Given how bad Samsung Galaxy S2's GPS accuracy is using the stock Samsung Gingerbread firmware, I'm curious to know if Samsung got the GPS issues fixed in ICS?
Using the standard Samsung ICS firmware, how many satellites are folks able to lock on to? What kind of accuracy are you getting? How long does it take to get a lock?
Before I upgrade to ICS, I'd like to know what I can expect.
Thanks for any answers.
P.S. I've spent a few hours reading through S2 ICS threads for any mention of GPS performance and have found only one post that mentioned how long it was taking someone to get a lock indoors, which isn't a fair test of GPS ability.
KenInME said:
Given how bad Samsung Galaxy S2's GPS accuracy is using the stock Samsung Gingerbread firmware, I'm curious to know if Samsung got the GPS issues fixed in ICS?
Using the standard Samsung ICS firmware, how many satellites are folks able to lock on to? What kind of accuracy are you getting? How long does it take to get a lock?
Before I upgrade to ICS, I'd like to know what I can expect.
Thanks for any answers.
P.S. I've spent a few hours reading through S2 ICS threads for any mention of GPS performance and have found only one post that mentioned how long it was taking someone to get a lock indoors, which isn't a fair test of GPS ability.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been using ICS for a while now, (Since betas - december) and all I can say is that it fixes faster than GB stock...
I'm using now the Bezke 4.1 ICS rom (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1393569), and it feels great!
I don't know about other users (from other countries and stuff) but for me is working really great!!
With CM9 & the AGPS patch in my sig, I can normally get 10m accuracy (sometimes 5). Outside takes around 10-20 seconds to get a lock, inside 30 seconds to a minute (and I live in a house with an iron roof so it's not ideal for GPS or even phone signals to get thru).
MistahBungle said:
With CM9 & the AGPS patch in my sig, I can normally get 10m accuracy (sometimes 5). Outside takes around 10-20 seconds to get a lock, inside 30 seconds to a minute (and I live in a house with an iron roof so it's not ideal for GPS or even phone signals to get thru).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This sounds like they fixed the GPS issue. Using the stock Gingerbread, I could never get my S2 to do better than about 25m. Rooted with the GPS fix I found here I'm getting 5-10m regularly. Really, the only reason I rooted in the first place was to fix the GPS. I'd be quite happy with a non-rooted S2 if it didn't have GPS issues.
Most GB firmware and phones never had GPS issues .
Its not a widely reported problem on XDA and like many my GB phone never had a problem from firmware KDD onwards .
jje
JJEgan said:
Most GB firmware and phones never had GPS issues .
Its not a widely reported problem on XDA and like many my GB phone never had a problem from firmware KDD onwards .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My S2 (GT-I9100) was sent to me from someone in France. Most of the time it would only lock to around 50m accuracy and only occasionally lock to 25m accuracy. Once I got it rooted and installed the GPS fix it worked fine. It will lock to 10m pretty quickly and then after a bit on a clear day lock down to 5m.
My concern is I don't want to go to ICS if I'll lose my 5m accuracy ability.
Personal opinion ICS is not worth the upgrade yet .
jje
JJEgan said:
Personal opinion ICS is not worth the upgrade yet .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the advice I need to hear. The only real reason I'd want to upgrade to ICS is to try Google Chrome browser. As a web dev it would be useful to see how my sites do on it, but I'm not keen to live on the bleeding edge either. The last thing I want to do is screw up my GPS lock or WiFi abilities... or for that matter, brick my phone again (that majorly sucked).
JJEgan said:
Personal opinion ICS is not worth the upgrade yet .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well said jj
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
JFI I'm a heavy GPS user as I have my own speed limit app which I programmed up in the days when I had an HTC Desire.
When I got my S2, I found the GPS performance to be much worse than my old Desire and I had to alter the programming of the app to cope with the worse accuracy obtained on the S2 (which was particulaly noticeable during first few mins of using GPS)
I say all this so that you know I really use gps all the time
Since upgrading to ICS a week ago ( the O2 LP3 firmware), the accuracy at first use of a GPS app (Google Maps or my own speed limit one) has improved enormously and I have been able to revert my app to its old settings.
I think a lot of people who say there was nothing wrong with the GPS didn't really rely on it and it was good enough for their own personal use (either that of there is a strange bug that only affects certain ones )
Simon
Example - saved tracks from my app - new track in red (6Apr12) - old track in blue (30Dec11) Yellow Circle - actual starting point
They dit fix it !!
Hi from France,
i have galaxy s2 since 1 year and GPS accuracy was important for me (walking, geocaching...)
it was crap with gingerbread and i had to buy a bluetooth gps device to have a decent accuracy (5 m for example)
i never root or else to the phone, only official updates.
I got ICS a few weeks ago...and wow, S2 is at last accurate. It is quicker and around 10 m accurate after 10 seconds (with a gps) and sometimes 5m after a few seconds more.
When i check coordinates on google maps or other soft they are really around 5 meters accurate.
So i did no longer need my bluetooth device....i used S3 yesterday : it has 2x more satellites in view (russian ones + american ones). But accuracy wasn't better than a "up to date" galaxy S2...
never forget that 5 meters is the best to expect from those devices, even "trekking GPS" are around 5-10 meters... only military devices (with payment) can have a better precision (around 10 cm.....)
Yes folks, Galaxy S2 has now a REAL gps device inside, and that's a pretty good news, ICS must be the reason !
Alex
Hello
I am from India. The GPS on ICS is pretty good.
10 seconds lock in an open area and 30 seconds inside the house.
I must say its pretty great.. Way better than the gingerbread.:good:
What GPS??
I bought my S2 with GB on it. Later I upgraded to CM9.1. Up till today (1 week of using it) I have never seen my S2 got GPS lock. I started to wonder if Samsung forget to install GPS on my phone. Compared to Xperia and Zte Blade, S2 is huge in size and performance but no GPS lock. I have try a few different rom ( GB, ICS & JB) and all of them has no GPS lock. Must be they forgot to install GPS on my phone
Related
is it a hardware issue? software problems?
I don't know how such a problem could persist for such a long amount of time, I really hope the Nexus S doesn't have this and I would likely shell out money for that (though the lack of HD video recording disturbs me)
I have perfect GPS. After JL1, it even locks indoors in 10 seconds or less
anthonys2r said:
I have perfect GPS. After JL1, it even locks indoors in 10 seconds or less
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ever since JI6, the GPS has been able to "lock" in, but it gives terrible accuracy. It's accuracy that's important.
JK2 had choppy accuracy, JK6 made it slightly better. JL1 has been dead on for me, it even tracked my accuracy up to big bear (snow mountains in california). I went twice, once with JK2 or JK6 the first time, which sometimes listed me as off road during the trip, but when I went back with JL1, it went without a hitch.
I'm not familiar with these terms, but my accuracy has been fine, it's the speed which bugs me (takes as little as 10 seconds to as long as a whole minute before locking)
JK6? JK2? JL1? modem firmware?
Yep, modem firmware.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=868774
JL1 has excellent battery with great GPS
Got my phone a week ago gps has been fast and accurate, It came with jk6, but I had jk2 and now have jl1, I run samsung restore when I change anything and out locks within seconds
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
anthonys2r said:
I have perfect GPS. After JL1, it even locks indoors in 10 seconds or less
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here. running Axura 2.2 JL1, i just came home from using it. dead on.
I suggest disabling the wifi option in nav setting and the sensor thing, that did keep me from locking originally.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
kcp877 said:
I suggest disabling the wifi option in nav setting and the sensor thing, that did keep me from locking originally.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, it is unnecessary and if this doesn't help consider an exchange.
Outstanding GPS Performance After Warranty Exchange!
I recently had to get a replacement phone from Tmobile due to a problem with the haptic feedback. I received a new (not refurbed) phone in original Samsung packaging with a mfg date of 10/20/10. The phone already had JI6 installed.
Since I've had good GPS performance on my previous Vibrant I was a little concernced about what might happen on an exchange. My concerns were definitely misplaced.
The new Vibrant's GPS locks up virtually instantly, faster than my old Vibrant ever did and with higher signal strength and more birds. I've used the navigation extensively and have yet to drop connection while navigating.
My first experience with the phone's GPS was by accident. We were shopping and I needed to get around a plugged freeway on surface streets I wasn't familiar with. I went into the Navigation app, spoke my destination and was INSTANTLY provided with my location and directions. Subsequent testing has also been 100%.
I've never seen GPS performance this fast and powerful with my previous Vibrant although it worked well enough to get me from point A to point B. The previous phone on occasion would take a minute or two to find my location.
Damonkashu said:
JK6? JK2? JL1? I'm not familiar with these terms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
These are typically rom build / version designators. The confusion comes from using these terms to refer to the individual components (kernel, baseband / modem, etc) that have been pulled from any given rom such as the modem. When the a proper context is present, it may not be too hard to tell how the terms are being used. That's not always the case though.
blame samsung
Used out twice today locked and put in an address at a red light, it's fast, if yours isn't working try settings recommended above because it's way faster then my garmin nuvi
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
I am using JK6 FROYO on my vibrant, I installed it inmediatly after I got my phone with JI6, now I regreth that I don't tested my gps with it... beacuse now with froyo JK6 it's impossible to get a lock.. and the samsung fix doesn't work either
I realize now that Project Nero has JL1 already installed, so that's not it.
also, I have yet to see an answer to my question, what is the issue that causes the GPS to fail on these samsung vibrants?
If we truly knew, we would tell you. Or you would have searched and found the theory/answer(s).
/thread
anthonys2r said:
Yep, modem firmware.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=868774
JL1 has excellent battery with great GPS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
JL1 was horrible for me. Constantly running on edge, and GPS sucked. Back to JK6 and everything is running great, back with strong 3G signal and GPS is acceptable (although accuracy is still off).
Best 2.1 modem JI6
Best 2.2 modem Jk6
Just my opinion
Damonkashu said:
I realize now that Project Nero has JL1 already installed, so that's not it.
also, I have yet to see an answer to my question, what is the issue that causes the GPS to fail on these samsung vibrants?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung says the hardware is fine and that it is a software issue.
A few people believe it is quality control issues with the build of the vibrant (could be a loose connection and so forth)
so no one knows for sure, although most people do see changes depending on the software used, both for better and worse.
Not everyone seems to get the same results. (for some people, newer software fixes gps completely while for others it does nothing at all or makes things worse)
and then there are people that have had no real trouble from day one (they are rare, but there are some)
that's all anyone knows.
I think this question has been asked quite a few times already (there's even a few threads on this very page), you might check some of those threads for more info.
Damonkashu said:
I realize now that Project Nero has JL1 already installed, so that's not it.
also, I have yet to see an answer to my question, what is the issue that causes the GPS to fail on these samsung vibrants?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably multiple issues. Agps and status reporting were clearly busted originally, but that's fixed in later firmware. The accuracy issues on the other hand persist, for me anyway. Some people claim that they have no such problems, even with the exact same software, and if that's the case I can only assume sample variation in the hardware is to blame.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
I have an SGS1 now. Considering upgrading due to unfixable lag with it. Is the SGS2 free from major problems?
Experience may vary .. but for me, after 1 week (coming from HD2), it's a dream phone. Biggest problem seems to be battery life. My is comparable to HD2, but some people have considerate problems with it.
Battery life (fixable - there are some rogue processes that eat it up), banding (16bit color instead of 24bit - fixable, driver issue).
phone gets very hot when gaming, radio is a bit f***ed in that sometimes you cannot get the internet to work when going from wireless to 3g (workaround is to toggle flight mode, bit annoying to be honest). some are experiencing a yellowish left side of the screen, though i personally do not have that problem.
all in all it's a good phone with a few quirks, but comparing to sgs1, (had it previously as well) i must say that it is quite a leap in the right direction.
speaking of lag on sgs1, have you updated to 2.3.3? i gave the phone to my mom and installed 2.3.3 and the lag is almost gone to be honest.
My Wifi signal seems week ?
andrej.marinic said:
phone gets very hot when gaming, radio is a bit f***ed in that sometimes you cannot get the internet to work when going from wireless to 3g (workaround is to toggle flight mode, bit annoying to be honest). some are experiencing a yellowish left side of the screen, though i personally do not have that problem.
all in all it's a good phone with a few quirks, but comparing to sgs1, (had it previously as well) i must say that it is quite a leap in the right direction.
speaking of lag on sgs1, have you updated to 2.3.3? i gave the phone to my mom and installed 2.3.3 and the lag is almost gone to be honest.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have 2.3.3. but lag returns after a while...
OP, go visit a few forums for phones that have recently been released. The new question isn't "are there any major problems?", but "which major problems should I investigate?" I would challenge any existing SGS2 user to point out a dual-core phone that has fewer issues. You'll find "different" issues, but not "fewer." For now, for me, there's no phone currently out that I'd replace the SGS2 with.
And OP, the direct answer to your question is find the threads on display banding, Wi-FI performance, GPS, 2/3/4G radio, audio, camera, and battery life and if, based on your needs, you're OK with what's been discussed you should be fine.
OP, just read across this board and see! No need for a new thread.
Had it for a few days. My wifi works fine, no light leaking out of the sides, battery life is normal for an Android smartphone. I don't notice any banding (and I'm not going to go looking for it).
Coming from a Nexus One it's a massive upgrade. Couldn't be happier with it (aside from the loudspeaker quality, iPhone 4 is better in this regard).
By all means take the plunge. It's the best phone currently on the market.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
I have to keep resetting my internet connection (Go into Airplane mode, and out) as it seems to get stuck when switching from H(SDPA?) to 3G...
I'd say it's a major... but only effects a few people, it seems.
Cralis said:
I have to keep resetting my internet connection (Go into Airplane mode, and out) as it seems to get stuck when switching from H(SDPA?) to 3G...
I'd say it's a major... but only effects a few people, it seems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which network are you using? It could be an issue on the provider's end! I am on Telstra NextG and find that the issue occurs only in certain areas. I believe it is very tower-dependant as I can go into areas where it flips between 3G and HSPDA+ many many times without fail and then I can get into an area which I assume have not been upgraded and I will end up with the phone stuck in one of the two modes and not be able to transfer data.
I really want this phone when it comes to Canada. The issues seem either minor or limited to small percentage of units. No different than the SGS1 or any piece of technology for that matter. Defective units do make it out the door, that is why there are warranty and return periods.
As to the issue some of you guys are having with loss of data signal, the SGS1 had an issue while on Eclair where when you were in a no signal area the phone would totally freeze and you would have to reboot. It's been fixed since Froyo along with many other bugs.
Enjoy your phone, I hope to join ya'll in the not too distant future.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA Premium App
I am assuming the connectivity issue people are having is with the "up arrow" constantly lit up but not the down arrow. This problem I have seen in every single android handset I have used (G1, Optimus T, SGS1, and of course, the SGS2). The only common denominator is that I have used all of them while on T-Mobile USA's network. It almost always happens when I am in areas with spotty reception, or in other words, instances when I lose signal, momentarily.
However, that isn't the biggest issue for me. I bought the SGS2 to play the Gameloft games I bought on my SGS1, and I can tell you right now that this is the biggest shock to me when I did get my SGS2: none of my Gameloft games work (Asphalt 6, MC2, NOVA2, Eternal Legacy). Although I am finding out more and more about why this is the case now, this was not something I saw coming in the research I've done leading up to my purchase of this phone. 2D games seem to work fine, but if you intend to play 3D games on this phone, I suggest running some searches here with the the name of a game-in-question to see if there are any threads already about its compatibility with the SGS2.
That being said, I do not regret buying this phone one bit. It is hands down the smoothest Android experience I have ever had. I cannot slow this phone down even when I tried, and I am a very heavy user--I can drain my Vibrant's battery in under 3 hours, with di.fm playing while I use feedly and the browser while talking on beejive. This phone can handle that with no slowdown, and last much longer than my Vibrant to boot. I've actually gotten through a full workday with this usage pattern, on a single charge. This is the first phone to last me through an entire day. Even my iPhone needed charging mid-day.
Sleepycat3 said:
Which network are you using? It could be an issue on the provider's end! I am on Telstra NextG and find that the issue occurs only in certain areas.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have just ported to Telstra, from Three ... and the whole train trip home has been perfect. On 3, I had to restart 3 or 4 times.
So, yeah, seem Telstra is OK.
borchgrevink said:
I have an SGS1 now. Considering upgrading due to unfixable lag with it. Is the SGS2 free from major problems?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SGS1 does not lag with almost any recent roms. Major problem for me is that it dont have voodoo sound. A MAJOR problem that lol
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
jay_993 said:
SGS1 does not lag with almost any recent roms. Major problem for me is that it dont have voodoo sound. A MAJOR problem that lol
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hehe, well mine lags on every rom I've tried.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
Galaxy s2
That was the biggest pile of junk i had ever owned. In 5 months the charging port quit working. In 8 months power botten failed. So then, all the phone would do is boot over and over. Completly usless.
I'm sure everyone knows about the GPS bugs that plague the first generation Galaxy S. I've read the SGS 2 reviews and they said the GPS issues have been fixed, but can I get some opinions on whether anyone experienced any GPS issues? Is the GPS on the SGS 2 as accurate and good as the one on the iPhone 4?
Works fine. Faster lock than my IP4.
Its much faster than the Galaxy S1. I found the GPS to be close to useless on S1. On my S2 its close to perfect
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Works great and picks up signals inside buildings.
I had the sgs1 for about 6 months and now the sgs2 for about 3 weeks. I was soooo disappointed with the first sgs and like you I was unsure if I wanted to give the 2 a try...
Well I read a bunch and it seems that most people are happy so I bought it...
I can say with out a doubt that the GPS is way better on the 2 than the sgs1. I could not use Google navigation at all with the sgs1... it was useless and could never lock on and would have me blocks away from where I was. I've used my sgs2 GPS with Google navigation on more than a dozen trips /drives and it has always been spot on and never had me in the wrong location.
I will say that lock times are very slow when Im driving
Sent from my GT-I9100M using XDA App
I run every other day for an hour or two, I use runkeeper, also when out hiking I use mmtracker to read my o's maps, I can safely say especially with runkeeper the gpx routes recorded through the SGS2 are far more accurate than the iphone4 even managing to stay accurate whilst running through the forest, actual initial cold starting is about the same if not slightly faster with the sgs2. Oh yes and practically every time I recorded a run with the iphone4 through a certain part of my forest run it would create a spike where I was apparently running at 250mph hmm not sure I am that fast, but the sgs2 always keeps an accurate smooth record, hope that helps
for me, flaky. some days i'll get a lock within a minute and then it's fine. this morn and yest - takes ages to get a lock.
basically, ymmv
Download FasterFix. You can choose from a list of servers. Choose the country closest to you or, if it is in the list, your own country. This way you'll 'half your fixtime' so it connects faster to GPS-Sat.
It's like using the aiding sensors (e.g. WiFi).
I get a fix in >10sec max.
Hope it helps.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
i think gps on SG2 is far from perfect. It's "OK" but i had much better gps on my previous phone (HTC Hero)
What is the average time for a fix, for you guys?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Mine takes between 10 seconds and a minute. Sometimes it just sits there doing nowt lol.
Xperia X10 used to lock in 10 seconds every time, but the rest of that phone was slow lol
The only time I have ever had a problem getting a fix, I simply opened up google maps and it seemed to get a fix instantly then returned to my other gps application and all was ok.
First thing in the morning outside fix within a few seconds
Indoors sometimes can take a little longer, but never more than about 10 seconds
I use GPS a lot
biffsmash said:
Mine takes between 10 seconds and a minute. Sometimes it just sits there doing nowt lol.
Xperia X10 used to lock in 10 seconds every time, but the rest of that phone was slow lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried FasterFix?
THUDUK said:
I use GPS a lot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess you said this to clarify that you've got good statistics, but a very interesting thing is that if you use the GPS often you likely get shorter fix time
The reason is that if you used the GPS recently (within hours) the cached GPS info is more accurate so the GPS doesn't need complete messsages to determine the position (it takes 30 seconds to send one complete position message from a satellite), and if you get interruptions you need to wait even longer, that is why it sometimes takes more than a minute to get a fix.
A-GPS also helps fix time in many cases.
BryanNL said:
Download FasterFix. You can choose from a list of servers. Choose the country closest to you or, if it is in the list, your own country. This way you'll 'half your fixtime' so it connects faster to GPS-Sat.
It's like using the aiding sensors (e.g. WiFi).
I get a fix in >10sec max.
Hope it helps.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
already done. still slow
THUDUK said:
The only time I have ever had a problem getting a fix, I simply opened up google maps and it seemed to get a fix instantly then returned to my other gps application and all was ok.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Same thing happened to me.
Absolutely brilliant.
90% of the time it gets a lock within 30 secs , there's been sometimes when it needed a restart to get gps working properly but that's down to an app I was using previously which messed things up a bit, but on the whole I very happy with it.
The seamless integration with google maps is great. The external speaker is plenty loud & clear enough to hear the instructions but would like a less robotic sounding voice, re routing is quick & so far its been 100% reliable.
I have a built in gps system on my Land Rover but I almost always use the SGS2 gps over it. I used to have the SGS1 but the gps on that was a piece of crap. Gps on HTCs, etc, are probably just as good/better/worse, I don't know but one thing I'm sure about is the speaker volume would never be as loud & clear as the SGS2.
I get a lock up to 4m accuracy. My Captivate always had about 1500m accuracy and couldn't use it. Using navigation works perfectly on my sgs2
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Excellent
Like others here, i suffered from the original SGS gps nightmare
SGS2 gps has been great for me, able to use google maps/navigation/RAC app all without problem
I didn't realise how much location based services I used untill the problems with SGS gps clearly highlighted this. Now, with my SGS2 all is good.
Is there an app like the LBStesmode for froyo that I can use to change/check the gps settings?
Same as UCLF5. Mine unable to lock indoors and take more than 5 min to lock while driving.
CWM Fix file from UCLF5 thread would work on this but seriously they should have tested it before release to public.
Mine works just fine, lock indoors in less than 10 seconds. Outdoors, same. Running stock 4.0.4 ATT I717. You must just have a bad chipset causing problems.
Also no problems on mine.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
Works great here in Ohio
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1762090
Works great on official ICS for me.
-Once you go NOTE, you'd say 4 inches a Joke
NOTE user:
"take a deep breath, make sure to get a good look at it, relax and slowly take it in, the size is overwhelming at first but you will have a happy ending afterwards".
Woman:
:O
GPS is fine here..
I too have gps issues. It will not lock, best I get is 20m radius. This is not precise so navigation will not start either.
GPS works fine before and after the update.
Had the Samsung captivate, it had a bad gps
Had the Samsung Infused, it had an ok gps
Now on the Samsung Note, the GPS works perfect, locks within a sec or two.
I get locks indoors in 5 seconds or under.
My GPS improved over GB.
From my Galaxy Note
dacho said:
I too have gps issues. It will not lock, best I get is 20m radius. This is not precise so navigation will not start either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
20m radius is still a lock, unless it simply doesn't sit still for a minute or more
Sent from Outer Space
Radukk said:
Same as UCLF5. Mine unable to lock indoors and take more than 5 min to lock while driving.
CWM Fix file from UCLF5 thread would work on this but seriously they should have tested it before release to public.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some people have issues with gps lock and some don't.. I believe certain roms help because they add different tweaks .. or build props to "enhance" or tune. Other devices just have a better response time or better reception I guess everyone's phone is different as we see...
wish777 said:
Some people have issues with gps lock and some don't.. I believe certain roms help because they add different tweaks .. or build props to "enhance" or tune. Other devices just have a better response time or better reception I guess everyone's phone is different as we see...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Being on Android for over a year, it's become very apparent that even with the same internals and install procedures, every phone is treated differently, and treats the user differently in turn. It's just something that's unforeseen and probably the main reason things are redone a lot by manufacturers or developers to account for every possible account that the software could change through normal use, by either power users, normal simple users, on all of the extremes.
Can't wait to see developers get at the new build and for source to finally drop.
Sent from Outer Space
slight issues for me only from initial use if not used for a day. A quick gps on / off toggle fixes it and it instantly locks.
I had issues with GPS lock on my last two roms. Now I am on stock UCLF6 and GPS locks in seconds.
Sent from the TermiNOTEr!
I have the same gps issue as well. I will give it a day and see how it goes, but need be I am going to go back to GB wipe everything and try again. LF5 didn't work for me either, but the first leak was fine.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
Reflashed it again, now even worse than before. Navigation is not working at all. I tried to turn on and off gps but it's still not working. I think I'll have it replaced but funny thing is that on gb and previous ics leaks, except on latest leak, it worked flawlessly.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
My GPS...
...was fine on stock UCLA1 and is flaky as hell on stock UCLF6 after doing the Kies update. I used to get a solid lock indoors, now it randomly takes forever if I get a lock at all sometimes and is fine others. I'm trying to sort this (see what might be causing it). Gonna be lots of pissed people if their GPS gets borked by the update.
Edit: GPS Test app always shows 20+ satellites in view but satellites in use can inexplicably vary from 0 to apx. 14, even if left alone. Cold boot fixes it.
Has anyone tried using gps test and clearing / updating AGPS data in the settings? Also something that usually helps me.
pretty much based on size and its waterproof feature. I do a lot of hunting, fishing and snowmobiling. I primarily plan to use this device for GPS and mapping and wondering if I can rely on it in favor of my Garmin Dakota 20. There's not much on the web that addresses its capabilities in this specific manner. Will I be disappointed? Are there specific ROMS available that might improve my experience in using the device in this manner? I'd obviously be interested in optimal battery life. I did order a couple of spare 1800mAh batteries and standalone charger in hopes of getting me through a solid day on the trail.
HemRoyd said:
pretty much based on size and its waterproof feature. I do a lot of hunting, fishing and snowmobiling. I primarily plan to use this device for GPS and mapping and wondering if I can rely on it in favor of my Garmin Dakota 20. There's not much on the web that addresses its capabilities in this specific manner. Will I be disappointed? Are there specific ROMS available that might improve my experience in using the device in this manner? I'd obviously be interested in optimal battery life. I did order a couple of spare 1800mAh batteries and standalone charger in hopes of getting me through a solid day on the trail.
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There are some roms, who improve battery life, don't know about gps. But if you install another rom, you will void your warranty and you won't be able to flash the specific original rom for your region, cause for most devices there's only the generic rom to flash (shouldn't be a problem if you have to take it to service, just that you know)...
If you want to use the active instead of your garmin, you will have to find a very good navigation app, because as I think, you need something for area where are no streets, too. And most navigation apps haven't got this feature...
I have an active myself. If you want to keep it down to it's basic functions (which is basically already set as an outdoors device) i would suggest that you don't upgrade to ics and keep the original gingerbread software which has far less battery draining than any ics based rom. About the GPS, i used it severalk times for travbelling and never for tracking so don't know how it works in deep thick woods, but always had speedy lock on and precise navigation. Unlike above user stated most navigation (one with offline maps would probably be best) apps are for trekking and offraod activities, what you can do is modify your gps.conf file to make it specific to your region or area so satellite lock time will be much improved. Just search the forum for gps speed fixes, there's also a patch for agps to help increase satellite locking time.
I own this phone and wanted to do the same as you.
All setups i tried were not stable. sometimes the external power cable got disconnected, sometimes just the app closed.
after months of testing, i reverted to gamin products as they offer a much more rugged and robust hardware. I never managed to track > 20 hours on my active-phone.
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Thanks for all of your input folks.
I did receive the phone on Friday and had a chance to check it out over the weekend. My first impression is that it has a comfortable size and mass to it and I do not mind the screen size at all. It seems quite speedy and the (Gingerbread) OS operates like butter. I did have difficulty getting the GPS function to lock at first. After prolonged attempts, it wasn't until I installed an app called GPS Test did it finally lock - not quite sure what the difference was, perhaps AGPS may have been responsible. Since then however, I have been attempting to maintain GPS-only locating as I am certain that data would not be available in the majority of my usage areas. I looked at most of the GPS Mapping/Tracking apps and settled on the paid version of AlpineQuest - excellent app. I got my waypoints from my Garmin loaded onto my SD card and was quickly navigating the trails in the woods behind my house. Great stuff!
I got just over 8hrs of solid use out of the first charge on the stock battery, so the phone should keep up with a full day on the trails. I have also ordered a couple of spare batteries and standalone charger for backup. Since this first day of use, I have been using the GPS Test app exclusively to verify my satellite lock prior to using AlpineQuest. I did notice that after prolonged non-usage or following a charge cycle I did have some difficulty locking on to the satellites, however each time it was solved with a phone reboot - after which the GPS Test app would lock on within seconds (even inside the house). Each time I was in airplane mode with WiFi off. I will have to monitor the satellite locking for consistency before I am all in with this device but so far I am quite please with its (stock) performance.
the phone & the user may be active, but the battery is certainly not. the display is not that bright under bright sunlight situations :X
hi, i have the active as well and so far i am pretty satisfied.. not VERY satisfied due to Battery life.. but without that issue, I am satisfied...
I have dropped this baby 4 times already on concrete (2 waist level 2 chest level) and the phone just bounced without any cracked screen (it does have some dents on the silver lining around the screen though), but i can guarantee that this phone is shock proof because on those 4 times, the phone did not even turn-off or restart or even battery breaking out from its case...
I do not do trails but so far, the NavFree app has been very good to me with my driving direction needs... easy locking with GPS and pretty good directions...
Try also searching for build.prop tweaks in the development area of this forum because i think it can help in the phone's performance and a little bit of battery life.. i can do intermittent non-heavy image/flash website surfing and the battery could last more than 8 hours and if I just have my phone on stand by (just waiting for messages and calls and reply to them) battery could last more than 24 hours...
I have to ask you though, were those 1800 batteries better than the 1200 ? I was also thinking of buying spares...
rullean said:
I have to ask you though, were those 1800 batteries better than the 1200 ? I was also thinking of buying spares...
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I haven't got them yet, but these are the one's I ordered.
I'm on the .62 build so looks like I have to flash an earlier firmware just to get root. I'd really like to get rid of some of this extra crap and get link2sd going. If you are rooted, what firmware are you running? I just hope the GPS performs just as well on an earlier build.
HemRoyd said:
I haven't got them yet, but these are the one's I ordered.
I'm on the .62 build so looks like I have to flash an earlier firmware just to get root. I'd really like to get rid of some of this extra crap and get link2sd going. If you are rooted, what firmware are you running? I just hope the GPS performs just as well on an earlier build.
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you have to tell me if you notice some increase in battery life with those 1800's...
regarding rooting, i followed this procedure with no problem: http://talk.sonymobile.com/message/241059
just follow it step by step.. also, if you are not aware, you have to flash the kernel using the flashtool before you can flash the rom through CWM.... in anyway, you should not be afraid of bricking your phone because I was able to always restore my phone through that link's procedure.. however, pls do not take my word on it because what works for me might not work for you even if we have the same phone... we still might have a different stock.. so rooting your phone is always at your own risk (my disclaimer, hehehe)...
regarding rom, i find the free experia rom's quite good... after initial loading of the rom, i got more than 400mb free internal space.. so they did remove a lot of bloated apps that you dont really use...
just as side note: i installed cm10 fxp138 on my active and the battery lasts for 36hours and more. i really like 4.1 jb.
Update
OK, so I am rooted and remain locked. I ended up flashing stock 4.0.2.A.0.42 and then this ROM:
ROM][GB][ALL MDPI] HASA v5 [2.3.7][27/9/12]
My prayers have been answered! This ROM is fast and lean! Thanks very much to sandy7 for his work on this! I followed his instructions exactly as in his first post, however did not need to install the revised camera lib as I had no issues with the camera. I've had absolutely zero issues and love the speed.
Now for the battery life. I finally got the spare batteries I mentioned in the previous post (shipped from China). My initial observation is that these batteries smoke the stock one by a large margin. I still need to spend a little more time on this ROM to be certain. As mentioned before, my goal is to replace my standalone GPS unit with this phone. I am not using phone or data, so I am in airplane mode all the time. I am using wifi a bit. With the stock battery I got about 1 day and 12 hours of standby and light use on wifi and gps with 10% remaining. On the replacement battery I got 3 days and 16 hours with 35% remaining before I decided to try the stock battery again. The stock battery began to drain as soon as I put it in and was down to 85% within the first hour. I don't know, perhaps these stock batteries are junk? I am open to suggestions on how to properly do a test and comparison.
omg.. really? so those china batteries work for you? damn.. I want those.. i will buy those..