[HOW TO] Enable stand-alone/antonymous GPS on Epic 4G
I find the Epic GPS to work very well generally, especially in custom ROMs like CM7. That said it all falls apart whn trying to use the GPS in airplane mode or when overseas (or other areas with no CDMA cellular coverage). From what I can determine the Epic 4G was not configured properly to use the GPS chip in these circumstances.
To fix this issue you need to change the GPS settings on the actual gpsOne chip. This will allow the phone to get a GPS signal when in airplane mode and/or not within a CDMA service area. The procedure is time consuming and annoying but in may experience, worth it.
DISCLAMER – the below how-to could completely brick your phone. I have NO IDEA what I’m doing.
You will need to download some software to begin:
1. Qualcomm Product Support Tools (QPST) v.2.7.355 (or newer) – I don’t think I can post that link so Google it.
2. Epic 4G Windows USB drivers - http://www.samsung.com/us/support/owners/product/SPH-D700ZKASPR
3. MSL code – there are a number of ways of obtaining this so I will not duplicate here.
Step 1:
Obtain your MSL. If you can’t get this, you can’t complete this fix
Step 2:
Install the Epic 4G Windows USB drivers. Assuming you are rooted and or otherwise used ODIN you may already have these installed. Installing again will hurt nothing.
Step 3:
NOTE: So far as I can figure your phone needs to be in stock form to continue from this point on. I tried the rest of this while running CM7 – Nightly 13 and it would not work (particular issues seem to be dial codes and USB modem connectivity). Once finished with the fix you can then flash back to whatever ROM you would like. So…ODEN back to stock.
Open in the dialer and enter ##8778#. This will bring up the “PhoneUtil” menu. Set both UART and USB to MODEM and hit the home button.
Step 4:
Install Qualcomm Product Support Tools (QPST)
Step 5:
Insure that USB debugging is off. Connect the Epic 4G to your computer. The computer should make the usual USB connection noises and may begin installing drivers. Let that that finish.
Step 6:
Open QPST Configuration (installed when you installed QPST) and go the Ports tab, add a new port and select your port number. If nothing shows up uncheck the “show serial….blah blah” box and it will show your port number, select it and add it. You will now see your COM port with your phone connected. Close that.
Step 7:
Open client QPST Service Programming, select your active phone (might take a moment to come up), click "Read from phone" (enter MSL) and then scroll over to gpsOne and select all the options on the left hand side:
Assistance-Spherical
Assistance-Cartesian
AFLT
GPS Almanac
GPS Ephemeris
GPS Almanac Correction
Autonomous
GPS/AFLT Hybrid
……then click “Write to Phone.” When that’s done click “connection” and “close” and then close the program.
This may cause your phone to reboot…if not, reboot it.
Step 8:
Open in the dialer and enter ##8778#. This will bring up the “PhoneUtil” menu. Set UART to Modem (USB to PDA) and hit the home button….reboot again.
Step 9:
You should no be able to use the GPS while in airplane mode or (especially) after booting up in an area without CDMA coverage.
TIPS: If you should clear you AGPS settings for some reason (or they expire?) and you want to use the GPS anonymously without a CDMA or WiFi connection, you will need to reboot the phone first (and possibly disable “use wireless networks” in Location Settings until some new AGPS data is obtained). One way to obtain some AGPS data in absence of a CDMA network is to use an app like GPS Test to load some AGPS data back into the phone via WiFi. Also it may be possible to improve this by refining the gpsOne settings…but you would need to figure out what the hell they all mean.
This solution works for me.
Good luck
Thanks to these sources for this fix:
http://bbsoftware.weebly.com/uploads/1/7/9/3/1793039/gps_limitations_pdf.pdf
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=891077
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1304225
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1192128
Wow thank you so much I always hated that I wasn't able to use my epic's gps on a good long hike.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using xda premium
This sounds great. Thanks for sharing.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk
Imo this should be in dev section cuz this is a mod.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using xda premium
I find that YMMV but it always seems to work after a reboot.....before I did this fix that was not the case.
Set both UART and USB to PDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is this right? I can only ever remember seeing UART set to MODEM out of the box.
TDuck691 said:
Is this right? I can only ever remember seeing UART set to MODEM out of the box.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not even sure at this point after mucking with it for so long. I can say that after a fresh return to stock this morning that's where things were at when I entered ##8778#.
RyleyinSTL said:
I'm not even sure at this point after mucking with it for so long. I can say that after a fresh return to stock this morning that's where things were at when I entered ##8778#.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just looked on my virgin Epic and UART is set to MODEM.
After a bunch of testing it seems that while this solution works it only seems to work properly for me after a reboot. Which while not as covenant is a big improvement over it not working at all.
Put the phone in airplane made
Reboot
Open GPS app/turn on GPS (phone is still in airplane mode)
Success - Autonomous GPS!
However if the phone is already on and I just put it in airplane mode (with GPS turned on) I can't get a lock or see any satellites. However the above method fixes it.
Of course as always GPS will work in airplane mode if turned on after a lock has been made. However my interest in autonomous GPS mode is for when traveling outside of CDMA service areas, like Europe.
So there you have it....a partial fix anyway. If anyone has any idea as to why this only works after a reboot I'd love to here it. As an aside I have tested this with CleanGB and CM7 ROMs and get the same result.
Thanks a lot. I had no idea our phone's GPS was this crappy, nor that you could also program the GPS chip using QPST. I don't go into no service areas that much, but I occasionally go camping in the Sierras. The last time I went, I had my Touch Pro 2, which had GPS that worked fine (albeit a bit slow to lock) without any service. It would be annoying to go there next spring or summer only to find out I had no GPS.
Thanks, this would have saved my a$$ last time I was in Europe
Sent from my Touchpad using Tapatalk
Thanks for the how to.
Sent from the Drivers Seat of my Suby txting and Driving doing 100MPH+ in a school zone! Ha.
toadlife said:
Thanks a lot. I had no idea our phone's GPS was this crappy, nor that you could also program the GPS chip using QPST. I don't go into no service areas that much, but I occasionally go camping in the Sierras. The last time I went, I had my Touch Pro 2, which had GPS that worked fine (albeit a bit slow to lock) without any service. It would be annoying to go there next spring or summer only to find out I had no GPS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Toad- Can we hope for CleanGB MTD 2.0 with autonomous GPS? Sure would be nice on the backpacking trip around Lone Pine/Bridgeport.
has any one done more testing? ANy Hardware Engs care to chime in?
Thanks for this... went hiking through some trails at my dads in southern florida at a place they call "bad luck"... well if not for this we would prolly still be out there finding our waay back... absolutely no cell Service and if my phone didn't lock we would've really had some bad luck! Now I know why they named it that!
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk
So other than caching google maps to your sd card, what other mapping or gps apps can you use without a data connection?
Sent by my CleanGB Epic using XDA App
BillyBob3 said:
So other than caching google maps to your sd card, what other mapping or gps apps can you use without a data connection?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Locus Maps in the App Store is beyond amazing for that sort of thing. Started here in XDA. Name it, it does it.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...4PzmAg&usg=AFQjCNF4SMCsTRVhGW05DjskdbLhbkyHrQ
Copilot is a pay app. That's kinda like a Garmin it has a few Gigs of map data on the sdcard.
Sent from the Drivers Seat of my Suby txting and Driving doing 100MPH+ in a school zone! Ha.
tony_spear said:
Toad- Can we hope for CleanGB MTD 2.0 with autonomous GPS? Sure would be nice on the backpacking trip around Lone Pine/Bridgeport.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think this is something that can be (easily) cooked into a ROM. Sans some crazy low level programming, you pretty much have to use QPST to make these changes to the phone.
toadlife said:
I don't think this is something that can be (easily) cooked into a ROM. Sans some crazy low level programming, you pretty much have to use QPST to make these changes to the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you know what has to be in a ROM for ##8778# “PhoneUtil” to work?
I know that this keycode works on ACS5.5
Related
I have been reading around and talking to friends about the Touch phone, and could use a little more assistance on enabling the GPS in my phone. Can someone please point me in the right direction?
Thanks,
Robbie
have you upgraded to windows mobile 6.1??
if so, then go to start > settings > Phone > Services tab > make sure location setting is highlighted, click get settings >then make sure it is set to on.
that will make sure that applications are allowed to use your gps signal.
then once you have done that,
open your gps, if you use google maps you have to click menu, use gps.
I have upgraded to the official verizion 6.1 rom. My question is, does gps use data? Is the gps a real gps that connects to satellites or is it some pseudo gps that approximates my location by triangulating distances between my phone and the nearest couple cell towers? I don't have a data plan and don't want an unpleasant suprise on my next bill.
jrb_82 said:
I have upgraded to the official verizion 6.1 rom. My question is, does gps use data? Is the gps a real gps that connects to satellites or is it some pseudo gps that approximates my location by triangulating distances between my phone and the nearest couple cell towers? I don't have a data plan and don't want an unpleasant suprise on my next bill.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, the Vogue has a real GPS antena. If you read through the forums you'll find verizon users have to do a bit of tweaking to get it working.
It can be confusing, because our phones also support "agps". This stands for assisted gps. AGPS uses cell phone tower triangulation to get a position.
GPS has inherent errors, in the aviation world there is a system called diffrential GPS. This uses a ground based system to correct the time diffrential error in the sattelites for greater accuracy. Without dgps you cannot use the gps inputs for a precision approach, only enroute, terminal and overlay. We use other systems such as vor/dme. This uses ground based "towers" to get a position using radial and distance information. This is very similiar to what agps does.
to answer the question does it use data?
the answer is yes.
it has to have a data connection in order to receive the gps data.
atleast thats my understanding, as a data connection does start and maintain during my gps sessions.
codybear said:
to answer the question does it use data?
the answer is yes.
it has to have a data connection in order to receive the gps data.
atleast thats my understanding, as a data connection does start and maintain during my gps sessions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No it shouldn't. The data connection you're seeing is probably initiated by the application that needs the internet for transferring maps like Google maps or MS Live search.
If you load up any independent GPS app that uses locally stored maps like TomTom or Garmin, then it shouldn't initiate any data connections.
thanks method man for correcting me.
i didn't think about it that way. haha.
Also a Newbie
I was wondering whether there was an app that I would need to install on my xv6900 to get the GPS working or do i need an external device like the TomTom Go series to get the GPS up and running.
Any help is much appreciated.
Thankyou
How to get GPS to work
acidreflux1 said:
I was wondering whether there was an app that I would need to install on my xv6900 to get the GPS working or do i need an external device like the TomTom Go series to get the GPS up and running.
Any help is much appreciated.
Thankyou
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The reason it dont work is because GPS tries to connect one way, i belive its phone as modem. and when you browse the internet, it tries to connect as Sprint PCS.
now i might be wrong in that, but just lisen.
in order to fix it you need to do a registry change. get a free program to edit the registry. like PHM RegEdit.
got it downloaded? installed? good. lets move on.
open it up
click on My Device
+HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
+Comm
+ConnMgr
+Providers
+{7C4B7A38-somethingsomethingsomething}
+Phone as Modem.
go into that setting, make sure that the key AlwaysOn is set to 0
THIS IS THE IMPORTANT PART
go down a setting from phone as modem to
+SprintPCS
the key inside doesnt have to be set to Always On, but you can enable it if you want.
now close it up. count to 20 and do a restart on the phone
next time you try to run any GPS app it should work. use GoogleMaps though.
also while you are in here you can go into ConnectionSharing. a key above ConnMgr. and make it so you can use your phone as a modem for your laptop. the option was removed in the 6.1 update. let me know if you wish to know how.
6.1 ROM? and GPS
jrb_82 said:
I have upgraded to the official verizion 6.1 rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I called Verizon regarding the WM 6.1 upgrade and they told me to go to Microsoft's website and download it. Microsoft says go to the carrier's website. I'm confused. I'm using a Verizon XV6900 running Windows Mobile 6 Professional. Are we talking the same thing? Is there a newer version (6.1) than 6 Professional? If so, where can I get it?
Also, I've read about enabling the internal GPS antenna, which appeals to me, but there is so much info with different instructions, talking about Sprint and Alltel, radios, etc. Is there a good (read: easy) set of instructions for this? Also, a list of the possible problems encountered (function, data loss, etc.)? I don't want to be a pain in the rear, but this is not my specialty. But I could really use the GPS capability with my work (real estate) w/o needing an exterior unit. I currently use a DeLorme bluetooth unit, but its a pain.
Thanks in advance, Jim.
jimonfly said:
I called Verizon regarding the WM 6.1 upgrade and they told me to go to Microsoft's website and download it. Microsoft says go to the carrier's website. I'm confused. I'm using a Verizon XV6900 running Windows Mobile 6 Professional. Are we talking the same thing? Is there a newer version (6.1) than 6 Professional? If so, where can I get it?
Also, I've read about enabling the internal GPS antenna, which appeals to me, but there is so much info with different instructions, talking about Sprint and Alltel, radios, etc. Is there a good (read: easy) set of instructions for this? Also, a list of the possible problems encountered (function, data loss, etc.)? I don't want to be a pain in the rear, but this is not my specialty. But I could really use the GPS capability with my work (real estate) w/o needing an exterior unit. I currently use a DeLorme bluetooth unit, but its a pain.
Thanks in advance, Jim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is the link to the offical WM6.1 ROM
http://www.pcdphones.com/phone_downloads.aspx?bid=95&cid=1&mid=302&carrier=Verizon Wireless
1. sync your phone with Outlook. You will loose everything on your phone when you flash the new ROM. Files on your memory card will be safe.
2. Unlock your phone with 2.31 & refer to the links below.
http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=20370
http://www.atwistedweb.com/xv6900/index.html
3. connect your phone to your computer via activesync & run the ROM file you download. Simply follow the instructions.
4. Your phone will hard reset once the flash is complete. You will have to align the screen & such. The very last screen will ask you to tap the screen to begin using your device. You have to be ready to soft reset your phone as soon as you tap the screen. DO NOT LET THE CUSTOMIZATIONS RUN OR YOU WILL BE SCREWED FOR SURE.
5.Settings--->Phone--->Services Tab select location settings & then hit the get settings button. Make sure Location On is selected.
6. Download the Holus GPS viewer & install.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=434408&highlight=holux+gps+viewer
post #3
7. Once the GPS viewer open hit the scan button. This will tell you what port & at what baud you GPS is at. It should be com 4 @ 4800.
8. Hit the open GPS button & hopefully you will get a lock.
phone keeps scanning for satellites
Is this normal? The GPS program ran and continues to search for satellites. Its alomst like it can't find any. I ran it just the way you listed. Anything else I can try?
If you are using Holux GPS viewer and you see red dots then be happy your GPS is working. Usually first lock takes longer. try it on an open place hopefully you will get a lock. The red dots you see on Holux are the satellites that your GPS is seeing, Once it gets a lock you will see blue dots and that's a fix. If it continues to flash red dots, I would try closing and opening port once, that wud restart the GPS.
Once you get a lock, use any 3rd party software like Garmin Mobile XT or Tomtom Navigator 7 if you don't have a data plan. If you have a dataplan then you can use goolemaps too.
Hope it helps..
bwolsen said:
Is this normal? The GPS program ran and continues to search for satellites. Its alomst like it can't find any. I ran it just the way you listed. Anything else I can try?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MethodMan said:
No it shouldn't. The data connection you're seeing is probably initiated by the application that needs the internet for transferring maps like Google maps or MS Live search.
If you load up any independent GPS app that uses locally stored maps like TomTom or Garmin, then it shouldn't initiate any data connections.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No that isn't true at all,
I have both Tomtom and Igo with map files on the sd card. The phone needs the internet to get the agps information otherwise the GPS programs can't get a lock. It doesn't use much adata at all as I was roaming in the states (from canada) for around 10 days , I used the gps everyday and was only charged under $3 for the whole 10 days.
jimonfly said:
I called Verizon regarding the WM 6.1 upgrade and they told me to go to Microsoft's website and download it. Microsoft says go to the carrier's website. I'm confused. I'm using a Verizon XV6900 running Windows Mobile 6 Professional. Are we talking the same thing? Is there a newer version (6.1) than 6 Professional? If so, where can I get it?
Also, I've read about enabling the internal GPS antenna, which appeals to me, but there is so much info with different instructions, talking about Sprint and Alltel, radios, etc. Is there a good (read: easy) set of instructions for this? Also, a list of the possible problems encountered (function, data loss, etc.)? I don't want to be a pain in the rear, but this is not my specialty. But I could really use the GPS capability with my work (real estate) w/o needing an exterior unit. I currently use a DeLorme bluetooth unit, but its a pain.
Thanks in advance, Jim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.pcdphones.com/phone_downloads.aspx?bid=95&cid=1&mid=302&carrier=Verizon Wireless
Here is the update you are looking for, now.... For the love of the lord, DO NOT LET CUSTOMIZATION RUN!!!
Update your device as directed in the file, when the device updates and restarts, you will see a message that says something like "Running Customization in... 3,2,1 Seconds" or something like that, when you see that, stick the stylus in the hole at the bottom of the device and you will avoid a big pain in the @ss.
EDIT: Oops, i'm too late LOL, didn't refresh thepage while searching the update.
Can't get a lock
I just followed all the steps and installed GPS viewer and could not get a lock. I used the Verizon MR1 rom. Since that did not work I tried installing Valhalla GPS Server to see if that would help. No luck. Any Ideas?
mfpreach said:
No that isn't true at all,
I have both Tomtom and Igo with map files on the sd card. The phone needs the internet to get the agps information otherwise the GPS programs can't get a lock. It doesn't use much adata at all as I was roaming in the states (from canada) for around 10 days , I used the gps everyday and was only charged under $3 for the whole 10 days.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have data blocked on my phone and the GPS worked fine up until about a month ago. Whatever Verizon did blocked my GPS and I have not been able to get is working since. I can still run GPS viewer and see satellites but I can't get a fix on them.
I have everything working now. Thanks.
Just so I have it straight...
When I unlock the phone with 2.31, do I let customizations run? The ppcgeeks thread doesn't specify, but the atwistedweb thread says let them run. What does 2.31 do? Just unlock the phone so I can install the next ROM? Also, the ppc post talks about disabling USB while the other does not. Is there a preference?
When I install the new WM6.1 ROM, the atwistedweb post says to install it from the SD card, while the this thread says via USB. Once again, any preference?
I understand not to let the customizations run for this ROM and by putting the stylus in the bottom hole it resets the machine. After it comes up again, will the phone be (should be) upgraded and ready to use?
Lastly, if my phone gets "bricked" (I guess that means it turns into a battery powered paperweight), you guy can help me out, right?
Man, all of this just to get GPS and Verizon service. Still nervous! And Verizon won't shut my service off or stop tech support?
Thanks again. Trying to get all the info up front so I don't have to later. Jim
jimonfly said:
Just so I have it straight...
When I unlock the phone with 2.31, do I let customizations run? The ppcgeeks thread doesn't specify, but the atwistedweb thread says let them run. What does 2.31 do? Just unlock the phone so I can install the next ROM? Also, the ppc post talks about disabling USB while the other does not. Is there a preference?
When I install the new WM6.1 ROM, the atwistedweb post says to install it from the SD card, while the this thread says via USB. Once again, any preference?
I understand not to let the customizations run for this ROM and by putting the stylus in the bottom hole it resets the machine. After it comes up again, will the phone be (should be) upgraded and ready to use?
Lastly, if my phone gets "bricked" (I guess that means it turns into a battery powered paperweight), you guy can help me out, right?
Man, all of this just to get GPS and Verizon service. Still nervous! And Verizon won't shut my service off or stop tech support?
Thanks again. Trying to get all the info up front so I don't have to later. Jim
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make sure you have backed up everything. First you need to unlock with the .40 unlocker. Then flash to the sprint pre-GPS ROM (This will downgrade your radio which is said to be dangerous but I have never heard of anyone hurting their phone while doing it correctly. This will also require you to call Verizon and get a new A-key. If they ask you what happened just tell them that you had to hard reset your device because of a bad program. Go through all of their steps and it will all get fixed. You have to call Verizon because you wont be able to make calls.) DO NOT LET CUSTOMIZATIONS RUN! You'll know they're about to run beacuse there will be a pop up saying they're going to run in 3 seconds (or something like that). As soon as you see that pop up stick your stylus in the reset hole. Then unlock with the 2.31 unlocker. After you use this unlocker you wont have to unlock again. Ok now you flash back to the Verizon MR1 ROM. DO NOT LET CUSTOMIZATIONS RUN! Once again you'll know they're about to run beacuse there will be a pop up saying they're going to run in 3 seconds (or something like that). Now after you do this your GPS should be working but I was never able to get it to work with the Verizon MR1 ROM. So I recommend using NSFFAN's 6.5 ROM. Now when I unlock and flash ROM's I don't disable the USB thing your talking about. I also flash everything through my computer (USB) and not through the SD card. There is a small chance you can brick your phone but if you do everything carefully and correctly it's a very very small chance. Just make sure you are doing everything right before moving on to each next step. If a phone is bricked I don't think it can be recovered but i'm not 100% sure. Lots of times when there are problems though it's not a bricked phone and just a glitch so if you have anything that doesn't seem right just come on here and ask for help. Verizon won't do anything with your service except fix your phone like I said earlier unless you tell them what your actually doing. I don't know what happens then and I don't want to find out.. What they don't know won't hurt them Feel free to PM me if you have any questions or need any help.
It looks like Google forced OEMs to ditch Skyhook, and, affording to this article, Samsung was involved. I wonder if Samsung scrambled to put together a quick fix before releasing the Galaxy S and this could explain the AGPS issues.
http://i.engadget.com/2010/09/17/skyhook-google-forced-motorola-to-drop-our-location-service-de/
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Isnt skyhook disabled by default? So how would this affect the GPS?
KerryG said:
Isnt skyhook disabled by default? So how would this affect the GPS?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/17/skyhook-google-forced-motorola-to-drop-our-location-service-de/
Following that, Skyhook claims that Google then went after an unidentified "Company X" (likely Samsung) and forced it to drop XPS as well -- which would certainly explain why Samsung's Galaxy S phones have WiFi positioning turned off by default, unlike every other Android phone. Ouch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Skyhook is absolutely 100% unnecessary for a properly functioning gps. It has nothing to do with the problems on the Galaxy S devices.
Sent from Samsung Vibrant
Just turn it back on. Go to *#*#1472365#*#*, application settings, scroll down to skyhook, select on. Then wifi positioning/AGPS should be on now. Its a shame its off by default.
Sent from my messenger rabbit
so what is this going to change if i enable skyhook?? should I enable skyhook??
Not sure if this is the same for everyone, but I can't seem to access the GPS settings using the *#*#1472365#*#* command - not sure when it started, but the one thing I did do between the last time I accessed the service (a few weeks back) to now is flashing the leaked firmware. Anyone else with this issue? I found the noted article yesterday and wanted to check to see if the Skyhook option was still there, and, of course, I can't tell.
courtmagician said:
Not sure if this is the same for everyone, but I can't seem to access the GPS settings using the *#*#1472365#*#* command - not sure when it started, but the one thing I did do between the last time I accessed the service (a few weeks back) to now is flashing the leaked firmware. Anyone else with this issue? I found the noted article yesterday and wanted to check to see if the Skyhook option was still there, and, of course, I can't tell.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That dialer code invoked a hidden app called LbsTestMode. The dialer code no longer works in the leaked ROM, but the hidden app is still there. It can be accessed by the workaround explained here, which does involve installing LauncherPro and setting up a shortcut.
Maybe Samsung rushed to market without thoroughly testing the GPS on the Galaxy phones after being told not to use Skyhook. It could have been integrated into their existing firmware. I don't know; I could be completely wrong on this, but I'm just throwing it out there to see what others think. I also can't access the GPS service menu on the new firmware. I haven't had major GPS issues to tell you the truth, but my brother has to launch GPS test to make his maps work on his Epic.
cthach11 said:
Just turn it back on. Go to *#*#1472365#*#*, application settings, scroll down to skyhook, select on. Then wifi positioning/AGPS should be on now. Its a shame its off by default.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Skyhook has nothing to do with aGPS. It is a non-GPS method of location service based on a map of all the WiFi routers and access points out there. The Skyhook company has a bunch of people who wardrive and collect the data to populate its database, then offers the service to carriers for a fee.
However, the same hidden utility (LbsTestMode) whose menu can be used to enable Skyhook also can be used to enable aGPS. Selecting MS Based mode instead of the default Standalone mode is what would do that. This controls the operation of the satellite based GPS, accelerating the download of certain satellite data over the network. It is entirely independent of Skyhook.
Enabling MS Based aGPS makes obvious sense. It is an established industry standard for GPS operation on cellphones. The merits of Skyhook are another question, and I don't really have an informed opinion.
Thanks for the link. You can actually do the same thing in ADW (which is what I use), just choose "Custom Shortcut" and then "Activities" and you can scroll don to LbsTestMode. I like it when solutions are right in front of my face
So do you need to leave your WiFi on all the time when enabling Skyhook? That would drain your battery even faster...
courtmagician said:
Thanks for the link. You can actually do the same thing in ADW (which is what I use), just choose "Custom Shortcut" and then "Activities" and you can scroll don to LbsTestMode. I like it when solutions are right in front of my face
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for this, never knew I could do that with ADW
I've always had Skyhook turned off and yet when connected to my WiFi network I get a highly accurate position, even with GPS turned off. Thoughts?
jjohns63 said:
I've always had Skyhook turned off and yet when connected to my WiFi network I get a highly accurate position, even with GPS turned off. Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your position would be coming from your GPS or from cellphone tower triangulation, depending on your other settings, whether you use WiFi or not.
Skyhook would looking for all the other WiFi locations around you that are in its database. Those locations might include your local WiFI router along with everyone else's if Shyhook's wardivers found it. But Skyhook would not actually connect to those WiFi sources. It would only detect them.
boomerbubba said:
Your position would be coming from your GPS or from cellphone tower triangulation, depending on your other settings, whether you use WiFi or not.
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Click to collapse
I know this is not the case as the accuracy circle in maps covers maybe half a block, not a mile. As I said, I had disabled the GPS, and cell tower triangulation is not that accurate, especially where I am with low signal.
Skyhook would looking for all the other WiFi locations around you that are in its database. Those locations might include your local WiFI router along with everyone else's if Shyhook's wardivers found it. But Skyhook would not actually connect to those WiFi sources. It would only detect them.
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This makes sense because I tested it today without actually connecting to a network and it still found my location to the same "wifi accuracy". I had turned on Skyhook for this test. However, I'm still wondering how it was able to find my location with Skyhook turned off.
Skyhook is one company providing a service of mapping access points to locations. Google uses their own - probably picked up from Google maps car.
If you have "use wireless networks" checked under GPS - it will use this other provider (probably google) and not skyhook.
Ive turned skyhook on and off in testmode as well as trying other settings, gps is still bag of suck.Frankly i get better results with it on. Marginal though.BTW.use the lbs test mode app. It'll save you alot of headaches.
Vibrant vibrating nicely now,Kthx!
I hate to start another thread about GPS, but I was seeing many people over in the dev forum getting very accurate readings from the GPS after applying JI6.
I was wondering what the best settings are to optimize GPS accuracy after the JI6 update?
www.spirent-lcs.com and port 7275 or supl.google.com and port 7276?
Keep accuracy at 50? What about skyhook? keep it off?
thanks in advance
clivo360 said:
I hate to start another thread about GPS, but I was seeing many people over in the dev forum getting very accurate readings from the GPS after applying JI6.
I was wondering what the best settings are to optimize GPS accuracy after the JI6 update?
www.spirent-lcs.com and port 7275 or supl.google.com and port 7276?
Keep accuracy at 50? What about skyhook? keep it off?
thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most of them just leave the original settings, and so have I. Getting exact reading while using my tracks from google.
I just updated to JI6 and i don't know why but it still thinks I'm somewhere far off...not nearby...about the same as before...
How do you change ANY of these things you guys are talking about?
I'm new to android (from ios)
Jhnboy said:
I just updated to JI6 and i don't know why but it still thinks I'm somewhere far off...not nearby...about the same as before...
How do you change ANY of these things you guys are talking about?
I'm new to android (from ios)
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Click to collapse
These are settings you put in LBSTestMode menu, which you can access by dialing *#*#1472365#*#*
You should let your GPS catch before actually deciding if your GPS works or not, mine started crappy but ended up flawless, if you decide that your GPS is crap then you might go change the settings.
you guys are getting accurate locks with the "use wireless networks" option checked or unchecked?
i don't get any satellite locks at all when I only check "use GPS satellites"! I have to check "use wireless networks" for my gps to find me
I just got the JI6 update via Kies Mini
chocobo15 said:
you guys are getting accurate locks with the "use wireless networks" option checked or unchecked?
i don't get any satellite locks at all when I only check "use GPS satellites"! I have to check "use wireless networks" for my gps to find me
I just got the JI6 update via Kies Mini
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Click to collapse
I get accurate results with it checked, and for which it is 100% of the time when I use my phone too.
I did uncheck it just to test it out and stepping outside, it gave me an accurate location and fast too.
My phone of course has the JI6 update, if it needed to be said.
dmolition said:
These are settings you put in LBSTestMode menu, which you can access by dialing *#*#1472365#*#*
You should let your GPS catch before actually deciding if your GPS works or not, mine started crappy but ended up flawless, if you decide that your GPS is crap then you might go change the settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, the dialer code you used no longer works after JI6. It is now
*#3214789650# to get into the LBSTestMode menu.
Maybe I have to step outside too. I'll test it out tomorrow on my way to work.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
dmolition said:
These are settings you put in LBSTestMode menu, which you can access by dialing *#*#1472365#*#*
You should let your GPS catch before actually deciding if your GPS works or not, mine started crappy but ended up flawless, if you decide that your GPS is crap then you might go change the settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Minor correction. The correct lbltest mode code for the newer JIX builds (including JI6) is *#3214789650#
I've had mixed results with GPS since upgrading to the newer JI6 firmware. Some days it seems like I can aquire a GPS signal within thirty seconds or so of turning GPS on. Other days it takes upwards of five minutes. I have more or less chalked this problem up to signal quality in the areas I am turning the service on in. Since I work outside of the states the problem could also be due to wherever the phone is pulling SUPL data from as well. I'd be curious as to what other expatriot users have their phones set to utilize for SUPL data. At the moment I am running the phone in cold boot/MS Based, as this seems to speed up the time it takes me to nab a decent signal.
cathardicnotion said:
Minor correction. The correct lbltest mode code for the newer JIX builds (including JI6) is *#3214789650#
I've had mixed results with GPS since upgrading to the newer JI6 firmware. Some days it seems like I can aquire a GPS signal within thirty seconds or so of turning GPS on. Other days it takes upwards of five minutes. I have more or less chalked this problem up to signal quality in the areas I am turning the service on in. Since I work outside of the states the problem could also be due to wherever the phone is pulling SUPL data from as well. I'd be curious as to what other expatriot users have their phones set to utilize for SUPL data. At the moment I am running the phone in cold boot/MS Based, as this seems to speed up the time it takes me to nab a decent signal.
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Click to collapse
I have the same questions and more....
I thought a cold boot/start would start your GPS as if it had no memory of where you where last, I mean in what part of the world. My handhelds and a CF card GPS would cold start from the city they were manufactured in, then slowly find their way to N. America locating birds and then slowly zeroing in on my location.
Hot start would put me at least in my home state to start then locate the birds that are in a geosynchronous orbit (the sats/birds that are always (mostly) over head, they turn as the earth turns) Since the birds are always overhead of this general continent and I too tend to stay in this general continent. After first uses I keep it on "hot" start so the GPS chip doesn't ry to find me in Asia first.~
Now the above statement are base on some assumptions: Is this indeed what hot and cold start means on this device? (it does on others) Also when does it go to a colds start? During reboot of the device? Do the settings Cold and hot always force these types of starts? How long is hot start memory stored on the device?
I'm not even sure flashing new firmware or a new GPS version resets the settings to default. Some have reported instant locks some complain it takes a while for first locate (normal).
Two major questions now that we have the correct codes to adjust them: what are the defaults and did the Ji6 flashed upgrade reset them to default? Did it make a difference via ODIN, OTA or mini Kies?
I ask this because my GPS worked great with the leaked Fix flashed, now after the Ji6 update it works like stock out of the box (crappy).
So as the first question on the thread asked what are the best settings for the new update? And if stock is it what is stock? Did the update revert the settings back to stock?
Ji6 settings are standalone, hot start, GPS plus on, dynamic on, accuracy 50. Sky hook off, PC off
Supl is WWW.spirent-lcs.com
Server 7275 secure socket on, agps mode supl
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Why is the Focus' gps so slow? I don't know what's wrong with my focus, I mean it just takes so long to get the coordinates of my location. I even have to go to a open sky area then wait for few minutes before it can successfully get my coordinates. Its just so annoying, this is a post ipad product, how come an ipad 1 can get my coordinates even inside the room without any difficulty?
Is this a hardware issue or just a firmware fix is due?
my focus gets a very quick lock about 90% of the time, every so often it will take a mintute or so to lock, but i've had this happen with pretty much every phone i've owned, so it seems about average to good for me...
the ipad1 (unless a 3g + wifi model) uses your network to locate you, which is why it's quite fast.
We have 2 Focuses, one AT&T and one Rogers. With both I get about the same time to get a fix, and that's slightly under a minute, in my location (several tall buildings near).
With what app do you check your GPS? I recommend GPS App
It's an AT&T. My ipad is a 3G+Wifi. It gets gps coordinates via gps chip and not A-gps. Most of the time the ipad gets coordinates very fast in span of 20-25 seconds, boom you know where you are in the map.
I am using the built in MAPS software to track my location. Does the software matters? I mean if the chip is really weak, what can the software do ?
jtphl said:
It's an AT&T. My ipad is a 3G+Wifi. It gets gps coordinates via gps chip and not A-gps. Most of the time the ipad gets coordinates very fast in span of 20-25 seconds, boom you know where you are in the map.
I am using the built in MAPS software to track my location. Does the software matters? I mean if the chip is really weak, what can the software do ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sometimes it does. To give you an example why: GPS without efemerides take several minutes to get a fix. GPS with efemerides take 20s to 1 min to get a fix. Efemerides are downloaded via software.
As for the app I found it to be good enough for testing the GPS part.
I can agree with you. Sometimes while driving if I take a different route than the one the phone provided for me, it will either fail to locate where I am for a few minutes or just fail completely.
I think it's time for a small update.
Is it just a minor driver issue? I hope so , otherwise, we have to live with it or change to another device.
jtphl said:
Is it just a minor driver issue? I hope so , otherwise, we have to live with it or change to another device.
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Click to collapse
Again, other people (including me) haven't experienced any issues.
In fact, it works great for me with Turn by Turn Navigation, even inside the car on the passenger seat (not near the windshield).
Try changing some GPS settings in the focus diagnosis app
Sent from my SGH-i917 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
what are the settings in GPS I have to adjust to make it perform beyond expectations? Which specific diagnostic option I have to tweak?
Did the OP ever find a solution to this? I'm having some slow locks and the occasional non lock.
I know in the diagnostic app you can get to the GPS with*#1575# but I'm unsure of what data can possibly be changed.
I'm having the same issue on my Focus (Rogers). It never connects to sattelite and always uses aGPS. It's very annoying. I tried many different gps apps and get the same behavior - very innacurate. Garmin allways says "Can't connect to sattelite", gMaps always shows cell tower icon. My phone is unlocked using original Chevron method (not Chevron labs). I also tired to change settings in *#1575# and turn ON/OFF TLS and GLONASS but nothing helps. Should I try hard reset?
Ecstatic12 said:
I'm having the same issue on my Focus (Rogers). It never connects to sattelite and always uses aGPS. It's very annoying. I tried many different gps apps and get the same behavior - very innacurate. Garmin allways says "Can't connect to sattelite", gMaps always shows cell tower icon. My phone is unlocked using original Chevron method (not Chevron labs). I also tired to change settings in *#1575# and turn ON/OFF TLS and GLONASS but nothing helps. Should I try hard reset?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did a hard reset last night and it seems to have cleared up. I also installed this app, have to click the link in the post, searching for it didnt work.http://www.wpcentral.com/new-samsung-high-fidelity-position-enhances-gps-modifies-settings
Not sure if it's a placebo or not, but it seems to be working better.
is Focus GPS native chip or just a-gps?
Coelho_rj said:
is Focus GPS native chip or just a-gps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Assisted GPS, which includes standard GPS in Standalone mode, so it's better than any native GPS.
after my hard reset the GPS locked much quicker for about a week, then it started acting up again.
my new solution seems to be much easier than a hard reset. Just briefly switch to airplane mode then re-enable your data and open maps up again. Been working great for me.
Faster solution that's been working for me. Turn on and off location services. My phone never locks without this, which is sorely annoying.
I had this problem on 7392 rom. After updating to mango 7720 and 8107, I get fix in 3 to 7 seconds in my room Tested with gpsinfo, it's real satellite data, not agps. I have also installed high fidelity position settings app. Don't know if it's helping.
Sent from my SGH-i917. using Board Express
Before buying this set I want to know something about its GPS.
1. Can it get a lock on the satellites without an internet connection.
2. If yes, how much time it takes to get an accurate position.
Please can anyone test it.
GPS has nothing to do with internet. So yeah it works without internet.
I've read reports that positioning time is around 4-5 seconds.
GPS is not dependent on the internet, but my Tmobile Sensation 4G sure needed a data connection for it to function as a navigation device. I had to download the Google maps for my area to my phone so I could navigate without a data connection.
Gavin S. said:
GPS is not dependent on the internet, but my Tmobile Sensation 4G sure needed a data connection for it to function as a navigation device. I had to download the Google maps for my area to my phone so I could navigate without a data connection.
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Click to collapse
This. If you pre-download whatever area you will need while on WiFi, it will make it so it doesn't need a data connection in use for navigating out in the "wild".
How do you pre-download an area?
Nitemare3219 said:
How do you pre-download an area?
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Click to collapse
I know Google Maps has this function now, but I'm not sure how to go about it. Personally, when I'm hiking or going to a remote place, I use Backcountry Pro. It's a little pricey for a phone app, but they have lots of topographical and aerial satellite shots of the entire North America.
In short, GPS does NOT require an Internet connection to function (find your phone). The app that uses the GPS may need an Internet connection to work though.
EDIT: I found this for instructions on how to do offline navigation with Google Maps.
Open maps and hit menu and one option will be make available offline. Choose that and delineate the area you want. I think I had like a 80mb limit to the size of the file. It was a fairly large bit of map, though.
There is a 80mb limit but you can save 10 of these squares so it's more than enough. A large city can be covered in about 3 or 4 squares.
I've used Google Maps including a lock with navigation in a car without a SIM card in foreign countries, so yes.
Gavin S. said:
Open maps and hit menu and one option will be make available offline. Choose that and delineate the area you want. I think I had like a 80mb limit to the size of the file. It was a fairly large bit of map, though.
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Click to collapse
I have tried that but I don't see a way to save it with a given name and I could only save one image as the second replaced the first. Also the map when you are off line looses a lot of detail except for a small area in the center. At least it did when I tried.
donec said:
I have tried that but I don't see a way to save it with a given name and I could only save one image as the second replaced the first. Also the map when you are off line looses a lot of detail except for a small area in the center. At least it did when I tried.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got me. Maybe you can only have 1 image at a time. Neotekz might have more information.
you could try the app - navfreeworld - that's offline open street maps. I use it with the GPS when overseas so I don't eat up my data connection. Its a free app so if you don't like it, all you lose is time
donec said:
I have tried that but I don't see a way to save it with a given name and I could only save one image as the second replaced the first. Also the map when you are off line looses a lot of detail except for a small area in the center. At least it did when I tried.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think you can change the name, it just auto assigns the name of the area you are saving. I just checked with my gnex and I'm able to save more than one. You can go see the list of your saved maps by going to maps settings->my places->offline tab. There is an option there to add new maps too.
Seemonsters said:
GPS has nothing to do with internet. So yeah it works without internet.
I've read reports that positioning time is around 4-5 seconds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried it yourself...GPS position without internet in just 4-5 sec is impossible...
Please give it another try ...this time without internet...and let me know...
I want to make sure without internet GPS is good on this device before I buy it
Sent from my LG-SU660 using XDA Premium App
Seemonsters said:
GPS has nothing to do with internet. So yeah it works without internet.
I've read reports that positioning time is around 4-5 seconds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not necessarily. My epic 4g will not enable the GPS if there has been no data connection since boot. So if its in airplane mode because I'm somewhere with bad/no signal (sprint, so this was common) there's no way to use GPS with offline maps.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
zman0900 said:
Not necessarily. My epic 4g will not enable the GPS if there has been no data connection since boot. So if its in airplane mode because I'm somewhere with bad/no signal (sprint, so this was common) there's no way to use GPS with offline maps.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have used GPS on some samsung phones without internet...
but I am asking about Nexus 4...?
Has anyone tried GPS on it without internet?
I just tried it, phone in airplane mode and it grabbed 8/19 sats in the area in <8s. That is a HUGE improvement over my sensation which could never get a good (green) lock but it only grabbed ~3 sats in the area and it could take up to 30s with data on, it also constantly lost connection when on a drive so I'll see if that has improved later today.
threeclaws said:
I just tried it, phone in airplane mode and it grabbed 8/19 sats in the area in <8s. That is a HUGE improvement over my sensation which could never get a good (green) lock but it only grabbed ~3 sats in the area and it could take up to 30s with data on, it also constantly lost connection when on a drive so I'll see if that has improved later today.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You tried it over Nexus 4?
Thanks a lot...
If the mobile is saving information every once and then, it's not useful to turn of internet. I think it should be turned off several days until the "assisted" info gets out of date (A-GPS without A).
I have a TomTom GPS, and it downloads once a WEEK the GPS information. If Nexus4 does the same, it's not useful to turn down the internet for a couple of minutes. I think
Struck89 said:
If the mobile is saving information every once and then, it's not useful to turn of internet. I think it should be turned off several days until the "assisted" info gets out of date (A-GPS without A).
I have a TomTom GPS, and it downloads once a WEEK the GPS information. If Nexus4 does the same, it's not useful to turn down the internet for a couple of minutes. I think
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
threeclaws
Can you re test?
Can you delete your a-gps data before trying it again.
Use this tool
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.eclipsim.gpsstatus2
Then try this software to check ur gps positioning
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.chartcross.gpstest&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5jaGFydGNyb3NzLmdwc3Rlc3QiXQ..
Thanks in advance