Hey guys, first off, I have searched for no less than 2 hours for an answer to this question, and while there are lots of discussions, none of them seem to replicate what I am seeing.
Can anyone confirm this, and does anyone have a fix?
GPS will not lock a single satelite in Airplane Mode. I'm in American Samoa without cell coverage, and using the GPS Status app to test. Here's my findings:
First, I turn off Airplane mode, turn on WiFi (connected), turn on GPS. I do not get a cell signal. I open GPS Status, GPS locks onto the first satelite within a minute, and locks position in 10 seconds after that. I turn Airplane mode on which turns WiFi off. Interestingly enough, GPS is not turned off. I turn GP Soff, and then turn it back on (have read suggestions to do so, and have also tried not switching it at all). I then turn Wifi on and verify connection. I open GPS Status, and let it sit for up to an hour outdoors, not a single satelite ever appears. I turn Airplane mode off, and within a minute I have a locked location.
So, two questions, is it possible to get GPS to work when in Airplane mode, or is it possible to disable the cell radio some other way (possibly keeping GPS enabled)?
Here's my stats:
Phone: Moto Razr Maxx
Rooted: Yup
Carrier: Verizon
Sys Version: 6.12.181.XT912.Verizon.en.US
Android Version: 2.3.6
Baseband: CMDA_N_04.07.01R LTEDC_U_07.1F.00
Purchased about a month ago
Playing around a bit more, I noticed that when I have airplane mode off, and GPS on, and GPS Status open, if I quickly hit the home button, turn Airplane mode on, and go back into GPS Status, a lock remains for about 3-5 seconds, and then satelites slowly start disappearing until there's none left. Airplane mode is definitely disabling GPS on my phone.
Anyone? Bueller.... Bueller... Bueller...
I can post video if you don't believe me...
I have read that the GPS needs a data connection to make a lock. I don't remember where I read that, but I had the same problem when I was in Europe trying to use my phone primarily as a GPS device with cached maps. There was maybe once or twice that it actually locked, out of many many many many attempts.
I have airplane mode on, wifi and blutooth off, then turn on gps, I get gps lock on my Droid Razr with stock gingerbread for a short period then lose all satellites. It appears that you can't use gps with airplane mode on.
bump i have been wondering about this also. airlines often expressly allow gps. after all, gps RECEIVES, it doesn't transmit.
droidmo said:
I have read that the GPS needs a data connection to make a lock. I don't remember where I read that, but I had the same problem when I was in Europe trying to use my phone primarily as a GPS device with cached maps. There was maybe once or twice that it actually locked, out of many many many many attempts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually GPS doesn't need data connection to make a lock. But with data connection it helps make lock much faster.. that's the features called A-GPS (Assisted-GPS), google around about A-GPS for more detailed info how it works.
I always turn off my data connection every time i use my razr for navigation. I only turn data connection sometimes to make the GPS locked and after i got a lock i always turn off the data connection (I'm not on data plan) and even i didn't turn on my data connection I still can get a lock as long as i am outdoor. So far i never had razr GPS lock problems. This phone's GPS never disappoint me.
My guess is maybe it's some kinda bug on the airplane mode or maybe that's intentionally for some safety reasons.
Same here. I did:
- open maps, locate my position. ok.
- turn off wifi and data
- go back to maps, position ok.
- longpress power, turrn on airplane
- gps starts blinking, position lost
- turn off airplane, but data remains off
- gps position found in 2 seconds
(also tried with "GPS Test" app - same result)
I have MAXX AsiaRetail stock 2.3.6
Sent from my XT910 using XDA
Thanks guys, nice to know it's not just me! Just to clarify some other posts, GPS works with or without a data connection as long as airplane mode is off.
So, seeing as though airplane mode kills GPS, does anyone know of a way to disable the cell radio (to save battery life) without turning on airplane mode?
And just to comfort those who worry about flying, I'm just using the phone for directions and what not (American Samoa doesn't have street addresses believe it or not, and 2 houses past the third palm tree doesn't cut it ). I download the directions while at the hotel on wifi, then go about my way, but if I can't use GPS in airplane mode, it kills the battery searching for a cell tower.
kreez said:
So far i never had razr GPS lock problems. This phone's GPS never disappoint me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Couldn't agree more, while in the states with cell reception, this phone's GPS is fantastic! Unfortunately, if you have to keep airplane mode off to have it work, it's useless in the back country, or 3rd world countries. Maybe today's ICS release will fix the bug!
I don't think it's a bug. My droid X did the same thing.
risslerp said:
I don't think it's a bug. My droid X did the same thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah yes, feature not bug. :cyclops:
Moved To Q&A
Please Post questions in the Q&A section
On my Razr Maxx I also have no gps in airplane mode. I'm running the official 4.04.
I'm going to guess this is because the droid radio chip has gps integrated along with the cellular radios. Here's my evidence:
Turning off the radio with the LTE OnOff app (it just opens the radio service menu, same as dialing the service number), and pressing "Turn radio off": Gps Test would never see any satellites and would never get a gps lock.
Setting the "preferred network type" to "GSM only" (this has no service in Seattle with Verizon): Gps Test immediately sees satellites and I get a gps lock.
I wish there was an option to turn off all the cellular radios but to leave the gps radio on. I use my razr maxx hiking with offline topo maps and OruxMaps, and it lasts about 8 hours recording tracks every 1 minute.
Possible solution?
My findings are that when using my Razr Maxx still on 2.3.6 stock settings, If I run the GPS Test application with GPS, 3G data and cellular on (airplane mode off) it acquires my location accurate of 10 feet, using 8-12 satellites in approximately 10 or so seconds. If I exit, toggle Airplane mode on, relaunch GPS Test, it will acquire my location in the same time, accuracy and with again 8-12 satellites. But If I exit, toggle GPS off and then Airplane mode on, Toggle GPS on, relaunch GPS Test, it will not be able to locate any satellites.
Now, with that said, if I go into my data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/ directory and open the settings.db file, in the "system" entry, I do not have gps listed in either the "airplane_mode_radios" or the "airplane_mode_toggleable_radios" values. I do have "cell,bluetooth,wifi" under the airplane_mode_radios value, and "bluetooth,wifi" under the airplane_mode_toggleable_radios value.
I do not know how this looks in ICS for the Razr (4.0.4). I also do not know if gps is even able to be included here. Just a theory.
I might be on to something that may work and you will need to be rooted.
I warn you, that I have not tried modifying this myself, so I cannot verify it will work. Do not try this if you aren't comfortable with attempting it without it being verified to work first.
What I'm thinking is to use an app like Root Explorer and navigate into the data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/ directory. Open and edit the settings.db file with an app like SQLite editor. Then open the "system" database entry. Check to see if on around lines 21 and 22 there are entries named "airplane_mode_radios" and "airplane_mode_toggleable_radios". Once located, check to see if their values include gps among the other available radios. If the airplane_mode_radios value includes gps, then long press, tap edit field, remove it and save. If gps is not listed under the airplane_mode_toggleable_radios then long press, edit field, add gps and save. Exit and reboot.
I think with doing this, it should not turn GPS off when airplane mode is toggled on and it should allow you to toggle GPS on and off while airplane mode is on.
If anyone else knows of an easier or proven way to do this then let us know.
If you know this will not work, correct me and let me know.
Ryco26 said:
My findings are that when using my Razr Maxx still on 2.3.6 stock settings, If I run the GPS Test application with GPS, 3G data and cellular on (airplane mode off) it acquires my location accurate of 10 feet, using 8-12 satellites in approximately 10 or so seconds. If I exit, toggle Airplane mode on, relaunch GPS Test, it will acquire my location in the same time, accuracy and with again 8-12 satellites. But If I exit, toggle GPS off and then Airplane mode on, Toggle GPS on, relaunch GPS Test, it will not be able to locate any satellites.
Now, with that said, if I go into my data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/ directory and open the settings.db file, in the "system" entry, I do not have gps listed in either the "airplane_mode_radios" or the "airplane_mode_toggleable_radios" values. I do have "cell,bluetooth,wifi" under the airplane_mode_radios value, and "bluetooth,wifi" under the airplane_mode_toggleable_radios value.
I do not know how this looks in ICS for the Razr (4.0.4). I also do not know if gps is even able to be included here. Just a theory.
I might be on to something that may work and you will need to be rooted.
I warn you, that I have not tried modifying this myself, so I cannot verify it will work. Do not try this if you aren't comfortable with attempting it without it being verified to work first.
What I'm thinking is to use an app like Root Explorer and navigate into the data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/ directory. Open and edit the settings.db file with an app like SQLite editor. Then open the "system" database entry. Check to see if on around lines 21 and 22 there are entries named "airplane_mode_radios" and "airplane_mode_toggleable_radios". Once located, check to see if their values include gps among the other available radios. If the airplane_mode_radios value includes gps, then long press, tap edit field, remove it and save. If gps is not listed under the airplane_mode_toggleable_radios then long press, edit field, add gps and save. Exit and reboot.
I think with doing this, it should not turn GPS off when airplane mode is toggled on and it should allow you to toggle GPS on and off while airplane mode is on.
If anyone else knows of an easier or proven way to do this then let us know.
If you know this will not work, correct me and let me know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd like to confirm that I'm having the same issue of having no GPS connectivity when in airplane mode even though the GPS has been toggled on. Numerous other forums have stated that this is a hardware issue with Motorola phones. I'm curious if the above quoted solution has worked for anybody.
Thank you!
This is the response that I got from Motorola after asking the general question about having GPS turned on when airplane mode is on:
"When airplane mode is enabled, this will automatically disable all wireless and radio communication on the device including the GPS receiver. Because the phone, in order to determine location, takes readings from both GPS satellites and nearby cellular base stations (towers), with the help of a location server on the network. In other words, the phone relies on the network for help in determining location. Although the phone does receive GPS signals directly from the satellites, it can't determine actual location without help from the cell network."
Therefore, you can't use the GPS radio by itself.
hantav said:
This is the response that I got from Motorola after asking the general question about having GPS turned on when airplane mode is on:
"When airplane mode is enabled, this will automatically disable all wireless and radio communication on the device including the GPS receiver. Because the phone, in order to determine location, takes readings from both GPS satellites and nearby cellular base stations (towers), with the help of a location server on the network. In other words, the phone relies on the network for help in determining location. Although the phone does receive GPS signals directly from the satellites, it can't determine actual location without help from the cell network."
Therefore, you can't use the GPS radio by itself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But the GPS still works fine when I am far away from any cell towers of any kind...
I think whoever responded to you was trying to justify airplane mode turning off GPS. There must be a way to force it to stay on.
It has certainly frustrated me that I can't use airplane mode to save battery while using GPS.
I'm by no means an expert on this issue but I think the GPS and cellular radios are physically connected (on the same chip??) inside most Motorola phones. So even though you might not be near a cellular tower, and if airplane mode if off, you should be able to get a GPS signal. But if airplane mode is on, then both the cellular and GPS radios will be turned off.
Basically, the interwebs is pointing to a hardware issue rather then an a software issue. However, I hope a software solution is available.
MrCavity said:
But the GPS still works fine when I am far away from any cell towers of any kind...
I think whoever responded to you was trying to justify airplane mode turning off GPS. There must be a way to force it to stay on.
It has certainly frustrated me that I can't use airplane mode to save battery while using GPS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd give $20 for a software solution to this problem. I am an avid hiker. Using a cell phone in Airplane Mode you get 4x, 5x, 6x the battery life. If I can use GPS while in Airplane Mode, I can hike a very long time, but if I'm forced to leave the cell radio on merely to use GPS, the battery won't last a full day's hike. It is ridiculous that we can't (yet) use GPS in Airplane Mode. I have been using ViewRanger offline navigation app for years. I download to the phone before I leave home all of the topo maps that I need for a hike, so I have no need for data when I'm hiking.
Did anyone ever try editing the systems.db file in data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/ directory? I can't tell that the guy that wrote that post ever tried it himself.
EDIT: I found here documentation of these two settings.
AIRPLANE_MODE_RADIOS -- A comma separated list of radios that need to be disabled when airplane mode is on.
AIRPLANE_MODE_TOGGLEABLE_RADIOS -- A comma separated list of radios that should to be disabled when airplane mode is on, but can be manually reenabled by the user.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My XT912 is rooted and I have System set to read-write. I tried to use SQLite to edit the value of AIRPLANE_MODE_TOGGLEABLE_RADIOS in the System table of /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/System.db to change it from "bluetooth,wifi,nfc" to "bluetooth,wifi,nfc,gps" but even though I have write permissions to the file, when I tried, I received this error:
Update Failed - Error Code 5. Database is locked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I went searching for how to edit settings.db and found this thread and this other thread, but I don't fully understand the instructions.
Bottom Line: if this is truly a hardware problem, then editing this file won't fix the problem (but likely won't cause any harm either), but if this is merely a software problem, then this may finally give us GPS use while in Airplane Mode.
Related
Have anyone got the GPS on the Titan to work when you don't have network service?
I have even tried this:
http://www.rimweb.in/forums/index.php?showtopic=13024
I can get my Titan to pick like around 10 sats but it's very unlikely that I will get a lock (1 of 20 times I get a lock).
Cliff notes: What do you have to do to get the GPS on the Titan to work in Europe?
Thanks
Without data, as long as you don't enable aGPS it will work in offline mode, however it's very intermittent on sync. The best method is to turn it on, give it a clear view of the sky either outside or in your car and just wait. If you are driving it will almost never sync up.
Get a tool like Bafs GPS Toggle. As it won't "time out" like Google Maps and Live Search will do. If you just wait it should eventually sync up.
As for outside the country, I am not sure if any of the primer tools like QuickGPS will help, not sure if they will download the ephemeris data for those areas. The first satellite your phone can link onto will then transmit ephemeris data to your phone and tell it what other satellites should be visable at the moment and the upcoming schedule for the upcoming time periods. It then attempts to connect to the others. If it can never make that initial connection then you may never get a sync.
Just give it some time. Mine never took more than 15 minutes while standing still, tho while driving I drove for over 30 minutes once with no sync, however I came to a long stop light 2-3 minutes, and bam it synced. So the trick is to just sit still.
I've never been to Europe, so I can't guarantee that my advice will help.
BTC
BillThyCat said:
Without data, as long as you don't enable aGPS it will work in offline mode, however it's very intermittent on sync. The best method is to turn it on, give it a clear view of the sky either outside or in your car and just wait. If you are driving it will almost never sync up.
Get a tool like Bafs GPS Toggle. As it won't "time out" like Google Maps and Live Search will do. If you just wait it should eventually sync up.
As for outside the country, I am not sure if any of the primer tools like QuickGPS will help, not sure if they will download the ephemeris data for those areas. The first satellite your phone can link onto will then transmit ephemeris data to your phone and tell it what other satellites should be visable at the moment and the upcoming schedule for the upcoming time periods. It then attempts to connect to the others. If it can never make that initial connection then you may never get a sync.
Just give it some time. Mine never took more than 15 minutes while standing still, tho while driving I drove for over 30 minutes once with no sync, however I came to a long stop light 2-3 minutes, and bam it synced. So the trick is to just sit still.
I've never been to Europe, so I can't guarantee that my advice will help.
BTC
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks but I already tried all that, it doesn't seem to work when you're outside the US, I have left the phone for hours under clear sky, sometimes it will even reboot and I will need to start priming the GPS again.
There must be some special setting that I need to do in the phone.
Daved+ said:
Have anyone got the GPS on the Titan to work when you don't have network service?
I have even tried this:
http://www.rimweb.in/forums/index.php?showtopic=13024
I can get my Titan to pick like around 10 sats but it's very unlikely that I will get a lock (1 of 20 times I get a lock).
Cliff notes: What do you have to do to get the GPS on the Titan to work in Europe?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i don't know for sure if the following will work outside the US.
open up a registry editor, i use PHM Registry editor
go to this key
HKLM/SOFTWARE/HTC/supl agps
change the following, if they need it, to:
EnableAGPS 1
EnableGPSSmartMode 1
GPSMode 4
click ok, quit the reg editor, do a soft reset and go back to make sure the settings took.
this will allow you to use the stand alone gps without the need of being in cell tower range. google maps will not work, since it uses the data connection to load the maps.
GPS Mode 4?
g2145 said:
i don't know for sure if the following will work outside the US.
open up a registry editor, i use PHM Registry editor
go to this key
HKLM/SOFTWARE/HTC/supl agps
change the following, if they need it, to:
EnableAGPS 1
EnableGPSSmartMode 1
GPSMode 4
click ok, quit the reg editor, do a soft reset and go back to make sure the settings took.
this will allow you to use the stand alone gps without the need of being in cell tower range. google maps will not work, since it uses the data connection to load the maps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isnt GPS Mode 4 only for Sprint users?
i don't know myself if it is carrier specific.
i do know it works on my sprint mogul.
Hi everyone, first I want to apologize for my bad english, I will try to explain my problem. I'm from Venezuela, my cell phone carrier is Movilnet, my Titan setup is ROM DCD 3.3.4, Radio 3.2.50, PRI 2.03. The problem is: when I'm on cell phone service area my GPS never gets a lock, unless I let the phone all night with the GPS software trying to lock.
But, when I travel out of the city to an area whitout cell phone coverage, I can get a lock within 2 minutes, consistently, even after a soft or hard reset.
I'm using VisualGPSce to monitoring and priming the GPS, but I also had tried GPS Test, GPS Viewer, GPS toogle, etc. I had noticed that, when I'm trying to lock with VisualGPSce, the software give me a initial position that is 180º wrong, i.e. If the right coordinated is N8º 20,91 W62º 39,14, the software shows N8º 20,91 E62º 39,14. I had tried in flight mode with no success, also disabling aGPS in the registry, may be I will try a QPST config, but I don't know what config can I change.
My thery is that the cell phone towers create some kind of "conflict" and messed up all the GPS syncronization, may be the time syncronization, I don't know.
Thanks for your help.
g2145 said:
i don't know for sure if the following will work outside the US.
open up a registry editor, i use PHM Registry editor
go to this key
HKLM/SOFTWARE/HTC/supl agps
change the following, if they need it, to:
EnableAGPS 1
EnableGPSSmartMode 1
GPSMode 4
click ok, quit the reg editor, do a soft reset and go back to make sure the settings took.
this will allow you to use the stand alone gps without the need of being in cell tower range. google maps will not work, since it uses the data connection to load the maps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Won't get a lock with those settings... I will pick a lot of sats but will never get a lock.
Seems the GPS on the Mogul won't work in Europe or anywhere outside NA.
anddy78 said:
Hi everyone, first I want to apologize for my bad english, I will try to explain my problem. I'm from Venezuela, my cell phone carrier is Movilnet, my Titan setup is ROM DCD 3.3.4, Radio 3.2.50, PRI 2.03. The problem is: when I'm on cell phone service area my GPS never gets a lock, unless I let the phone all night with the GPS software trying to lock.
But, when I travel out of the city to an area whitout cell phone coverage, I can get a lock within 2 minutes, consistently, even after a soft or hard reset.
I'm using VisualGPSce to monitoring and priming the GPS, but I also had tried GPS Test, GPS Viewer, GPS toogle, etc. I had noticed that, when I'm trying to lock with VisualGPSce, the software give me a initial position that is 180º wrong, i.e. If the right coordinated is N8º 20,91 W62º 39,14, the software shows N8º 20,91 E62º 39,14. I had tried in flight mode with no success, also disabling aGPS in the registry, may be I will try a QPST config, but I don't know what config can I change.
My thery is that the cell phone towers create some kind of "conflict" and messed up all the GPS syncronization, may be the time syncronization, I don't know.
Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What GPS settings do you have in your registry?
daved+
what rom are you using?
g2145 said:
daved+
what rom are you using?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am using a rom made by myself with BuildOS but I also tried DCD and other ROMs with the same result.
If you have any suggestions, please let me know.
i had an idea of you trying to get a gps lock without installing the carrier cab..just to see for the heck of it.
g2145 said:
i had an idea of you trying to get a gps lock without installing the carrier cab..just to see for the heck of it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, that's exactly the point, getting a gps lock when you don't have a carrier (no network service at all).
GPSMode
Daved+ said:
Won't get a lock with those settings... I will pick a lot of sats but will never get a lock.
Seems the GPS on the Mogul won't work in Europe or anywhere outside NA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try GPSMode 2. That is what I use.
oneders65 said:
Try GPSMode 2. That is what I use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Believe me, I've tried all modes.
I supposed mode 2 would work because that's the factory mode on the GSM models that works on networks with no aGPS, yeah, I have even copied the settings from a GSM TyTN II and a Touch Cruise, they won't do the trick on the Titan.
Daved+ said:
What GPS settings do you have in your registry?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After the hard reset, the default registry settings was:
EnableAGPS 1
EnableGPSSmartMode 1
GPSMode 2
That works in the no cell phone service area, but in the city, doesn't work.
you can use standalone gps with some of the radio versions:
3.35.04: gps mode 2: no lock, no reboot
3.39.10: gps mode 2: one lock, 1x reboot effect
3.41.00: gps mode 2: 3x constant locks, good navigation, no proven reboots
3.41.00: gps mode 1/disabled smart, disabled agps 0x constant locks, 2x proven reboots
3.42.02: gps mode 2: 1x reboot effect
3.42.30: gps mode 2: no lock, no reboot
3.42.40: running: 3x lock, 0x reboot (disabled smart, disabled agps, gps mode 1)
3.42.50: gps mode 2:1x reboot effect
i used own cooked rom with ppckitchen 20931, a gps software to initialize it (Sirftech, free) reprogrammed the phone with qpst (all gps checkboxes on like recommended somewhere in the forum) and much patience... a lock need sometimes up to 2 hours from window (had to connect the phone on the glass in 2nd floor), outdoor it locks while remaining in the car and myself going shopping for some time.
Sometimes with working configuration it never locks, sometimes it does, no matter how much sattelites in view (mostly 5 to 10)
The reboot occurs in my opinion in the moment the phone gets a lock - some user assumed it only happends if you stay outside usa.
I am in germany (no network available) and have disabled phone, wlan, bluetooth.
Try 3.42.40, use gps mode 1, disable agps, and use sirftech - if that doesnt help, post again...
cyclon1978 said:
you can use standalone gps with some of the radio versions:
3.35.04: gps mode 2: no lock, no reboot
3.39.10: gps mode 2: one lock, 1x reboot effect
3.41.00: gps mode 2: 3x constant locks, good navigation, no proven reboots
3.41.00: gps mode 1/disabled smart, disabled agps 0x constant locks, 2x proven reboots
3.42.02: gps mode 2: 1x reboot effect
3.42.30: gps mode 2: no lock, no reboot
3.42.40: running: 3x lock, 0x reboot (disabled smart, disabled agps, gps mode 1)
3.42.50: gps mode 2:1x reboot effect
i used own cooked rom with ppckitchen 20931, a gps software to initialize it (Sirftech, free) reprogrammed the phone with qpst (all gps checkboxes on like recommended somewhere in the forum) and much patience... a lock need sometimes up to 2 hours from window (had to connect the phone on the glass in 2nd floor), outdoor it locks while remaining in the car and myself going shopping for some time.
Sometimes with working configuration it never locks, sometimes it does, no matter how much sattelites in view (mostly 5 to 10)
The reboot occurs in my opinion in the moment the phone gets a lock - some user assumed it only happends if you stay outside usa.
I am in germany (no network available) and have disabled phone, wlan, bluetooth.
Try 3.42.40, use gps mode 1, disable agps, and use sirftech - if that doesnt help, post again...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THANKSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That's exactly what I needed to know!!!!
I'm using 3.42.50, now I know why I can't get a lock.
I will flash the 3.42.40 radio, I hope I can do the same on the Vogue.
Thanks again!!!!!
cyclon1978 said:
Try 3.42.40, use gps mode 1, disable agps, and use sirftech - if that doesnt help, post again...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Posting again... After around 40 min, the phone rebooted, no lock at that moment but it was seeing 4 sats.
Do I try with a different radio or different settings?
Thanks
I now have 100% gps reception after letting the device ~20 minutes in the car. So i will post my configuration and hope it helps:
ROM Version: 3.08.666.1 (ppckitchen selfmade, nothing special included)
Radio Version: 3.42.40
Hardware Version 3
PRL 60613
PRI 2.03_003 (these doesnt really matter in airplane mode)
I use the "10 items" communication manager with all disabled except of flight mode.
Registry: Default from rom plus the following changes:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\HTC\SUPL AGPS:EnableAGPS = 0
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\HTC\SUPL AGPS:EnableGPSSmartMode = 0
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\HTC\SUPL AGPS:GPSMode = 1
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\HTC\SUPL AGPS:QoSAccuracy = 25
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\HTC\SUPL AGPS:QosPerformance = 89
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\HTC\SUPL AGPS:TimeBetweenFixes = 1000
All values are decimal, not hex!
i think that changing QoSAccuracy from 50 to 25 and TimeBetweenFixes from 1 to 1000 had absolutely no effect. So you should try to change only the first 3 values...
in QPST service programming i have disabled "Allowed" because i read it will not disable the gps but the agps - thats true. I have checked and unchecked all boxes, checked only Autonomous and GPS/AFLT Hybrid.
... in all times i got a lock i started the device from power off mode (pressing power button long time)!
well i've got a problem with the Gps ...
i can run the gps once every 100 Tries ..
i installed Gps test
and it shows the bars and stuff .. Again.. only one time every 100 tries .. Wtf ??
i had the same issue, turning off and on the phone solved the problem.
GPS Fix
Well, here is what I did to get my GPS working again.
Take your SIM out of the mobile
Power on the device
Turn WiFi on
Turn GPS on
Open application: GPS Status
Go into its Settings menu
Click on GPS and Sensors
Click Manage A-GPS state
Click Reset
Click Manage A-GPS state again
Click Download (You'll see a message telling you that a data connection is needed, ignore it)
Now put your phone on a stable, straight surface in order to enable the phone to get a lock, within GPS Status. This time, you’ll see your phone get the lock way faster than before.
With that done, now it’s time to put your SIM back in and use the network to secure a quick GPS fix as well.
Put your SIM back in, and turn the device on
Check the APN settings, make sure that your default APN has the following entry in its APN Type: “default,supl” – without the inverted commas (T-Mobile customers can try keeping this field empty, if "default,supl" doesn't work)
Open either Google Maps, or the application GPS Status
This time you should witness a really quick fix at the GPS signal by your phone. And you should not face lag in getting a fix at the GPS-signal even after a re-boot, or in case of moving away from the area.
This Tips is from other source.I found it on net.
raiderkilo said:
Well, here is what I did to get my GPS working again.
Take your SIM out of the mobile
Power on the device
Turn WiFi on
Turn GPS on
Open application: GPS Status
Go into its Settings menu
Click on GPS and Sensors
Click Manage A-GPS state
Click Reset
Click Manage A-GPS state again
Click Download (You'll see a message telling you that a data connection is needed, ignore it)
Now put your phone on a stable, straight surface in order to enable the phone to get a lock, within GPS Status. This time, you’ll see your phone get the lock way faster than before.
With that done, now it’s time to put your SIM back in and use the network to secure a quick GPS fix as well.
Put your SIM back in, and turn the device on
Check the APN settings, make sure that your default APN has the following entry in its APN Type: “default,supl” – without the inverted commas (T-Mobile customers can try keeping this field empty, if "default,supl" doesn't work)
Open either Google Maps, or the application GPS Status
This time you should witness a really quick fix at the GPS signal by your phone. And you should not face lag in getting a fix at the GPS-signal even after a re-boot, or in case of moving away from the area.
This Tips is from other source.I found it on net.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
uhhhhhhh ... there aint nothing called GPS and Sensors
You must first install app called GPS Status from the Market
http://eclipsim.com/gpsstatus/
http://www.androlib.com/android.application.com-eclipsim-gpsstatus2-zF.aspx
i have some trouble with my x10 mini , it has the lastest official firmware, and my gps worked when i bought the phone , but when i try to use it in igo/google maps/ gps tools i have no signal, i tried what was said in this thread, i even reflashed my phone... nothing , please help, the icon appears in the status bar when searching for sattelites but that`s all, i`ve left it 10 min to find satelites but nothing
Funguje to! Vďaka.
This is a great solution. It worked for me but I didn't remove the SIM. Here is how I did:
1. Install GPS Status
2. Menu-->tools
3. Reset A-GPS
That's it. I waited a litlle (less than five minute) and it catched quickly all the satellites.
Now it is working quickly with any app.
I've used many of the rom with their respective kernels....everytime in google maps it shows my location but the pointer doesn't move with my movements and it is just because compass is not working..... currently i am using CM7 v2.2.0 with nAa 11 kernel...
Help me....!
Sent from my E10i using xda premium
hey im wondering if this would work for us or is there some porting needed and is this somthing that would help gps and if im in the wrong section please move.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=881941
Very interesting post indeed.
From his findings, I'm also wondering if we have Auto Rotate Screen (the accelerometers) turned off, if that hinders the ability for our GPS to accurately detect location and movement. He suggested that it goes into low-power mode when it isn't detecting movement via the sensors, but didn't say what happens if the sensors are turned off.
...I'm going to have to test this out tomorrow.
Are people still having issues with GPS on the fascinate? Since we more or less had the issue fixed I've had as good or better GPS performance than on my other smartphones.
Da_G is a good buddy of mine, trust me, if anyone knows wtf they are talking about, it would be him....
lane32x said:
Very interesting post indeed.
From his findings, I'm also wondering if we have Auto Rotate Screen (the accelerometers) turned off, if that hinders the ability for our GPS to accurately detect location and movement. He suggested that it goes into low-power mode when it isn't detecting movement via the sensors, but didn't say what happens if the sensors are turned off.
...I'm going to have to test this out tomorrow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im just wondering if this is safe to flash to our phones or does it need to be ported to fascinate
yep still having issues with gps...sometimes doesn't lock. sometimes takes forever. sometimes...omgsh...it actually locks!
not reliable.
I applied the d101 gps fix to eb01 and my gps locks in around 20sec. Auto rotate or not my gosh never locked on eb01 without the d101 fix.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk
Just tested my gps a little. Mine is locking within 5 meters in a brick building with auto rotation on or off. Not in a car currently but I took a little jog and it seemed to follow my direction and location very accurately in both.
So I guess my GPS is pretty good.
Regardless... I wanted to say thanks for reposting that because it was a really interesting read!
It should just work, even though EB01 stock should just work too.
Just don't flash the AT&T-specific version...
The Fascinate doesn't seem to have the same layout concerning the gps jupiter files (I don't see them anywhere, at first glance). Either I am missing something or it's a completely different setup.
There are some settings in his /data/gps/secgps.conf (just a text configuration file) that are different than the stock fascinate file. These might be worth looking into to see if they help improve the signal without using his modified binary. You don't need to flash the file using CWM, just use adb to push a modified file (or root explorer and edit it on the phone itself).
Since this is a CDMA phone, I don't know how many people this would affect, but here is a general Android GPS tip for those who don't live in North America:
In /system/etc/gps.conf, change the address to the server that corresponds to your country:
Code:
NTP_SERVER=[COLOR="Red"]north-america[/COLOR].pool.ntp.org
I usually can't get an accurate lock or any lock at all unless I reboot with gps already enabled. Then I will get a good lock instantly... If I reboot the phone with gps off then I will get no signal/lock again.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
Let me share my experience with GPS on EB01, it's GREAT, you just have to turn on GPS "correctly."
If I turn on GPS using the Notification switch, GPS takes FOREVER to lock, if it even does so. Gone several minutes with no lock.
Now here's the thing, if you turn on GPS in the Settings > Location settings, I always get super fast, under 5 second GPS locks. ALWAYS. I've tried this out repeatedly over several days, and it really makes a difference. Once you turn on GPS using Settings, you can leave your phone on, reboot, whatever, and GPS will still be responsive. If you turn it off, wait a while and use the Notification switch to turn on GPS and you're trying to get a cold lock, it'll be slow again, just be sure to use the Setting option and it'll be back to being responsive.
That's my experience.
CrushD said:
Let me share my experience with GPS on EB01, it's GREAT, you just have to turn on GPS "correctly."
If I turn on GPS using the Notification switch, GPS takes FOREVER to lock, if it even does so. Gone several minutes with no lock.
Now here's the thing, if you turn on GPS in the Settings > Location settings, I always get super fast, under 5 second GPS locks. ALWAYS. I've tried this out repeatedly over several days, and it really makes a difference. Once you turn on GPS using Settings, you can leave your phone on, reboot, whatever, and GPS will still be responsive. If you turn it off, wait a while and use the Notification switch to turn on GPS and you're trying to get a cold lock, it'll be slow again, just be sure to use the Setting option and it'll be back to being responsive.
That's my experience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice observation...just worked for me too!!
By golly... He's right, although it took me about twenty seconds to lock.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
Hmm... I remember this from a different android device I have. The stock power control widget for wifi would take 45 seconds longer for the network to connect then if I would go to the wifi menu and turn it on myself. I found out that there were two methods for turning on the wifi programmatically, and that some widgets used one method and the other widgets used the other.
If I remember right, the fast method changed the setting by calling the wifi menu and emulating the menu press, while the slow method attempted to power on the wifi directly.
$10 says that if you started decompiling, you'd find a similar situation here.
In the past, when I have had devices with GPS when I start up the app that uses it, GPS starts automaticaly and stops when you close the app.
now whenever I use Google maps or such I always forget to star GPS first is there a setting?.
I just leave the GPS on all the time. My observation is that it doesn't do anything unless an app uses it. My settings are:
Use wireless networks - not checked
Use GPS satellites - checked
Use assisted GPS - unchecked
I have all three options checked for quicker gps locks...
I never have GPS enabled unless I need it. I have the toggle on the home screen in my power control Widgets config.
I am wondering though, why would you have location by wireless networks not enabled?
Sent from my Dell Streak using Tapatalk
I don't use location by wireless networks because I will not agree to Google's terms of service to do so. By agreeing you allow Google to collect location info from your phone even when there are no apps using any location services. I honestly think that this is why some people have battery issues when they leave GPS on. I do not see any way to opt out of this collection of information even if you turn use wireless networks off.
I don't use the assisted GPS because it states on the settings page that the GPS is more accurate without it.
I see the same battery life with GPS on or off.
The whole point is battery life, I dont use the gps all the time and I have a mugen 1800 battery but that still need charging after about 6 hours even with gps off.
But to go back to my original question is there a setting or app to allow the turning on of gps when its needed
Settings/Location and security. Maybe search the market for a widget
Sent from my Dell Streak using Tapatalk
henly said:
The whole point is battery life, I dont use the gps all the time and I have a mugen 1800 battery but that still need charging after about 6 hours even with gps off.
But to go back to my original question is there a setting or app to allow the turning on of gps when its needed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use tasker to automate turning on the GPS when you run specific apps.
As I wrote before I leave GPS on all the time with no adverse effect on battery life. I honestly believe that you only have issues with the GPS and battery life (when not using nav) if you accept the Google terms of service for location by wireless networks. Even if you then turn off that settings there is no way to revoke the permissions you give Google so they can use your GPS in the background for their data collection.
Interesting mine says uncheck to reduce network usage. What froyo are you running? But network usage is the main battery life consumer on my phone, I may go a couple days with that unchecked to see what the effects are even though I have no problems with my battery life.
Here's my phone info:
My Droid Razr Maxx is my third Android phone in three years. My last phone (Samsung Droid Charge), when I put it in Airplane Mode, it did not disable the GPS -- which is exactly the way that it should work IMHO. Anyway, I use my phone as a GPS unit in remote wilderness areas which are miles from the nearest cell tower. On a 15 hour hike, it's a ridiculous waste of battery life to allow the phone to keep searching for a cell tower that it's not going to find (or even worse, finding a 1x tower connection that is very weak and intermittent). I need to be able to turn off all cellular communication (voice and data), but leave GPS running. On my Droid Charge, just putting it in airplane mode would do that, but on the Maxx, Airplane Mode also kills the GPS.
On a rooted Maxx with 100% stock ROM, is there a way to modify this?
I think that the easiest solution in your case would be removing the sim card.
Tapatalked
geesoos said:
I think that the easiest solution in your case would be removing the sim card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the suggestion, but not very practical. I need a software solution. The SIM is tiny enough that I'd lose it about the 3rd or 4th time that I did that. But thanks anyway for replying.
use the power control widget to toggle it on/off, after switching to airplane mode
putting ur phone to airplane mode disables gps but there is nothing stopping you from re-enabling it while in airplane mode
SoonerLater said:
My Droid Razr Maxx is my third Android phone in three years. My last phone (Samsung Droid Charge), when I put it in Airplane Mode, it did not disable the GPS -- which is exactly the way that it should work IMHO. Anyway, I use my phone as a GPS unit in remote wilderness areas which are miles from the nearest cell tower. On a 15 hour hike, it's a ridiculous waste of battery life to allow the phone to keep searching for a cell tower that it's not going to find (or even worse, finding a 1x tower connection that is very weak and intermittent). I need to be able to turn off all cellular communication (voice and data), but leave GPS running. On my Droid Charge, just putting it in airplane mode would do that, but on the Maxx, Airplane Mode also kills the GPS.
On a rooted Maxx with 100% stock ROM, is there a way to modify this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use a Smart Action to disable whatever you want instead Airplane mode.
Just set an action: Meeting, Driving, Taking a snap.. (use the time trigger)
Then set
Disable wi-fi, 3g, background sync, etc.
Cheers
Or instead of airplane mode just shut of all radios with phone info app
I just tried Airplane Mode and looked in GPS settings, they were all on. I opened maps and it located me within a few seconds. Am i missing something??
EDIT: I am on a rooted MAXX, 100% stock rom.
I just tried it on my Maxx and switching to Airplane mode did not turn off GPS !!!