Strange GPS behaviour on Virgin SGS2 rooted to Rogers - Galaxy S II General

Here's what happens... if I have just GPS enabled (no Wi-Fi), and I tell it to locate my position while I'm at home, it tells me I'm about 5-10 kilometers away. It's in the correct town, but isn't near where I actually am, and I'm standing right in the open, no buildings or anything.
Now, if I enable GPS and Wi-Fi, it tells me I'm currently where I USED to live, which is about 50km away from my real position. The place it tells me I am is actually right near my gym and where I used to live, but I haven't lived there for close to two years but I still frequent the gym.
Anyway, I'm totally confused. I could understand that if I enabled my Wi-Fi and it's telling me that I'm near where I used to live, it could have something to do with having the name of my wireless router cached at that location, even though it hasn't actually existed at that location for two years. What leads me to believe that this is some sort of caching issue is that if I am at work and use the GPS (or anywhere else I don't frequent for that matter) it locates me fine, instantly.
So... what can I do?

Anybody have any idea? This is awfully frustrating...

You could try using GPS status from the market to reset and download your AGPS data?

That fails i would backup data and factory reset as symptoms are of faulty settings . You could also replace the modem .
jje

I'm also having issues, "GPS Status" app sees 10 satellites but never locks. This is outdoors.
With your Wifi location issue, I think that's because the google vehicles collecting street view data recorded your wifi SSID to be at your old house, which is why it thinks you're there.
EDIT: I should also mention, mine worked fine before rooting, then I used Chainfire's kernel to root and I have the issues that we're seeing (JP_XSG_KG2 and ZS_OZS_KG2).

One of the reasons I'm waiting on a proper Canadian Kernel to use.... too many unknowns.

Fixed!
Using a different kernel and ROM (XXKG6, Android 2.3.4):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1124396
GPS locks within about 5 seconds outside and network speeds seem to be the normal for Rogers.

Do you have a working 3G connection?

So, I downloaded that GPS app and did everything that it had available... nothing really helped. When I'm anywhere but my house, the GPS locks fairly fast, but can still be somewhat slow.
I believe I was having no issues as well before rooting, and I used CF Root as well. I obviously agree regarding updated firmware from Samsung/Virgin... I'm sure it could very well resolve this and some other issues.
I have a 3G connection... it's always listed as H+ though.

GIR said:
Do you have a working 3G connection?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep! It indicates 3G when idle, and when I'm using the data connection it switches to H+. Rogers download speeds of ~4Mbps.

Related

Unsuitable radio or poor data services from UK mobile networks...?

Hi guys,
I don't know how many of you are living in UK or if you experience this in other parts of the world. Basically there's one thing that really annoys me and I can't figure out WHAT'S causing it!
I am well satisfied with my Leo but as to web services I am not so enthusiastic. Firstly I've given up on "My location & weather" services exactly the same way as I did on Blackstone. I just don't bother setting them up after ROM update, so they don't show up on the homescreen and I turn the weather tab off instantly after flash. Reason being: THEY ONLY UPDATE IN CERTAIN LOCATIONS EVEN THOUGH I'VE GOT FULL HSDPA OR 3G SIGNAL COVERAGE ALMOST EVERYWHERE I GO!!!
No idea why this is happening. At home where I've got full 3G and GPRS signal coverage, it updates quickly and nicely. But when I go to work where there's full HSDPA, 3G and also GPRS it will not update whatever trick I try!!! It just pops out a message about not being able to connect... Same thing in town centre and other locations. It seems totally random to me where it works and where it doesn't. And folks: I just hate having 12 hours old location and weather report on my screeen before coming back home or wherever it decides to work!
Now secondly, similar thing happens with web browsers. Because of unsupported flash in Opera I have started using Skyfire in larger scale and recently also the uZARD, if anyone came across to that. They are both good browsers (in my opinion the uZard is nearing perfection!) but strangely a similar issue to the one above comes with them. Again they only seem to work in certain places and again there is quite a decent data coverage almost everywhere in my area.
So the question is: does it have something to do with data services of my network (UK Orange) or is it something radio related maybe? I have tried 2.06, 2.08 and 2.10 radios and there wasn't any significant difference.
Does it ring a bell? Did anyone experience this?
morningstar.fallen said:
Hi guys,
I don't know how many of you are living in UK or if you experience this in other parts of the world. Basically there's one thing that really annoys me and I can't figure out WHAT'S causing it!
I am well satisfied with my Leo but as to web services I am not so enthusiastic. Firstly I've given up on "My location & weather" services exactly the same way as I did on Blackstone. I just don't bother setting them up after ROM update, so they don't show up on the homescreen and I turn the weather tab off instantly after flash. Reason being: THEY ONLY UPDATE IN CERTAIN LOCATIONS EVEN THOUGH I'VE GOT FULL HSDPA OR 3G SIGNAL COVERAGE ALMOST EVERYWHERE I GO!!!
No idea why this is happening. At home where I've got full 3G and GPRS signal coverage, it updates quickly and nicely. But when I go to work where there's full HSDPA, 3G and also GPRS it will not update whatever trick I try!!! It just pops out a message about not being able to connect... Same thing in town centre and other locations. It seems totally random to me where it works and where it doesn't. And folks: I just hate having 12 hours old location and weather report on my screeen before coming back home or wherever it decides to work!
Now secondly, similar thing happens with web browsers. Because of unsupported flash in Opera I have started using Skyfire in larger scale and recently also the uZARD, if anyone came across to that. They are both good browsers (in my opinion the uZard is nearing perfection!) but strangely a similar issue to the one above comes with them. Again they only seem to work in certain places and again there is quite a decent data coverage almost everywhere in my area.
So the question is: does it have something to do with data services of my network (UK Orange) or is it something radio related maybe? I have tried 2.06, 2.08 and 2.10 radios and there wasn't any significant difference.
Does it ring a bell? Did anyone experience this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on o2 I'm and have found the new 2.10th radios to give an extra bar and speed improvements network wise. the latest is awesome but consumes more battery life for me so i went back to 2.10.50.08.2
hope this helps
Im on Virgin in the UK, where i live i have full signal where ever i i am in my town, my location doesn't work simple, i added my own city, my internet works fine, now i have been house sitting for my dad for 2 weeks in a little village, 2 weeks only just had 1 bar of signal and my location worked now wtf is that all about lol, oh my radio in my sig
Im on tmobile uk and when I'm at home I'm lucky if I get 1 bar of 3g coverage, if I dont I'll only get 2 bars of gprs, then again we are behind a ruddy great hill, most other urban areas give good 3g, however like the OP says sometimes theres an issue with speed and location not updating (or updating to the wrong location) despite full coverage
My gf is on vodafone and at home shes lucky if she gets one bar of gprs
But then thats what she deserves for having a iphone!
I've never tried another radio but I'm considering it
Update
Just to let you guys know, UK Orange was going through some major technical difficulties with their 3G network lately. So that has been the cause for trouble with browsers.
But the first problem I've mentioned is a fact that MY LOCATION and WEATHER still only updates on certain (random) places, regardless the signal coverage or radio version!!!
Works fine for me wherever I go on O2 as long as I have somes signal, just takes longer on GPRS.
In my experience of friends on Orange, they've never been good.
Try SPB weather and see if that works.
Alternatively, try updating in an Orange shop, if it fails, ask if you can use one of their handsets to try, and if that works, you'll know it's a problem with your phone so time to get it replaced, if it doesn't work, you'll know Orange are just poo.
Weather Locations has never worked for me. Just look for the cab named something like Dutty's disable current location and it will remove that my location entry in the weather so it will never bother you. Then just manually add your city and job done!
As for the web browsers not working, i had intermittent drops (its ok now tho). but what i did before, was disable HDSPA. the phone kept switching betweeen 3g and hdspa and cudnt make its mind up, and so it wouldnt connect to the net. But as you said Orange have been messing up so it should work soon.
morningstar.fallen said:
Just to let you guys know, UK Orange was going through some major technical difficulties with their 3G network lately. So that has been the cause for trouble with browsers.
But the first problem I've mentioned is a fact that MY LOCATION and WEATHER still only updates on certain (random) places, regardless the signal coverage or radio version!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have to ask how often is it set to update? i have mine set to update every 3 hours and it does. The location accuracy can be a little off at times but i don't really rely on it and if i do notice i'll do a manual update which works first time 99% of the time.
Poor 3G/HSDPA signal (2 bars or less) will cause some crazy packet loss and will cause problems with internet connectivity in general. Most often the phone will fall back to EDGE and then GPRS in order to correct this (but for saking the speed). If the signal is still crap then there is no hope. I'm on O2 and my radio version is in my signature. I was using 2.07 (stock) and that wasn't brilliant and i have heard that the newer radios suck the battery and the wifi isn't so great.
If your signal is pants even with the new radio i would advise you lay your hands on an extended battery and leave the wifi chip turned on. Then if you configure to connect any unsecure networks first as soon as it finds one you'll have net access.
M3PH said:
I have to ask how often is it set to update? i have mine set to update every 3 hours and it does. The location accuracy can be a little off at times but i don't really rely on it and if i do notice i'll do a manual update which works first time 99% of the time.
Poor 3G/HSDPA signal (2 bars or less) will cause some crazy packet loss and will cause problems with internet connectivity in general. Most often the phone will fall back to EDGE and then GPRS in order to correct this (but for saking the speed). If the signal is still crap then there is no hope. I'm on O2 and my radio version is in my signature. I was using 2.07 (stock) and that wasn't brilliant and i have heard that the newer radios suck the battery and the wifi isn't so great.
If your signal is pants even with the new radio i would advise you lay your hands on an extended battery and leave the wifi chip turned on. Then if you configure to connect any unsecure networks first as soon as it finds one you'll have net access.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
It was set to update every 1 hour and as I said before, there's quite decent signal coverage in my area. I usually have full HSDPA and 3G signal at work and about half of 3G and full GPRS at home. The only time I can think of when I have poor or no connection is on the train (when passing through places with funny welsh names like Llanharran or Pontyclun... ). Still MY LOCATION won't update at work, or central train station or city centre. As a paradox, it updates nicely at home...
Anyway, for sake of having the weather animation on and updating, I have used Dutty's "Disable current location" cab mentioned above. Now the weather service updates fine on manually chosen locations. So bye bye MY LOCATION...
I'm on O2 (UK) and have noticed that all but my local transmitter actually allows weather/location updates.
I did a pretty big test - I drove from the south coast to Edinburgh the other week, and had it updating every 15 mins.
It updated every step of the way.
I'm sitting at home, and it doesn't update.
I've already got hold of my local O2 engineer and he is looking into it as he thinks he knows what the problem is.
The Problem is Orange.....
morningstar.fallen said:
Hi guys,
I don't know how many of you are living in UK or if you experience this in other parts of the world. Basically there's one thing that really annoys me and I can't figure out WHAT'S causing it!
I am well satisfied with my Leo but as to web services I am not so enthusiastic. Firstly I've given up on "My location & weather" services exactly the same way as I did on Blackstone. I just don't bother setting them up after ROM update, so they don't show up on the homescreen and I turn the weather tab off instantly after flash. Reason being: THEY ONLY UPDATE IN CERTAIN LOCATIONS EVEN THOUGH I'VE GOT FULL HSDPA OR 3G SIGNAL COVERAGE ALMOST EVERYWHERE I GO!!!
No idea why this is happening. At home where I've got full 3G and GPRS signal coverage, it updates quickly and nicely. But when I go to work where there's full HSDPA, 3G and also GPRS it will not update whatever trick I try!!! It just pops out a message about not being able to connect... Same thing in town centre and other locations. It seems totally random to me where it works and where it doesn't. And folks: I just hate having 12 hours old location and weather report on my screeen before coming back home or wherever it decides to work!
Now secondly, similar thing happens with web browsers. Because of unsupported flash in Opera I have started using Skyfire in larger scale and recently also the uZARD, if anyone came across to that. They are both good browsers (in my opinion the uZard is nearing perfection!) but strangely a similar issue to the one above comes with them. Again they only seem to work in certain places and again there is quite a decent data coverage almost everywhere in my area.
So the question is: does it have something to do with data services of my network (UK Orange) or is it something radio related maybe? I have tried 2.06, 2.08 and 2.10 radios and there wasn't any significant difference.
Does it ring a bell? Did anyone experience this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same problem in East Anglia with Orange
Switch of 3g and the weather will update
GPRS data works fine, but 3g/hsdpa data was not working i complained to orange and looked on the net loads of other people in this area were having the same trouble....(voice was fine though)
About 2 weeks ago it started working fine except when im surfing i get 'orange safeguard' blocking sites ...it even blocks this site!
its not because ive got safeguard enabled. it's because orange cant establish my identity!
I bet if streamed loads of TV they would identify me for sure...
on orange in cardiff aswel, i find that even though i have a strong 3g signal some times the internet just doesn't work,which gets really annoying, as normally have to terminate the 3g connection then restart it to work.
been reading this thread if any intrest
forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=614119&page=45
it says about people using the chucky tabtastic ROM, and the problem is gone. but I'm happy with the ROM I'm using, so really wish i knew a fix for this!
On O2 in Nottingham and just recently it's been awful.
I've gone through a multitude of radios and none work with data properly. Weather services always show "My Location" or cannot update. Google maps takes about 10mins to load one square of the map (so GPS navigation is out of the question as the marker moves to a region of the map that isn't updated and takes forever to load).
Opera can now take anywhere between 15 seconds and 5 minutes just to load the Google homepage.
Thing is, about 2 months ago it was perfect, speedy as anything, running fine. Like I said i've gone through various radio roms and have settled on 2.10.50.08_2 at the mo as it gives the best battery life for me, but even with full 3g/hsdpa signals i get rubbish data performance.
I know that stopping and starting the data connection sometimes fixes it, but I'm not prepared to continually stop and start connections just to be able to browse the web.
I've tried switching from 3G to 2G mode at work so the device started using GPRS signal instead of HSDPA but there was no joy either. Initially I would incline to idea that this would be a problem of Orange UK only but it seems now that people using other networks are experiencing the same. I wish I could only guess how much of this is caused by the technical breakdown Orange UK (and maybe other networks?) were recently going through. I think the actual efficiency of MY LOCATION service in UK was never great...
I'm on Vodafone, Kingston upon Thames,
Radio: 2.10.50.26 (Leon Rom)
Had the same problems ( almost all stated in here ) with the new radio i have full bars 70% of the time on almost all connections at home, and before, i used to have 1 max 2 (the house is in a "bad"/"blind" vodafone coverage area), so this radio seems to work for me.
Still:
the weather i won't mention that it never worked regardless of signal or not, regardless of the connection or radio... then i found something into the menu under the GPS folder... called Quick GPS . I realized that is not a data download problem (as any manually set out location works), it was just a simple "i will tell you the local weather info as soon as i bloody find out where the heck we are" phone problem.
Well all you have to do, is set up the satellites to download automatically and/or update manually when you travel extreme distances... it will definitely improve location tracking as it sets the "default" satellites settings in your area, and to be honest with you, since i set that up, i NEVER had weather/location problems at home or anywhere else. Is just a small tweak witch you won't realize is linked directly to the location service until you open the Quick GPS thing.
For the radio, at least for vodafone users, i recommend the above one. just give it a try as it has decent battery life and a better connection, also everywhere i go i seem to have a working stable connection for data (at least for me it worked, and i do travel alot, needles to say that my laptop gets it's internet from my phone during travels, so bye bye dongle ).
Give it a try, it may really work out.
Initially I would incline to idea that this would be a problem of Orange UK only but it seems now that people using other networks are experiencing the same.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hmm... i think is not related to networks more than it needs the network connection to download data (especially that you said the connections are working fine most of the times), location is definitely related to the GPS receiver and the GPS settings (Global Positioning System remember? witch in my book is Location ...), witch apparently on the Leos around UK are not set properly by default.
This is probably why mine works flawlessly. I set WM to use the inbuilt GPS all the time so i don't have to mess about with turning it on in google maps. I don't use QuickGPS because that is about as accurate as as dropping a brick out of a plane at 35,000ft with your eyes closed. Atleast with proper GPS it's accurate to within 20 metres.
when i had the tmobile g1, weather plugin worked almost flawlessly with only odd times it didnt update correctly. but with the hd2 ive been having the same problem recently on tmobile (was on tmobile wiwith the g1 aswell).
Im using the eu rom that allows 576mb ram .
Ive just flashed a new rom and it seems to have detected my location just fine at home. I will know tomorrow when i go to work if it upodates correctly.
DikoMike said:
I'm on Vodafone, Kingston upon Thames,
Radio: 2.10.50.26 (Leon Rom)
Had the same problems ( almost all stated in here ) with the new radio i have full bars 70% of the time on almost all connections at home, and before, i used to have 1 max 2 (the house is in a "bad"/"blind" vodafone coverage area), so this radio seems to work for me.
Still:
the weather i won't mention that it never worked regardless of signal or not, regardless of the connection or radio... then i found something into the menu under the GPS folder... called Quick GPS . I realized that is not a data download problem (as any manually set out location works), it was just a simple "i will tell you the local weather info as soon as i bloody find out where the heck we are" phone problem.
Well all you have to do, is set up the satellites to download automatically and/or update manually when you travel extreme distances... it will definitely improve location tracking as it sets the "default" satellites settings in your area, and to be honest with you, since i set that up, i NEVER had weather/location problems at home or anywhere else. Is just a small tweak witch you won't realize is linked directly to the location service until you open the Quick GPS thing.
For the radio, at least for vodafone users, i recommend the above one. just give it a try as it has decent battery life and a better connection, also everywhere i go i seem to have a working stable connection for data (at least for me it worked, and i do travel alot, needles to say that my laptop gets it's internet from my phone during travels, so bye bye dongle ).
Give it a try, it may really work out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the post man Ive been trying many different Radios to get a stable connection with VF I also live in an iffy area so i'll give this one a try and see if it works for me!
I'm also now using a 2.13 rom so it seems that the radio will match
M3PH said:
This is probably why mine works flawlessly. I set WM to use the inbuilt GPS all the time so i don't have to mess about with turning it on in google maps. I don't use QuickGPS because that is about as accurate as as dropping a brick out of a plane at 35,000ft with your eyes closed. Atleast with proper GPS it's accurate to within 20 metres.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So how exactly did you set your GPS to work all the time?
morningstar.fallen said:
So how exactly did you set your GPS to work all the time?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
easy! go into settings in sense, hit menu, all settings. Then go to the system folder and external GPS and set a com port (mine is set to com4)
Job done. Sense will pick it up automatically and then all you need to do is tell google maps it's configued by windows.
Finally disable quickgps by hitting start, tools quickgps and then menu options and uncheck "download quickgps automatically" and "download quickgps when roaming" this will stop it updating when not connected to the pc and save on your data plan if it's limited but allows for a backup to the true gps if for some reason all the satellites get taken out.
**edit** i picked up this tip from a collegue that had a touch pro (well we all did but i left before they got the n900 upgrades) and a tomtom external bluetooth receiver and it appears to work with the internal reveiver on newer devices

GPS Issue, only in some areas. GSM network dependent.

Bit of an odd one. Basically at home with the phone on my home network T-Mobile I simply can't get a GPS fix. This problem has only happened in the last couple of weeks previously its been fine, a fix within seconds.
As some of you may know T-Mobile and Orange in the UK have now enabled roaming between the 2 networks. If I force the phone to roam onto Orange I get a GPS fix with-in a minute. Switch the network back to T-Mobile back to no fix.
If I'm in a different area, network on T-Mobile, fix within seconds. I thought maybe it's quick GPS wrongly loading the wrong area because of an issue in the cell db, I've set quick GPS to never update and now the GPS appears to cold start although quick GPS still says the data it has is valid for x number of days.
I've tried defaulting the phone but exactly the same with defaults and using GPS Test rather than TomTom.
Does anyone have any ideas? Is anyone else having the same issue?
I just tried another test. I roamed onto Orange and got a GPS fix in TomTom, I then set my network back to T-Mobile and the GPS fix was lost! As I switched networks I left TomTom running in the background.
A bit more testing. If I force the phone onto 3G T-Mobile the GPS works fine. My theory is what ever frequency the cell here operates on (some 5 miles away in the 1800MHz band) must be causing the some issue with the hardware
I'm thinking that most people wouldn't be able to experiment to see this, I'm just lucky or unlucky depending on how you look at it that I'm in a position where I can switch networks therefore changing frequency within the 1800MHz band and I can stay in the same place to test it. I've had in the past where the GPS would loose its fix for no reason and then just come back while travelling on a motorway I wonder if this was the same thing. Also the chances of someone owning a HD2 using the GPS and being on a cell who's frequency causes a problem is pretty small, and if your travelling you're likely to just think it's dropped for some reason, and oh yes it's back again now so think no more of it.
You are getting confused between GPS and GPRS.
GPS is the satellite system that you use to pinpoint your location (as with TomTom). If your phone is indoors or has a restricted view of the sky, then it cannot receive a signal.
GPRS is a data connection between your phone and the telecoms company. It is basically 2.5G, which way a intermediate step before 3G became set up.
fred_up said:
You are getting confused between GPS and GPRS.
GPS is the satellite system that you use to pinpoint your location (as with TomTom). If your phone is indoors or has a restricted view of the sky, then it cannot receive a signal.
GPRS is a data connection between your phone and the telecoms company. It is basically 2.5G, which way a intermediate step before 3G became set up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, completely understand the difference between GPRS and GPS
I've proven with out a doubt that when using the t-mobile cell serving our house (2g) there is no GPS signal. Use another network still 1800 and there is GPS, use 3g, or move to another area on t-mobile there is GPS.
GPS was working at home while on t-mobile upto a couple of weeks ago, I can only think that the cell has had some work done and has changed frequency.
twerki78 said:
No, completely understand the difference between GPRS and GPS
I've proven with out a doubt that when using the t-mobile cell serving our house (2g) there is no GPS signal. Use another network still 1800 and there is GPS, use 3g, or move to another area on t-mobile there is GPS.
GPS was working at home while on t-mobile upto a couple of weeks ago, I can only think that the cell has had some work done and has changed frequency.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Silly question, but have you got AGPS activated? Because it can give you a rough location based upon the local cell transmitter info and any GPS satelite signals you may be recieving.
fred_up said:
Silly question, but have you got AGPS activated? Because it can give you a rough location based upon the local cell transmitter info and any GPS satellite signals you may be receiving.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have AGPS disabled. I doubt my operator supports it. I have tried with QuickGPS disabled and enabled but makes no difference.
If I get a fix while on Orange, leave which ever GPS enabled application I have running, running in the background, force the phone back onto my home network (TMobile), go back to the GPS application there's no fix and no satellite signal being received not even a hint.
I've also tried with the SIM card removed and GPS performs perfectly!
Thank you, I thought I was going mad - my GPS has been working perfectly since I got the phone 6 months ago but in the last week has been dropping out or refusing to start at all.
I tried a hard reset, which fixed the problem until I started driving the next day - after a few minutes TomTom lost it's way. Using a bluetooth GPS proved the signal was good, so I was coming around to the idea that the phone was broken...
I have also now read other users that have had GPS problems when roaming, although usually when switching between countries.
Looking on the T-Mobile website about the orange roaming issue it say 'there might be a few quirky side-effects' but I haven't even signed up for the Orange roaming option, sounds like T-Mobile has changed something for everyone?
I have read that fixing the network choice to manual, not auto, can help with GPS issues while roaming - I've yet to test this.
boomboomer said:
Thank you, I thought I was going mad - my GPS has been working perfectly since I got the phone 6 months ago but in the last week has been dropping out or refusing to start at all.
I tried a hard reset, which fixed the problem until I started driving the next day - after a few minutes TomTom lost it's way. Using a bluetooth GPS proved the signal was good, so I was coming around to the idea that the phone was broken...
I have also now read other users that have had GPS problems when roaming, although usually when switching between countries.
Looking on the T-Mobile website about the orange roaming issue it say 'there might be a few quirky side-effects' but I haven't even signed up for the Orange roaming option, sounds like T-Mobile has changed something for everyone?
I have read that fixing the network choice to manual, not auto, can help with GPS issues while roaming - I've yet to test this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had the issue for a couple of weeks I would say. Certainly last weekend I couldn't get a fix for ages when I set off and it wasn't until I was a way away from home that the GPS got a fix. This was before the roaming got switch on, of course it doesn't mean they were not doing something with the cell/network.
I too can get a perfect fix with external GPS or with a GPS nav system, or by changing networks! I've also tried another SIM card in the phone, again T-Mobile and get the same results.
I've attached some screen shots.
1st T-mobile no satellites, you'll notice that there isn't so much of hint of signal.
2nd Changing network.
3rd T-Mobile Orange and GPS fix.
All screen shots were taken with the phone in the same place.
Just come back from a drive just to test the GPS. Basically driven 30 miles away from home fixing the phone to T-Mobile and 2G and the only time I got a GPS fix was when the phone lost signal.
Parked in a layby and switched over to orange and got a fix with in a few seconds! Just can't figure out what the connection with being on T-mobile 2g is!
What Radio version is your phone using?
fred_up said:
What Radio version is your phone using?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have the same issue with various official T-Mobile ROMs.
I had a play with updating my AGPS settings last night using the Google settings from this thread: http://ip208-100-42-21.static.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=544421 when working on Orange couldn't notice any difference, with T-Mobile still not GPS fix.
I left the GPS running over night on T-Mobile, admittedly indoors but somewhere I know I get a fix, there was still no fix 7 hours later.
I live in a rural village covered only by one cell mast. GPS starts and runs fine at home with or without the phone turned on. if I walk over the other side of the hill, different cell mast, the GPS drops out immediately - I can't test if 3G fixes the problem as it doesn't work here. Once the GPS has stopped I can't get it to start again, even switching the phone off to airplane mode doesn't help. Only a soft reset, with the phone still in airplane mode will allow the GPS to start.
Switching the phone back on and the GPS drops, however walking back over the hill to home - back to my original cell mast and the GPS starts again.
I'm pretty sure t-mobile have rolled out a change to their 2G system, but not to all masts? rural ones maybe last done hence why my home cell still works.
How to proceed from here? T-Mobile are kind of hard to talk to.....
One thing I did notice was in Memory Map the satellite view normally flicks across satellite numbers until it finds a signal, if the T-Mobile problem occurs this process stops and it would appear to have frozen the service?
I take back the hard to talk to part of my last post, I emailed support from the website and they phoned me back within 2 hours!
As to be expected they couldn't give any instant answers but I gave this thread as a reference and the problem is to be escalated.
The call centerthen phoned me back and asked if I was happy, also to offer me 30 minutes free calls for next 3 months - very nice thank you.
Good work boomboomer. Hopefully T-mobile will find something. I'd like to know what they find, still can't understand the connection between a GSM network and GPS though. I haven't tried a controlled test with flight mode but will try that later. Out of interest what part of the country are you in? maybe it's just a pocket of cells that are affective? I'm in the BA8 postcode area.
The problem certainly only affects 2G, 3G is fine.
I'm out of the country this week but fingers crossed T-Mobile will find the problem. It's nice to know I'm not the only one with a problem.
I'm quite a distance away, DT2 here.
I've been asked to test the GPS over the next few days and keep a log of when and where it doesn't work, they said their network people will ring me soon.
At least this fault is 'interesting' in the words of their technical support guy, he'd never heard of anything like it, so there's hope they will give it some time.
On the plus side they've also given me a free month of internet, so I can't fault their customer support focus.
Incidentally, do you have SPB shell installed? This was the only change I'd made on my phone at the time this problem started.
boomboomer said:
I'm quite a distance away, DT2 here.
I've been asked to test the GPS over the next few days and keep a log of when and where it doesn't work, they said their network people will ring me soon.
At least this fault is 'interesting' in the words of their technical support guy, he'd never heard of anything like it, so there's hope they will give it some time.
On the plus side they've also given me a free month of internet, so I can't fault their customer support focus.
Incidentally, do you have SPB shell installed? This was the only change I'd made on my phone at the time this problem started.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't get chance to do any testing today at Heathrow as ended up being a bit rushed. I wouldn't say your not a million miles away. 22miles ish, the Cell that covers our home is in Dorset which is pretty useless when you have to call 999 because you get connected to Dorset who then can't pass you to Somerset and you end up being in a situation where you have no way of contacting Somerset 999 not great in this day and age! But I'm not going to get started on that one on this topic.
It's quite possible its a regional problem.
No I haven't installed SPB shell, I have tried it with a defaulted phone but still had the same problem.
I'm out the country now until Friday, but will do some testing when I return on my return journey. I'll fix the phone to 2g T-mobile and keep an eye on where the GPS drops out.
Oh dear, just got a call from T-Mobile technical networks - they don't support GPS as part of their service and won't be spending any time on the problem, case closed. They did say the problem seems to be with HTC devices only, blackberrys are not effected so it sounds like they have heard of the issue eleswhere?
Looks like it's a network switch required to solve the problem, shame that as I've been with T-Mobile for over 7 years.
boomboomer said:
Oh dear, just got a call from T-Mobile technical networks - they don't support GPS as part of their service and won't be spending any time on the problem, case closed. They did say the problem seems to be with HTC devices only, blackberrys are not effected so it sounds like they have heard of the issue eleswhere?
Looks like it's a network switch required to solve the problem, shame that as I've been with T-Mobile for over 7 years.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, T-Mobile sold me the phone for use on their network, the phone is sold with a GPS, that now doesn't work on their network surely they need to spend sometime working with HTC to resolve the problem.
I do have a case open with HTC under the ref 10gbc410001235 they were supposed to be taking it up with tier 2 but as yet I've not heard anything back. I'll have to follow it up when I'm back in the UK. It might be worth you also logging a fault with HTC quoting my ref. at least if 2 people call in with the same problem they may start to think it's not just one crazy with the issue!
My other half has a HTC Desire, I haven't checked the GPS on her phone. Not sure if they use the same chipset, of course one is WM the other android. I wonder if its a problem for all HTC phones or just the HD2?

Epic GPS issues

I have had my Epic since it was released and for the original build and the first OTA update, my GPS worked fine but I have been trying to use it lately and its not finding satellites. I am wondering if there is a fix for this or if anyone else has been seeing this issue? I know people had issues on earlier builds...
Under what conditions is your GPS not working? Indoors? Outdoors? Assisted GPS enabled or disabled?
djcslice said:
I have had my Epic since it was released and for the original build and the first OTA update, my GPS worked fine but I have been trying to use it lately and its not finding satellites. I am wondering if there is a fix for this or if anyone else has been seeing this issue? I know people had issues on earlier builds...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Search for "Cold Start" workaround in this forum or any other Sprint Epic forum.
All Epic phones have GPS bugs. The worst one, which you have just experienced, occurs after a period when the GPS has not been used lately, and the phone has not been recently rebooted. This bug has been isolated to these conditions, and obviously is caused by poor internal handling of time-sensitive GPS cache data. The workarounds force a temporary refresh of the cache.
BTW, even though all Epic's have GPS bugs, officially Sprint and Samsung are still in the denial phase. The bugs may not get fixed, so you should learn the workarounds,
You can also download "GPS Status" which lets you clear your cache data and redownload without having to gimp your GPS in cold start mode (which is horrid if you're off network).
boomerbubba said:
Search for "Cold Start" workaround in this forum or any other Sprint Epic forum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recommend this cold start mode as well. Using GPS status to force cache only works part of the time and gimps out your GPS unless your are turning GPS status on and off a dozen times a day each time you want to use location application, not to mention background uses of GPS.
I'm having the same issue, my GPS used to work fine before the latest update and now it takes 2-5mins to acquire a single when im trying to navigate.
narn17 said:
I'm having the same issue, my GPS used to work fine before the latest update and now it takes 2-5mins to acquire a single when im trying to navigate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1)Make sure "use wireless networks" is off
2) use cold start GPS workaround
I was having trouble with the cold start workaround being an intermittent fix. I realized, however, it was usually when I left my house with WiFi turned on.
Apparently the GPS doesn't work (at least on mine) if I have WiFi on even if it's not being used (not connected to an AP). I do not have "use wireless networks" turned on, either.
That really struck me as odd because why would the GPS have anything at all to do with Wifi?
othan1 said:
I was having trouble with the cold start workaround being an intermittent fix. I realized, however, it was usually when I left my house with WiFi turned on.
Apparently the GPS doesn't work (at least on mine) if I have WiFi on even if it's not being used (not connected to an AP). I do not have "use wireless networks" turned on, either.
That really struck me as odd because why would the GPS have anything at all to do with Wifi?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think it is the GPS receiver that has a problem. It is the network-based refreshing of the GPS cache, which is what the Cold Start setting triggers -- that is a problem. Having WiFi on inhibits the cellphone network data connection, and after you leave the house your WiFi does no good.
I and some others have found that this cache refresh not only needs WiFi off, but also 4G off. The refresh occurs smoothly using 3G data. (This 4G behavior makes little sense to me, and I think it is itself another symptom of the Epic's bug.)
I use the Cold Start workaround. To make it work effectively, before I start the GPS I make sure WiFi is off. When I am outside and need to initialize the GPS, I temporarily toggle 4G off. Then I open GPS Test, which turns the GPS radio on, forces a Cold Start refresh of the cache, and confirms that I get good satellite locks. Then I turn 4G on again before using an app such as Google Maps.

GPS lock time problem

Hi,When I use my phone for finding my location without using data connectivity - without relying on A-GPS so my phone finds my location after a lot of time or sometimes google maps can't find my location.
How can I solve this?
Thanks.
After day or so it won't get fix at all. Samsung just did something wrong I'm afraid. Looks like the GPS in SG2 NEEDS data to work. I found the hard way on my trip to Japan. I know no solution.
So I cant change my gps settings?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
GPS in the S2 is weird. Some days it locks in seconds other times it takes forever. I never use A-GPS.
Today I couldn't get it to lock but last night it was instant. So I restored a CWM backup from last night, rebooted and it locked instantly.
I played around with MIUI for a couple of days and found lock time much better than stock or custom rom.
Also, changing server with fasterfix makes no difference when its having problems locking.
I just don't get it.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
GPS Aids in Market. It will take a bit of time on first lock but from then it will be fast.
sxi200 said:
GPS in the S2 is weird. Some days it locks in seconds other times it takes forever. I never use A-GPS.
Today I couldn't get it to lock but last night it was instant. So I restored a CWM backup from last night, rebooted and it locked instantly.
I played around with MIUI for a couple of days and found lock time much better than stock or custom rom.
Also, changing server with fasterfix makes no difference when its having problems locking.
I just don't get it.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you 'never use AGPS' ? Btw. my problem is not time of the lock. But the fact, that without network, I don't get fix AT ALL. With network AGPS reset helps (many apps can do that). But without network GPS works only for some time (AGPS data still valid). After that you just won't get fix. It even looks like wifi connection won't help, it has to be mobile network.
It's because of crappy gps reciever or it can be improved by another rom?
Thanks
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
It seems the problem is that GPS is in mode, where it simply relies on AGPS. In older ROMs there was app called LBSTestMode where you could change the mode to stand alone, or just AGPS based. This application is not in newer ROMs, so it cannot be switched. It clearly is just a software thing. Except it looks that there is no solution which does not involve flashing roms and/or rooting.
Dr.Sid said:
How do you 'never use AGPS' ? Btw. my problem is not time of the lock. But the fact, that without network, I don't get fix AT ALL. With network AGPS reset helps (many apps can do that). But without network GPS works only for some time (AGPS data still valid). After that you just won't get fix. It even looks like wifi connection won't help, it has to be mobile network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I never use it. I don't tick 'use wireless networks' at all. To me that's fake GPS.
Since my last post, GPS has been perfect. Am able to lock up to 11 satellites sitting on the couch. On average it takes about 10 seconds to lock. Tested it at least 20 times today.
But who knows what will happen tomorrow!!!
Man, if you can only get a lock using wireless networks then I think your GPS might be stuffed.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
sxi200 said:
Yeah I never use it. I don't tick 'use wireless networks' at all. To me that's fake GPS.
Since my last post, GPS has been perfect. Am able to lock up to 11 satellites sitting on the couch. On average it takes about 10 seconds to lock. Tested it at least 20 times today.
But who knows what will happen tomorrow!!!
Man, if you can only get a lock using wireless networks then I think your GPS might be stuffed.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That does not mean you don't use AGPS. AGPS is method, where data about GPS satellites are not downloaded from those satellites via GPS receiver, but rather from server via. mobile network. So I'm afraid you do use AGPS, unless you disable mobile networking (and wait about day for current data to become obsolete).
One thing I've noticed is that when I run Z-DeviceTest and bring up the GPS status display, it shows that none of the satellites have almanac data, and very rarely have ephemeris data. If that's accurate, that would suggest that if you've turned off AGPS and mobile networking, you could have some trouble.
3waygeek said:
One thing I've noticed is that when I run Z-DeviceTest and bring up the GPS status display, it shows that none of the satellites have almanac data, and very rarely have ephemeris data. If that's accurate, that would suggest that if you've turned off AGPS and mobile networking, you could have some trouble.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice find. First app I know which shows this. Now I can test if that almanac is downloading via GPS satellites or not.
Dr.Sid said:
That does not mean you don't use AGPS. AGPS is method, where data about GPS satellites are not downloaded from those satellites via GPS receiver, but rather from server via. mobile network. So I'm afraid you do use AGPS, unless you disable mobile networking (and wait about day for current data to become obsolete).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok. So does that would mean it's impossible to get a GPS lock without data enabled? Or just harder to?
Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned AGPS, but instead wireless networks which show your position even though GPS is not locked.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
sxi200 said:
Ok. So does that would mean it's impossible to get a GPS lock without data enabled? Or just harder to?
Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned AGPS, but instead wireless networks which show your position even though GPS is not locked.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems it may vary with ROM, and it is possible to switch it, at least older ROMs contain service menu module (LbsTestMode) to switch it. But my SG2 seems to be unable to get a fix without network. It simply does not even try do download Almanac or Ephemerides data from the satellites.
Also for AGPS, mobile network must be used, not WiFi. As I understand it, those AGPS server names are virtual, and network provider redirects them based on location .. which is not possible via WiFi.
I wonder WHY there is such option at all. Do mobile network providers want us to be unable to get a fix without them ?
Dr.Sid said:
It seems it may vary with ROM, and it is possible to switch it, at least older ROMs contain service menu module (LbsTestMode) to switch it. But my SG2 seems to be unable to get a fix without network. It simply does not even try do download Almanac or Ephemerides data from the satellites.
Also for AGPS, mobile network must be used, not WiFi. As I understand it, those AGPS server names are virtual, and network provider redirects them based on location .. which is not possible via WiFi.
I wonder WHY there is such option at all. Do mobile network providers want us to be unable to get a fix without them ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey Dr, I think you have diagnosed my problem
Every so often I turn off data and use only wifi. One day my GPS locks in seconds then the next it takes forever.
So I have now tested it a couple of times over the last couple of days, when I can't get a lock I turn off wifi and turn on data. All of a sudden GPS locks again. Interesting!!
Hopefully that is it. Will test again the next time it won't lock.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
Ha ! Breakthrough. I could get a fix without network ! But ..
I used newer version of 'GPS Status' app. It shows state of unconnected satellites with gray/blue/yellow based on how much data it has - none/almanac/ephemerides. So you can see if there is some progress or not.
So I disabled network (both wifi and mobile), disabled location from mobile network, left just GPS on .. run GPS status and used 'Reset AGPS'.
The connection has few 'phases':
1) you get signals from satellites .. you see it in power meter .. all are gray .. and their dots on the 'sky' view are all in the N. Sure, GPS does not know where the satellites are, and does not know where you are .. so it can't know where on the 'sky' they should show.
2) Some signals/dots turn blue. That means you have almanac data. Rough position of all satellites, which is transmitted by all satellites. That already means your GPS receiver was used to download some data from the satellites. Based on this, GPS can tell very roughly where you are, and will paint dots on the skyview.
3) Some signals/dots turn yellow. That means you successfully downloaded ephemerides data from that satellite, and it can be used in fix. Have enough of them, and you are done.
4) Some signals/dots turn green - you have fix. The error will get better over time as more satellites are used.
I took me over 5 minutes .. but thanks to this tool I could see I'm indeed receiving some data and there is some progress. Also it only worked outside, under open skies. I tried that in a car, in a bus, in a train .. after 10 minutes I did not get over phase 1. With AGPS I get fix in all such situations in few seconds.
It just looks like the data decoding module for almanac/ephemerides is not the same as for the time (which is used in fix itself). While time channel is quite sensitive and fine, data channel seems to have troubles with even slightest disturbances.
Still I'm happy I made it work in the end !
Btw. the fact that AGPS does not work over WiFi still holds.
ayosopov said:
Hi,When I use my phone for finding my location without using data connectivity - without relying on A-GPS so my phone finds my location after a lot of time or sometimes google maps can't find my location.
How can I solve this?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try fasterfix from market
I rarely have the data connection on (just to save battery) and WiFi is only on where I know I have a known connection - thus it is off when outside.
I put on the GPS then immediately run Sygic satnav program. I will have a fix normally within 30 seconds and a worst case of about a minute (that I can remember).
I have just tried switching off and on my phone, putting on the GPS (from the Pull down menu) and run Sygic. From switching on the GPS, I had a lock in about a minute.
KI3 Stock ROM
fred_up said:
I rarely have the data connection on (just to save battery) and WiFi is only on where I know I have a known connection - thus it is off when outside.
I put on the GPS then immediately run Sygic satnav program. I will have a fix normally within 30 seconds and a worst case of about a minute (that I can remember).
I have just tried switching off and on my phone, putting on the GPS (from the Pull down menu) and run Sygic. From switching on the GPS, I had a lock in about a minute.
KI3 Stock ROM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you try that with AGPS manually reset ? I recommend 'GPS Status' tool to do it, it's in 'tools' menu.
GPS lock time seems much improved in KJ4 firmware for me (i'm on orange 2.3.5)
all three DOP values in GPS Status now show figures (instead of infinity for two of them), and i'm getting reported accuracies of around 5 metres, instead of 14 - 20 metres on the older firmware.

[Q] GPS lock problem after kk

Seems to have GPS lock problems after kk update. Very difficult to get lock, and even when lock is eventually found, signal drops off easily. Anyone with this problem and have a solution for this?
koj012 said:
Seems to have GPS lock problems after kk update. Very difficult to get lock, and even when lock is eventually found, signal drops off easily. Anyone with this problem and have a solution for this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be honest I have seen that on my 4.3, where GPS lock takes more than twice longer (sometimes 5-10 times) than on my S3 - there is another thread on that somewhere. I was hoping 4.4 to come with improved firmware on that one, but apparently not so much
i'm not on kitkat, but i have problems with gps.
however, problems occurs only when recording a track with "my tracks" from google.. as navigation apps works fine, no issue with the signal. only my tracks is giving me huge gaps between checkpoints..
I dont have gps locking problem in kitkat, but with directions while navigation, gps marker points in opposite direction.
Sent from my SM-N900 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
xclub_101 said:
To be honest I have seen that on my 4.3, where GPS lock takes more than twice longer (sometimes 5-10 times) than on my S3 - there is another thread on that somewhere. I was hoping 4.4 to come with improved firmware on that one, but apparently not so much
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have actually had the same problem, I thought it was only me. I ran stock Italy ROM 4.3, but don't see any improvement under 4.4.2 Poland. Even GPS Status app does not seem to help.
xclub_101 said:
To be honest I have seen that on my 4.3, where GPS lock takes more than twice longer (sometimes 5-10 times) than on my S3 - there is another thread on that somewhere. I was hoping 4.4 to come with improved firmware on that one, but apparently not so much
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting, my GPS lock in MapsWithMe Pro is almost instantaneous. About 5 seconds, usually. Unless I'm indoors, but you can't blame a phone for the laws of physics.
N9005 DBT 4.3 MK2/MJ7/MK2
If I use Google Maps, it will only triangulate if I turn on 'Use WiFi', 'Allow Google Location' and more of that rubbish, and even then it takes about 5 minutes to get a lock.
My advice: Stop using Google Maps.
ShadowLea said:
Interesting, my GPS lock in MapsWithMe Pro is almost instantaneous. About 5 seconds, usually. Unless I'm indoors, but you can't blame a phone for the laws of physics.
N9005 DBT 4.3 MK2/MJ7/MK2
If I use Google Maps, it will only triangulate if I turn on 'Use WiFi', 'Allow Google Location' and more of that rubbish, and even then it takes about 5 minutes to get a lock.
My advice: Stop using Google Maps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. I almost NEVER use Google Maps (OK, maybe for testing stuff) - and I can only wonder how you got that idea anyway Generally I am very happy with Sygic and I also use GPS Test for quick testing, also Accurate Compass (for very quickly calibrating the compass).
2. I have now tested MapsWithMe for like 2 days and I can guarantee you that the "instantaneous GPS lock" is COMPLETE bullsh*t - the program is only caching your last position (which generates huge problems if you move between locks), then it tries to use location data from your WiFi connection if that is active; if not it then tries to use some very basic and EXTREMELY INACCURATE positioning based on GSM cell towers (at which point the error displayed for my position was in the order of 1-2 km); during all those steps the program also fires-up the GPS - but it acquires the lock EXACTLY with the same speed (or complete lack thereof) as any other program attempting GPS lock
3. What still remains a little surprising for me is that sometimes (like well over 50% of time but NOT 100%) my GPS lock is MUCH, MUCH faster (in any program) if I have the Mobile Data connection active (which normally I rarely have); once I have the GPS lock I can then stop the Mobile Data connection and the lock remains perfectly good. EDIT: However the WiFi connection does NOT seem to make ANY difference on GPS lock whatsoever.
Isn't this basicly what AGPS should be doing. It requires a data connection to get the positioning fix faster than just using the GPS. once it gets the location it does not need the data that much. Except for google maps to download the map and navigation information, and this is why it needs a data connection all the time.
Sygic does not need a data connection for the map nor navigation. But, of course, having a data connection well get the fix faster.
y2kkingboy said:
Isn't this basicly what AGPS should be doing. It requires a data connection to get the positioning fix faster than just using the GPS. once it gets the location it does not need the data that much. Except for google maps to download the map and navigation information, and this is why it needs a data connection all the time.
Sygic does not need a data connection for the map nor navigation. But, of course, having a data connection well get the fix faster.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, I had no surprise from the fact that aGPS can work
What I might have not mentioned above (fixed that now) was:
- a WiFi connection never improves things
- my old i9300 never needed the mobile data connection (or any kind of connection - that made basically no difference on it).
Those two seem to suggest that the Note3 "GPS driver stack" is worse than the old i9300. Also the fact that the mobile data connection does not improve things in 100% of the cases was IMHO interesting to note.
xclub_101 said:
1. I almost NEVER use Google Maps (OK, maybe for testing stuff) - and I can only wonder how you got that idea anyway Generally I am very happy with Sygic and I also use GPS Test for quick testing, also Accurate Compass (for very quickly calibrating the compass).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, miscommunication. I did not mean you used Gmaps, I meant people in general. Gmaps is a nightmare, on 50Mbps LTE it still barely loads... Even on my homenetwork of 120Mbps WiFi it takes ages to load the map itself, surely the packages are not 1GB a piece?
2. I have now tested MapsWithMe for like 2 days and I can guarantee you that the "instantaneous GPS lock" is COMPLETE bullsh*t - the program is only caching your last position (which generates huge problems if you move between locks), then it tries to use location data from your WiFi connection if that is active; if not it then tries to use some very basic and EXTREMELY INACCURATE positioning based on GSM cell towers (at which point the error displayed for my position was in the order of 1-2 km); during all those steps the program also fires-up the GPS - but it acquires the lock EXACTLY with the same speed (or complete lack thereof) as any other program attempting GPS lock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I travel an average of 600KM a day.
Yes, MWM caches the last position. Which is hilarious from time to time, last week it thought I was still in Zurich when I was actually in Berlin. If you click the gps icon three times again, it repositions. Waiting for it to refix automatically takes ages.
I do not have WiFi on the Autobahn, (If only! ) and 70% of the journey I do not even have a mobile signal.
3. What still remains a little surprising for me is that sometimes (like well over 50% of time but NOT 100%) my GPS lock is MUCH, MUCH faster (in any program) if I have the Mobile Data connection active (which normally I rarely have); once I have the GPS lock I can then stop the Mobile Data connection and the lock remains perfectly good. EDIT: However the WiFi connection does NOT seem to make ANY difference on GPS lock whatsoever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nothing suprising about that. It uses the celltowers to triangulate by sending a data package, as opposed to attempting to connect to three satelites. If the network is fast enough (UMTS and above) it is much easier to get an accurate position. GPRS doesn't work all that well, nor does having 1 bar of signal on anything but LTE.
WiFi only helps if there are active points nearby (no need to connect to them, detecting them is sufficient) and you have 'use wireless networks' enabled under Location Settings.
I just tested: WiFi and Mobile Data off, No network signal, on the Fyra (Highspeed train. Or as much as the NS can manage, anyway.) from Schiphol Airport to Breda @160kph. Got a lock with SpeedView in 15 seconds, detected 24 sats. Not instantaneous, but then you can't ask for that at such speeds.
I do have to say, on the previous firmware it took much, much longer. About 1-2 minutes. And I tried a Dutch Note 3 yesterday, it required almosylt a minute on the same firnware version.
The weather also influences the signal, clear skies vastly improve things. As does solar activity. Last October you could wait an hour and not get a lock, due to a solarstorm causing too much magnetic interference in the atmosphere. Even my GPS locator itself took almost half an hour.
Send From My Samsung Galaxy Note 3 N9005 Using Tapatalk
ShadowLea said:
...
Nothing suprising about that. It uses the celltowers to triangulate by sending a data package, as opposed to attempting to connect to three satelites. If the network is fast enough (UMTS and above) it is much easier to get an accurate position. GPRS doesn't work all that well, nor does having 1 bar of signal on anything but LTE.
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually original aGPS doesn't quite work that way at all - here is some info from some of the guys doing some of the Linux kernel drivers for aGPS devices (I can not guarantee it is 100% accurate but fits OK with other info that I have seen):
http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/Hardware:AGPS
And another thing to remember when testing GPS - after a successful GPS lock it is very likely that you will have a MUCH faster 2nd GPS lock for up to about 2 hours. So any such immediate 2nd lock should be see in the above context, also the lack of it
Least this problem isn't just me. Always used to track my rides with Endomondo without a hitch but I went out for the first time since KitKat and I couldn't tell you how many times it dropped out on that 2 hour ride ... but it was alot
Xalies said:
Least this problem isn't just me. Always used to track my rides with Endomondo without a hitch but I went out for the first time since KitKat and I couldn't tell you how many times it dropped out on that 2 hour ride ... but it was alot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems to be a very common problem. Read somewhere that this is a software issue and there is a fix if the phone is rooted by flashing a patch on it. But I'm not about to root my phone and lose the warranty. SAMSUNG please release an update quickly that fixes this problem.
koj012 said:
Seems to be a very common problem. Read somewhere that this is a software issue and there is a fix if the phone is rooted by flashing a patch on it. But I'm not about to root my phone and lose the warranty. SAMSUNG please release an update quickly that fixes this problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am rooted (with knox 0x0 ) and I have looked into that patch - the one that I saw only sets a different AGPS server address and has minimal or no impact - actually I have a strong feeling that there is something in the CSC that overrides it, which explains why the AGPS server only improves things for me when connected only on mobile data and not over wifi.
IMHO that seems to be mostly a firmware / software driver issue - on my old S3 it looked like there was a lot more "caching" of the "GPS almanac" and slightly more pre-calculation of the "GPS ephemeris", possibly on the application CPU on the phone (which has humongous general-computing power compared with the CPU used inside the GPS circuit, which however is highly more specialized). On the Note 3 it seems to work in a "safer" approach in which older (than like 2 hours) GPS almanac data is considered inaccurate and so is the time otherwise used to pre-calculate GPS ephemeris (which time to be honest I have seen WILDLY inaccurate on some carriers, something like 27 seconds away; and of course if the time is not carrier-set the phone time can easily be tens of minutes away ).

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