Help GPS issues?

[stew007]

I emailed Clove.co.uk as I was thinking about getting a SGS, I asked them to clarify about the GPS issues on this phone, They emailed back stating that there were GPS problems with the initial batch of phones, but the the latest batch Samsung have resolved the GPS problem.

SO... following on from their email I have ordered an SGS from them this morning, so lets see if this thing is really fixed, i really hope so, if not it will be going back. This will be my first experience with AGPS, My first GPS phone was the Garmin NavTalk GSM, fantastic device in it's day, I was hoping this SGS could replace my Garmin 60CSX, Navman, Chart plotter, and ageing Nokia 6680, not to mention a bruised and battered Archos 5.


Stewart

 

[funksplutter]

No you don't. You may see 10 or more, but you only get a lock on 8.

Try GPS Test to see. Remember, in GPS Test, a grey satellite is a satellite it sees, but one that it's not locked on to.

Ok fair enough. The fact remains that the old handset had a problem which the new one doesn't appear as yet to suffer from.

 

[skytechnetwork.com]

I think the GPS of Google Maps need network to working and in my area, it isn't exactly.

 

[Beards]

Okay... I was concerned about Stewart and wanting an update with Clove so I got back to them again.
Below is the reply I received.

Mike

I have spoken to the product manager this afternoon who has confirmed the update to resolve this is now available

I am going to get Richard to test this tomorrow morning and then we can confirm this to you.

We have the order from Stewart who we have advised we will delay shipping by one day so we can test this upgrade.

Regards


Chris Love
Clove Technology
Tel: 01202 552936
Fax: 01202 552937
www.clove.co.uk
cpl@clove.co.uk

 

[krillo]

I have spoken to the product manager this afternoon who has confirmed the update to resolve this is now available

Available for whom?

 

[Beards]

Available for whom?

Chris Love did not say in his reply. However, I have asked for this and other information to be passed on to me when Chris replies back with the news on the fix tomorrow.

Please bear in mind though the reply may come to me much earlier than I will be in a position to reply as I have a very busy day tomorrow in theatre and won't be in a position to post back here until later tomorrow evening.

 

[Beards]

Disregard.... Double Post.http://uk.mc861.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=cpl@clove.co.uk

 

[daveleather]

Due to an error at Vodafone, I'm waiting for my *7th* SGS .. according to DPD it'll be here between 13.31 and 14.31 today. Wonder if I'll get a phone from a new batch with a working GPS!! Surely no man can be so unlucky as to have 7 duff ones!!

 

[Maca0716]

Due to an error at Vodafone, I'm waiting for my *7th* SGS .. according to DPD it'll be here between 13.31 and 14.31 today. Wonder if I'll get a phone from a new batch with a working GPS!! Surely no man can be so unlucky as to have 7 duff ones!!

There is no magical batch, the problem is with the software so your 7th SGS will be the same.

 

[Beards]

Okay, I have the news from Clove.....
Unfortunately it's not the good news we were all waiting for... It's more of a 'delayed good news' I'm afraid:-

Mike​

​

We have attempted to update the firmware on a Samsung Galaxy S i9000 using the Keis PC Synchronization software. It has been found that there are currently no firmware updates available for the Samsung Galaxy S i9000. Due to this we have been in further communication with our Samsung representative who has confirmed that the update should have been available and that it resolves the problems associated with the GPS.​

The Samsung representative has confirmed that the uploading of the update hasn't been completed and this will be investigated. This unfortunately means that the update has been delayed, with unfortunately no date being provided to us for when it will be available. We will keep in contact with Samsung and inform you immediately when the update is available.

Regards​

Sales Team

Clove Technology

TEL: +44 (0)1202 552936
FAX: +44 (0)1202 552937

Email: sales@clove.co.uk
Website: www.clove.co.uk
Blog: blog.clove.co.uk

 

[karnka]

So, it was more of the 'Samsung are lying bastards' type news.

 

[wdri]

I saw a samsung wave (almost the same hardware but running Bada) having similar problems. If a compass application is started (can

 

[waspbr]

sigh... went for a run today testing my new armband... Overall, the GPS has gotten better but it is still rather innacurate. My phone has the M2 firmware so it is still using eclair but this is rather disappointing anyhow, I still have hope that things may improve but this is a little tiresome.

Thank you beards and Mr. Love for going through all this trouble

 

[sjdean]

I think Im drawing on my own fix for this.

I say fix, it's more of a workaround.

Essentially, there's a location under /data/gps (you need root) which stores secgps.conf and also data files for what I presume to be cached ephemeris and almanac data. At least, that's what the logs seem to suggest.

The files are .sto.

I've been testing, I had a good test a week ago, then a couple of days ago, a bad test. Both using MyTracks, same phone, same firmware, same car, same route.

Good
Track 5 - Google Maps

Bad
Track 12 - Google Maps

Today I decided instead of deleting secgps.conf which did nothing for me, I'll dig deeper.

I found init.rc which suggests it creates the gps folder on bootup.

So I deleted /data/gps and rebooted.

99% perfect track again today.

Plus some tweaks to jupiter.xml may actually improve the signal strength slightly. Still no cigar yet, but hopefully gives us a stronger and more reliable work around.

Cya
Simon

 

[blonkster]

I got my SGS form Mobiles.co.uk on 7 July on Orange - original JF3 firmware.

I called Orange any they thought there was a known issue with GPS (code FW403) - FirmWare? and told me to get it swapped out - though the support staff were a bit clueless.

Has anyone else had a swap from Orange and did it fix your GPS?

I don't to go through the procedure if it won't help, and risk a phone with a different problem.

I also wonder if they think the fix is the version of firmware I already have - as the box as a 2nd security seal on it, suggesting a fw update may have already been done.

TIA

Blonkster

 

[funksplutter]

I got my SGS form Mobiles.co.uk on 7 July on Orange - original JF3 firmware.

I called Orange any they thought there was a known issue with GPS (code FW403) - FirmWare? and told me to get it swapped out - though the support staff were a bit clueless.

Has anyone else had a swap from Orange and did it fix your GPS?

I had a replacement from Orange and the gps is working very well. Of course I could have just been lucky but it has to be worth a try.

 

[blonkster]

I had a replacement from Orange and the gps is working very well. Of course I could have just been lucky but it has to be worth a try.

Thanks, sounds promising.

Did you check the firmware before /after?

 

[funksplutter]

It was the JF3 before and after I believe.

 

[blonkster]

It was the JF3 before and after I believe.

So, probably a hardware problem, which a firmware update will not fix.

I've logged the problem with mobiles.co.uk online, as they don't answer the phone...

 

[daveleather]

I think I've been too focussed on the GPS issues. I sold my replacement SGS on Ebay this morning, but then I sat back and looked at the phone as a whole. We were at a 'family fun day' today and my Sister had her iPhone 3GS with her and I had my wifes SGS. We 'swapped' phones for a few minutes and I couldn't wait to the SGS back!

Since then I've convinced my wife that the SGS is too complicated for her and have persuaded her to let me get her a more basic touchscreen phone and I've nicked her SGS.

I don't use Satnav on a phone, I certainly don't go out running or walking so don't need My Tracks and I think the "find local bars" type of software will still work fine.

Think I'll just look forward to Froyo and maybe getting rid of a bit of the lag, using the full amount of onboard RAM and other bits and bobs.

I will keep up with this thread though to see where it goes though (so to speak!!)

Cheers.

 

[stew007]

The updated firmware to fix the GPS has apparently been delayed according to Clove, so I have made the decision to wait untill this is released and see what the feedback is, I cant help but thinking this might well be be hardware related, i'm sure Samsung would have got this fixed long ago in the past firmware updates had it been an easy fix. but lets wait and see.

 

[larryccf]

someone posted this fix over on xda [FONT=&quot]http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=728894[/FONT]


i tried it last nite and it worked - where i was viewing 11-12 sats but locking on none i went to 12 in view 3-5 locked (it would fluctuate) and 21 ft accuracy


this morning i checked and the fix was still holding


but my concern is this seems to be relying on AGPS for accuracy and wondering what will happen when i drive into rural areas with no cell coverage


fwiw
[FONT=&quot][/FONT]

 

[philj22]

Update from Clove:-

Mike​

We have sent an email to the Samsung representative requesting additional information regarding the update. We will inform you of the reply that we receive.​

Regards​

Sales Team

Clove Technology


TEL: +44 (0)1202 552936
FAX: +44 (0)1202 552937


Email: sales@clove.co.uk
Website: www.clove.co.uk
Blog: blog.clove.co.uk

In common with most people on this forum, I have poor GPS performance - this is the response that I received from Samsung...

With regard to your email, this is generally the way on most smartphones
unfortunatly. Having owned an iphone, HTC Desire, and a Galaxy S i have
noticed similarperformance on all 3 handsets with the GPS, only
altering depending onnetwork and signal, especially when traveling by
car.
As such, these arnt issues, just something that can only improve along
with network performance, as well as mobile GPS technology, as this area
is still in its very early days.

I hope this has been of some assistance to you. If you do have any
further queries, please do not hesitate to contact usquoting your 210-
reference number.

 

[Beards]

In common with most people on this forum, I have poor GPS performance - this is the response that I received from Samsung...

With regard to your email, this is generally the way on most smartphones
unfortunatly. Having owned an iphone, HTC Desire, and a Galaxy S i have
noticed similarperformance on all 3 handsets with the GPS, only
altering depending onnetwork and signal, especially when traveling by
car.
As such, these arnt issues, just something that can only improve along
with network performance, as well as mobile GPS technology, as this area
is still in its very early days.

I hope this has been of some assistance to you. If you do have any
further queries, please do not hesitate to contact usquoting your 210-
reference number.

If I had a pound for every time Samsung Support have told me their answer which was always such a load of cow-pack I would now be sunning myself in the Caribbean supping a large cold drink.

In other words..... do not believe a word they tell.
In one particular topic I have been asking them (I have sent many, believe me), on every reply they evaded the question and simply told me to do something which was either totally unrelated to the question or simply they had not read my question and were answering as if reading from a set of rules.

To be frank... I don't think the head of Samsung would take too kindly in hearing one of his support team state "this is the way on most smartphones".
That would be an open invitation for Steve Jobs and Apple to come back at Samsung for the time when Apple said this themselves about the antenna and all smartphones having the same issue..... Samsung and the rest went berserk didn't they.

I bet if you got back to Support again you would receive a different answer.

 

[larryccf]

what perplexes me is that samsung builds some nice electronic equipment in other areas - their DLP TVs - they literally own that market, actually selling the licensing to Sony on DLP technology

i bought my Sammy DLP TV only after learning they had declared they would redefine projector TV technology, and they did, to the extent Sony wanted in. And on the TV chat forums, the problems are usually odd items, no widespread events like this one - point is, they know how to do preproduction testing and high quality control