Help GPS Inaccurate

[daniel178]

Hey all,

I'm using a rooted TB running BAMF 1.3.2, and my GPS location is anywhere from 5 blocks off to like half a mile off, usually. This is the case whether I'm using Google Location Services, Verizon GPS Services, or Standalone GPS.

Any ideas on how to fix this?

 

[digdug1]

Yep. Flash bamf 1.5 and use the new radio. But be warned that the new radio gives random reboots. Sort of a trade off.

 

[CyberPitz]

Yep. Flash bamf 1.5 and use the new radio. But be warned that the new radio gives random reboots. Sort of a trade off.

I have the same thing, but no random reboots with the new radio...

Off Topic: To make sure I have the new radio installed, where would I go to verify, I see baseband version 1.16.00.0402w_1. I guess that may not be the right thing to look at...

 

[Jrocker23]

I have the same thing, but no random reboots with the new radio...

Off Topic: To make sure I have the new radio installed, where would I go to verify, I see baseband version 1.16.00.0402w_1. I guess that may not be the right thing to look at...

Thats the new radio

 

[CyberPitz]

Ah, Guess I got lucky without the random reboots.

Sorry for taking this off topic OP. Update to BAMF 1.5 and the new radio and you should be OK. My GPS is right on the money.

Hope it's not a bad unit D:

 

[daniel178]

Hey again,
So, still no luck with the GPS. Upgraded to BAMF 1.6.3. Upgraded radio to 1.13.605.7 (1.16.00.0402w_1 CMDA). All installed fine. I checked.

Still: my position is like 10 blocks off, and if I don't have Google Location Service turned on, it doesn't find my position at all, just as always.

Is there ANY help for my poor GPS?

 

[Dark Jedi]

uninstall google maps and then reinstall it?

 

[toyssan1]

I have similar issue with my GPS. Takes FOREVER to lock on and will bounce me around anywhere in a 15 mile radius until it does. I have 1.5 BAMF and I do get random reboots. This GPS is just killing me.

 

[daniel178]

hmmm... the GPS Status app seems to helping..... we shall see...

 

[toyssan1]

updated radio to 1.16.00.0402w_1. Time will tell to see if it help with GPS lock and reboots.

 

[toyssan1]

nope, took about 10 minutes to get a lock while standing outside. I downloaded GPS Test and it shows that I have great strength on 11 satellites but only 2-3 locked on. After the 10 minutes I suddenly have all locks on satellites.

 

[swiftarrow]

I'm having the same problem with the GPS. Even after the OTA, pulling the battery, GPS Status, GPS Test Plus (which has never detected more than 2 satellites in 10 minutes), factory reset. The GPS usually gets within a few blocks of my location (though not always that close), but rarely spot on. When it is spot on, it doesn't hold it very long. Never had this problem with the original Moto Droid. A friend just got a new Verizon iPhone4, and the GPS works perfectly when it's in exactly the same location as my TB. Must be a problem with the phone itself.

Does anyone have any other ideas? Should I ask for a replacement?

Thanks.

 

[Ibrick]

Dowload GPS Status from the market.

Click on aGPS in the tools

 

[swiftarrow]

Dowload GPS Status from the market.

Click on aGPS in the tools

I've done that, Ibrick. Thanks. Unfortunately, it doesn't get me as close to my location as I think it should...or as close as I've experienced with the Moto Droid.

Also, when driving, I can travel a mile or two (or more sometimes) before the GPS will readjust.

 

[Ibrick]

I've done that, Ibrick. Thanks. Unfortunately, it doesn't get me as close to my location as I think it should...or as close as I've experienced with the Moto Droid.

Also, when driving, I can travel a mile or two (or more sometimes) before the GPS will readjust.

Then there's something else going on...

Even with the new radio, changing the GPS pool to US instead of North America I was getting slow locks. Faster than stock, but still not what I would consider quick.

Letting GPS Status complete its thing, usually finding 8-9 satellites, will pretty much instantly lock my GPS currently.

Try taking it back.. OR, there is a newer radio that was leaked to work with Gingerbread that supposedly fixes the GPS issue for good. Maybe wait and see what the official version does for you?

I really am starting the think the current OTA was just a stopgap until GB was ready.

 

[swiftarrow]

Then there's something else going on...

Even with the new radio, changing the GPS pool to US instead of North America I was getting slow locks. Faster than stock, but still not what I would consider quick.

Letting GPS Status complete its thing, usually finding 8-9 satellites, will pretty much instantly lock my GPS currently.

Try taking it back.. OR, there is a newer radio that was leaked to work with Gingerbread that supposedly fixes the GPS issue for good. Maybe wait and see what the official version does for you?

I really am starting the think the current OTA was just a stopgap until GB was ready.

Here's what's interesting. I've taken the TB to two different Verizon offices, and when I'm inside each office, the GPS works perfectly. They tell me everything's OK, of course, but by the time I reach the parking lot, the GPS cursor on Google Maps moves away! Maybe the Verizon network communicates the store's GPS location to the phone when you're actually in the store.

I'm not sure how well the phone's GPS receiver is working. GPS Status has only seen 1 satellite over 10 minutes, and GPS Test Plus has only seen 2 satellites over 10 minutes.

But are you thinking that even a brand new TB might not solve the problem?

 

[Mystakilla]

I have the same issue. Google maps use to update every second I moved, now it doesn't and the icon is never on the road like it use to be.

 

[Ibrick]

Here's what's interesting. I've taken the TB to two different Verizon offices, and when I'm inside each office, the GPS works perfectly. They tell me everything's OK, of course, but by the time I reach the parking lot, the GPS cursor on Google Maps moves away! Maybe the Verizon network communicates the store's GPS location to the phone when you're actually in the store.

I'm not sure how well the phone's GPS receiver is working. GPS Status has only seen 1 satellite over 10 minutes, and GPS Test Plus has only seen 2 satellites over 10 minutes.

But are you thinking that even a brand new TB might not solve the problem?

How's it lock when on wifi?

VZW stores all have wifi which helps the lock speed and accuracy considerably.. If you've never switched off wifi while in the store they may not have ever seen how it acts when on 3G/4G.

 

[swiftarrow]

How's it lock when on wifi?

VZW stores all have wifi which helps the lock speed and accuracy considerably.. If you've never switched off wifi while in the store they may not have ever seen how it acts when on 3G/4G.

Wow...it works great on my home wifi. Thanks. Guess I'll have to go back to the Verizon store with wifi turned off.

Does this give you a better idea as to the cause of the problem?

 

[Thunder22]

I have same problem. And with WiFi turned on it locks immediately and is very accurate.

 

[swiftarrow]

I have same problem. And with WiFi turned on it locks immediately and is very accurate.

Of course, wifi doesn't help much when you're on the road!

 

[swiftarrow]

I'm wondering whether it's worth getting a new TB if Verizon offers to replace mine.

Has anyone had all his GSP problems solved after getting a replacement phone?

 

[Ibrick]

Wow...it works great on my home wifi. Thanks. Guess I'll have to go back to the Verizon store with wifi turned off.

Does this give you a better idea as to the cause of the problem?

Well unfortunately there's probably nothing wrong with the GPS receiver itself. WIFI is going to be more accurate since you not only have the tower location but also the router helping get a lock.

You may just be in a bad area..

The only thing to give some hopeful news is that gingerbread was leaked with a new radio. Judging by how long the last OTA took to hit after it was leaked id guess probably 3-4 weeks until its pushed officially.

 

[swiftarrow]

Well unfortunately there's probably nothing wrong with the GPS receiver itself.

I read a thread (GPS - HTC Thunderbolt (Verizon) - Android Forums - HTC Community) on the HTC forum where a guy said that his GPS problems disappeared when he got the Verizon extended battery. He noticed a major difference between the regular battery cover and the extended battery cover. The inside of the extended battery cover has what he thinks is a GPS antenna which extends across the top and down the right side, and is attached to the GPS antenna leadss. The standard battery cover is configured differently, and doesn't have this antenna.

Could there possibly be a problem with the GPS antenna (or lack thereof) on the inside of the standard TB battery cover?

 

[TambourineMan]

No posts since May 2011 - over a year ago. Did everyone solve their problem? I have an extended battery so that's not the solution for me.

I'm rooted and have baseband 1.48.00.093w_3 0.01.78.0916w_3. I don't know what the radio has to do with GPS. I thought the radio and GPS were separate. that is GPS should work even without a network connection as it is getting satellite info.