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GPS/GoogleMaps Losing Me...

Jethro

Well-Known Member
Nov 10, 2009
104
3
Hi, after working well for the first month or so, it looks like GPS is not working very well for me. I'm not sure what changed.

I now, when using the locate feature in GoogleMaps, often find myself in the middle of the Pacific off the SoCal shore. I usually try to remain on land when possible, though. Or it my randomly 'teleport' me a few hundred yards off in some direction, then I'm back withing seconds.

But a lot of the time it's not able to really locate me well at all. I think the network locating is doing 'ok', but GPS is failing pretty bad lately. The icon shows GPS working, and I try disabling and re-enabling it. But that doesn't help.

- Anyone else having issues with GPS accuracy?

- Any apps that can help 'fine-tune' the GPS?

THANKS!
 
- Any apps that can help 'fine-tune' the GPS?

You can download the "GPS Status" app. Here's some pictures of it in use:

GPS-fixes.jpg


Note that there is really nothing to "fine tune". OTOH, this app can help you observe a few things about your GPS's behavior which will help you decide what the problem is ... more on that in a minute.

The other thing to be aware of is that on the Eris, even though you have the GPS device "enabled", the GPS receiver doesn't start producing fixes until an app on the Eris starts asking for them - you will notice this when you first start up either Google Maps or GPS Status - the first couple of fixes will be poor.


So, here's a couple of thoughts about GPS devices:

- Like any radio, they can experience reception problems when shielded from the transmitting sources - for instance indoors (esp in buildings with lots of metallic objects overhead), or in a pocket close to your body. They will perform best outdoors with a relatively unobstructed view of the entire sky... all the way to the horizon, if possible.

- Like any radio, they are susceptible to interference from some types of electronic devices.

- They produce an error estimate along with every "fix".

- The constellation of satellites overhead is constantly changing - even at the same location, the quality of GPS fixes will change over time because the number of satellites visible to your unit will change. This will be most likely to be seen when you already have a weak signal, such as indoors.


If you see a wildly fluctuating error estimate, then there could be something wrong with your hardware.... -OR-

You have weak signals (yellow bars) from the overhead satellites... -OR-

There is some electronic equipment nearby which generates radio interference.


If you really thought you have a bad GPS device, take it to several different places, preferably outdoors, and see if the fix error jumps around a lot (more than 100+ feet). If it jumps around a lot when there are lots of satellites shown overhead, you have good (green) signals, in all the places you test it, then you might have bad hardware.

If it only jumps around in one location, that is probably a reception or interference issue.

HTH

eu1
 
Upvote 0
Whats the most accurate setting to allow the GPS location to be very close? Do i turn wireless networks off and just enable Location Setting with GPS? whats the best setup?

Yes.

It appears that if you use the HTC toggle Widget to turn the GPS unit off/on, this is what you end up with (if you previously turned all the location settings off):

best-location-settings.jpg


In my experience, having the GPS turned off and the "Use wireless networks" setting turned on resulted in placements that were 1 to 3 miles off from my actual location - and Verizon cell service is pretty good in my area


eu1
 
Upvote 0
Thanks, I downloaded the app and keep an eye on it next time I'm driving around. I usually keep my phone mounted up by the window when I'm driving, though. Should get good reception.

So it looks like I want to see low and consistent numbers for the error field, and mostly green bars (satellite strength?!?).
 
Upvote 0
Thanks, I downloaded the app and keep an eye on it next time I'm driving around. I usually keep my phone mounted up by the window when I'm driving, though. Should get good reception.

So it looks like I want to see low and consistent numbers for the error field, and mostly green bars (satellite strength?!?).

More or less, yes. If you can't get a stable signal at any location, and especially when outdoors - then it might be time to suspect a problem with the hardware.

eu1
 
Upvote 0

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