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No matter how I try to calibrate my compass, it's grossly inaccurate. Simple test with any compass app: Calibrate, set flat on metal-free surface with nothing large and metal nearby, rotate Epic so heading is north (0deg), then rotate device physically 180deg. Compass app should also read close to 180.
Mine never does. Always off a lot, often as much as 20-25 degrees.
Another way to test: Same environment, take two heading readings with 180° physical rotation between. Add them, should be close to 360°. Mine's always Much more, regardless of the starting orientation.
This makes the compass useless, and impacts all sorts of other programs that rely on, orientation information.
Do I have a bad Epic, or is this a known problem?
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
dwallersv said:
No matter how I try to calibrate my compass, it's grossly inaccurate. Simple test with any compass app: Calibrate, set flat on metal-free surface with nothing large and metal nearby, rotate Epic so heading is north (0deg), then rotate device physically 180deg. Compass app should also read close to 180.
Mine never does. Always off a lot, often as much as 20-25 degrees.
Another way to test: Same environment, take two heading readings with 180° physical rotation between. Add them, should be close to 360°. Mine's always Much more, regardless of the starting orientation.
This makes the compass useless, and impacts all sorts of other programs that rely on, orientation information.
Do I have a bad Epic, or is this a known problem?
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine is beyond awful. Its to the point where I don't even think there is a digital compass in my phone.
Its horrible, doesn't work in 2.1. Works well in 2.2 though... if your GPS wasn't totally borked by flashing it (like mine wasn't).
forum.androidcentral.com/sprint-epic-4g/33217-fyi-sixaxis-calibration.html
try this
Was playing with my Vibrant using 'GPS Test Plus' and stumbled onto something. I've always had weak GPS issues like everybody else. By the way I have not done the hardware fix yet. I set my phone down on a metal surface and noticed that I started getting locks within a few seconds. So I played around for a few days and came up with the solution shown in the attached picture. These pictures are from my office at works and letting it sit for 5 minutes without any covers and I couldn't get a lock. Then I popped on the modified factory cover and the modified Case-Mate cover.....and boom.....I get locks in a few seconds. All I've done is add a 1" strip of copper tape along the top inside surface of the cover. at first aluminum foil was used until I refined it a bit. Can't say this will work for everyone...but give it a shot.
Hoopty
Wow. Looks too good to be true.
Can you do a test outside?
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
K, I saw what you did, but obviously the phone is facing up when tested,right? It seems the copper tape is acting as a reflector to the GPS signal (since the signal comes from the sky).I would like to know if it would give you the same results if it was facing down to see if the copper tape would in this case block the GPS signal.I'm just curious because in real life when using Navigation the phone (face)will either facing you directly or (if mounted high on the windshield) slightly tilted down.
mrrobc97 said:
K, I saw what you did, but obviously the phone is facing up when tested,right? It seems the copper tape is acting as a reflector to the GPS signal (since the signal comes from the sky).I would like to know if it would give you the same results if it was facing down to see if the copper tape would in this case block the GPS signal.I'm just curious because in real life when using Navigation the phone (face)will either facing you directly or (if mounted high on the windshield) slightly tilted down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tested it at:
0 degrees (facing up)
90 degrees (facing me)
130 degrees (angled down)
and got the same results with each one. In fact the 130 degree test seemed to have the strongest signal. Take a 2" X 2" piece of aluminum foil and fold it in half and stick it in there. This must work on other Vibrant phone too. Come on.....it would only take a couple minutes to test it.
Hoopty
Hoopty-2011 said:
I tested it at:
0 degrees (facing up)
90 degrees (facing me)
130 degrees (angled down)
and got the same results with each one. In fact the 130 degree test seemed to have the strongest signal. Take a 2" X 2" piece of aluminum foil and fold it in half and stick it in there. This must work on other Vibrant phone too. Come on.....it would only take a couple minutes to test it.
Hoopty
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool...trust me Im gonna try it and let u know.THX
Have you tried using g maps navigation while driving to a location, my phone always goes nuts while driving to a location rerouting, gps signal lost you know that game...?
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA Premium App
Hoopty-2011 said:
Was playing with my Vibrant using 'GPS Test Plus' and stumbled onto something. I've always had weak GPS issues like everybody else. By the way I have not done the hardware fix yet. I set my phone down on a metal surface and noticed that I started getting locks within a few seconds. So I played around for a few days and came up with the solution shown in the attached picture. These pictures are from my office at works and letting it sit for 5 minutes without any covers and I couldn't get a lock. Then I popped on the modified factory cover and the modified Case-Mate cover.....and boom.....I get locks in a few seconds. All I've done is add a 1" strip of copper tape along the top inside surface of the cover. at first aluminum foil was used until I refined it a bit. Can't say this will work for everyone...but give it a shot.
Hoopty
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What type of copper tape?
Are you using both covers on the phone at the same time (two layers of copper tape)?
Have you noticed if this also works for your everyday reception ?
Has anyone else tried this? I will try later today with Aluminum tape since I have no copper tape handy. I guess it should not matter as long as it is metallic.
You still there OP we got some question's for you ^^^
I tried it with aluminium tape but before I even turn on GPS I noticed my wifi signal decreasing so I didnt even go any further. I have excellent GPS right now anyways with Bionix 1.3.1 and Jellette's s.gps.2.zip file that I flashed (7 meter acu.) . I was just curious.
Sent from my Blutiful-Bionix-Powered Vibrant [2ndIINoNe]
leechdweler said:
Have you noticed if this also works for your everyday reception ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im wondering this too lol
Copper is gonna conduct better than aluminum.
If you know the GPS frequency, you could always cut the copper strip to "tune" it to the frequency better.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA Premium App
mrrobc97 said:
I tried it with aluminium tape but before I even turn on GPS I noticed my wifi signal decreasing so I didnt even go any further. I have excellent GPS right now anyways with Bionix 1.3.1 and Jellette's s.gps.2.zip file that I flashed (7 meter acu.) . I was just curious.
Sent from my Blutiful-Bionix-Powered Vibrant [2ndIINoNe]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn't there someone with poor GPS performance that can try this out. All I hear on here is how bad the Vibrant GPS is.......Please.....someone.....test this out. My GPS has never worked this well and it has been several days now. All the testing never showed any effect on WIFI or data signal.
PS: if you have excellent GPS right now this isn't for you.
Hoopty
i've tried it but it doesn't work for me.
i'm on froyo zendroid. but the gps wasn't working before either.
i live in Romania.
Doesn't work for me either. In fact, I can't detect any satellite. My GPS is not great. It picks up satellites with SNR between 30-50 and locks within a minute typically under clear sky but not so well in built up areas. It's VERY sensitive to obstruction. I can't even place my hand under the antenna. So, the extra film of aluminium is more an obstruction than a booster. Wonder if the material matter?
FReQ Z said:
Copper is gonna conduct better than alumimum
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just sayin'.
RF tech, 14 years experience.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA Premium App
FReQ Z said:
Just sayin'.
RF tech, 14 years experience.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then you should know that high frequency signals travel on the surface of the conductor. Just saying...
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Electrons in general flow on the skin of the conductor, not just high frequency. And high frequency is considered to be 3-30 MHz, not even close to GPS frequencies, which is more in the EHF range.
If the OP shows an improvement in signal strength by using a strip of copper tape in his phone, so be it.
RF is not digital nor analog... RF does what it wants. You have to coax it. In the product my company produces, the RF conductors are copper. The frequency we use is not that far off from the GPS frequency... up in the L-band range.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA Premium App
Has anyone else noticed that the nexus 4 sits just fine, tilted against the wireless charger, when it is upside down?
No need to worry about positioning. No need to worry about mystery magnets or rubber pads,since the lower edge sits nicely on the table. It just works.
I think that this is a design error. You can see the actual interior location of the wireless pad in the phone from various breakdown posts. The geometry is just perfect - if you don't know about or didn't notice the correct position of the display.
If I am right:
What would you do back in November if you unpacked a crate of these things and tried one out?
Maybe Google will send all those who purchased this a snap-on plastic stand that allows the phone to sit securely in its proper orientation.
Can you take a picture to explain further of your idea?
I have also noticed this, but it isn't a huge deal to me because it works both ways on my end.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
I bought the official flip case. It has a magnet in the front. Unfortunately Moto have used a rather powerful neodinium magnet. So, your phones magnetometer will follow the edge of the case around rather than true north!!!! This doesn't matter for gps navigation, but for on foot travel, and any augmented reality apps that use the compass this case will make the behave oddly.
I don't know what the long term effect on the phones compass will be, but I don't expect it to be good.
In addition, but for me I think it is a small risk, this magnet will be capable of damaging some computer storage mediums and possibly, wiping swipe card data...
I have no idea why they chose to use such an aggressive magnet. I can hang the phone from a metal bar with it, no problem.
Just thought I would share....
helppme said:
I bought the official flip case. It has a magnet in the front. Unfortunately Moto have used a rather powerful neodinium magnet. So, your phones magnetometer will follow the edge of the case around rather than true north!!!! This doesn't matter for gps navigation, but for on foot travel, and any augmented reality apps that use the compass this case will make the behave oddly.
I don't know what the long term effect on the phones compass will be, but I don't expect it to be good.
In addition, but for me I think it is a small risk, this magnet will be capable of damaging some computer storage mediums and possibly, wiping swipe card data...
I have no idea why they chose to use such an aggressive magnet. I can hang the phone from a metal bar with it, no problem.
Just thought I would share....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to know, i had my worries about this as well. Putting a magnet over the phone 24/7 didn't seem like a good idea
jaramigo said:
Good to know, i had my worries about this as well. Putting a magnet over the phone 24/7 didn't seem like a good idea
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its great for storing your phone on the fridge door though.. wtf were Motorola and google thinking. I think I'm going to complain and see what they say
helppme said:
its great for storing your phone on the fridge door though.. wtf were Motorola and google thinking. I think I'm going to complain and see what they say
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes sir, you should that. It is ridiculous to make such design mistake on an official case. I was about to buy one but after reading your story I am not sure anymore. Keep us posted.
Btw; you can contact Motorola via their official app Moto Care.
Glad to know, that I am not the only one who is concerned about that magnet. By the way there are two magnets. A weak one to trigger the screen on/off and a strong magnet to keep the case closed.
After removing the strong magnet you will be able to use the compass with the cover flipped to the backside.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYiSdys0zYg&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Edit: The strong magnet was on the lower third, where the cut is visible.
Gesendet von meinem XT1032 mit Tapatalk
TIL that official Moto accessory screws up Moto phone. But look at the good side: you can now keep it on your fridge door!
JoeSchmoe007 said:
TIL that official Moto accessory screws up Moto phone. But look at the good side: you can now keep it on your fridge door!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
spoke to moto care. sent them screen shots of the magnetometer all messed up. They said they will get back to me, but no one else has reported issues... *cough* bull**** *cough...
I have noticed today that even when I remove the case, the magnetic sensor is all messed up. It seems after a week of use it has screwed up the sensors calibration (probably correctable)..
evidently, part of the cheap price is a lack of proper beta testing of the phone and accessories....
I have ordered one from amazon. Now I will sent it back. I have my concerns too so I wont even try it.
Sent from my XT1032 using xda app-developers app
helppme said:
It seems after a week of use it has screwed up the sensors calibration (probably correctable)..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With GPS Status from Play Store you can force recalibration.
.
I can also confirm this. I have a white flip case but stopped using it after a week as it got in the way. I just put it back on and sure enough my compass was exhibiting the same issue. How did they miss this?
Sent from my XT1032 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Recalibrating the compass with the GPS toolbox app seemed to have fix this issue for me
Sent from my XT1034 using Tapatalk
rec71 said:
I can also confirm this. I have a white flip case but stopped using it after a week as it got in the way. I just put it back on and sure enough my compass was exhibiting the same issue. How did they miss this?
Sent from my XT1032 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there is a small metal square on the inside of the flip cases backcase. I 'think' this is intended to shield the sensor from the magnet when the case is open. It clearly is TOTALLY inadequate to the task. I'm speculating this is what the metal square is for, as it corresponds in position exactly with one of the magnets in the case door, and this metal square is not present on the normal back case..
Simply lazy design and testing... why does it even need a magnet to stay closed :/ its like closing a book with a magnet lol, they get along fine without them!!!!
helppme said:
spoke to moto care. sent them screen shots of the magnetometer all messed up. They said they will get back to me, but no one else has reported issues... *cough* bull**** *cough...
I have noticed today that even when I remove the case, the magnetic sensor is all messed up. It seems after a week of use it has screwed up the sensors calibration (probably correctable)..
evidently, part of the cheap price is a lack of proper beta testing of the phone and accessories....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any update from moto care?
eddiem74 said:
Any update from moto care?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
still waiting. Sent them a chaser..ill update
Thank you for contacting Motorola.
We regret that there is no possible solution. Compasses operate by magnetic field, and any interference with any compass magnet. There is no way around this.
If you are using a Motorola original case, rest assured that will not hurt your terminal. Imam to close the lid affects the compass but not strong enough to damage the terminal or delete any internal memory power. We apologize for the inconvenience.
jlmcr87 said:
Thank you for contacting Motorola.
We regret that there is no possible solution. Compasses operate by magnetic field, and any interference with any compass magnet. There is no way around this.
If you are using a Motorola original case, rest assured that will not hurt your terminal. Imam to close the lid affects the compass but not strong enough to damage the terminal or delete any internal memory power. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't understand, are you saying you work for motorola? was this a response you got from motorola??
Motorola cannot release an OFFICIAL ACCESSORY!! at a premium price (£20) that causes issues for the core functionality of the device. I will press the issue with motorola until they acknowledge their mistake and resolve to provide me with a refund, equivalent compensation or a replacement back cover that doesn't cause these problems.
Imagine if you bought a New car; You bought official seat covers for your car that the manufacturer heavily marketed to you, but they make the satnav useless. Do you think any car manufacturer would ever get away with this??
helppme said:
I don't understand, are you saying you work for motorola? was this a response you got from motorola??
Motorola cannot release an OFFICIAL ACCESSORY!! at a premium price (£20) that causes issues for the core functionality of the device. I will press the issue with motorola until they acknowledge their mistake and resolve to provide me with a refund, equivalent compensation or a replacement back cover that doesn't cause these problems.
Imagine if you bought a New car; You bought official seat covers for your car that the manufacturer heavily marketed to you, but they make the satnav useless. Do you think any car manufacturer would ever get away with this??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the response from Motorola.
helppme said:
....
Motorola cannot release an OFFICIAL ACCESSORY!! at a premium price (£20) that causes issues for the core functionality of the device. I will press the issue with motorola until they acknowledge their mistake and resolve to provide me with a refund, equivalent compensation or a replacement back cover that doesn't cause these problems.
Imagine if you bought a New car; You bought official seat covers for your car that the manufacturer heavily marketed to you, but they make the satnav useless. Do you think any car manufacturer would ever get away with this??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as the flip shell is folded completely over (so it is flush with the back) my wife's compass works flawlessly. It's actually better than my n4. As I only have one sample to go off of I'm not saying this issue is being over hyped but it isn't always an issue
ryan92084 said:
As long as the flip shell is folded completely over (so it is flush with the back) my wife's compass works flawlessly. It's actually better than my n4. As I only have one sample to go off of I'm not saying this issue is being over hyped but it isn't always an issue
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried it this way. If you fold it completely flat, and line it up to the millemeter, the compass works about 50% well. It generally adjusts to north, but it flicks back and forth between north and where the magnet is on the case. You can also see the gauss meter jumping around a lot.
I suspect the magnetic power of the magnets in the case vary a large amount they wont be very expensive ones after all..
Hi
i got 2 brand new S8 G950FD and i got the same problem with both
tge magnetic sensors "compass" keeps losing calibration.
this becomes very annoying when using Google maps onfoot everything is upside down .
recalibrating the sensor is always successful but for some reason it doesn't stick for long even when using high accuracy location settings
I'm not sure if the problem is with Google maps compatibility with the S8 or with the sensor itself
anyone having the same issue ?
does the calibration rest automatically when going to the sensor app (*#0*#) ?(even though I'm going to the sensor app becomes the map is upside down )
thanks in advance
shawqi_khoury said:
Hi
i got 2 brand new S8 G950FD and i got the same problem with both
tge magnetic sensors "compass" keeps losing calibration.
this becomes very annoying when using Google maps onfoot everything is upside down .
recalibrating the sensor is always successful but for some reason it doesn't stick for long even when using high accuracy location settings
I'm not sure if the problem is with Google maps compatibility with the S8 or with the sensor itself
anyone having the same issue ?
does the calibration rest automatically when going to the sensor app (*#0*#) ?(even though I'm going to the sensor app becomes the map is upside down )
thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where is this sensor?
Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk
thahim said:
Where is this sensor?
Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dial *#0*# and go to sensor it's the self testing app on the S8
shawqi_khoury said:
dial *#0*# and go to sensor it's the self testing app on the S8
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't see any magnetic sensor in there.
Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk
thahim said:
I don't see any magnetic sensor in there.
Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dial *#0*# -> sensor-> scroll down you should see magnetic sensor
i think it's the same with all S8 devices
Third row from top, middle button. It's called sensor on my device.
Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-G955F met Tapatalk
My FD doesn't play nice with one of my cases, as it has some metal in the back of the case. Compass won't even calibrate when the case is on. Makes sense though.
Presterin said:
My FD doesn't play nice with one of my cases, as it has some metal in the back of the case. Compass won't even calibrate when the case is on. Makes sense though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
make since but i don't have any metal in the case, and it does calibrate
I've got exactly the same problem. I never thought that a protective case could be the problem, however, I'm using the Samsung original clear case and it does recalibrate...but it's very annoying because you can't rely on your compass, it will abandon you without warning.
Has anybody found a fix to that? Is it hardware related?