I want a device that "just works". But I also want a relatively current version of Android (4.1+).
I don't like spending more time trying to get my device to work than actually using the device.
I've been getting rid of my older devices, and I'm probably getting rid of my Galaxy S 4G next. There has never been an official CyanogenMod release for it, and the current software doesn't work with the GPS.
I noticed the Galaxy S Vibrant had official CM and AOKP releases. Great! I can install a stable release and be done with it... But then I started reading about the GPS issues. From what I've read:
GPS doesn't work right. There are patches you can try, but then they break 911.
Is that the current situation? I have to pick between GPS or 911 if I want to use a Jelly Bean ROM on the Vibrant?
From what Iv heard the 911 issue is compleatly fixed. And GPS on this phone is complete and total s*it
Sent from my SGH-T959 using xda app-developers app
OK, I've been playing with the Vibrant/SGH-T959 on CM 10.1.2 for a few days.
GPS will usually see 10-13 satellites and get a lock within a few seconds. Accuracy has been as good as 20 feet. (I've only been testing this indoors.)
...If it works.
Twice now it seemed like GPS just "died". I had to reboot to get it working again. I see on the CM bug tracker (http://code.google.com/p/vibrant-cm/issues/list) that GPS can randomly crash.
^Try the gps hardware fix, my gps was absolutely awful before but now it works great. There is a tutorial in the Bible thread showing how to do it. You basically bend the copper conductor up slightly to help it make contact. Samsung really messed up the design or rushed it , simply bending the copper up fixes the issue.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk 2
iTz KeeFy said:
^Try the gps hardware fix, my gps was absolutely awful before but now it works great. There is a tutorial in the Bible thread showing how to do it. You basically bend the copper conductor up slightly to help it make contact. Samsung really messed up the design or rushed it , simply bending the copper up fixes the issue.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My T959 has a "10.10" date on it, which should be new enough to have whatever improvement Samsung implemented (mentioned in the hardware fix thread).
I'm not too concerned with the the reception. When it works, it can get a lock from a fresh reboot in under 2 minutes. The signal ain't so bad. I don't expect to use this for navigation.
The problem is when GPS "dies". I don't know if it happens after deep sleep, or what. I'd rather it work all the time, even with a bad signal, than sometimes work well, and sometimes not work at all.
Edit, here's a description of what it does:
http://code.google.com/p/vibrant-cm/issues/detail?id=5
That's from August 2012. It still does this, even with the latest CM10 August 2013 builds.
Yea I personally use a Froyo ROM and jilette's gps fix, which has everything working. I also have issues with gps on Jelly bean ROMs. It's give and take really, that's why I prefer Froyo, it has everything I need.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk 2
Related
i have been trying to use my gps that i sometimes get to work. the only problem is that wants it plans the route it will just start rerouting over and over and i can't follow the route. crazy!!! it just keeps doing it over and over repeatedly. any help would be great. i tried a gps fix zip but it did nothing....
Search for jilletts gps fix. It worked for me!
Sent from my SGH-T959 using xda premium
Here's the link for the hardware GPS fix Link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=878970
One more thing, just bending the tabs back sometimes doesn't keep the tension and it'll revert back to the original problem, I suggest doing the instructions I linked, but use some solid copper wire pounded and shaped till it fits under the tab snugly or do the same thing using non metallic material, its your choice, I prefer the copper as it seems to increase the total transfer of signal.
There is no true GPS fix yet.. Devs have only gotten it to work better. Somethings work for some people and some do not. I have used every GPS fix out there including hardware fix and my gps is still ****.. alot of other people have better experience then I do.
Sent from my T959 using XDA Premium App
It works if done right
FATEOWNZYOU said:
There is no true GPS fix yet.. Devs have only gotten it to work better. Somethings work for some people and some do not. I have used every GPS fix out there including hardware fix and my gps is still ****.. alot of other people have better experience then I do.
Sent from my T959 using XDA Premium App
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Click to collapse
Well all I can say is that the HW part of modding works 100%,
Never not once did I fail to get better signal detection after modding it! Ironically in my first attempt I broke the metal tab, and had to build solder up and then file it right so it would make good contact, but it also improved the signal detection tremendously!
The main problems Ive encountered outa 2 Vibrants now is which SW recipe to use depending on the ROM I'm using, The kernel used in the ROM directly affects the version of whatever SW you implement.
Sometimes I go thru 3 different GPS fix's until it starts to work correctly, some older settings work better than newer ones, also make sure you set your phone correctly with scripts and toggling to ensure its on set the right region, there's Europe/ NA and so forth! It does make a difference when your trying to get lock on the birds!
Us, I'm not Even gonna worry bout it.. iv.never gotten a lock and doubt I ever will.. b4 HW fix I could locate 1bird aand now I can locate 8, but still I can't get lock
Sent from my T959 using XDA Premium App
I am totally in love with having ICS on my Vibrant! Big thanks to our great dev community!
The only drawback with every ICS ROM I've tried is GPS. The ROMs I've tried all were able to get GPS locks after lots of massaging, but never worked when I needed them, even after reboots. Long lock times, weak locks, lost locks while driving, etc.
My GPS on 2.2 ROMs was great, so I know it's not insufficient hardware. I've tried all of the fixes and such I could find on the forums.
If anyone is running an ICS ROM and has usable GPS, I would love to know what you're using - ROM, kernel, modem, any flashable/manual edits to the GPS.conf, etc.
Thanks!
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA
my GPS works, by works i mean not just sattelite locks but in actual driving use and after deep sleep.
ROM: frankenKANG of AOKP, Slim ICS, and ICZ
Kernel: THS, modified splash image and added more governors / IO schedulers, no other changes made.
Modem: JI6 (Southern California)
GPS.conf: Custom -- posted -- extract from zip, push manually, rw-r--r--, reboot
cheers!
GPS Better than Ever!!
Look below to see what ROM I'm running, I get great reception and lock within 10 sec's 15 max, and I use it all the time to pilot my large car around for a living!!.
Of course I did the antenna contact mod using a piece of plastic shaped just right to keep contact pressure solid so the signal is strong!!
If you haven't done the GPS antenna Mod yet your never gonna get a good signal until you do, This is a known Samsung design flaw!
Once you do it and set the right SW up and region where you operate at, you'll see a huge improvement. That is if you have a T-959 Vibrant??
My GPS works like a charm, my ICS rom is also in my signature below.
xtone said:
my GPS works, by works i mean not just sattelite locks but in actual driving use and after deep sleep.
ROM: frankenKANG of AOKP, Slim ICS, and ICZ
Kernel: THS, modified splash image and added more governors / IO schedulers, no other changes made.
Modem: JI6 (Southern California)
GPS.conf: Custom -- posted -- extract from zip, push manually, rw-r--r--, reboot
cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you're using the kernel that comes with Slim? I'm currently using that, and my gps.conf is basically the same as yours. I guess it's time to try the hardware fix... Thanks for your help.
dseldown said:
Look below to see what ROM I'm running, I get great reception and lock within 10 sec's 15 max, and I use it all the time to pilot my large car around for a living!!.
Of course I did the antenna contact mod using a piece of plastic shaped just right to keep contact pressure solid so the signal is strong!!
If you haven't done the GPS antenna Mod yet your never gonna get a good signal until you do, This is a known Samsung design flaw!
Once you do it and set the right SW up and region where you operate at, you'll see a huge improvement. That is if you have a T-959 Vibrant??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. I am running a T959 Vibrant. I'm working up the nerve to take my phone apart to try the hardware fix. Thanks!
I was in the same boat as you. I tried the fix posted here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1370910 and it did the trick.
I am currently running ICS Passion v13.1 with icy glitch v14 6B kernel
dseldown said:
Look below to see what ROM I'm running, I get great reception and lock within 10 sec's 15 max, and I use it all the time to pilot my large car around for a living!!.
Of course I did the antenna contact mod using a piece of plastic shaped just right to keep contact pressure solid so the signal is strong!!
If you haven't done the GPS antenna Mod yet your never gonna get a good signal until you do, This is a known Samsung design flaw!
Once you do it and set the right SW up and region where you operate at, you'll see a huge improvement. That is if you have a T-959 Vibrant??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
doih! i've done the GPS hardware bending thingy but NEVER thought of puting a tiny piece of plastic to keep the presure up .... maybe that will help with my accuracy.
thanks!!!
Wow - I just did the hardware fix, and it's like night and day! Thanks for the advice!
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA
GPS with ICS Passion - Different Kernels - Rebooting Seems to Work
With several Kernels I have been able to get a quick lock right after I flash. After a day or 2, I check and nothing. Tonight I checked after I had flashed Kiss 5.1 a few days ago and nothing, I rebooted and got a quick lock again. After a 1/2 hour or so, nothing again, rebooted and got another quick lock. I got my phone in Feb 2011 and have not tried any hardware fix. Any suggestions?
Have so far had time to try ICZen, ICS Passion, and just flashed SlimICS 3.1 a minute ago.
No problem here with GPS, I was running Glitch on ICZ and Passion. I'm keeping Slim on the stock rom kernels and GPS is quite snappy.
I've flashed all my roms after a clean wipe/format. I've had little to no problem every time I do.
ICS Passion w/Kiss 5.1
I did the lifting of the GPS tab on my phone as a hardware fix and after phone settles for any time I have to reboot to view satellites and get a lock. Any suggestions?
Anyone know what ROMs have working GPS? I prefer 4.1 ROMs.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using xda premium
ppillow said:
Anyone know what ROMs have working GPS? I prefer 4.1 ROMs.
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Click to collapse
I'm still using Slim ICS with 4.0.4. The GPS is ok, it works but still not great. I don't think my phone will ever be great though. I want to try out SlimBean but it seems they are having GPS issues among other things.
Honestly, I've found that GPS can be a real hit or miss depending on your specific phone.
All hardware is not created equally, unfortunately. I'd suggest testing a few different roms and find which works best
for you specifically...because I've had luck with GPS on roms where users have reported bad GPS, and no GPS on roms where
awesome GPS was reported.
Good luck!
ppillow said:
Anyone know what ROMs have working GPS? I prefer 4.1 ROMs.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would use either PA or CM10, but you need to flash the 3 gps fix files located somewhere in the PA thread. I would not use Slimbean 3.0 if you really need GPS since even if you do flash the files, no satellites come in view at all. I got a lock below 10 sec outside driving on monday at 7:30 pm. Accuracy was about ~25 feet, so it was really good. I was on CM10. Anyway, both have really good GPS as long as you have the 3 GPS files. They are called: GPS - Experia Files, YAGF2, and cwm-cm9-gps-wrap. Flash it in the order I wrote it in. They arent hard to find. Just type the names into Google. Or look in the PA thread. Good luck bro, and as Xenoism said, it also varies with device. If your device was made before Nov 2010, you probably wont get a lock no matter what unless you did the hardware fix. Even with the hardware fix, you'll still need these 3 files.
EDIT: Because I'm nice, I found the post where Jrafael posted the GPS files. It is here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=33575684&postcount=504
I have great gps with SlimBean and the 3gps fixes, its even better than my Galaxy Nexus. However, I owned a couple Vibrant and they all seem to have difference performance. Try the hardware gps fix if you're brave.
Note that for SlimBean if you patch mismatched patches it can make GPS stop working completely, only patch gapps from their own site.
eksasol said:
I have great gps with SlimBean and the 3gps fixes, its even better than my Galaxy Nexus. However, I owned a couple Vibrant and they all seem to have difference performance. Try the hardware gps fix if you're brave.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which version of Slimbean are you on? 2.9 works fine, but 3.0 is stone dead. (From my experience and a bunch of other members) I flashed the files and rebooted, tried getting a lock and not even one satellite appeared. Usually on other roms i get locks in less than 10 secs and after deep sleep, less than 20. I dont think he'll need the hardware fix if his phone is built after Nov 2010. But if its built before, then he'll definitely need it if he needs GPS that bad. That or get a new phone with GPS or buy a GPS :good:
Have a retired HTC Thunderbolt (S_OFF, Rooted, Liquid smooth ICE Rom) I upgraded to a HTC DNA a week ago. I would like to use the thunderbolt with GPS and Wifi to play Ingress on. The Issue how ever is that after the phone lost its cellular service I cannot get a GPS lock left it on for 4 hours using GPS toolbox waiting for a lock that never happened anyone got any ideas on how to get the GPS to lock with out the aGPS cell service?
I haven't experienced this problem specifically since mine is still in service, but I'm sure someone else more informed will know. I would check and make sure all of the contacts on the back of the case are clean and flush with the phone. Yesterday I had a similar problem and it was because I hadn't snapped the case all the way back on.
In the next few days I should be making a new CM9 build with a kernel that does not have a working radio, but does fix other issues. I'm thinking it will be useful for those in your situation who like AOSP, but don't have a need for the radio any longer. I'll try to remember to let you know when that happens.
jblack248 said:
I haven't experienced this problem specifically since mine is still in service, but I'm sure someone else more informed will know. I would check and make sure all of the contacts on the back of the case are clean and flush with the phone. Yesterday I had a similar problem and it was because I hadn't snapped the case all the way back on.
In the next few days I should be making a new CM9 build with a kernel that does not have a working radio, but does fix other issues. I'm thinking it will be useful for those in your situation who like AOSP, but don't have a need for the radio any longer. I'll try to remember to let you know when that happens.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool I will be looking for it I was thinking about trying a radioless build or regressing the radio RUU to a incomatible with the rom I am using to see if that would work but I didn't know if the GPS chip was on the same chip as the radio.
greatdragon said:
Cool I will be looking for it I was thinking about trying a radioless build or regressing the radio RUU to a incomatible with the rom I am using to see if that would work but I didn't know if the GPS chip was on the same chip as the radio.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just built a fresh CM9 with the non-working radio and tested it. The GPS works without cell service and I was able to get 10 satellites according to GPS Status. The build worked fine as long as I had it installed, but I can't guarantee anything long-term. Worst case you can try the normal CM9 build since the GPS is the same on both of them.
Will ask the obvious did you go under GPS settings and make sure the standalone GPS was checked? If it is then I would say the issue is with that ROM. It sounds like only the verizon gps option is checked as thay uses cell tower triangulation to get a location fix. I never had an issue using GPS on a deactivated phone.
Sent from my Infected Rezound using Tapatalk 2
You must have something screwed up, GPS and cellular service have nothing to do with each other. Might want to consider flashing a new rom or something just so you are guaranteed to be using one that fully works with gps 100%
Try to pry up on the little golden tabs under your battery cover. Those are the antenna for the GPS and if they don't make good contact to the battery cover then you won't get a GPS lock. Be very very careful not to break the little tabs.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2
Sweet! I had the same problem and adjusting the contacts fixed it.
Sent from my ADR6400L using xda app-developers app
Sounds like the aosp glitch of a 50/50 chance of having GPS to work. Try flashing a sense ROM then if you get a lock. Flash your aosp ROM and should work.
Sent from my Infected Rezound using Tapatalk 2
I've tried to discern the gps issues people have experienced with this phone, but I can't tell if the latest roms have addressed the problems. I'm new to the fascinate and have stock EH03 right now and my gps won't lock much at all. Should i hope for improvement if I flash a 4.2.2 rom, or should I just give up on gps now?
If gps is a lost cause then I won't even bother with the rooting and romming stuff. Thanks.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using xda app-developers app
@Epicardium the gps on 4.2.x ROMs works great... As long as you are outside where the satellites can seer you. (Inside your house is usually hopeless)
Occasionally you may have to install an a-gps to give it a jumpstart.
I just bought a Fascinate, too. Horrible GPS performance as well.
See my thread here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2372765
Try the phone with the battery cover removed and see if your GPS performance improves.