Need SF experiences on GPS and Call Quality

[II Kings 9:20]

Well, my upgrade date was yesterday and it's crunch time. I am leaning toward the X because of call quality and great GPS (important for me). I like the "flash and style" of the SF as well as the reasonable size.

NEED SOME FINAL OPINIONS AND EXPERIENCES FROM SF USERS ON GPS AND CALL QUALITY- I have been here for many weeks and have read many posts on the topics which have left me cornfused- I am heading to Costco Verizon tomorrow night to ink a deal. Thanks for any thoughts

 

[nitsuj17]

Well, my upgrade date was yesterday and it's crunch time. I am leaning toward the X because of call quality and great GPS (important for me). I like the "flash and style" of the SF as well as the reasonable size.

NEED SOME FINAL OPINIONS AND EXPERIENCES FROM SF USERS ON GPS AND CALL QUALITY- I have been here for many weeks and have read many posts on the topics which have left me cornfused- I am heading to Costco Verizon tomorrow night to ink a deal. Thanks for any thoughts

ill say this...as of now (on 2.1, and theres not safe bet that 2.2 will fix) gps is.....not.....good . now for me personally, i never use so thats a non-issue, but if it is then i would consider avoiding the sf (i know blasphemy).

as for call quality, i find it about on par with my previous x. i know there have been complaints about quality and signal strength but my wife says she hasnt noticed a difference talking to me phone to phone on either, nor has anyone else. i have found speaker phone to be a bit clearer on the x, but louder (on full volume) on the sf by A LOT, no comparison on volume really at all.

as for the other stuff, gaming is much better on the sf in my experience and i prefer the size. the x feels more "solid" in build quality, but if you use a case then you won't notice the difference.

personally i prefer the buttons on the fascinate to the physical buttons on the x as they were a pain to try and depress one handed.

the x software-wise is smoother out of the box, but if you plan on being a member of the root club, then you ll (probably) be happier long-term with the fascinate

 

[JET4]

call quality is fine on mine. have not used the gps so i don't know if it works good or not.

 

[kenyu73]

GPS is annoying. I don't use it much, but a lot of apps in the market do use it.

The call sound on my side sounds distorted almost like "too loud" distorted, but at any volume. No issues with others hearing me though.

I have Market issues, usually with WiFi on. It's like the Market has problems communicating via WiFi. I get an error to "Retry or Cancel". It comes and goes, but its there ALOT more then not. If I switch to 3G (low signal at home) it works, but obviously dog slow.

These all bother me because I know these issues are there. If' they aren't fixed or mostly fixed with 2.2, I'll be using my next update slot on my family plan to get another phone in February.

I think the design, weight and size is perfect and it's very snappy for the most part, but I use LauncherPro as TouchWiz seemed a bit laggy. Battery seems ok as I can get a full day without issues (not counting the first few days when I was always mucking with it).

I give the phone a 7/10 coming from the Incredible which I'd give a 8/10. I'd stay with the Incredible, but I'm ADHD and MUST have the latest toys!!

 

[esn]

My call quality is just as good as my X was and for the GPS it takes a few extra seconds to lock no big deal.

 

[skd02]

My call quality is just as good as my X was and for the GPS it takes a few extra seconds to lock no big deal.

I second. No call quality issues. GPS is a little spotty at times but it hasn't been an issue.

The SF is worth it.

 

[seanatsb]

I don't use my GPS that often, maybe once a week. When I go to use it, it usually takes 5-10 min to lock on. I even tried the using the "GPS status" app trick to try to fix that, but it didnt appear to help. However, once locked on, it works fine. I live in Philly and that may have something to do with it. My garmin used to take just as long to lock on when I didn't use it often. I keep my GPS turned off on the phone also to conserve battery. If I know I'm going to use navigation, I usually turn on the GPS and nav 5 min before I leave so that I can lock on before I start driving.

Call quality appears to be fine. People haven't complained about not hearing me or not understanding me. I havent used the X, but I know the SF def picks up background noise. When I'm on the phone, people at the other end can hear the TV, or other people talking (granted the TV volume was up and I was in a bar where people where talking a bit loud.
Sometimes the ear piece sounds distorted a little, but then I turn the volume down a couple notches and it's back to sounding normal.

Love the size, weight, and overall look of the phone. Def a lot more aesthetically pleasing than the X and most other android phones.

 

[Kierik]

GPS- it was bad at first then I tried the Verizon services off trick and it didn't work. Later i tried this trick again and restarted the phone and i went from my GPS giving me an accuracy of 1100 meters to 40 meters constantly. I would say this was on par with the nexus one I had before.

Call Quality has been great from the start.

 

[3cutiger]

My call quality is fine as long as I hold the receiver closer to my mouth, I know, duh, but seems I could get away with a little more with my *gasp* Blackberry as far as propping on shoulder etc. I've also paired it with a jawbone icon and works pretty well. (an aside, voice dialing takes a little long with the bluetooth, currently the phone has to open up another program to do it, I hear with 2.2 this will be more a part of the stock phone software)

GPS is pretty off when inside a building for me. I don't know what changed, but up until last week, it took a while to lock on while outside, all this week it locks on, BAM!, as soon as I launch an app that needs it. I keep the GPS on all the time now and it doesn't seem to drain my battery very badly.

 

[chasemyaccord]

Call quality is acceptable. Noise cancellation is non-existent, so if you're talking to someone in a loud environment, they might get a little annoyed by the background noise.

GPS is pretty good...when it works. A lot of times, I have to tinker with turning off GPS and turning Standalone Services off and back on to get it working, but when it works, it's pretty darn accurate. I would say even more accurate than my last iPhone 3G. I tried using a golf GPS app and the yardages were acceptable. I know one person above said their accuracy was within 40 meters, which would be horrible by golf standards. I know my GPS is much more accurate than that...I'd say to AT LEAST within 10 meters, more like 5 or less on average.

 

[Avalanch3]

I'm on my 4th fascinate due to quality issues... I'll let you decide if that is good or bad.

 

[nitsuj17]

I'm on my 4th fascinate due to quality issues... I'll let you decide if that is good or bad.

broken fascinates or software issues?

 

[saps]

Call Quality; good-very good
GPS: Hit and miss, seems device dependent. For me, it usually locks in right away and is super accurate. I seem to have good GPS results when not impeded above. That is if Im in the building with a lot of levels and Im at the bottom it can be inaccurate.

 

[Avalanch3]

broken fascinates or software issues?

1st one: soft keys went fubar
2nd one: gps never worked at all
3rd one: dead pixel on 2 weeks old phone.
4th one: call quality is sh*t.

 

[nitsuj17]

1st one: soft keys went fubar
2nd one: gps never worked at all
3rd one: dead pixel on 2 weeks old phone.
4th one: call quality is sh*t.

wow, sorry to hear about all the issues ...it seems like a few people with everyone phone seem to be a magnet for the defective ones....for my wife it was her palm pre plus. the one sitting unactivated now is the 5th one shes had since the spring, everything from touchscreen being unresponsive to device lock ups.

 

[earsly]

GPS for me takes awhile (2 minutes - 5 minutes). That is bearable.

I get very weak antennae signal. I believe this is the cause of my battery drain. Talking on the phone for 10 minutes usually eats up 3% battery. Data signal is just weak for this phone as well. I live in San Jose, CA and never had this issue with my storm and droid 1.

It's a very nice phone though. The size and screen is just perfect for me.

 

[Gibbyson]

GPS works great for me, i never use the verizon services, just the other 2. Call quality is amazing for me as well. No complaints at all. I think the GPS issues are hyped, so everyone and their grandmothers are sitting there with their GPS, and the first sign of trouble, they yell that they have huge GPS issues. Just my 2 cents, no offense meant to anyone.

Gibby

 

[Piiman]

Call Quality seems good to those I call but on my end at times I get the feeling it's about to drop. I'd say it's on par with the Dinc I owned but not as good a the X (I even started re using my X when I think I'm going to be in a bad reception area..like my office.) The X diffidently is a better Phone phone.

GPS as been good to me and very accurate so far but some say it take a month before it acts up. It seems like a software problem though so hopefully it gets fixed for those having issues)

Size is good screen is excellent phone is nice and snappy (more or less).

I came from an X and I'm still torn between the two. The SF size and form factor I like better than the X the screen is better especially out doors. But like I said above I've started reactivating my X for when I'm at the office because it gets better reception. that's not to say the SF is bad but my office is just a good place to stress test phone reception and the X wins out by a little although it can still go zero bars in here..

 

[deltido]

The gps has never worked on mine, I've tried it several times and it always says, "your current location is temporarily unavailable". To this day I still see all 50 states on google maps, as it's never locked on to my location. Luckily it's just my work phone and my iPhone 4 locks on in less than 5 seconds of pressing "locate me".

Call quality is pretty good, but there are many times that I regret not having the Droid X's noise cancelling abilities.

 

[II Kings 9:20]

Thanks guys, got it last night. So far so good. Call quality is as good as my Moto D1. GPS could not find me until I went to settings and unchecked one of the boxes I think linked to VZW. It then llocated me right in my house within 10 feet. Second trial, it put me at the end of my driveway. So far I love it. I notice two LEDs next to the speaker that do nothing- wonder if 2.2 will turn those on for notifications (I don't miss it as much as I thought I would). Great phone that I will leave stock until 2.2 is here within 2 weeks so I am told. Ergonomically, it was not well thought out (all known things). Charger on the top, power on the side just opposite the volume so when grabbing the phone for a one handed power off, occasionally the volume is turned to silent if already on vibrate.

I'll add, this is so much slicker, lighter, brighter, and better than my D1.

 

[FragDroidX]

Thanks guys, got it last night. So far so good. Call quality is as good as my Moto D1. GPS could not find me until I went to settings and unchecked one of the boxes I think linked to VZW. It then llocated me right in my house within 10 feet. Second trial, it put me at the end of my driveway. So far I love it. I notice two LEDs next to the speaker that do nothing- wonder if 2.2 will turn those on for notifications (I don't miss it as much as I thought I would). Great phone that I will leave stock until 2.2 is here within 2 weeks so I am told. Ergonomically, it was not well thought out (all known things). Charger on the top, power on the side just opposite the volume so when grabbing the phone for a one handed power off, occasionally the volume is turned to silent if already on vibrate.

I'll add, this is so much slicker, lighter, brighter, and better than my D1.

They are not LED's. That is the proximity sensor and the light sensor. The Fascinate does not have notification LED's.

 

[triple486]

how long did your GPS take to lock on?

 

[II Kings 9:20]

Correct, it is well known that there is no LED notification, I was only speculating on the possibility with 2.2

On the GPS lock, it took about 30 seconds to locate me once I turned off that idiotic VZW setting. They do this to get the unsuspecting to pay $10 a month forthe inadequate VZ Navigator.

I went to BBY today and used the Google voice (which uses Google Nav) and it took 5min to get an initial lock today (much like my Tom Tom on the initial lock). Coming from the gas station, I hit the Home button and it locked instantly and was spot on accurate. I checked again and it locked instantly which would suggest that it is designed to stay locked once it aquires the signal. It seems that in my short experience once it is locket it navigates just fine. You guys do know that you can put a "home" navi icon on your screen by hitting menu>add>shortcut>directions and navigation>enter home address>shortcut name> select icon and you have an instant "Home" icon on your home screen to guide you home without having to open nav or home address. Very helpful if out of town and you need to find the nearest freeway to get home. I recommend selecting "home" address as a nearby business so as not to have your home address on your phone in case it falls into the wrong hands

 

[miyooper]

Thanks for that shortcut idea. There are so many options with this phone it's hard to see them all.

I downloaded the GPS status app and turn off the VZW setting to. My phone locks on under 30 seconds. I tried out the My Tracks app yesterday. The shape of the 1/2 mile track I recorded was very accurate but showed my track about 10-15 yards south of the road I was walking. Close enough for me. I'm excited to try this app in the woods this weekend.

 

[II Kings 9:20]

You can do shortcuts for one touch direct dial too. will give the gps status app a whirl. Why does a ststus app improve the GPS lock capabilities?