covers and I couldn't get a lock. Then I popped on the modified factory cover and the modified Case-Mate cover.....and boom.....I get locks in a few seconds. All I've done is add a 1" strip of copper tape along the top inside surface of the cover. at first aluminum foil was used until I refined it a bit. Can't say this will work for everyone...but give it a shot.
Hoopty
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What type of copper tape?
Are you using both covers on the phone at the same time (two layers of copper tape)?
Have you noticed if this also works for your everyday reception ?
Has anyone else tried this? I will try later today with Aluminum tape since I have no copper tape handy. I guess it should not matter as long as it is metallic.
You still there OP we got some question's for you ^^^
I tried it with aluminium tape but before I even turn on GPS I noticed my wifi signal decreasing so I didnt even go any further. I have excellent GPS right now anyways with Bionix 1.3.1 and Jellette's s.gps.2.zip file that I flashed (7 meter acu.) . I was just curious.
Sent from my Blutiful-Bionix-Powered Vibrant [2ndIINoNe]
leechdweler said:
Have you noticed if this also works for your everyday reception ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im wondering this too lol
Copper is gonna conduct better than aluminum.
If you know the GPS frequency, you could always cut the copper strip to "tune" it to the frequency better.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA Premium App
mrrobc97 said:
I tried it with aluminium tape but before I even turn on GPS I noticed my wifi signal decreasing so I didnt even go any further. I have excellent GPS right now anyways with Bionix 1.3.1 and Jellette's s.gps.2.zip file that I flashed (7 meter acu.) . I was just curious.
Sent from my Blutiful-Bionix-Powered Vibrant [2ndIINoNe]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn't there someone with poor GPS performance that can try this out. All I hear on here is how bad the Vibrant GPS is.......Please.....someone.....test this out. My GPS has never worked this well and it has been several days now. All the testing never showed any effect on WIFI or data signal.
PS: if you have excellent GPS right now this isn't for you.
Hoopty
i've tried it but it doesn't work for me.
i'm on froyo zendroid. but the gps wasn't working before either.
i live in Romania.
Doesn't work for me either. In fact, I can't detect any satellite. My GPS is not great. It picks up satellites with SNR between 30-50 and locks within a minute typically under clear sky but not so well in built up areas. It's VERY sensitive to obstruction. I can't even place my hand under the antenna. So, the extra film of aluminium is more an obstruction than a booster. Wonder if the material matter?
FReQ Z said:
Copper is gonna conduct better than alumimum
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just sayin'.
RF tech, 14 years experience.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA Premium App
FReQ Z said:
Just sayin'.
RF tech, 14 years experience.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then you should know that high frequency signals travel on the surface of the conductor. Just saying...
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Electrons in general flow on the skin of the conductor, not just high frequency. And high frequency is considered to be 3-30 MHz, not even close to GPS frequencies, which is more in the EHF range.
If the OP shows an improvement in signal strength by using a strip of copper tape in his phone, so be it.
RF is not digital nor analog... RF does what it wants. You have to coax it. In the product my company produces, the RF conductors are copper. The frequency we use is not that far off from the GPS frequency... up in the L-band range.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA Premium App

Possible solution to GPS problem on Nexus S

Hi,
i've tried just about anything to improve GPS singal on my Nexus S, i was so desperate i even thinked about selling it. But by accident i've found something interesting.
When you remove battery cover signal from GPS is really good, usable even indoors 1-2 meters from window. When you put cover back - it suddenly drops. Here's the best part - when i use different cover directly on the back of the phone, WITHOUT original battery cover (i have thick back case which you put on battery cover, anti scratch thing) signal was just as fine as without any cover!
Then i tried covering back of the phone with a case from another phone (Galaxy S) and signal was fine.
So the culprit is NFC spiral which is sticked to the battery cover. I'd like to take it off, but im not sure if it is possible to stcik it back in case of RMA or something.
I'd like you to try this simple experiment and tell me if your phones suffer from the same thing.
Thanks
hmm interesting
Lol wow with cover on I get 2-3 .. without cover 3-4.5 ... lol
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium
YourMainDude said:
Lol wow with cover on I get 2-3 .. without cover 3-4.5 ... lol
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What about turning NFC off?
Today i took off NFC antenna and it didn't work, which is strange. Now the culprit is whole battery cover. As i said i tried different cases and GPS was working fine with them.
Hello,
in our german community we discuss this problem, too. The Problem isn't the NFC antenna, it's the backcover! Some user tried with another cover from ebay: http://www.ebay.de/itm/250846706756?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 and this seems to work better!
Here is a link to the original thread (in german!) http://www.android-hilfe.de/nexus-s-forum/98979-probleme-mit-gps-fix-ab-2-3-4-a-19.html#post2080524
Best regards
Handymeister
Handymeister said:
Hello,
in our german community we discuss this problem, too. The Problem isn't the NFC antenna, it's the backcover! Some user tried with another cover from ebay: http://www.ebay.de/itm/250846706756?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 and this seems to work better!
Here is a link to the original thread (in german!) http://www.android-hilfe.de/nexus-s-forum/98979-probleme-mit-gps-fix-ab-2-3-4-a-19.html#post2080524
Best regards
Handymeister
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, that exactly what i considered. It's really funny, because original battery cover is making GPS works like s**t.
If that cover form ebay is really working i might consider buying it, i'll try to read original thread, thanks.
Have you tried that cover? My German isn't that great and neither is google translate. But from what i read this is really working, but i don't know how well.
im guessing NFC wont work without the stock battery cover
when did this GPS problem started?
it must be new...
uberberben said:
Hi,
i've tried just about anything to improve GPS singal on my Nexus S, i was so desperate i even thinked about selling it. But by accident i've found something interesting.
When you remove battery cover signal from GPS is really good, usable even indoors 1-2 meters from window. When you put cover back - it suddenly drops. Here's the best part - when i use different cover directly on the back of the phone, WITHOUT original battery cover (i have thick back case which you put on battery cover, anti scratch thing) signal was just as fine as without any cover!
Then i tried covering back of the phone with a case from another phone (Galaxy S) and signal was fine.
So the culprit is NFC spiral which is sticked to the battery cover. I'd like to take it off, but im not sure if it is possible to stcik it back in case of RMA or something.
I'd like you to try this simple experiment and tell me if your phones suffer from the same thing.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
praveenmarkandu said:
im guessing NFC wont work without the stock battery cover
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it will not work without the original back cover
that is the antennae
uberberben said:
Today i took off NFC antenna and it didn't work, which is strange. Now the culprit is whole battery cover. As i said i tried different cases and GPS was working fine with them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hehe. Put your NFC antenna back on. Google wallet is awesome.
Hey guys
I have my Nexus S (Blandroid + Trinity T144) tested just now, and now I only realize the GPS unit is on the right side of the phone.
Take off your cover, you should see a black, duct-tape like module pasted on almost 3/4 of the right side of Nexus S (the side where power button is located). That should be the GPS unit.
Tested with cover on, landscape with right side of the phone pointed upwards, I gained a score of 40~41 in one or two of the satellite in my view (GPS Test by Chartcross Ltd). When I test it with cover off, I gained a score of 45~47 in a few of the satellite.
Conclusion is, if you need a better GPS signal, you will need to hold it landscape with camera pointing to the left. Portrait mode will not works too well I guess. I wonder how Apple products can gain locks near instantly.
that's what i always do when i want to use GPS for navigation, pull off the battery cover.
it's almost impossible to get a fix with the battery cover on.
Humm I really wanted to delete this post but there isn't an option
Wow, i tried to get gps fix in my home without cover and it work!

GPS survey

Evening folks, had my phone sent back to LG to sort out inaccurate GPS I had locking difficulties.
Now it locks pretty good but I'm still get pretty rubbish GPS readings compared to wife's s3 mini
Where in the house she can get lock on down to five metres next to the window where my g2 will not find a satellite
Yes I do have high accuracy on and all the other mods
Can you guys give me how good your accuracy is on GPS status or any other GPS program and if you can get GPS lock inside a building would be appreciated so I have some evidence to go back to LG as there have never heard of this GPS fault even though I've noticed quite a lot of folk complain.
Thank you
Sent from my LG-D802 using XDA Free mobile app
I just recently got a VS980 and one of the first thing I noticed was a less the perfect GPS. It will lock outdoors in under 10 seconds but indoors near a window 30 sec+ or not at all. It will generally maintain a lock if I bring it indoors however. Accuracy is usually 35-50 ft with 7-12 satellites. I verified the GPS antenna has a good connection under the back cover. The G2 GPS is usable but I guess I was spoiled by my old Moto Bionic which locks in seconds indoors or out and is accurate to ~10ft typically (using 6-7 satellites).
Totally agree the g2 is a very impressive phone and would love to have half decent GPS
Sent from my LG-D802 using XDA Free mobile app
I get a GPS lock within 15 seconds on a cold boot.
But what is your accuracy according to GPS Status would be nice for your feedback
GPS
GPS lock withing 20second
aran peumal said:
GPS lock withing 20second
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Accuracy?
aran peumal said:
GPS lock withing 20second
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It would be good to know the following:
G2 model number or carrier
Time to lock and specify conditions (indoors house, building, outdoors clear view, city ...)
Accuracy using GPS Test, GPS Status & Toolbox or similar
Number of satellites locked (including US GPS and GLONASS)
Any feedback on navigation (direction changing, rerouting often...)
sutty86 said:
Evening folks, had my phone sent back to LG to sort out inaccurate GPS I had locking difficulties.
Now it locks pretty good but I'm still get pretty rubbish GPS readings compared to wife's s3 mini
Where in the house she can get lock on down to five metres next to the window where my g2 will not find a satellite
Yes I do have high accuracy on and all the other mods
Can you guys give me how good your accuracy is on GPS status or any other GPS program and if you can get GPS lock inside a building would be appreciated so I have some evidence to go back to LG as there have never heard of this GPS fault even though I've noticed quite a lot of folk complain.
Thank you
Sent from my LG-D802 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A simple fix......
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=54525017
Sent from My LG G2 LS-980 or LG G Pad 7.0 V400
rogconnect said:
A simple fix......
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=54525017
Sent from My LG G2 LS-980 or LG G Pad 7.0 V400
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the fix i will try it out
sounds like that fix would work but if you mess it up, its the whole gps of the phone in tatters were with the back case you can always change it.
So i have my gps working now down to 3m accuracy and can get fix indoors, it was a pretty simple fix, i cut a small section of a plastic card( similar to bank card,clubcard - USE AN OLD CARD) and this is the important part!!!!!
you have to make sure its small enough so the black connector strip on the top right hand side covers the whole plastic so you talking MM, not cms....
has the case will not close and the connection wont be perfect...
after a few trials and errors i can now say my gps is fixed!!!!!
if anyone needs any help please ask, and i will help.
sutty86 said:
sounds like that fix would work but if you mess it up, its the whole gps of the phone in tatters were with the back case you can always change it.
So i have my gps working now down to 3m accuracy and can get fix indoors, it was a pretty simple fix, i cut a small section of a plastic card( similar to bank card,clubcard - USE AN OLD CARD) and this is the important part!!!!!
you have to make sure its small enough so the black connector strip on the top right hand side covers the whole plastic so you talking MM, not cms....
has the case will not close and the connection wont be perfect...
after a few trials and errors i can now say my gps is fixed!!!!!
if anyone needs any help please ask, and i will help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had done something similar on the Verizon model which has only a single connection. I used cellphone tape doubled over and put it between the copper tab on the cellphone back cover and the hard plastic stop used to hold the tab in place. I can see the slightest bulge when I snap everything back in place so I know it makes a good contact. After all that I don't think I had a bad connection in the first place, it's just this GPS doesn't perform as well as others I am used to. It locks Ok outdoors and navigation seems to be working but no long trips yet.
wilkster said:
I had done something similar on the Verizon model which has only a single connection. I used cellphone tape doubled over and put it between the copper tab on the cellphone back cover and the hard plastic stop used to hold the tab in place. I can see the slightest bulge when I snap everything back in place so I know it makes a good contact. After all that I don't think I had a bad connection in the first place, it's just this GPS doesn't perform as well as others I am used to. It locks Ok outdoors and navigation seems to be working but no long trips yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wilks you need to get rid of the buldge, try the credit card method, because mine is perfect now constantly getting between 3/4m on GPS status not sure how that converts to your u.s feet measurment
Inside a building G2 can't find my location but SGS3 can.
Ls980 with stock or cloudy g3 gps can't lock inside building. Outdoor just lock 3-5 satellite with 30-50ft accuracy and frequently lost satellite connection. All trick with the antenna in the backcover not work for me.

Apparently a really reliable/unexpected fix to GPS woes found on Reddit...

GPS issues on the Note 4 are well known and not limited to carrier. You will find all sorts of crazy fixes out there, but I will tell you what finally worked for me.
I noticed that every time I went to take a screenshot the GPS would suddenly snap back to working. After some messing around I realized that holding it by the sides with a little pressure gets it working. Basically hold it the way that Steve Jobs told you you shouldn't hold an iPhone and squeeze a bit. That always gets my GPS to work within a few seconds. It sounds crazy but for me I've confirmed it absolutely works.
Basically Samsung sucks at GPS in general, and especially with the Note 4. I think the receiver is using a poorly manufactured antenna that is the wrong size or something, and by attenuating the signal a little bit you can get it to clear up. It's like adjusting you rabbit ears and having them only work when you stand in a certain position... if you are old enough to remember doing such things.
Give it a try and report back.
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https://np.reddit.com/r/galaxynote4...le_maps_is_so_bad_all_of_a_sudden_its/ct4p5ih
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Have never had a problem with GPS on my Note 4.
ReggieTee said:
Have never had a problem with GPS on my Note 4.
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A lot of folks have though.
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Interesting. I'm really glad I'm one of the lucky ones that doesn't have any issues.
Is the hardware part of it loose or something?
I've yet to try it but I do believe it is an antenna issue. Maybe made worse by cases?
If I place the phone in the dash cubby of my car, it will lose gps signal.
But even when I have it on the seat next to me, it sometimes can't locate me directly and jumps.
I thought GPS status calibration would fix but I guess you have to do that every time you reboot?
It is my only complaint regarding the phone honestly.
MajorTom_ said:
Interesting. I'm really glad I'm one of the lucky ones that doesn't have any issues.
Is the hardware part of it loose or something?
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Will Rickards said:
I've yet to try it but I do believe it is an antenna issue. Maybe made worse by cases?
If I place the phone in the dash cubby of my car, it will lose gps signal.
But even when I have it on the seat next to me, it sometimes can't locate me directly and jumps.
I thought GPS status calibration would fix but I guess you have to do that every time you reboot?
It is my only complaint regarding the phone honestly.
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Click to collapse
I'd like to think for the most part I was one of the lucky ones but just yesterday morning I was using the navigation. It found me and plotted my route but when I started moving nothing happened. I squeezed the top of the device and it kicked in. The only thing I have been doing different is not using my case when the issue happened. Of course as tight as my case it it could be simulating the same situation as me pinching it. Or it could have been the initial cause for needing to pinch it.
Probably loose hardware indeed.
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Yes, it's almost certainly a hardware issue... check out this post http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=61755100&postcount=272 and the thread that it links to.
squeeze the sides and tighten the screws... it really works
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Yup. The GPS test app would show 20 satellites in view, and none in use. No lock ever. I pushed on the back of the phone and it locked right on. It world's every time my gps flakes out.
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Happy to report my GPS on Note 4 gets instant lock every time. Use a Samsung flip cover that is also a back replacement.
I have HORRIBLE gps signal... and the thing that sucks is I need it for work alot.. sometimes I'm using it and the signal starts blinking because it lost signal..and I won't get it back I leave an area or I just won't get it at all!! I hope the 5 has a much better antenna build..
Like others I'm having terrible luck with my GPS but it's only been over the last 3 weeks or so. No updates, no damage to the phone it just loses the lock on the satellites. I've tried every trick in the book with no luck. I need to call T-Mobile but haven't been in the mood to hear "we haven't seen this problem before" and wasting time on the phone with them.
rsacipher said:
Like others I'm having terrible luck with my GPS but it's only been over the last 3 weeks or so. No updates, no damage to the phone it just loses the lock on the satellites. I've tried every trick in the book with no luck. I need to call T-Mobile but haven't been in the mood to hear "we haven't seen this problem before" and wasting time on the phone with them.
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Install "GPS Test" to see. I have Samsung Alpha and it get lock inside the buidling while the N4 sees nothing. I am mad. I hope N5 will be better on the GPS.
It's not a fix but what I do since I use gps for my work I put the phone SIDEWAYS in my cluster area and it almost instantly picks up gps.. it's what I have to do to get service if not it will be almost unusable. .hope that helps
I was reading about putting pressure on the back on another post and once I do that my phone starts working great... what can cause it to do such a thing?
chong67 said:
Install "GPS Test" to see. I have Samsung Alpha and it get lock inside the buidling while the N4 sees nothing. I am mad. I hope N5 will be better on the GPS.
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I've been using it and I will get the coordinates then I will loose signal without moving. It's very inconsistent. The frustrating thing is it seems to be only over the last few weeks it's been happening.
I also had trouble with my GPS. I constantly get the "GPS signal lost" message, however this past weekend I tested and it seems that I get the problem when I put the phone in a certain position -on my lap for example or facing down. I have a Galaxy S5 and I don't have any issues at all.
Once I put the phone in the car mount, I don't have any problems. I guess is an antenna issue as others mentioned.
Mr. Clown said:
I also had trouble with my GPS. I constantly get the "GPS signal lost" message, however this past weekend I tested and it seems that I get the problem when I put the phone in a certain position -on my lap for example or facing down. I have a Galaxy S5 and I don't have any issues at all.
Once I put the phone in the car mount, I don't have any problems. I guess is an antenna issue as others mentioned.
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See my problems didn't start until I stopped using my caseology case.
Completely fixes my problem (as long as I'm holding it). WTF Samsung? Do I even warrantee it or switch brands is the question. Tweet #squeezegate at Samsung, let's see if we can get some attention to this manufacturer defect.
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Where exactly are you guys squeezing to get it to work?

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