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Tomtom 7.910 / 7.915 on HD - Very low screen refresh rate

Hello all,
Since a couple of weeks, a strange problem occurs on my Touch HD running Tomtom 7.910 or 7.915: the refresh rate of the screen has become very, very slow. The route view updates about every second, while before the refresh rate was around 10-15 images/second. That happens in the regular mode as well as in demo mode.
I haven't made any update to my HD since before the problem showed up. I'm running the standard ROM, with no tweak of any kind but the defaults ones from HDTweak.
Also, the issue happens regardless I'm using the built-in GPS receiver or an external bluetooth GPS receiver.
I looked at many places to find a way to solve this very annoying issue, but couldn't find any help.
Any assistance troubleshooting and eliminating the issue would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks a lot in advance.

clandestino_usr said:
Hello all,
Since a couple of weeks, a strange problem occurs on my Touch HD running Tomtom 7.910 or 7.915: the refresh rate of the screen has become very, very slow. The route view updates about every second, while before the refresh rate was around 10-15 images/second. That happens in the regular mode as well as in demo mode.
I haven't made any update to my HD since before the problem showed up. I'm running the standard ROM, with no tweak of any kind but the defaults ones from HDTweak.
Also, the issue happens regardless I'm using the built-in GPS receiver or an external bluetooth GPS receiver.
I looked at many places to find a way to solve this very annoying issue, but couldn't find any help.
Any assistance troubleshooting and eliminating the issue would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks a lot in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had a similar issue.
(this was done while someone else was driving .. before anyone asks .. also, it was on a motorway so the feedback could be measured easily)
I looked at the GPS status in the config screen and it kept dropping out from 6 sats in blue to 6 in grey, despite having a good lock when stationary.
The map was jumping as the gps located and then dropped out and the map tried to 'catch up'.
I looked at AGPS (assisted GPS) and this was enabled ... I unselected it and the problem disappeared.
I'm unsure how AGPS is supposed to work as I never had it on the Kaiser, but I'm assuming the problem I had was that the GPS being interrupted and AGPS was an obvious answer.
Try it and see what happens ... if it's a fix, please post your results ... if not, post the fix that you find.
PS. You could also check the baud rate of the gps comms :-/

I had similar issue with 7.915. Was very puzzled and thought of baud rates or GPS fix refresh rates and such. But as you already mentioned, this even happens with external GPS. So, I thought the bug was elsewhere.
Try this: Disable ALL POI's. By doing this, my refresh rate has improved massively. I'm keeping it this way until a more optimized version is found... or another better solution is found.
If this doesn't work for you and something else does, do post what you did and what difference it made.
BR

damac said:
I had similar issue with 7.915. Was very puzzled and thought of baud rates or GPS fix refresh rates and such. But as you already mentioned, this even happens with external GPS. So, I thought the bug was elsewhere.
Try this: Disable ALL POI's. By doing this, my refresh rate has improved massively. I'm keeping it this way until a more optimized version is found... or another better solution is found.
If this doesn't work for you and something else does, do post what you did and what difference it made.
BR
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This did work, thanks a million. The strange this is, I wonder how so many POI's were automatically selected (in fact, every possible speedcam).

Sorry but where can I disable all POIs and what is POI?

crzcar said:
Sorry but where can I disable all POIs and what is POI?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Points of Interest.
You will find the option for PoI's within the TomTom 7 options.

Garmin XT 5.0.20w loosing GPS fix and more....

OK Guys I was searching this forum and not only this but could not find any answer or tip to my problem, so as far as i do not like to start new thread here we go....
It is a bit weird as it started to happen recently...my Garmin XT working ideally with TOPO maps when u hiking but as soon as i get into a car and connect my HD to power and try to navigate home it starts to loosing the plot... basically it will find the route and start navigating and then suddenly loosing GPS fix and switch screen off sometimes, and even once or twice unload itself so phone went back to main screen. also once it lost fix i can see that Garmin switching between full screen and full window view...as i can see top bar every now and then.
contacting Garmin is a waste of time....as they did not offer any solution except hard resetting the device, and i wont do that, to much work to put back everything together and not enough time.
if anyone have a clue what it might be please share ur thought, and give me a tip to sort this out.
I'm using non modified HD with standard WWE version on Orange UK.
Thanks for any help
PS. For MOD, do not know if I posted in right place so if need to be moved, just move it.

Oh and I thought my Garmin was going crazy ! Actually Sygic is working fine with me except that I get some lags sometimes but it is all fine. But yeah tell me about it ... I tried Garmin and it looked for me better with much more POIS than Sygic but few days ago I was driving and suddenly the software started to go into other direction, like it was tracking something else. I think it is a bug with the software maybe. Thank God I am not the only one aware of many things going on with my HD

have u ppl tried 1.13.25.24 radio rom??
with this update... getting fix is very fast (basically it does not search for com ports, shows u connected when u start GMXT).
only drawback is that u can not see the satellite bars in info section.
used gps for short distances (@ 140kmph not much lagging and no disconnection). maybe i'll go for a long drive this weekend... then i'll know if there is a problem of disconnection or lagging etc.

With TomTom i get the same problem, however i don't know what the problem may be because A-GPS is turned off, but it has happened twice where it would take 4 times as longer to find the signal, and whenever it did it would go find then lost.
Soft Resetting fixed it up however i did notice my QuickGPS was not up to date anymore, must have went out of date the day before and possible cause for it acting up.
Try updating QuickGPS, might fix it up and be sure to have A-GPS off.

still no solution
Psygnosis84 said:
Try updating QuickGPS, might fix it up and be sure to have A-GPS off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i did forgot to mention that my A-GPS is already switched off. the problem is that Garmin keep switching between full screen and full window view and i suspect that my be the bottom of losing fix in the car... i want to stress out that while walking & hiking i have no such problem..... ONLY IN THE CAR and that is most frustrating.
and changing radio....well i'm not convinced as this could halt my phone if something go wrong and i cannot let it happen, as it's not only a toy but business tool, so i rather dont play with it.
any solution????

marasp said:
i did forgot to mention that my A-GPS is already switched off. the problem is that Garmin keep switching between full screen and full window view and i suspect that my be the bottom of losing fix in the car... i want to stress out that while walking & hiking i have no such problem..... ONLY IN THE CAR and that is most frustrating.
and changing radio....well i'm not convinced as this could halt my phone if something go wrong and i cannot let it happen, as it's not only a toy but business tool, so i rather dont play with it.
any solution????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Changing radio won't halt your device. As long as you have Hardspl on your phone beforehand you'll be fine!

And pelase report back if it does solve your problem

Is this a solution????
Hi there, I see we lost some posts over here....so again latest update...
On the way to work this morning I tried garmin with Intermediate Driver and it worked!! but....there always has to be some but....I saw increase in lag...also i did it a bit different way then usually as I did not connected HD to power... will test it again with power connection tomorrow.

i have extensively tested gps of touch hd while driving from 0 to 120 km in open highway
i never lost the fix
it kept locked to satelites but major problem was battery drain
so i have to disconnect gps latter on
i belive with gps on and satelite fixed driving around 80 to 100 km battery with die with in 2 hours .
otherwise there is lag of 5 to 7 km/hr in speed calculated via gps and its normal
my SiRF III CHIP based cowon q5 gps also shows 5 to 10 km /hr differance from actual speed of car
its normal i belive

laggy but working
commando0 said:
otherwise there is lag of 5 to 7 km/hr in speed calculated via gps and its normal
my SiRF III CHIP based cowon q5 gps also shows 5 to 10 km /hr differance from actual speed of car its normal i belive
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
from what i experienced earlier with garmin i can say that lag become much bigger...now when i'm past the junction, on the map i suppose to be either on or even before the junction... never had that before so i suspect that intermediate driver might be responsible for that. also i can say that when using tomtom i have no such experience.
wanted to ditch tomtom but with such a laggy response i will have to use both... garmin for off road navigation and tomtom for car navigation.
the only thing i can confirm is that using intermediate driver solved switching between full screen and full window problem as well as loosing gps fix... at least for me. but u get bigger lag instead....

[Discussion] GPS Problems, Lock speed, Accuracy, Fixes - The Poll

Few people are complaining now about the low quality of gps. Can you prove this?

oxylos said:
Few people are complaining now about the low quality of gps. Can you prove this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, I did try and track myself on the bus this morning and it did seem to have a problem finding me - it kept flipping between near where I was and about halfway back home. Used it walking down the street and again it didn't seem to be very good at nailing where I was (HD2 seemed much better). I've enabled location via cell location as well as GPS, so I'll see if that makes much difference.

This doesn't sound too promising :/
I've been using my iPhone 3G to track my runs when I head out, and I assumed the Galaxy would do just as good (or better!) at it. Hopefully it's something they can fix with a software patch and not a hardware problem...

Nicolopolus said:
Hmm, I did try and track myself on the bus this morning and it did seem to have a problem finding me - it kept flipping between near where I was and about halfway back home. Used it walking down the street and again it didn't seem to be very good at nailing where I was (HD2 seemed much better). I've enabled location via cell location as well as GPS, so I'll see if that makes much difference.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you get it from Expansys? I am trying to find out whether it is just a batch or it is a more generic issue.

I too am seeing poor performance with the GPS. Seems to be a hardware issue.
I did a test over the weekend comparing my Galaxy S with a friend's HTC Desire. Using one of the many GPS utilities the Desire was consistently seeing and locking more satellites when stood in an open area outside. When running Google maps and showing the current location I found that the "accuracy circle" (for want of a better description) was growing and shrinking several times a minute causing the map to zoom in and out.
I've also noticed that the compass is almost unusable and showing a much lower signal compared to the Desire. I did perform the figure of 8 calibration several times.

Evans_Prophet said:
Did you get it from Expansys? I am trying to find out whether it is just a batch or it is a more generic issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, got mine from Handtec. Really hope it's just a software issue that can be easily solved! Also noticed that google homepage in browser keeps saying I'm in China?!

Think I've read somewhere that samsung galaxy (the first one + the spica) have a broken gps driver causing such issues...don't remember if it was in sportypal forums or for a similar application. Very sorry to hear it's not fixed.

Nope I tried out google navigation at the weekend and was really impressed by the accuracy, it made my old tom tom look really bad.

So can we say that GS favours google navigation?
Can anyone confirm that?

This is very worrying, GPS is important for me, I don't want to have another N97 on my hands... fingers crossed it's a software issue....

Tyxerakias said:
This is very worrying, GPS is important for me, I don't want to have another N97 on my hands... fingers crossed it's a software issue....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll have another play on the way home and let you know if there's any improvements.

Nicolopolus said:
I'll have another play on the way home and let you know if there's any improvements.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've not noticed any problems in Google Navigation. It found me almost instantly, and was so accurate in terms of showing me where I was while driving that there was almost no perceivable lag.
Whatever people are seeing it very unlikely to be a hardware issue, most phones use GPS chips from only 1 or 2 suppliers, its much more likely something temporary like a driver issue.

TravUK said:
I've not noticed any problems in Google Navigation. It found me almost instantly, and was so accurate in terms of showing me where I was while driving that there was almost no perceivable lag.
Whatever people are seeing it very unlikely to be a hardware issue, most phones use GPS chips from only 1 or 2 suppliers, its much more likely something temporary like a driver issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TravUK, have you tried google maps - did you have any problems with it? (although I assume navigation would be using the same data to find you)

Nicolopolus said:
TravUK, have you tried google maps - did you have any problems with it? (although I assume navigation would be using the same data to find you)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, Maps works fine, including latitude. Also used Waze which took a little while to get a fix, but was also ok.

Well the journey home was much better! Probably helped that I was sitting by the window on the top deck of the bus, but I managed to get a much better fix, using both google maps and navigation. It wasn't like 100% accurate or anything, but certainly no worse than my hd2. Hardly got the large blue circle, but it did think I was in a field a few times, but that's to be expected. To note, didn't seem to make much difference whether I had both gps and cell data selected, or just gps.

My gps works perfect. Google maps finds it instantly and waze and speedometer apps work fine too. Localization is spot on. The gps even connects when I'm inside the house wich my Diamond never did.

I tested Navigon, which can be download from Market for a tryal period of 30 days now, and it working great on my Samsung i9000

it may be a firmware issue , everyone who is having problems should post the sw. version for comparision with others

Comparison of Galaxy GPS and iPhone 3G gps.
Hey everyone,
There's been some discussion regarding the "quality" of the GPS function in the Galaxy S, and after testing it out today, I sure hope it's a software bug or I'm going to be very disappointed.
This is my run as recorded by my iPhone 3G (with Fitnio): http://dl.dropbox.com/u/810054/samsung_fail/Picture%203.png
Now this is the same run as recorded by my Galaxy S (with RunKeeper): http://dl.dropbox.com/u/810054/samsung_fail/Picture%202.png
Take a wild guess which one actually reflects reality. Can anyone shed light on if the new "leaked" firmware fixes these problems?

They're all based on standard chipsets so its unlikely there's anything wrong with the GPS receiver itself. I hope it gets updated soon as it seems to be affecting a fair number of people.

Google maps update fixes compass and GPS issues

Hey so I just installed the update for google maps and now the GPS and compass finally seem to be working properly. Anyone else seeing this?
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Yes and no. The pointer turns a little smoother in maps but if you go to street view and activate compass mode you will see that the XY axis lags terribly. The vertical axis is fine and very responsive but horizontal is slow like molasses. Compass is IMO still broke.

I installed it, and things seem to be somewhat improved. However, I still consider them to be broken.
Hopefully, this isn't the 'fix' Samsung and T-Mobile was talking about. Spotted nine satellites again, but can only lock onto a single one. The cycle continues.
The Compass is still slow to update and not at all 1:1 with my movement. GPS reception is still poor, and Google Maps still can't decide if I'm in Seattle or Issaquah (hint: I'm not in Issaquah).
Slight improvements, but not fixed.
Thanks for the heads up, though. Anybody else tried it?

I'm pretty sure you're imagining things. The compass problem is strictly a hardware/firmware issue. Simply updating a single app like GMaps isn't going to fix it. But don't take my word for it.
To see the raw sensor data, go to the dialer, and type in *#*#1472365#*#* then press Test Application, then Show Sensor Data. Look at the compass and tell me it's functioning correctly.

My GPS connects faster than heck, but being 30meters off really sucks. I mean my G1 would be 3-9meters off not 30

My vibrant isn't even connecting to a satellite tonight. This ain't no G1.

GPS Troubleshooting & Solutions

Hi all,
I am new to the android OS, got my galaxy s a week ago.
I still keep my HD2 and to be honest I may sell the galaxy due to the poor gps reception and keep the hd2 for the next year.
The other thing I do not like is the fact that I cannot program the buttons behaviour.
Any way my question is, is it possible to disable the build in gps and use an external Bluetooth GPS Receiver?
The gps on my hd2 is miles, miles better.

I dont think its possible in this version of android. There is no way to tell the app to use the external gps instead of the internal one.
All we can hope for is a fix from Samsung.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

what is all the fuss about android then...
it doesnot support such a basic thing...
absolute joke

GPS won't start
Hello, I am experiencing an issue with my phone and I was wondering if anyone knows a solution.
Basically the GPS receiver won't turn on when an application requests it, so it won't get any location information (the gps notification icon doesn't appear at all). This is definitely a software issue, because if you go to the settings menu and keep fiddling with the location settings (gps on<->off, wireless on<->off) at some point it WILL turn on and work correctly (and the gps icon appears), but randomly afterwards it will go back to not starting up again and you have to go back to the settings menu.
Is there a workaround for this? I'm hoping that a firmware update will fix it, but in the meantime is there anything that can be done? (I'd prefer to wait for the official firmware before flashing it).

Not really a fix but Extended Controls can make a switch on your home screen that will flip the gps function on and off, that will save some time if you have to go into that menu a lot.

darnap said:
Hello, I am experiencing an issue with my phone and I was wondering if anyone knows a solution.
Basically the GPS receiver won't turn on when an application requests it, so it won't get any location information (the gps notification icon doesn't appear at all). This is definitely a software issue, because if you go to the settings menu and keep fiddling with the location settings (gps on<->off, wireless on<->off) at some point it WILL turn on and work correctly (and the gps icon appears), but randomly afterwards it will go back to not starting up again and you have to go back to the settings menu.
Is there a workaround for this? I'm hoping that a firmware update will fix it, but in the meantime is there anything that can be done? (I'd prefer to wait for the official firmware before flashing it).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can confirm the same issue, rumour is that the upcoming firmware is going to improve the GPS a lot.

You can also use the 'Power Control' Widget that comes with the device.
Here you can turn On/Off a number of items, one being GPS.

I had this issue but it's just a case of going into settings and toggling the gps off and on again.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

Good to know about the GPS on/off switch.
I was always rebooting my phone to get the GPS back to work.

There is an option in the secret GPS menu where you can set it to cold start, instead of hot start. Fixed it for me.
More here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=725748

not sure this will work but...
not sure this will work but found thin in Android market...
3 x w. appbrain dot com/app/googoo.android.btgps
Cleaner

Bluetooth External GPS
Hey guys. I wanted to know if we can 'natively' from within Android 2.1 / Samsung Galaxy S use an external bluetooth gps...
In the bluetooth menu I can conenct to the TomTom bluetooth gps module but it can't be paired...
however after some digging I found this app:
http://www.androlib.com/android.application.googoo-android-btgps-AtDE.aspx
It does what it says. I get satellites straight away.
Now one big big problem with this app is that it closes as soon as I try and open another app by pressing the home button or even holding down the home button to switch between apps...
when the app closes it ends the connection between the TomTom bluetooth gps module meaning by the time a satnav app has opened the message box pops up and says 'do you want to enable gps'
why does this app close when you try open another app? No other apps like Asphalt etc close like this...
is there a way to use the external gps?
many thanks

From my limited understanding, no it's not possible. I don't know why, but Android has been a bit slow on the uptake for Bluetooth.
It's taken to FroYo to actually get Bluetooth Hands Free dialling - we'll see how good Google is in interpreting what you say to it, so far, it hasn't been successful for me on the phone itself let alone Bluetooth.
With regards Bluetooth GPS, I understand that it isn't possible. There would at least have to be some kind of underlying interface to overrule the internal GPS and feed the Bluetooth GPS information into the OS in place.
I want it to be possible, then we wouldn't care so much about broken GPS's.
Cya
Simon

Another GPS fix
Hey guy give this a try and let me know if it works for you.
http://theandroidrevolution.blogspot.com/2010/07/android-tips-tricks-samsung-galaxy-s.html

working like a charm, faster fix and i can actually use the GPS while driving (EU)

Isn't this like turng skyhook on?
Ie ,..whilst locki it uses wifi to identify where u are?

this fix it seems very accurate in Maps, whereas all other "fixes" did not work for me.
i don't notice anything different in GPS tester (i still hardly get any satellites if any) but in Maps my position seems to be very accurate....i'm just inside in my flat, but all other fixes never helped me before even in this situation.

Hello
Thanks for your suggestion for a GPS fix
Immediate I can not see the big difference in standard configuration and the change which you refer to.
I still have a unsettled GPS fix when I use Google maps.
However, I think I can see a slight improvement in the Google navigation. Now I remain almost always in the correct lane.
I use (default) I9000XXJF3
I've read that a newer version should resolve the GPS "problem", but is it possible to change the parameters of GPS I9000XXJF3 match the parameters of the new versions. ?
And just one question more.
If I close the GPS from the phone to calculate my position after mobile mast or WIFI.
How do I get it to find my location by WIFI.?
Hope for a response.
Thanks
Herman

This fix gives an instant , i mean instant gps fix with a clear sky.
on gps test gets 8-9 satellite now , when previously i could max get 1-2, that too not connect.
thanks a ton for this.
outside this fix i also had operation mode as ms based and had skyhook on.

I found this suggested fix a few hours back as well and have been trying it out.
I didn't get much better results from it to start out with but having played the accuracy setting I've found putting this up to 150 seems to make a big difference. Once I made this change GPS Test seems to show that the Galaxy is a bit less picky about the signal strength it needs before making a lock.
I've not gone any further in testing accuracy numbers beyond 5, 20 (the default I believe) 50 and 150. It might be worth trying other values.