Help Spectrum Problems

[IFlyEm]

Figured I would condense a bunch of threads into one.

Here are the issues I am having with my Spectrum:

1. Battery life is OK with the extended battery. But the charging restrictions are HORRIBLE. You CAN NOT going on any lengthy trip with your screen on all the time using the moving map. Even when it's plugged into an AC or DC charger your phone WILL die. Or at least constantly discharge. So my days of using my phone as a moving map GPS and streaming Pandora on my typical 3 hour drive to my folks are over.
2. Sound profiles are all messed up. I can put my phone on silent but it doesn't change ALL notifications. i.e. GMAIL and SMS/SMS msgs will still ring through unless I silence them individually. Seriously? Why can't they go the route of Blackberry and have sound profiles? I used to use Simple Sound profiles on all my other Droid devices and they worked great. Can't find one that works with the Droid.
3. Call quality. CONSTANTLY people are complaining to me about sounding muffled. I have tried 2 Spectrum's with the same results. Ironically, they hear me fine if I switch over to speaker phone or bluetooth headset.
4. Keyboard. I have having more and more issues with the keyboard not inputting the text into messenger. I need to open up another medium that I can type into then go back to msgr for it to work.
5. Stock Browser. I am also having issues with the browser being unresponsive. You click go and nothing happens for quite a few secs. It doesn't even think. Had to download Maxton. Shouldn't HAVE to do that.

All in all I regret getting my Spectrum. Hopefully LG steps up and fixes these issues. I know I am not the only one experiencing them because I see there are numerous threads about them.

 

[MrB206]

#1- That's an APP restriction with Google Maps, not the phone. If you use navigation, the screen stays on. Frankly, and please don't take offense, but if you want a GPS/map system, buy one; smartphones aren't designed for that use.

#2- If you choose 'silent', the phone will go silent. If you're using a 3rd party app to use profiles, then, again, that's an app issue. I use Quick Settings and when I put it on 'silent', all ringer and notifications are silenced, while alarms remain on. Try a different app for changing sound preferences.

#3- Yea, my mom said the same thing to me about this phone. She's the only one that seems to complain about it, though, so I don't know if it's the phone or her. But there could be an issue with the mic on these phones. I don't see how, given how large it is compared to the Droids, but I suppose it could be lower-quality hardware.

#4- Stock keyboards ALWAYS suck, but I found the LG one to be better than the stock Droids. Try SwiftKey; I've used it on all my Droids (D1, D2G and DX) and my wife has it on her Razr. We prefer it over other apps.

#5- Again, stock usually sucks and the stock browser is no exception. The only stock browser worth a damn is the one in 4.0, so you'll have to get an aftermarket til we get 4.0. I'm using Boat Browser Mini and Maxthon; both are similar and are faster and better than stock.


One thing you'll find is many, if not most, apps don't register the hdmi screen properly, so the app will essentially freeze. It's annoying as shit, but it's the app not registering the input from the screen (I've run logcats to verify). I find simple apps like AdAware or LogCat don't have a problem, but more complex apps like browsers do. Possibly something with the xml in the app.

 

[IFlyEm]

#1- That's an APP restriction with Google Maps, not the phone. If you use navigation, the screen stays on. Frankly, and please don't take offense, but if you want a GPS/map system, buy one; smartphones aren't designed for that use.

This is a phone issue. Or at least a battery charge current limiting issue. No other phone dies if it is plugged in and the screen is on. Also,Whether it be live weather, high resolution satellite imagery, or continuous updating of the POI's, there is NO Garmin with the capabilities of the GPS's in the phones. The fact of the matter is that it's a feature that they sell as part of the phone and don't mind taking $25 from you for a car dock. There is no excuse for phone not to be able to sustain itself when it's plugged in without the battery....period.

​

#2- If you choose 'silent', the phone will go silent. If you're using a 3rd party app to use profiles, then, again, that's an app issue. I use Quick Settings and when I put it on 'silent', all ringer and notifications are silenced, while alarms remain on. Try a different app for changing sound preferences.

I'm not using an app. I am using the drop down screen. I put the phone on silent and Yahoo Mail and text messages still ring through.
​

#3- Yea, my mom said the same thing to me about this phone. She's the only one that seems to complain about it, though, so I don't know if it's the phone or her. But there could be an issue with the mic on these phones. I don't see how, given how large it is compared to the Droids, but I suppose it could be lower-quality hardware.

There is an issue with the voice processing when the phone is being used normally. The issue goes away when you use speaker phone which still uses the same Mic. Inconsistent call quality is the biggest knock against this phone in virtually every review. So I don't think it's just your Mom.
​

#4- Stock keyboards ALWAYS suck, but I found the LG one to be better than the stock Droids. Try SwiftKey; I've used it on all my Droids (D1, D2G and DX) and my wife has it on her Razr. We prefer it over other apps.

I will try that. NEVER had an issue with my EVO, DX, or D2 though.
​

 

[MrB206]

This is a phone issue. Or at least a battery charge current limiting issue. No other phone dies if it is plugged in and the screen is on. Also,Whether it be live weather, high resolution satellite imagery, or continuous updating of the POI's, there is NO Garmin with the capabilities of the GPS's in the phones. The fact of the matter is that it's a feature that they sell as part of the phone and don't mind taking $25 from you for a car dock. There is no excuse for phone not to be able to sustain itself when it's plugged in without the battery....period.​

Was your previous phone an LTE? Navigation and mapping drains the battery FAR faster with LTE, than 3g, but it also loads the maps faster. Even with it plugged in, my Spectrum will drain on the charger... that's because the charger can't put in more than the phone is using. So it's a combination of the LTE drain and poor car chargers.

​

I'm not using an app. I am using the drop down screen. I put the phone on silent and Yahoo Mail and text messages still ring through.
​

It shouldn't. I just toggled that button (it goes to 'vibrate', btw) and both my ringer and notification volumes went to silent. I'd recommend using an app like Quick Settings, so you can control all the volumes. It's supposed to put your phone in silent mode with the vibration on, but if yours isn't, a 3rd party app will let you get things set how you like.

​

There is an issue with the voice processing when the phone is being used normally. The issue goes away when you use speaker phone which still uses the same Mic. Inconsistent call quality is the biggest knock against this phone in virtually every review. So I don't think it's just your Mom.
​

Honestly, I might give it more weight, but she said that about my previous phones, so I don't know that it's this phone. No one else seems to have a problem and I've let my wife use it so I could hear, but didn't find any lesser quality. I do know, however, the Moto phones have the privacy mode, which can fudge with the sound and make it sound choppy... it's a setting on those phones and not on this one, so maybe it's automatic?

I will try that. NEVER had an issue with my EVO, DX, or D2 though.
​

Yea, different stock keyboards. I don't even bother with stock, since I'm so used to SwiftKey. The only thing I like about LG's stock is the 'down' button to shrink the keyboard. I really wish SK had that button.

 

[IFlyEm]

I have tried AC and DC chargers up to 2.1A. Same thing. Sounds like the phone limits charge to 450mah with the screen off and even LOWER with the screen on.

That doesn't make any sense with a phone of this magnitude. He11 even my iPad can be on and charge when it's plugged in.

Only thing I can think of is temperature protection.

 

[TheBigKahuna]

I've been told by several people, while talking on the Spectrum, they they couldn't hear me. It's definitely an issue. I've never has complaints with previous phones.

 

[MrB206]

I have tried AC and DC chargers up to 2.1A. Same thing. Sounds like the phone limits charge to 450mah with the screen off and even LOWER with the screen on.

I don't know that's the case. My OEM charger will fill the battery within an hour, whereas the car charger charges at an abysmal rate. The odd thing is that same car charger will fill a DX or D2 battery far quicker (still wicked slow, though). It's no secret LTE drains battery like a faucet, so if you're in a car, using the phone, the charger can't keep up with the use. But I've been at home, on LTE, streaming Netflix onthe charger and the battery still filled. So the issue is most likely the charger and the use when charging.

 

[stef7]

I've been told by several people, while talking on the Spectrum, they they couldn't hear me. It's definitely an issue. I've never has complaints with previous phones.

Try downloading Easy Voice Recorder Free and capture about 10sec of your voice to see if you have a microphone issue. Even if I whisper, the microphone does a great job on my Spectrum.

 

[sonicmerlin]

I don't know that's the case. My OEM charger will fill the battery within an hour, whereas the car charger charges at an abysmal rate. The odd thing is that same car charger will fill a DX or D2 battery far quicker (still wicked slow, though). It's no secret LTE drains battery like a faucet, so if you're in a car, using the phone, the charger can't keep up with the use. But I've been at home, on LTE, streaming Netflix onthe charger and the battery still filled. So the issue is most likely the charger and the use when charging.

Even when I'm using an HP Touchpad 2 Amp charger the phone maxes out at 450 mA. That's not enough to keep filling up when you're using LTE with the screen on.

I'm hoping LG will issue a fix soon, but I'm seriously doubting it. An enterprising ROM maker could possibly find out how to fix it, however.

 

[mtmichaelson]

Even when I'm using an HP Touchpad 2 Amp charger the phone maxes out at 450 mA. That's not enough to keep filling up when you're using LTE with the screen on.

I'm hoping LG will issue a fix soon, but I'm seriously doubting it. An enterprising ROM maker could possibly find out how to fix it, however.

Already fixed it lol

 

[finndo77]

Already fixed it lol

Beat me to it! Just went to check the updates on your thread for 1.2.1 so i would not accidentally lie, and when i got back, you already replied

 

[mrmooney]

I need some help. Phone is rooted with 1.1 rom been running it for 24 hours no issues.
I have the extended battery well I was sitting there watching tv and it died and turned off ( battery went dead ) so I pluged it in well the lights started to flash like they do when the battery is to dead and phone wont turn on. I wanted to check something so I got my old standard battey and put it in ( I used it last night and it had 50% when I pulled it out ) No nothing happens when I plug the phone in no lights nothing. Phone will not go into download mode. Phone was running great before battery died I have had this phone for about 3 weeks now. I have tried 3 different chargers and 2 different batterys now phone has been on charger for 30+ mins and still nothing. Any one have any ideas as to what could of happened? Just weird for it to mess up when the battery died. Am I going to get screwed out of my warranty since the phone is rooted or since it wont even turn on are they going to be able to tell?
Thanks in advance.

 

[stef7]

Already fixed it lol

Can you elaborate? Did you somehow modify the SW so that even without USB pins shorted, the phone thinks it is connected to a high-rate charger and charges fast?

 

[mtmichaelson]

Can you elaborate? Did you somehow modify the SW so that even without USB pins shorted, the phone thinks it is connected to a high-rate charger and charges fast?

LG limited the charge amount in the kernel source. I increased it so that it would charge faster.

 

[BlackMamba24]

LG limited the charge amount in the kernel source. I increased it so that it would charge faster.

Please elaborate on how to do this. Thanks!

 

[mtmichaelson]

Please elaborate on how to do this. Thanks!

Not to sound like a smart alec at all, but you you know how to modify kernel source, and compile a kernel? You can install the broken out rom w/ blitzkrieg kernel though. I have it built in.

 

[stef7]

Not to sound like a smart alec [...] I have it built in.

hey, I know just about squat, BUT, I do know that with LiIon batteries, there is an ideal charge rate for maximizing battery life. I suspect, but do not know, you want the battery to charge at the slowest rate possible to maximize life / cycling.

Now then, is there code in the kernel that checks for shorted pins, or is it a mA target value or something other that controls a piece of HW that adjusts the current supplied to the device? There could be for example a port that when written to enables certain resistors that effectively sets the current flow to the battery. V=I*R, V being constant, R being switchable.

The question is two-fold: one, people don't necessarily want to install a custom rom, and two, this may solve one problem, and introduce another.

 

[mtmichaelson]

hey, I know just about squat, BUT, I do know that with LiIon batteries, there is an ideal charge rate for maximizing battery life. I suspect, but do not know, you want the battery to charge at the slowest rate possible to maximize life / cycling.

Now then, is there code in the kernel that checks for shorted pins, or is it a mA target value or something other that controls a piece of HW that adjusts the current supplied to the device? There could be for example a port that when written to enables certain resistors that effectively sets the current flow to the battery. V=I*R, V being constant, R being switchable.

The question is two-fold: one, people don't necessarily want to install a custom rom, and two, this may solve one problem, and introduce another.

Very true but the way LG has the code written out is that it is supposed to run checks and set the max according to wire/charger capabilities. The problem is if all checks come back null it falls to a 450mA charge rate which is not enough. What I have done was increase that number to a 800mA rate. Will it possibly decrease the life of the battery, probably but how much well it decrease? I keep my phones for about 9 months, I beat the crap out of them with testing, etc. not yet had one crap out on me. If I have to by a new battery every year, I am ok with that to know my phone won't be on the charger and draining at the same time. That is why I included it.

 

[MrB206]

Good point. A new battery every year is cheaper than a new phone. Lol

 

[finndo77]

Good point. A new battery every year is cheaper than a new phone. Lol

Especially when they show up on Ebay 2 batteries for $10!

 

[stef7]

Very true but the way LG has the code written out is that it is supposed to run checks and set the max according to wire/charger capabilities. The problem is if all checks come back null it falls to a 450mA charge rate which is not enough. What I have done was increase that number to a 800mA rate.

OK, cool. Now, would you be willing to share that back with LG? :driver:

For those of us that don't want to go with anything other than the stock ROM - that tweak, just knowing where it was made might be enough to help the guy running the LG forum to get engineering to fix. Do you think they just "missed the change", or would the code as you read it successfully detect the data pins shorted and allow charging at a higher rate?

Yeah, I'm in agreement with you about batteries and them being consumables. You also have to make sure, the device doesn't overheat.

Is there a way to side-load and run a program when you have Root to stick the mA limit at 800? I'd love to give that a spin if possible.

 

[artcwolf]

LG limited the charge amount in the kernel source. I increased it so that it would charge faster.

can you change this using ROM Toolbox?

When i'm using my phone for maps, i plug it into a combo charger with a USB port and i don't have the charging issue.

If i use my charger then i do have a small issue with the screen on, but i usually turn the screen off listening to directions so it's not a charger.

As for streaming with pandora at the same time, that's what the radio in my car is for

 

[stef7]

In the charger won't keep up thread, I indicated that I hacked a cable yesterday to short the data+ and data- pins, which should have been sufficient to have the Spectrum pull more current from the charger in my car (which is rated for 950mA).

It seemed to recognize the "you may pull more current" condition, but didn't. I'm thinking it has a software bug...

Yes, I would be interested too in an application where on the fly, I could modify the charging current so I can test this in my car.

If someone could create a side-load app for rooted users for doing this, it would help.

 

[cac2us]

In the charger won't keep up thread, I indicated that I hacked a cable yesterday to short the data+ and data- pins, which should have been sufficient to have the Spectrum pull more current from the charger in my car (which is rated for 950mA).

It seemed to recognize the "you may pull more current" condition, but didn't. I'm thinking it has a software bug...

Yes, I would be interested too in an application where on the fly, I could modify the charging current so I can test this in my car.

If someone could create a side-load app for rooted users for doing this, it would help.

I was using a USB data cable to power up an LED trophy (750mA.)

Using an HTC 1Amp AC charger (not those knockoffs from Amazon), The current at the array of power chips was only 250mA.

I chopped the cable in half and connected the 5.5mm barrel connector to what was left of the cable and got 500mA.

After connecting the vom to the cable I found that the longer the cable, the more the resistance.
Even the shield on a 6' cable has 3 oHms res.

So when I am on the go, I use a custom cable made with Radio Shack 24-Gauge Stranded 2 Conductor Audio Cable $8.50 for 50'.
Mouser has the ends for around $0.69 and the old Micro USB end is removed with a heat gun or a blade.
The Grey casing is dressed up with Braided cover from Cable Organizer.com.

Just make sure to pull out the two center pins like I do and don't try to use it for data. I don't even use the shielding.

My Griffin DC charger puts a full 800mA through a 8 foot cable.

Using Battery Monitor Widget I can tell if a charger is fake or not.

I keep my data cables at home. With a different color braiding on them.

I started out using DataStream cables that I got for $1.99 + shipping.
Cheap price but a lot of work just to get the fancy ends and the striped braided.

I still go through so many of those so called 1 amp chargers on Amazon.
Sent back 24 of them with issues ranging from 500mA to 310mA.

"Ah, So Sorry we send you more?" Yea, send em, I'll send em right back if their fakes.

 

[stef7]

Interesting. So you are saying since the current draw that is being pulled by the phone is the same as sensed through the wire, then since the voltage drop experienced in the cable = I*R; where I=700mA and R = 3ohms, that may be on the order of 2.0-2.1Volts, and so the battery is no longer being fed at the proper spec (votage and current) for charging.

Never considered that.

Well, the LG AC charger doesn't appear to be able to keep up with the "screen on" condition either.

Have you found any manufactured car chargers that have a good set of cables with low-resistance?

I must say, I didn't bother to check the resistance in the cable/charger combo I was genning up. I was going to measure the current draw through the cable, but since I don't have an ammeter with the necessary rating, I was going to use a large resistor and my VOM but figured it wasn't necessary.