All things GPS

[dsjr2006]

I'm not sure the gps chip in the Samsung is of the sirf variety (but I'm far from an expert). But a Garmin cannot make a phone call, etc..I still maintain that you cannot expect a standalone performance from a convergence device such as the Captivate.

I'm glad to get the feedback on the google.com supl server. I think EVERYBODY should make this change and report back. I read somewhere that the spirent-lcs server is basically defunct and useless...and in my experience, the speed of the lock was really the main issue-accuracy is very acceptable

You can beleive whatever you want and while I admit phone GPS isn't always as good as a standalone device I can only remember a few times when previous phones have gotten confused and that was normally because I was in a city with many tall buildings or after driving through a tunnel or under a series of overpasses.

Samsung really needs to step up and fix this because it seems to be related to more than just the software since there are rumors that it is also happening to the Samsung Focus which is a Windows Phone 7 Device.

 

[fldude99]

You can beleive whatever you want and while I admit phone GPS isn't always as good as a standalone device I can only remember a few times when previous phones have gotten confused and that was normally because I was in a city with many tall buildings or after driving through a tunnel or under a series of overpasses.

Samsung really needs to step up and fix this because it seems to be related to more than just the software since there are rumors that it is also happening to the Samsung Focus which is a Windows Phone 7 Device.

It's not a matter of believing what I want..I've had other phones with GPS, and I find this Captivate to be very functional and accurate. The only problem I had was a long time to lock..which is cured with the google.com supl server

 

[mratlndmrk]

If anyone is running stock-as I am-change the supl settings to google, port 7276, secure connection: off and see what happens. I get a lock outside in 10 seconds or less consistently, and it locks indoors (via agps I assume) in 30-40 secs usually.

I have have had good luck with these settings.

 

[PGP_Protector]

Can't find the post right now, but someone pointed out an app called GPS Booster.
I don't know what it did, but for my phone, I can finely see the Sats.

When running GPS Test outdoors on a clear day, I wouldn't even get 1 blip on the app, now I can get a lock on multiple sat., and I've had 10 in view.

Right now indoors (cubical vill) I'm getting 3 in view (24,26,12 Sig Strength) now yes they're not locking, but I wouldn't expect them to lock indoors.

So it may not be a fix all, but it frelling worked for me.

 

[movrshakr]

I think I am about to go get a Captivate to try it for 30 days. Can y'all tell me how to test it for GPS "working right" without having to root it--which I don't want to do during the 30 day return period.

How do you set it up for best GPS (what else other than the previous post)...

"after dialing *#*#1472365#*#*
"These are his recommended settings:
"Application Settings/Operation Mode/MS Based
"Application Settings/Operation Mode/SkyHook/ON (VERY IMPORTANT)
"SUPL/CP Settings/Server FQDN Type/Custom Config
"SUPL/CP Settings/Server/supl.google.com
"SUPL/CP Settings/Server Port/7276
"SUPL/CP Settings/SUPL Secure Socket/Off
​

That post recommended reading the article. What article?

How do I determine it is actually using using satellites without any help from wifi or tower positioning? I don't mind those being used at startup for initial lock on--but want satellites thereafter.

What GPS apps are on it at purchase, and which ones should I quickly get?

Thanks.

 

[reinbeau]

Doesn't GPS booster need to be running? Or does it fiddle wit the settings and leaves them that way?

 

[skinien]

I think I am about to go get a Captivate to try it for 30 days. Can y'all tell me how to test it for GPS "working right" without having to root it--which I don't want to do during the 30 day return period.

How do you set it up for best GPS (what else other than the previous post)...

"after dialing *#*#1472365#*#*
"These are his recommended settings:
"Application Settings/Operation Mode/MS Based
"Application Settings/Operation Mode/SkyHook/ON (VERY IMPORTANT)
"SUPL/CP Settings/Server FQDN Type/Custom Config
"SUPL/CP Settings/Server/supl.google.com
"SUPL/CP Settings/Server Port/7276
"SUPL/CP Settings/SUPL Secure Socket/Off
​

That post recommended reading the article. What article?

How do I determine it is actually using using satellites without any help from wifi or tower positioning? I don't mind those being used at startup for initial lock on--but want satellites thereafter.

What GPS apps are on it at purchase, and which ones should I quickly get?

Thanks.

To use GPS ONLY (no wifi/cell tower help): menu -> settings -> location and security -> make sure "User wireless networks" is unchecked.

In the market, grab GPS test. It will show you how many satellites you see and how many you are using (see the screenshot in post 20 above). Remember, you should really be using GPS outdoors so to test it, go outside.

Also, keep in mind that the issue really isn't locking (getting a position) for most people. The larger issue is while you're driving around, your position tracking is extremely inaccurate.

 

[Christophers]

I can't even perform a gps test from the gps app when I click on the app it stays on zero views for satellite.anyone else have the same problem?

 

[skinien]

I can't even perform a gps test from the gps app when I click on the app it stays on zero views for satellite.anyone else have the same problem?

1. Do it outside with a clear view of the sky.
2. Is your GPS on? When you run the app, you should see "GPS On" and a yellow dot. It will turn green when you lock.
3. Have you done the google supl server settings?

 

[fldude99]

To use GPS ONLY (no wifi/cell tower help): menu -> settings -> location and security -> make sure "User wireless networks" is unchecked.

In the market, grab GPS test. It will show you how many satellites you see and how many you are using (see the screenshot in post 20 above). Remember, you should really be using GPS outdoors so to test it, go outside.

Also, keep in mind that the issue really isn't locking (getting a position) for most people. The larger issue is while you're driving around, your position tracking is extremely inaccurate.

After reading countless posts on this, I find that it's about 50/50 on that...I see many folks-as myself-that has only had a problem getting a lock-the accuracy on mine is excellent once it locks on. I fixed that by changing the agps server to google.com. Now it locks in an avg 15 secs and accuracy is excellent

 

[skinien]

After reading countless posts on this, I find that it's about 50/50 on that...I see many folks-as myself-that has only had a problem getting a lock-the accuracy on mine is excellent once it locks on. I fixed that by changing the agps server to google.com. Now it locks in an avg 15 secs and accuracy is excellent

I wonder how many people are trying to lock with clear view of the sky. I see many posts in which people say that they can't get a fix indoors. GPS isn't meant for indoor use. Just like you put a satellite receiver on the OUTSIDE of your house.

 

[Christophers]

Google supl server settings?

 

[skinien]

Google supl server settings?

I'll let you google that one. Or search for one of the zillion threads on the subject.

 

[movrshakr]

When you refer to changing the aGPS server to google, is that the same as this line in previous posts (you didn't mention the "supl" part):

"SUPL/CP Settings/Server/supl.google.com

If not, how/where do you do this?

That line gives no indication it is or is not the aGPS server.

 

[dell21]

First of all, I don't have a magic mix of settings that will fix your GPS. Using the supl.google.com server, does improve your lock time, but hey, choosing the auto config. server works also.

These settings help the AGPS function in your phone, the GPS chip actually performs pretty good. But I'm not a GPS technician, I don't know how all the parts work and I don't know about the information in the almanac. I just know how to make my GPS performance acceptable.

Step one: Leave the house, basement, backyard
Step two: Start GPS TEST or GPS STATUS app- VERY IMPORTANT!!! these apps handle the AGPS for you, they get your initial lock. If you can't get the initial lock SEE STEP ONE.
Step three: PUT THE PHONE DOWN. Yes it is true that holding the phone degrades GPS performance.
Step four: Turn on Navigation.

My settings:
operation mode: standalone
start mode: hot start
gps plus: on
dynamic accuracy: on
accuracy: 50
gps logging: off
server: supl.google.com
server port: 7276
secure socket: off
agps mode: control plane

My firmware: 2.2 FROYO
baseband: I897UCJJ4
build number: Cognition.v2..3b6

 

[projectpaki]

when i got my captivate last week, gps was very good... then i rooted it, and flashed cognition and now not so good lol

 

[Aerodrifting]

*#*#1472365#*#* doesn't work for me, when I put in the last * with the dial pad, the whole thing disappears/got wiped out because over length or something.

My GPS is so so after the JH7 update, it's pinpoints me ~ 50 feet off over the satellite map, and only works after I check the box next to "use wireless networks" under "settings > location and security".

 

[fldude99]

When you refer to changing the aGPS server to google, is that the same as this line in previous posts (you didn't mention the "supl" part):

"SUPL/CP Settings/Server/supl.google.com

If not, how/where do you do this?

That line gives no indication it is or is not the aGPS server.

Yes..that's it. Change supl to supl.google.com, then change port to 7276 and secure socket: off.

Get there by dialing *#3214789650#

 

[movrshakr]

Yes..that's it. Change supl to supl.google.com, then change port to 7276 and secure socket: off.

Get there by dialing *#3214789650#

Previously, here, I have seen...
"after dialing *#*#1472365#*#* ..."

Which is it?!

It is very confusing when you see so much conflicting data.

 

[fldude99]

^^^that code you have was disabled after the JH7 update

 

[movrshakr]

^^^that code you have was disabled after the JH7 update

Totally unclear as to which of the two you mean was disabled.

^^^ doesn't identify anything--the previous message contained both.

How about
*#3214789650# was disabled...
or *#*#1472365#*#* ... was disabled..." so it is clear.

 

[s919rider]

I exchanged my Captivate and the GPS still is an utter FAIL. FYI

 

[ShannonPricePhoto]

I have always touted how mine was so good, a few weeks ago i did the update... to JH7, Gps went to hell, took 5+ miles to lock in... fail. normally it was 10-15 seconds to lock on in Navigation.

I then put 2.2 on, seemed to lock better, not by much, but would not track correctly.

just flashed back to stock which has the JF6 baseband, and this thing works amazing again!!

for server im using spirent-lcs.com

 

[fldude99]

Totally unclear as to which of the two you mean was disabled.

^^^ doesn't identify anything--the previous message contained both.

How about
*#3214789650# was disabled...
or *#*#1472365#*#* ... was disabled..." so it is clear.

Sorry..I tried to help...but I think you need to figure it out on your own at this point..it's not rocket science

 

[fldude99]

I have always touted how mine was so good, a few weeks ago i did the update... to JH7, Gps went to hell, took 5+ miles to lock in... fail. normally it was 10-15 seconds to lock on in Navigation.

I then put 2.2 on, seemed to lock better, not by much, but would not track correctly.

just flashed back to stock which has the JF6 baseband, and this thing works amazing again!!

for server im using spirent-lcs.com

FYI...from what I've read..the spirent-lcs server is dead..kaput