Related
OK--people are talking all around this issue, and I am looking for a blunt answer. Hopefully this thread can be found easily via Google.
FACT: The GPS fix for stock Galaxy phones we all know about doesn't work for many people.
FACT: Some custom Vibrant ROMs, like Bionix, claim to have fixed the GPS issues.
QUESTION 1: Is the GPS fix in these custom ROMs the same as the one released by Samsung for the Captivate?
QUESTION 2: If not, can anyone verify the performance of the custom ROM fixes? I have seen threads on this site that suggest the GPS is even worse after using a custom ROM (including Bionix).
I am the minority it seems, but my gps is much worse after flashing Bionix 1.8 and 1.9.1. When I was stock JFD I actually created a thread complimenting my GPS.... and now it's useless. No matter how long I stay outside I can not get a lock.
I am not certain what the issue is, because some on the same ROM claim it is great. Not sure how I lost out.... and not blaming sombionix, his rom is so good I still use it even with this issue (and I consider it a big one).
I do not know enough about what he did, but I don't think much was altered from JI6.
Thanks s15274n!
I am going to do some testing...I have access to a stock Vibrant (with no GPS fix), and a stock Captivate (with recent GPS fix). I will do a "map my run" route with each (using my Nexus One and maybe even my G1 as an experiment control), then root the Vibrant with Bionix Fusion, and post my results--probably here and in a blog post. That will give me 5 separate results to compare.
The screenshots and data output should settle all the BS flying around, although I am sure that some people will claim that their particular phone has no problems whatsoever.
derfolo said:
Thanks s15274n!
I am going to do some testing...I have access to a stock Vibrant (with no GPS fix), and a stock Captivate (with recent GPS fix). I will do a "map my run" route with each (using my Nexus One and maybe even my G1 as an experiment control), then root the Vibrant with Bionix Fusion, and post my results--probably here and in a blog post. That will give me 5 separate results to compare.
The screenshots and data output should settle all the BS flying around, although I am sure that some people will claim that their particular phone has no problems whatsoever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to add my two cents, I've continued to experience horrible GPS performance despite the fix in JI6. Quite simply, it's unusable if I don't open G-Maps before I drive away from my wirless SSID.
Unfortunately, questions posted here are routinely met with "reflash" and "why can't people search? these issues have been solved a million times!". Most people seem content to assume that since it was fixed on their phone, we're too stupid to figure out how to apply this particular "fix".
This is my fifth phone. My G1, MyTouch, and Nexus One all had GPS' which worked simply and reliably. My Galaxy S phones...not so much. It's gotten to the point where I'm seriously considering paying HTC to fix the busted AMOLED screen on my Nexus One so I can go back to that and sell my Vibrant and i9000 on craigslist.
Sorry for the rant. I only meant to chime in to say "you're not the only one". I'm just frustrated.
I'll be interested to see your results if you go through with your test.
I am a captivate owner and I am using Dilligafs 4.0 in captivate section of site. Flawless rom except we havent been able to get GPS to work at all. Wireless works for location but GPS does not work whatsoever. If someone can post their gps files and state the folder it is located in for me to try it would be of great assistance to us Captivate owners. Thanks in advance. Please no flaming I know this is a Vibrant forum but we Galaxy S owners should all work together for the greater cause of romunity....
momulah said:
I am a captivate owner and I am using Dilligafs 4.0 in captivate section of site. Flawless rom except we havent been able to get GPS to work at all. Wireless works for location but GPS does not work whatsoever. If someone can post their gps files and state the folder it is located in for me to try it would be of great assistance to us Captivate owners. Thanks in advance. Please no flaming I know this is a Vibrant forum but we Galaxy S owners should all work together for the greater cause of romunity....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pretty much every recent ROM I've used has had very good GPS performance. I'm currently on Master's Axura 2.2.5.9. But I've tried both Eugene's Gingerbread Clone and TW's Nero v3 and both have properly working GPS for me. I'm no dev so I don't know what files have it working so well but someone might.
Nero V3, Eugene's R2 both have properly working GPS.
I have trouble working gps on nero v3...very slow. I went back to jk6 modem and this solved all issues.
Try "GPS Restore" from the Android Market, published by Samsung for the Galaxy S phones. Worked wonders on my phone. Sats lock up in 2 seconds flat!
momulah said:
I am a captivate owner and I am using Dilligafs 4.0 in captivate section of site. Flawless rom except we havent been able to get GPS to work at all. Wireless works for location but GPS does not work whatsoever. If someone can post their gps files and state the folder it is located in for me to try it would be of great assistance to us Captivate owners. Thanks in advance. Please no flaming I know this is a Vibrant forum but we Galaxy S owners should all work together for the greater cause of romunity....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are in the wrong place my friend. You need to look on the captivate site on xda. you won't find a solution for your problem here
I had the same issue when i upgraded from JL4 to JL5 on Eugene's Ginger Clone. Flash the JL4 modem back over it and it will work flawlessly - I am living proof.
fF
nero v3 here, indoor lock with 20 seconds, usually within 5, 15 foot accuracy.
Nero V3 perfect GPS. Less than 3 seconds!
nero v3 and M9 gps working
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Master's Axura 2.2.5.9 is the only ROM that worked for me for the GPS. Why don't you download the ROM and check the GPS files
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=891657
i duno..my GPS indoor never lock up as you guys~~on Nero V3. i duno wut's wrong with it. living in brooklyn, nyc. with the wirless it lock me on 2 blocks away where i am...><
What next? G2 owners posting in the dev section having touchscreen issues, justifying their actions because the vibrant and G2 both have touchscreens? Every time I visit these forums this crap gets more and more depressing......
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
No more responses unless you can answer his question
He just wants to know if someone can point him to the gps files in any of the roms. If you can do that, respond, if not no point talking about x rom locks in x secs!
Indoor lock that quick?...how? Did you perform the hardware fix or have a newer vibrant?
harabinger66 said:
He just wants to know if someone can point him to the gps files in any of the roms. If you can do that, respond, if not no point talking about x rom locks in x secs!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is the deal, the GPS files for the captivate, ARE NOT the same as the Vibrant, so it is pointless to post in the vibrant section.......
And he probably has a driver issue, we have no idea what he really wants, and i believe even he has not idea..... What are the "gps files"??? Does he means drivers (inserted in the kernel?). So yes this post is absolutely pointless in this site
While stefan.buddle may have been a little rude, he is right!
Essentially there are 2 basic problems with ALL the SGS phones. One the software was not 100% when released, now they have a patch that supposedly fixes the GPS, but it works for a while then get flaky.
The other is a hardware issue. The way the antenna in the SGS is made it is a spring clip that pushes against the antenna that is mounted on the backside of the internal case. alot of the phones especially the earlier manf.dated phones ,,,this clip doesn't touch completely resulting in a poor or inconsistent contact to the GPS antenna so poor locks.
So, to correct you have to go open the phone up and CAREFULLY bend this clip up to engage. To assist this not Squashing back down (my fix) cut a piece of the peanut cell foam to wedge in between the clip opening (the flat area) this will give you proper contact and WOW way better reception. Perfect? no way but it will be usable for sure !! also you clean the contact etc... common sense stuff....
Now remember this is not a tom-tom it even in the best working condition will not be as good as that (Samsung calls this GPS assist). But, you will be way happier......
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=878970 This is the sticky that shows how t odo this. Hope this helps.........if so give a thank you
oka1 said:
Essentially there are 2 basic problems with ALL the SGS phones. One the software was not 100% when released, now they have a patch that supposedly fixes the GPS, but it works for a while then get flaky.
The other is a hardware issue. The way the antenna in the SGS is made it is a spring clip that pushes against the antenna that is mounted on the backside of the internal case. alot of the phones especially the earlier manf.dated phones ,,,this clip doesn't touch completely resulting in a poor or inconsistent contact to the GPS antenna so poor locks.
So, to correct you have to go open the phone up and CAREFULLY bend this clip up to engage. To assist this not Squashing back down (my fix) cut a piece of the peanut cell foam to wedge in between the clip opening (the flat area) this will give you proper contact and WOW way better reception. Perfect? no way but it will be usable for sure !! also you clean the contact etc... common sense stuff....
Now remember this is not a tom-tom it even in the best working condition will not be as good as that (Samsung calls this GPS assist). But, you will be way happier......
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=878970 This is the sticky that shows how t odo this. Hope this helps.........if so give a thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That fix is for the vibrant, are you sure is also for the captivate also?????
I have had a captivate apart they look the same in the inside The Epic is different I have not pulled a Fascinate open to know what is what with them I would guess they are closer to the Epic
I enclosed a picture so you can see the tab touches a piece on the back internal case. I like taking things apart, if you do take it apart go to a music store and get 2 medium flat guitar picks it makes it easier and you do not damage the chrome trim. Take the screws out and then slide between the snap case connection with one get it in then put the other in and work them around about 30 % of the separation and voila' !!! it will open pretty easy. putting back together is way easier snaps in just make sure you get the little radio wire antenna out of the way
gagb1967 said:
That fix is for the vibrant, are you sure is also for the captivate also?????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check the Captivate forums, they have a thread with the equivalent hardware antenna fix.
I have had the captivate for over a year now and have been plagued with terrible gps performance.
Anyhow I am considering an upgrade to the sgs2. But before I upgrade I'd like to know how the performance is on the sgs2's gps. I'm sure samsung improved the gps for this model, but I was hoping to confirm it here.
Thanks
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using Tapatalk
I also had a captivate for a year. I never had too big of issues with it. It always got a lock ... eventually. The GPS on the SGS II is definately better, but to me still feels like its slow to get a lock. My wife's iPhone 3GS locks faster than my SGS II.
You have 30 days up decide if you want you keep it. I don't think it will be possible for this phone to disappoint you.
Sent from my SGS II
A simple search would have shown a dozen or so threads on GPS performance. They all say the same thing.
the GPS on this phone is eons better than the captivate. On a 3 hour trip from NY to PA, it dropped the signal once. I had to actually reboot the phone to get the GPS to pick up again but it was fine after that. That was the first time I had to reboot to get the GPS to work. Otherwise, its fine.
I get very fast locks ... Even in my house
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
OK. So it gets fast locks which is good but the real acid test is navigation. And not on big straight highways but on surface streets with lots of turns. Does it do this well? Does it need to sit in line of sight to the sky in your car (i.e. on the dashboard) to work or can you drop it in a cup holder and have it track you accurately? GPS was the Achilles heel of the Captivate. I nearly threw mine out the window several times. This was the Captivate experience:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZXM_g3mqew
we all agree, GPS on the captivate was not good, although the model i got was OK but still took some time to get a lock and forget about starting the cappy GPS from a moving vehicle.
BUT - the GPS on the SGS2 is SICK !
Samsung went all out to make it a non issue. Will be interested what they did this time - did they use a better chip from a better maker or what, maybe soon we will know.
I had an unlocked vibrant for awhile and similarly to the captivate, the gospel was spotty.
The GS2 has substantially better gps. I haven't used it consistently to give you a full impression about it;however, it seems to lock and track well from past experience. My Atrix has excellent gps as well.
ianwood said:
OK. So it gets fast locks which is good but the real acid test is navigation. And not on big straight highways but on surface streets with lots of turns. Does it do this well? Does it need to sit in line of sight to the sky in your car (i.e. on the dashboard) to work or can you drop it in a cup holder and have it track you accurately? GPS was the Achilles heel of the Captivate. I nearly threw mine out the window several times. This was the Captivate experience:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZXM_g3mqew
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
my 3 hour trip was 75% highway and 25% city (philadelphia and its surrounding areas). The city had a glitch once where it thought i was a block or two off but it self corrected within 10 seconds.
Cool, thanks for ask of the replies. It appears samsung improved gps for the sgs2. If I get one I will definitely test the gps thoroughly within the first 30 days.
I just thought it was sad that my sons cheapo htc aria had excellent gps compared to the captivate. It would lock and track better than most dedicated gps devices.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using Tapatalk
sblees said:
Cool, thanks for ask of the replies. It appears samsung improved gps for the sgs2. If I get one I will definitely test the gps thoroughly within the first 30 days.
I just thought it was sad that my sons cheapo htc aria had excellent gps compared to the captivate. It would lock and track better than most dedicated gps devices.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was not just the us variants of the sgs that had issues the i9000 phones had crappy gps, and even my launch captivate had decent but nothing like my i777 sgs2. All the time it took me to type this, my phone's gps now states I am in the correct building via google maps lol where as my Captivate would usually say I am a block to 5 blocks away!
HTH,
Charlie
This has the best GPS performance I've ever had on a device. Mine consistently locks on in under 7 seconds .
axis01 said:
A simple search would have shown a dozen or so threads on GPS performance. They all say the same thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And yet you link to none of them.
Hi!
I have recently flashed my device with Nokser's ROM of WP7.
Almost everything work's but there is just one big problem that i can't find solution for.
It's the service. It just doesn't work at all.
Is there some special trick to make it work?
nope its happening with every 1 at the moment people are not getting any signal....
however this is just the first release or wp7 for tg01. NOKSER has done verry well to get to where we are now and give him time he may fix the buggs
but there are people that say that they have fairly good signal strength and only sometimes loss signal ,for me it contrary....
i think its just where you live i live in bradford, england and i hardly get a signal once every hour or something in wp7, where as a wm6.5 rom i get full signal all the time
Yeh, don't forget signal varies depending on the topography of your area, and add to that the poor radio performance of the TG01, and then add to that the use of a rom that was never meant to be used on the device, and you have a few problems.
I find using TG01 and radio 0300 gives the best compromise, 0321 gave best voice quality but had other issues, if you live in a poor signal area, your TG01 is gonna struggle whatever you do.
i have never had any problems with signal before so it's probobly not that. Is there any posibility that while flashing wp7 i forgot about some file that's responsible for radio? im noob when it comes to this stuff
michael205 said:
i have never had any problems with signal before so it's probobly not that. Is there any posibility that while flashing wp7 i forgot about some file that's responsible for radio? im noob when it comes to this stuff
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its possible you forgot some important files, but you are going to have to safely flash back to a windows mobile rom, then start again, with all the risks involved in these procedures, its already well documented that radio performance in wp7 on the tg01 is crap, so chances are you are just seeing how bad radio perfornance in this rom really is.
Just to add, I have used a TG01 since January 2010 and can tell you radio performance on the TG01 is crap, i don't care what anyone says. By using wp7 you are just compounding the issue.
(InsertNameHere) said:
Its possible you forgot some important files, but you are going to have to safely flash back to a windows mobile rom, then start again, with all the risks involved in these procedures, its already well documented that radio performance in wp7 on the tg01 is crap, so chances are you are just seeing how bad radio perfornance in this rom really is.
Just to add, I have used a TG01 since January 2010 and can tell you radio performance on the TG01 is crap, i don't care what anyone says. By using wp7 you are just compounding the issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've used TG01 since February 2010, and I found signal to be very good in my house (O2 and Orange Network)
My Desire S on Vodafone seems to struggle to get full bars... I don't know if its the network problem though...
Never had signal issues with TG01, so WP7 ROM must have definitely some effect on signal
But the TG01 had rubbish call quality... Even with the new radios.
When i say radio performance i do mean call quality, bad call quality is a symptom of the crap radio, i am sure. Signal strength is very erratic and no way near as accurate as it should be, my TG often shows full signal when actually its not.
(InsertNameHere) said:
When i say radio performance i do mean call quality, bad call quality is a symptom of the crap radio, i am sure. Signal strength is very erratic and no way near as accurate as it should be, my TG often shows full signal when actually its not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, that could be why... My tg01 always used to show full bars nearly every place I was... but my sgs and desire S have only like 3-4 bars...
Sent from my HTC Desire S using xda premium
olyloh6696 said:
Ah, that could be why... My tg01 always used to show full bars nearly every place I was... but my sgs and desire S have only like 3-4 bars...
Sent from my HTC Desire S using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well look, SGS2 is well known by the signal isue. The biggest bug is that. I never had signal problems on my tg01 before. I think when erasing NAND we or erased more then we should have or less than we should have. I think the new update will solve all that. CHERRS!
Hi everyone,
I am a long time iPad user, but on the other hand using android phones from quite a while (samsung sg1, sg 2, sgn now).
After seeing the new iPad I am really thinking about getting the transformer prime.
The big plus is the keyboard dock. The big minus is the lack of 3g but I may use my galaxy note as a wireless hot spot.
The only thing which is keeping me from buying is the long thread from the general section of this forum which contains great number of horror stories related to the transformer prime after the ics update.
The retailer from whom I want to buy has the prime with honeycomb on it.
Is it better to keep the old os? Are the ics bugs really wide spread.
Any help is welcome.
Well I got mine 4 days ago and it had the original OS on it played a little and switched to ics and haven't had any problems maybe I just got lucky who knows I think alot it's hype so far so good.
my Prime arrived with ICS already installed on it. So far the only significant issues I've encountered are wifi range and GPS, which I already knew about from reading other reviews. Since most of what I'm planning on doing with my Prime is off-line stuff anyway, I'm not terribly bothered.
Wrong post ,
my bad
ICS working great on Prime. ill never go back to honeycomb. I've only seen positive additions with ICS. too many positives outweigh the little issues some may have with it. plus issues not as wide spread as it may seems.
My Prime has been perfect! Only a week of use though.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201
I have problems with GPS... but tbh I don't know what anyone uses the GPS for lol.
My wifi range isn't as strong my iPhone 4 and game consoles. But it's also not noticeable, if I didn't look at the WiFi signal strength I wouldn't even know I wasn't at 100%.
Basically, WiFi strength weakens but it hasn't hindered the performance from what I've been able to tell. I still stream music, or watch youtube clips like it's nothing.
To be honest, I haven't had near the problems that people are talking about here... well not here but in the general thread. I had a few minor.. very minor issues with wifi using Skype but I think I solved that by changing channels on the router... As for signal strength, I am not sure what people think it should do, mine is on par or better then my sgs1. No light bleed or anything like that either, gps, the only thing I found was there were a couple of files missing gps.conf for one... but once I placed that in the proper folder it seems to work fine (not that I'll use it) In short... no regrets.....plus the thing is fast too
Also.... if your away from a hotspot and want to use 3g/4g tether it to your phone via bluetooth, work good.
As stated by Asus Rep Gary Key on this forum
1. As to various rumors or threads about every unit having a problem, the numbers indicate otherwise as evidenced in the CNET article and an upcoming followup. While not dismissing there have been some problems, the return/repair rates are no greater than other competing products based on current data and are actually lower than several. I am not going to defend us 100% as like with all manufacturers we have areas of improvement.
2. That being said, I want to discuss a certain population of users who complain about multiple unit problems or seem to have every problem that is discussed in a forum.
a. Of these problem repeat users, around 71% (varies on a monthly basis) never responded to direct communication attempts.
b. Of the remaining users (around 30%), we directly assisted 9% of these users and confirmed actual unit problems. Of the remaining 20% or so, we could not verify all of the problems reported (multiple units, service, returns). However, I would like to give two examples that generally mimic a lot of this 20% contact.
And by poll of XDA member
80% are liking their device
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1491431
Topic of user with positive experience
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1409910
I think the recent update 9.4.2.15 has fixed a lot of the random reboot problems that came with ICS. I am saying this because I noticed a lot less threads about the issue and I personally haven't had ICS crash since I've updated (a month ago).
You can also use Bluetooth to tether 3g to your prime. Works great since it uses less battery on your phone and even though it is slower I tend not to notice since using 3g means I am on the go. Also, there is a handy app in the App/Theme forum that will auto connect the Bluetooth internet.
I had some force-closes after the ICS Update. As mentioned several times in the forums a factory-reset just after I updated to ics helped alot.
No major problems so far. I think one force-close in the last 2 weeks. And this app has problems on other devices as well.
Wifi is not great, but definitely not an issue. Since I don't use GPS at all, I would buy it again.
only problems ive had were a couple of tablets had lcd mura (bright spots) current one is fine. bit of light bleed but nothing too bad. im happy with it
Nice to hear that the issues are not serious.
I just have one question...
How bad the wifi signal is compared to the Ipad?
Is it necessary to use a second wireless router or repeater?
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
silvehosszu said:
Nice to hear that the issues are not serious.
I just have one question...
How bad the wifi signal is compared to the Ipad?
Is it necessary to use a second wireless router or repeater?
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ive not had any issues, router is downstairs
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using XDA Premium HD app
oh the wifi issue is as real as it sounds. I've been able to fix it to a extent by using various suggestions in this forum like using a router different than linksys, changed wifi channel to reduce interference, repeater to increase strength and the newest keeping the gps on which somehow seems to increase wifi link speed (need to verify, yet)
GPS has never worked even once, am yet to try the tether using my phone, although this doesnt bother me much. Bluetooth gives me issues at time with it not connecting to my phone or my laptop and am yet to try anything to fix it.
screen flicker issue is there when clicking recent apps, again seems to have reduced using suggestion on this forum, namely booting into download mode
(vol key down + power and then vol up) and then rebooting. some problems still exists in youtube app though.
Random reboots have anyway been not a problem for me with a very low count.
More or less I've been able to fix most issues with simple steps and am very satisfied with my prime. a lot more than I can ever imagine with an ipad.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk
After doing my research i did the jump and bought the transformer prime. The wireless issue is not as severe as I thought, the primes wireless is almost as good as the iPads.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
I don't think you will regret it. I bought mine 6 weeks ago, stayed well away from rooting actions, and it has updated itself faultlessly. WiFi is not a problem, though the "pinch fix" did improve reception. I can use my HTC Desire for GPS, over-air data when away from my (or anyone elses router), and just love the screen and keyboard.
Hope yo enjoy it.
FG
Excuse my ignorance but what is that `pinch fix` ?
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using xda premium
silvehosszu said:
Hi everyone,
I am a long time iPad user, but on the other hand using android phones from quite a while (samsung sg1, sg 2, sgn now).
After seeing the new iPad I am really thinking about getting the transformer prime.
The big plus is the keyboard dock. The big minus is the lack of 3g but I may use my galaxy note as a wireless hot spot.
The only thing which is keeping me from buying is the long thread from the general section of this forum which contains great number of horror stories related to the transformer prime after the ics update.
The retailer from whom I want to buy has the prime with honeycomb on it.
Is it better to keep the old os? Are the ics bugs really wide spread.
Any help is welcome.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Less than 1% of TFP have issues according to Gary Key with Asus.
silvehosszu said:
After doing my research i did the jump and bought the transformer prime. The wireless issue is not as severe as I thought, the primes wireless is almost as good as the iPads.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Congrats. enjoy your new device
silvehosszu said:
Excuse my ignorance but what is that `pinch fix` ?
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its nothing really. some report fluctuating signal strength if tablet is pinched in area antennae would be. I'd say don't worry yourself with it if you already getting good wireless reception. its just more of an observation thing on the pinch.