Hey guys. Coming from 3 HTC Android phones, I never had any problems regarding fast locking and accuracy on my GPS, may it be indoors or outdoors.
With my SGS2, I wasn't really happy with its GPS performance.
Aside from very slow GPS fixing / locking in satellites outdoors (tested with GPS Status app), I get a very jumpy GPS location indoors. Even with downloaded AGPS prior to that.
I created a screen cast of my Google Maps app below for reference. The star on the map is my actual location. Notice how my location jumps from one place to another every few seconds.
Even turning on the sensor aiding made no difference.
Video
I know some of you might say that of course checking it indoors and relying on wifi alone will make it inaccurate. But even my iPod Touch which doesn't even have a GPS chip have no issues locating me.
I'm running Cognition 1.15 and flashing a stock ROM and kernel also made no difference.
Can you guys test yours with my setup: Only Wifi indoors and do not get gps lock outdoors.
I will do further testing.
Welcome to the club m8. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1173683
I think it's jumpy because it's not using gps, but fixating you postilion from you network and wifi. That's why it jumps.
Does your gps show lock at the top icons bar? Or does it just keeps flashing?
Mines going back for sensation or lg.
Hi. My GPS icon is flashing. Yep, I'm aware that it is till looking for a satellite to lock in. Which is a problem in itself by the way ^_^
My point here is that I've done this similarly on my previous phones and with my iPod Touch, same setup. But they didn't produce this problem.
UPDATE: Tested out the GPS outside. It won't lock to any satellite (after like 10mins) unless I turned on WiFi. GPS should work independently, right?
Once I had it locked to 6 satellites at max, I went indoors and same thing happened to the screnario on the video, my location jumps from one place to another. Shouldn't it take the previously GPS locked satellite as reference?
chobie said:
UPDATE: Tested out the GPS outside. It won't lock to any satellite (after like 10mins) unless I turned on WiFi. GPS should work independently, right?
Once I had it locked to 6 satellites at max, I went indoors and same thing happened to the screnario on the video, my location jumps from one place to another. Shouldn't it take the previously GPS locked satellite as reference?
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It is using the satellite position from last lock to help getting a new lock, but it still needs to have stable reception from 3 satellites in different parts of the sky for a certain time in order to lock, it probably doesn't get this indoors.
But you seem to have some problem getting a lock with your GPS, some people are helped by doing a factory restore when they're having such issues. (beware, wipes your data!!!)
What do you mean by turning on Wifi by the way? Do you mean turning on "Use wireless networks" in Location and security menu? This is not something wifi specific, in fact since you're outdoors it normally uses your 3g connection to get approximate satellite positions and your approximate position from network operator. So please doesn't call this turning on "Wifi", because that means turning on/off you wifi receiver, that is another setting
EDIT: added "in different parts of the sky" above, 3 satellites close to each other is usually not enough for a GPS lock.
tjtj4444 said:
It is using the satellite position from last lock to help getting a new lock, but it still needs to have stable reception from 3 satellites in different parts of the sky for a certain time in order to lock, it probably doesn't get this indoors.
But you seem to have some problem getting a lock with your GPS, some people are helped by doing a factory restore when they're having such issues. (beware, wipes your data!!!)
What do you mean by turning on Wifi by the way? Do you mean turning on "Use wireless networks" in Location and security menu? This is not something wifi specific, in fact since you're outdoors it normally uses your 3g connection to get approximate satellite positions and your approximate position from network operator. So please doesn't call this turning on "Wifi", because that means turning on/off you wifi receiver, that is another setting
EDIT: added "in different parts of the sky" above, 3 satellites close to each other is usually not enough for a GPS lock.
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I totally understand that. I referred to Wifi because it's the only connection I was connected to in asstistance to my GPS. My mobile data is turned off. But I did test it by isolating only mobile data on to check if AGPS by 3g will get me faster lock on it -- No difference.
I have also flashed a stock ROM and Kernel and fully wiped my phone data but it is just producing the same problem.
To be honest m8 this phone is good on the spec, and looks good too. But poor internal hardware lets it down. I went down to my local shop to see if it was me or something and asked for a demo test for phone they had and they also couldn't get it to lock the gps on it's own.
I feel for andriod, it can give it a bad name. But it's not androids fault it's Samsung, if your phone is new replace it with sensation or lg 3d.
I've even had the opportunity, to try it with CM7 now, so it seems it hardware afterall.
Guys chill down ur balls, gps readings r very subjective and u cant judge on them
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1126122
Still really disappointed that my iPod touch can get a very accurate gps fix in less than five seconds considering it has no GPS chip and only using wifi. This has aGPS and sensor aiding and yet it's not very accurate and is jumpy still.
64gb grey landed last night. I noticed some minor light bleed only on the right side..... maybe warranty fodder, maybe not. Then the wifi.... searching..... not connected.... searching....not connected.
I flame.
Then I adjust some router settings.... POOF!.... connected, and strong too.
My router is in my basement, and I get 1-3 bars with the device in my bed on my 2nd story on the opposing side of the house, depending on how I hold it. So wifi <> issue at all.
Went outside, after sitting 30 secs I picked up 10 sats. I'll probably never use it because I have a phone for that which has 3g at the same time, but GPS works.
I still need to test blutooth, especially blutooth with wifi on, but my tablet has no real issues. This is exactly what I would have expected it to do. Performance however, has hiccuped when I am installing apps and cruising the net or playing games, but come on, there is a limit to what it can do.
After the ICS update I can say I still prefer to skin the UI in ADW, I was hoping to avoid setting it all up, but I will tonight.
Happy Prime Owner.
Just chime in and tell me how your WiFi/GPS is, and how your prime is operating.
If you don't have anything positive towards this thread GET OUT. I'm trying to get a better understanding of how everyone with a BCOKAS model is doing.
My wifi is decent/crap, I have to be within 10 feet of any router for a good connection. GPS is worthless
I'm waiting on "Gary Key" to come out with his amazing solution of fixing this. That's why I haven't RMAed or Unlocked yet.
Besides the WiFi, I LOVE THIS DEVICE. I could use the GPS on my phone.
Sooo hows your BCOKAS Prime ???
WIFI: Range is horrible
WIFI + BT: Recently tested this feature.... performs extremely poorly. Will do more test.
GPS: I can get few birds (including inside of the house) & few will lock with pathetic signal. However, everything disappears once it starts to move...
That's including aGPS... horrible.
Browser: Adequate once Chrome browser was deleted. However, still getting the "wait" pop-up window or force close on occasion.
Games: Don't really game on my Prime but it works well when I do (games look good as well).
Streaming Media from Network(movies): Due to poor WIFI range, it doesn't work well once I am 15+ ft away from the router.. however, if I am within 10ft range.. it works well. Also, if my Prime is idle for few mins. (5+).. & if I wake up my Prime... screen flickers & I see screen tear... & when I unlock it.. it'll freeze/lag & Prime will reboot. (This continues even after soft reset.. haven't done factory reset yet)
eReader: Probably the main reason why I continue to use Prime. MyLibrary from Asus is my fav. eReader app. Yes, I mainly use Prime for reading eBooks... (not exactly the reason why I purchased but it works well).
WIFI:
My wifi range is very similar to my GNex so it's not terrible. I just ran a Speed Test and was getting around 4-5D and 4-5U on the wireless here at my work which the signal strength is around -70dB.
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Click to collapse
GPS:
2-3 birds outside, nothing inside and I never get a lock.
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BT:
I have a lot of trouble getting things to connect to it but it can be done. Performance with wifi on is poor.
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OS:
Been getting launcher crashes of late so I installed GO HD and that seems to have helped, but I will say that apps in general are not very stable.
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Other than that, I'm in the same boat David. Waiting to unlock based on what I hear from RMA's. I started a thread a couple weeks ago to try and gather info from those who RMA'd for BT/WIFI issues but at that point no one really had. Maybe we can get some results now...
My bcokas
I have had this one since late Feb or early March (my 2nd one).
Only one or two uncommanded reboots--I am not a heavy user--I do not know enough about it to be a serious user, YET.
I am pretty computer knowledgeable, though.
I just took my prime outside (Anchorage, Alaska at the International Airport)
I have a wireless G network at our office. It is on the second floor inside a wooden frame building-close to, but not visible through a window. I connected with the WiFi Analyzer using the speedometer style gauge and received -73 to -75 DB at approximately 300 feet away on our ramp (aircraft parking area). I did not attempt any downloads--pretty chilly outside today.
Next, I loaded the GPS test app from Chartcross, and while outside (completely wide open), got no birds. This did not surprise me. I have found that if no birds are visible, a complete shutdown & restart will usually bring the GPS back to life. IT DID!!
Within 30 seconds of starting the app (after the complete restart), I had 12-14 birds visible and 10-11 in use. Signal strength never exceeded 31 on the graph. The usability remains poor, even though numerous birds in view. The coverage drops off to none frequently but reconnects quickly. As a commercial pilot, I am very familiar with GPS usage. This one cannot be classified greater than "Very Poor". I have the Dual xgps150a that I use via Bluetooth and it works flawlessly.
I have not attempted to use Bluetooth & WiFi at the same time, and therefore cannot comment on that aspect.
Overall, I am not dissatisfied with the Prime. I had no expectations of using the built-in GPS when I purchased it. The WiFi could be a bit better; but I consider it to be usable.
My biggest complaint with the Prime is not the hardware, it is the software. Specifically, the crappy browsers that I have tried (5 or 6). I absolutely hate "TABS" I refuse to use them on my PCs. I am not saying that they are bad, I just don't like them. The only browser that I even remotely can tolerate (thus far) is Dolphin. It still uses TABS, but at least it has a home button. Doing anything on a tablet browser (to me--so far) is like flying from Anchorage to Seattle via Tokyo, Manilla, and Santiago. I guess I am saying that I find all of them to be very user-unfriendly.
I guess I have whined enough.
Jerry In Anchorage, Alaska
Wifi is perfectly fine, no problems with it.
I've only gotten a lock with GPS once, and that was while I was sitting outside.
Haven't tried bt+wifi.
Have been getting some not responding messages with the browser occasionally when opening it.
I don't really game on it, but from the small amount of time I've used N64oid it certainly wasn't unacceptable.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using XDA Premium.
I have had mine since mid January. No obvious issues with wi-fi and I'm able to stream music from my NAS drive to my bluetooth headphones while using the internet. I don't know if it's relevant but my broadband speed isn't exactly stellar (8mb max) whereas I notice that many of those with drop out issues when using bluetooth seem to to have a much higher speed normally.
GPS works in that satellites show indoors and out but the strength doesn't appear to be that great (I get locks but the values in GPS Test have never got near 30). Having said that, I probably would never use a tablet for satnav because of the size - it's far too big for my car whereas my Galaxy S2 phone is much more suitable and less distracting!
I've used most browsers but now mainly use either ICS+ Browser. I've (very) occasionally seen the 'wait' message but other than that everything is good and overall I'm (touch wood!) happy with my Prime.
Bcokas here. Wifi is fine and same as my old Droid charge and now my gnex. GPS got locks the one time I tried it months ago, been off since and never tried navigation with it so can't help with that. I've only tested bt with wifi using a sixaxis controller, seemed fine about 30 ft from router but didn't do a speed test to see if and how much it affected signal strength and speed.
I just got a BC0KAS TF201 back from RMA in Texas. My original complaint was black screen (nothing shows up on LCD), GPS nonexistent (ordered 12/28), and weak wifi. After all the parts replaced (GPS foil, conductive sponges, etc..), screen finally works but thats about it. No satellite locks still indoors or outdoors and still weak wifi.
junrider said:
I just got a BC0KAS TF201 back from RMA in Texas. My original complaint was black screen (nothing shows up on LCD), GPS nonexistent (ordered 12/18), and weak wifi. After all the parts replaced (GPS foil, conductive sponges, etc..), screen finally works but thats about it. No satellite locks still indoors or outdoors and still weak wifi.
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That's a lame story bro.
I'd RMA until they got it right. It sucks that you have to sit there and just take it, while Asus adds you to the satisfied Prime owner statistic.
Overall I have been happy with mine and would compare to some of the more favorable responses here.
Wifi: I initially thought that the .21 made a difference but have re-evaluated. At the furthest point in my house from the router (several walls, 1 floor, 40 ft) I get about 3-4 times slower speeds than other devices. It is still fast enough to surf, stream videos etc.
BT: don't use it much. Wifi speeds are the same whether it is on or off.
GPS: The patches in the dev section actually made some difference. I get a few sats inside with no lock. Outside, I get 11-12 with a lock. GPS test says the accuracy is 30 ft which I doubt would be enough to navigate, but who cares??
Regarding crashes when browsing and so on, I was getting a lot before I unlocked. In the end I just figured screw it, unlocked and installed a rom. I did that about 6 weeks ago and I could count the number of crashes on one hand. Maybe a factory reset would have had the same effect but where's the fun in that
skygunner27 said:
That's a lame story bro.
I'd RMA until they got it right. It sucks that you have to sit there and just take it, while Asus adds you to the satisfied Prime owner statistic.
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Its not really mine. Its my friend's prime, but i used my creditcard to pay for it. Its his first tablet so hes pretty new to the game. As long as the prime works he can deal until there is a real fix for it, then Ill tell him. I have the receipt (ordered well before the GPS announcement) and all the paper work for the RMA (so there is history that I have complained about the GPS and weak wifi), so they cant deny me the GPS. Couldnt tell if the bluetooth+wifi works since I dont have any bluetooth headphones to test it. I wanna give it a few more months to see if there is any development in the prime.
Thats why I refunded my money, I had few B0CKS and where all the same GPS and weak wifi. Im holding out for something that I can be happy with.
wifi works great. better than my Ipad & atrix phone as far as download speeds, reception strength, and signal stability goes.
wifi/BT works fine. I'm able to transfer big movie files from my phone to prime while prime is hooked up to wifi internet and streaming movie at same time. no slowdown of speeds and movie plays just fine streaming while BT in the background transferring big file.
Gps- never tested outdoors yet. plus I hook up my phone to prime through BT GPS. works great.
overall my early BC model from 12/22 has been performing great for me. no real issues what so ever to complain about really. I'd easily purchase this again if i had to do it over again. my Ipad has nothing on my prime. No comparison to Prime & Android experience. Very pleased with device and its performance. IMO, Asus did a great job on it as mines works as expected and more.
Thanks for the responding!
My wi-fi performance isn't stellar, but it isn't horrible either. I can get better signal than my, older, hp laptop in some areas of my house. I'm happy enough with it to not want to RMA.
I rely on my phone any time I need GPS so I have never actually tested it on my Prime. Seems like redundant use of technology for me. For the same reason, I haven't loaded any music onto my Prime--I have it all on my, more portable, phone.
I love ICS. Sure, I have some difficulty with the browser some times, but I expect Google will be continually making this better. I usually just check in with FB with it anyway. For any serious browsing I use a computer.
One of the things I love the best about my Prime is the dock. I've had zero issues with it and love the short-cut buttons. I'm currently writing a book, completely on my Prime, and it and Polaris Office have been wonderful.
I've been using my BC0KAS TF201 from Best Buy since mid January, and I'm pleased with it overall.
Wifi is nothing to be proud of, but acceptable. Downstairs is not a problem, but upstairs I get slower speeds, which is to be expected.
GPS is absent. I'm lucky to get a lock anywhere, and I've never seen more than 3 sats while driving.
I haven't used bluetooth much.
I use chrome browser and it works fine.
Battery life is somewhat of an issue for me; I keep it on about 50% brightness most of the time, and the battery goes down quite fast at times. Fast charging makes up for it though.
My wifi is usable. I even connected once to free mcdonalds wifi from the parking lot (slow, but checked my email which is what i needed to do). I will have a weak signal upstairs, but netflix worked fine.
Wifi + bt. Again, usable, but signal drops when i feed my stereo bt music and try to watch netflix (really real world?)
No reboots till two updates ago. Way better with .21
Gps is completely useless. I was one of the few who wanted this to replace my aging gps as a nice bonus. Tried all the gps patches from the thread, 1.0rc seems to make things more stable in gps test, but i no longer get locks whatsoever. Also, no skymap fun as its twitchy.
Screen goes through fits with tearing along the left side. Sometimes need to reboot to fix it. Minimal backlight bleeding, didnt even notice till the 3rd time i turned it on, and i was looking for it at that point.
I love this thing enough to have kept it since early jan (bb.com fiasco unit). Not unlocked. Still scared even though i reallllly want to...
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk
My WiFi slightly beats out the Galaxy Ace and Wildfire in terms of range and the DL/UL speeds are still pretty good at the furthest away point in my house.
GPS is non existant as far as I can tell, not really got the patience to test it properly though.
Never really use BT+WiFi together so can't comment on that.
My Rear camera doesn't work, just a green glitchy mess. Not sure if it's hardware or software though.
Gaming is good on it, got plenty of emulators working very well and games like Shadowgun run and look great.
Wifi-up to par with my Droid x
Wifi+Bluetooth- no issues
Gps - not so great, its picky about location and view of the sky
Sent from my DROIDX using xda premium
Wifi matches Droid X in speed and signal strength.
I don't use BT on my tablet.
GPS - outside, 10/10 lock/view, vs. droid x 10/16. Inside, maybe 1 in view, no lock. Droid X will get 6/8.
OS, no issues. I did have to wipe going from HC-->ICS, but I wasn't expecting apps to survive anyway,
*edit*
I had issues with triangles appearing on overlays and random bars on the edge of the screen, but those have gone away with the .21 update. The triangle tearing thing was always fixable by just swiping apps off the recent apps list.
Wifi is fine my E4200 version 1 is in the center of the house and I get a decent connection both on the front and back steps and I use the prime to watch network streamed tv show replays with no problems or stuttering in the house. Gps is good in the house at times and non working at other times same outside. Location and weather effect this I believe. My browser hasnt given me any problems to speak of, overall I'm pleased.
Having issues with extremely slow wifi on my device. If I'm upstairs I can't even connect to my router. If I'm downstairs I connect but get horribly slow speeds. My other devices see like 8 wifi networks in my area, but I see only mine with the s4. If I try to enter the name of an open wifi network I know exists in my neighborhood, the S4 can't even see it.
I tested out disabling security on my router, and my speeds jumped up to normal if I was right next to the router. However moving to other locations in the house I still lose connection. If I turn on any kind of wireless security on the router, the speeds are super slow even right next to the router. In the 600Kb range (I have a 20Mb internet).
Almost sounds like a hardware issue to me. Tempted to bring it to Verizon, but who knows if they even have replacement devices at this point.
EDIT: So I managed to get the device to get fast wifi with security turned on by messing with security settings on my router. But if I do a speedtest right next to the router, I get great speeds. If I walk upstairs, and do another test, it's like I went back to 1997. Suddenly my ping is in the hundreds, and I'm getting 56K speeds. Walk downstairs again, and run it again, BAM fast pings and 20Mb downloads. The GNex gets 20Mb speeds throughout the entire house.
I have the device right next to my Galaxy Nexus right now. The GNex can see my network, and 5 others in my area. The S4 can only see my network.
Could very well be a hardware issue with the actual unit - I don't have any WiFi problems at all here - is this running on stock? If so I would recommend seeing if you get a replacement unit if it helps - if not then I would ask what settings are on your router? is it 5ghz (i have had problems with that on ALL devices)
Are you using a case or custom back cover? If so try it without the case/back cover.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda premium
I'm running stock rooted.
I'm using a case, I've tried it without and it makes no difference.
My router also does 2.4ghz and 5ghz, and I've tried both and it makes no difference. I generally use the 5ghz, because the signal is bit better.
The oddest thing to me is that this thing can't see a single other wifi network in my area. My other devices will see multiple wifi networks.
Go into your router and disable (uncheck) the WMM option. Odds are youre having the constant connect/disconnect from some routers, especially but not limited to DLink DIR-655 and DIR 855 models. The disconnects and reconnects are quick enough that you sometimes won't see the wifi icon disappear and reappear.
I had the issue (i have the DIR-655) and unchecking the WMM (Wifi MultiMedia) fixed the issue.
I have that option disabled.
I really think this is just the wifi radio being weak compared to my other devices. Not sure if its a defect, or just the way the verizon s4 is. The performance is fine in the same room as my router, or even in the room directly above it. In the furthest from it in the house, however, the S4 just can't get any connection over barely 1 bar, and the signal in wireless signal info is horrible. Not being able to see other wifi networks in my area is the most telling thing to me. Even if I walk around my neighborhood, I can't see any others. Maybe if I walked right up to someone's house I could, but I haven't wanted to look pervy, so I haven't tried that. :laugh: At this moment my Gnex can see 5 other networks sitting in the exact same spot as my S4. The S4 just sees my networks.
Yeah sounds like yours is defective. On mine I can see networks from all around my neighborhood. (~5 of them)
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda premium
So today I finally came into work after being off for awhile, and brought my S4 in for the first time. We have open wifi at work everywhere with multiple access points per floor, so no matter where you are you should get 3-4 bars of wifi signal. From my desk where I usually get the full four bars on my GNex, my S4 gets 1 bar of wifi. Doing a speedtest, I get 2000kbps down, 872kbps up. My GNex gets 35Mb down, and around 25Mb up on the same wifi connection. So yea, there is something seriously wrong with this thing.
Damn I guess I need to flash back to stock and take it in.
I took took mine to Verizon and they swapped it out. This one gets a great wifi signal. The capper was when I was in the store and their display phones could see all the local wifi networks, and mine couldn't. Mine was barely able to connect to their instore wifi. New one works perfectly.