Help Droid X GPS Calibration problem?

[Marc_G]

Hi folks,

I started a thread in the apps forum but I think this would be a better place perhaps. Mods, please merge them if it is appropriate to do so.

My Droid X (Froyo, on Verizon, not rooted and nothing exotic software wise) is having trouble with GPS. Even under ideal conditions (open areas etc.), the GPS positioning is off typically by 20 feet or so away from where I actually am. So, if I go to Google maps, it starts with a big circle from tower triangulation, then as the GPS sats lock in, the circle shrinks and the location gets more accurate, until I'm down to a ~4 meter circle or whatever it is, but that circle's outer boundary is usually about 20 feet away from where I actually am. It tends to think I'm to the NNE of my actual location.

Under the same conditions, my Blackbery Bold is spot on (also using Google Maps) and puts the positioning circle directly centered on my actual location. Seriously, to within a few feet. It's uncanny.

I've done compass calibration (which helped the compass) and loaded "GPS Tracker and Toolbox" but found now way to use it to calibrate the GPS... there has to be some way to calibrate the thing.

Any help appreciated!

Marc

 

[Steven58]

Marc,

This seems like a troubleshooting issue, so I put it here. If you disagree, feel free to let me know or pm a mod and we'll work with you. Regarding your issue, I have no idea. Did you try calling verizon? 800 922 0204

 

[Marc_G]

Seems as good a place as any. Thanks for helping.

I doubt Verizon would be much help, though I will resort to calling them if I can't find an answer from the community. GPS calibration has to be possible, somehow...

 

[fonefreak]

Your GPS is off by 20 feet? Good grief - that's just a little over one car length. My Equinox SUV is 16 feet long - and that's considered a small SUV.

IMHO if you want more accuracy I suggest a dedicated GPS unit.

 

[Marc_G]

I'll admit that I should be happy with +/- 20 feet, but since my Blackberry Bold easily gets me within 2 meters (usually within 1 meter), I'm annoyed that my Droid X can't replicate the feat!

 

[gbynum]

I'll admit that I should be happy with +/- 20 feet, but since my Blackberry Bold easily gets me within 2 meters (usually within 1 meter), I'm annoyed that my Droid X can't replicate the feat!

I'm going out on a limb here, but no consumer GPS receivers are that close. What I'd GUESS is that the software on your BBB locks to a street location, the software on the DX doesn't. Both Google Maps ... yeah, but maybe the code in the BB version differs?

There are many GPS information sites if you want to pursue that ... GPS Information.net Forum > • Index page is one good one. GPS Receiver Information, Software, and Hardware Reviews of Garmin, Lowrance, Magellan and other GPS Receivers which is "managed" by the same group of folks offers lots of good reference material, as well. There are folks there involved with stuff they cannot talk about ... military ... who REALLY understand what's going on.

 

[Marc_G]

The thing is, the droid x gives me the several meter you are here zone typical and expected for a consumer device, but the actual location is 20 feet to the south of the circular location zone.

So I ask again, how does one calibrate it?

 

[tearlach2]

Hello op, I just wanted to chime in on a similar note. And make a comment as to the mindset of the people who respond with idiotic comments that have no bearing on the issue nor offer solutions.
I have had the same DROID x for about a year and aI half now. It consistently shows my location off by about 25 feet in the same direction, and always shows my altitude off by about 75 feet. This is while using many different map apps, including google maps,sygic, backcountry navigator and one other off road off service gps app, also gps test and gps status. I have verified this in conjunction with a DROID incredible, droid bionic, two garmins and an airplane gps. It is absolutely not a civilian vs military gps issue. It is absolutely not a google maps issue I've verified it with many map sources. It is not an issue even with the precision of the DROID x gps unit, only the accuracy. I have verified it is always off in exactly the same vector. So what I want to know is simple. Where can I put the offset values for gps within the android system, it shouldn't be phone specific. Specifically does anyone know what file that is stored in im guessing in /etc somewhere. Preferably in metric but if its hex I don't mind. Know java c and linux decently well.

So before any more comments ( sorry but i have read many uninformed comments on many forums about this issue all along the same tack: it is only a civilian gps) I have verified that my DROID x has a precise gps down to less than 2 meters. And if you don't understand the difference between precision and accuracy. Well, don't work in a gun store. Or comment about gps units.