GPS Better When Not Assisted...

[EchoBravo]

I've had my G1 5 days now and I'm loving it, for the most part. One downer has been the accuracy of the GPS and the length of time it takes for it to lock on. I read that GPS was a weak spot for the G1 in multiple reviews and found the warnings to be founded. Until now.

Playing around and willing to try anything, I turned off the option to "Use Wireless Networks," essentially the "A" in A-GPS. Since doing that, the location pinpoint went from being about a mile or more off to being dead-on. It put me in the driveway of my house instead of a neighborhood away.

Hopefully a later build of Android will address this and bring GPS up to snuff. Until then, I hope I've helped someone.

 

[punkzanyj]

I've had my G1 5 days now and I'm loving it, for the most part. One downer has been the accuracy of the GPS and the length of time it takes for it to lock on. I read that GPS was a weak spot for the G1 in multiple reviews and found the warnings to be founded. Until now.

Playing around and willing to try anything, I turned off the option to "Use Wireless Networks," essentially the "A" in A-GPS. Since doing that, the location pinpoint went from being about a mile or more off to being dead-on. It put me in the driveway of my house instead of a neighborhood away.

Hopefully a later build of Android will address this and bring GPS up to snuff. Until then, I hope I've helped someone.

That had the opposite effect for me. It still can't find me.

 

[happyface_0]

That had the opposite effect for me. It still can't find me.

My GPS can't find me either, even when in a car for 30 mins or right by the window for awhile... It's frustrating.

I live in Canada BTW, but it shouldn't matter.

 

[Deleted User]

yeah. turning off using wireless networks doesn't help improve.. it has a negative effect.

 

[cNo7]

I have zero problems with the GPS. I've used it for a couple of trips of camping and offroading and kept the "my location" going and it was on target following my every move with pinpoint accuracy. The only time it'd lag is if i got into an area that had zero reception...but as soon as I got back into reception, it hit my location dead on

 

[punkzanyj]

I have zero problems with the GPS. I've used it for a couple of trips of camping and offroading and kept the "my location" going and it was on target following my every move with pinpoint accuracy. The only time it'd lag is if i got into an area that had zero reception...but as soon as I got back into reception, it hit my location dead on

I've noticed that it has trouble in a moving car. It can take 5 minutes to find me in a moving car, especially on the highway. But if I get the GPS on before I get in the car, or before the car starts moving - - it locks on pretty quick. It has virtually no problem finding me on foot.

When I commented above I meant that turning off wireless networks doesn't help, it actually makes it impossible to find me. Which makes sense, at least, to me.

 

[DarkTLRrider]

I've noticed that it has trouble in a moving car. It can take 5 minutes to find me in a moving car, especially on the highway. But if I get the GPS on before I get in the car, or before the car starts moving - - it locks on pretty quick. It has virtually no problem finding me on foot.

When I commented above I meant that turning off wireless networks doesn't help, it actually makes it impossible to find me. Which makes sense, at least, to me.

Good tip punkzanyj. With any GPS you need to be outside with a clear view of the sky to get a lock. Moving around before you get a lock will delay the lock. Buildings and trees may block the signal. To get a lock with any GPS you need minimum of three satellites. 1) Latitude 2) Longitude and 3) Time. If you are in an area where you can't get at least 3 you will not get an accurate location (so for those people trying to get it in your house, if you can at all it will take a long time and may be off) If you are using the cell towers as well it starts the GPS off with a general location and homes in from there. Once you have a signal lock it can lose a satelite for a few seconds and still predict your location and speed based on other factors, such as cell towers, speed and direction before signal was lost.