Related
Hi all
Theres alot of talk about GPS problems with this device.
Im a Navigational Officer with a marine survey company and GPS troubleshooting is in my day to day line of work.
The biggest problem i have with new units is well theyre built in Asia and then these units get shipped over to the USA and Europe. So when they first get turned on they are expecting a satalitte geometry for Asia.
These means it can take a long long time for devices to get a lock. Once it gets it though future times you use the device should be nice and quick an easy. Now the equimpment im using is completely different to the Tranformer Prime but the stuff i use is worth millions of millions of dollars. So its safe to say if it can take up to several hours for a first time lock to occure with a million dollar piece of gps equipment how long will it take for a tablet? Most of the time i have to reprogram the card and tell it its at a certain lat long this reduces first time start up to maybe 40-50 minutes before it gets a good strong signal. So bare that in mind when your saying GPS isnt working with the device have you really tested it?
Now i dont have my Transformer Prime yet ( preordered through amazon uk) and when i do there will be a extensive test done on wifi and GPS and some tweaking to improve them best i can. But here are some suggestions you might consider.
1. WIFI - yes turn your wifi . Yes i know this sounds stupid but it helps the tablet find itself that first time it tells it ohh im in this country and i need to look for this. Do this several times then turn your Wifi off and try GPS on its own.
2. Leave it alone - I know its hard to do but just turn your GPS on and then just leave it dont move it touch it play with it. Just let it find itself and the satalittes. After finding itself a few times it will become quicker.
3. Wait for Update - Im in not doubt that a good firmware update will fix this problem in the future even with masking from the aluminium shell of the transformer its still going to be able to get a GPS lock even if its just a handfull of sats and technially you only need 4. With a new firmware it will allow the device to find itself a little better. I do it in work all the time reprogram for different regions.
I hope this helps anyone. But the end of the day GPS isnt instant guys. Tom Tom and Garmin have made it look easy the end of the day but thats with the programing of the units in advanced that allows for fast geometry fixes. Just be patient.
fishbowl_00 said:
Hi all
Theres alot of talk about GPS problems with this device.
Im a Navigational Officer with a marine survey company and GPS troubleshooting is in my day to day line of work.
The biggest problem i have with new units is well theyre built in Asia and then these units get shipped over to the USA and Europe. So when they first get turned on they are expecting a satalitte geometry for Asia.
These means it can take a long long time for devices to get a lock. Once it gets it though future times you use the device should be nice and quick an easy. Now the equimpment im using is completely different to the Tranformer Prime but the stuff i use is worth millions of millions of dollars. So its safe to say if it can take up to several hours for a first time lock to occure with a million dollar piece of gps equipment how long will it take for a tablet? Most of the time i have to reprogram the card and tell it its at a certain lat long this reduces first time start up to maybe 40-50 minutes before it gets a good strong signal. So bare that in mind when your saying GPS isnt working with the device have you really tested it?
Now i dont have my Transformer Prime yet ( preordered through amazon uk) and when i do there will be a extensive test done on wifi and GPS and some tweaking to improve them best i can. But here are some suggestions you might consider.
1. WIFI - yes turn your wifi . Yes i know this sounds stupid but it helps the tablet find itself that first time it tells it ohh im in this country and i need to look for this. Do this several times then turn your Wifi off and try GPS on its own.
2. Leave it alone - I know its hard to do but just turn your GPS on and then just leave it dont move it touch it play with it. Just let it find itself and the satalittes. After finding itself a few times it will become quicker.
3. Wait for Update - Im in not doubt that a good firmware update will fix this problem in the future even with masking from the aluminium shell of the transformer its still going to be able to get a GPS lock even if its just a handfull of sats and technially you only need 4. With a new firmware it will allow the device to find itself a little better. I do it in work all the time reprogram for different regions.
I hope this helps anyone. But the end of the day GPS isnt instant guys. Tom Tom and Garmin have made it look easy the end of the day but thats with the programing of the units in advanced that allows for fast geometry fixes. Just be patient.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
great post. I know I haven't really really tested mines because I got impatient after a couple mins..lol plus never really took prime outside yet. thanks for the info. patience is a virtue.
tomorrow im going to cold boot from airplane mode, let it sit outside for like 30 minutes in navigation and see what happens
fishbowl_00 said:
Hi all
Theres alot of talk about GPS problems with this device.
Im a Navigational Officer with a marine survey company and GPS troubleshooting is in my day to day line of work.
The biggest problem i have with new units is well theyre built in Asia and then these units get shipped over to the USA and Europe. So when they first get turned on they are expecting a satalitte geometry for Asia.
These means it can take a long long time for devices to get a lock. Once it gets it though future times you use the device should be nice and quick an easy. Now the equimpment im using is completely different to the Tranformer Prime but the stuff i use is worth millions of millions of dollars. So its safe to say if it can take up to several hours for a first time lock to occure with a million dollar piece of gps equipment how long will it take for a tablet? Most of the time i have to reprogram the card and tell it its at a certain lat long this reduces first time start up to maybe 40-50 minutes before it gets a good strong signal. So bare that in mind when your saying GPS isnt working with the device have you really tested it?
Now i dont have my Transformer Prime yet ( preordered through amazon uk) and when i do there will be a extensive test done on wifi and GPS and some tweaking to improve them best i can. But here are some suggestions you might consider.
1. WIFI - yes turn your wifi . Yes i know this sounds stupid but it helps the tablet find itself that first time it tells it ohh im in this country and i need to look for this. Do this several times then turn your Wifi off and try GPS on its own.
2. Leave it alone - I know its hard to do but just turn your GPS on and then just leave it dont move it touch it play with it. Just let it find itself and the satalittes. After finding itself a few times it will become quicker.
3. Wait for Update - Im in not doubt that a good firmware update will fix this problem in the future even with masking from the aluminium shell of the transformer its still going to be able to get a GPS lock even if its just a handfull of sats and technially you only need 4. With a new firmware it will allow the device to find itself a little better. I do it in work all the time reprogram for different regions.
I hope this helps anyone. But the end of the day GPS isnt instant guys. Tom Tom and Garmin have made it look easy the end of the day but thats with the programing of the units in advanced that allows for fast geometry fixes. Just be patient.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice summary. I think the amount everyone here has learned about the workings of GPS is college equivelent. But other tablets don't require any priming or special conditions to work. They just do. And that includes Asus' own TF1 and Slider.
Quite true other devices dont have the same problem you are right. But you have to remmber Asus have rushed this tablet out on the Market so to beat the competition. The firmware might not be as up to date as they may like and some nessicary tweaks may need to be in order. Im sure Asus main concern are other areas of the tablet like getting it to power up and run. GPS fixes are more secondary.
I could be wrong and there could be a defect with the tablets ( i hope there arnt any problems) but im hopeing with new updates sat tracking and lock will become much quicker.
While waiting for Prime, I upgraded my OG Droid to Samsung Galaxy Nexus. No GPS issues. And compared the TF Prime to my wife's Samsung 10.1 Tab. No GPS issues.
Couple that with Asus Rep from TF1, and I expected better. Disappointed in GPS perf.
fishbowl_00 said:
Quite true other devices dont have the same problem you are right. But you have to remmber Asus have rushed this tablet out on the Market so to beat the competition. The firmware might not be as up to date as they may like and some nessicary tweaks may need to be in order. Im sure Asus main concern are other areas of the tablet like getting it to power up and run. GPS fixes are more secondary.
I could be wrong and there could be a defect with the tablets ( i hope there arnt any problems) but im hopeing with new updates sat tracking and lock will become much quicker.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
People have tested it with an external Bluetooth receiver and it works well. If it was a general s/w issue I'd imagine it wouldn't. And remember, it's the OS that talks to the GPS chip not s/w that Asus had/has to develop on thier own. The chip itself is made by Broadcom and is similar to what's in the G-Tab and TF1 so there's nothing unique about the Prime compared to other HC devices (GPS wise).
as we speak my tablet was put into airplane mode i did a reboot now it is sitting in my window and running gps test looking for satellite not going to touch until 930 and see if we find anything
Fare enough put in my place hahaha. Well they are only suggestions with what ive observed with other GPS equipment. Truth be told im not familiar with Mobile and Tablet GPS, more of the high end gps surveys stuff. Thanks for the input
Good luck, It may or may not work but just thought id over some ideas for what ive observed in work
fishbowl_00 said:
Fare enough put in my place hahaha. Well they are only suggestions with what ive observed with other GPS equipment. Truth be told im not familiar with Mobile and Tablet GPS, more of the high end gps surveys stuff. Thanks for the input
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What you added was great - I didn't mean to seem negative. You're kind of coming in to the play in the fourth act. If you like GPS related stuff there's some really good info starting around page 33 on the big-ass GPS thread with the poll attached.
fishbowl_00 said:
Good luck, It may or may not work but just thought id over some ideas for what ive observed in work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well we will see and i will post results for sure
fishbowl_00,
Great thinking, but once you get your prime you may have a different line of thought. I've been testing mine for days, using every conceivable configuration imaginable. I've been using GPS since it was released during the LORAN days and have never seen anything this weak!
Mine can usually get a fix outside with a good view of the sky. I even got it to lock on indoors a few times. The problem is it can't hold the lock. Sitting in the same position it will suddenly lose all eight or twelve satellites for no apparent reason and then slowly start searching and maybe finding them again after several minutes. The signals are always marginal. Driving around I can usually get a lock some of the time, if I hold the prime up to the window. Then for no reason it will show me driving out through the forest and then get lost! This is not a one time thing. It happens over and over again.
After several emails to Asus tech, I've been told everything to "it must have a Wi-Fi connection for GPS to work" to "meantime please try to use Google Maps app from the main menu by tapping APPS -> then MAPS icon, please check if your 'current location' is displaying correctly. If not I would suggest to have it exchanged with your place of purchase or you may proceed with a RMA service to have the issue corrected."
Now this morning, Asus has said "Please note that this product is not a professional GPS device and signal performance can be easily influenced by factors including, but not limited to: weather, buildings and your surrounding environment." Never mind that the other tablets and cheap receivers on the market aren't professional GPS devices either, but seem to operate without these problems.
The last straw was when then removed GPS from their specs online this morning on their website. Seems they think that if they pretend it isn't there no one can complain! After all *specifications are subject to change without notice.
Sorry if I sound a little bitter, but I've had it with Asus.
My test airplane mode on, reboot, open gps test, let sit for 30 minutes
Update 1: 10 minutes in we have a really cold prime from sitting in a window on a 20 degree night but we have zero satellites
Update 2: 20 minutes in the prime is now even colder and still zero satellites only 10 minutes left and we will see what happens
Update 3: tablet dropped to 61.7 degrees wow its freeezing but still no lock on gps my test is complete GPS = FAIL
thomslik said:
fishbowl_00,
Great thinking, but once you get your prime you may have a different line of thought. I've been testing mine for days, using every conceivable configuration imaginable. I've been using GPS since it was released during the LORAN days and have never seen anything this weak!
Mine can usually get a fix outside with a good view of the sky. I even got it to lock on indoors a few times. The problem is it can't hold the lock. Sitting in the same position it will suddenly lose all eight or twelve satellites for no apparent reason and then slowly start searching and maybe finding them again after several minutes. The signals are always marginal. Driving around I can usually get a lock some of the time, if I hold the prime up to the window. Then for no reason it will show me driving out through the forest and then get lost! This is not a one time thing. It happens over and over again.
After several emails to Asus tech, I've been told everything to "it must have a Wi-Fi connection for GPS to work" to "meantime please try to use Google Maps app from the main menu by tapping APPS -> then MAPS icon, please check if your 'current location' is displaying correctly. If not I would suggest to have it exchanged with your place of purchase or you may proceed with a RMA service to have the issue corrected."
Now this morning, Asus has said "Please note that this product is not a professional GPS device and signal performance can be easily influenced by factors including, but not limited to: weather, buildings and your surrounding environment." Never mind that the other tablets and cheap receivers on the market aren't professional GPS devices either, but seem to operate without these problems.
The last straw was when then removed GPS from their specs online this morning on their website. Seems they think that if they pretend it isn't there no one can complain! After all *specifications are subject to change without notice.
Sorry if I sound a little bitter, but I've had it with Asus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tell me about it...
People do not turn on your Wifi to test your GPS its a decoy. When you do this of course it will work because Google maps uses Wifi location as well this would just patch it.
If you really want to test the OP theory of the Asia region that is easy, we need some one with ROOT to download a GPS neuter app from the market. When running you can uninstall the current config and download the GPS data.
I would have done this myself but I do not have root with the firmware I received.
Can someone confirm with ROOT?
tylermaciaszek said:
My test airplane mode on, reboot, open gps test, let sit for 30 minutes
Update 1: 10 minutes in we have a really cold prime from sitting in a window on a 20 degree night but we have zero satellites
Update 2: 20 minutes in the prime is now even colder and still zero satellites only 10 minutes left and we will see what happens
Update 3: tablet dropped to 61.7 degrees wow its freeezing but still no lock on gps my test is complete GPS = FAIL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there somewhere outside it can get a clear view of the southerly sky? It should lock then because other's have gotten it to.
tylermaciaszek said:
My test airplane mode on, reboot, open gps test, let sit for 30 minutes
Update 1: 10 minutes in we have a really cold prime from sitting in a window on a 20 degree night but we have zero satellites
Update 2: 20 minutes in the prime is now even colder and still zero satellites only 10 minutes left and we will see what happens
Update 3: tablet dropped to 61.7 degrees wow its freeezing but still no lock on gps my test is complete GPS = FAIL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i recommend that u use gps status with wifi turned on to find satellites for the first time. it worked for me. will take 10+ mins. once u get a lock, next time is easier. also try this outdoors in open area and not from window sil
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk
Maybe they installed the Eastern hemisphere GPS chip instead of the Western one.
smrsxn said:
i recommend that u use gps status with wifi turned on to find satellites for the first time. it worked for me. will take 10+ mins. once u get a lock, next time is easier. also try this outdoors in open area and not from window sil
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And as soon as your Prime changes location and/or can't access Wi-Fi it will lose lock and not be able to reacquire satellites. For people that only need GPS when they have access to Wi-Fi this really isn't that big an issue. Mapping and navigation while moving (without a wireless signal) is pretty much impossible.
BarryH_GEG said:
Is there somewhere outside it can get a clear view of the southerly sky? It should lock then because other's have gotten it to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
will try tomorrow morning in the middle of my lawn for 30 minutes
It appears like I'm one of the many people with non existent GPS. I wonder how much it really matters though. Outside of location services for apps, what is the point of having this on a wifi only tablet? You are going to get some location info on wifi. When you are not connected to the Internet, what good is the GPS? Google maps generally requires a data connection, as do most apps.
I already knew about the GPS problems before buying the tablet, so I'm not stressing about it.
What are you using GPS for when you are offline?
Thoughts?
teknomar7 said:
It appears like I'm one of the many people with non existent GPS. I wonder how much it really matters though. Outside of location services for apps, what is the point of having this on a wifi only tablet? You are going to get some location info on wifi. When you are not connected to the Internet, what good is the GPS? Google maps generally requires a data connection, as do most apps.
I already knew about the GPS problems before buying the tablet, so I'm not stressing about it.
What are you using GPS for when you are offline?
Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I feel the same way, I just got my prime and I knew about the gps issue and to me it is a non issue. The wifi works just fine so I am very happy
For me is more the fact that I paid $500 + tax for a fully working tablet and its not what I got. I'm funny like that.
At this point in time, in a premium 2012 tablet, GPS is not exactly black magic. It should work in a premium tablet - it works perfectly on a wifi samsung 10.1.
At the very latest it's like buying the keyboard dock with a non working sd card reader. Yes, there is the cloud, the micro sd card in the tablet, just plug a usb drive, blah blah blah. Really?
It's there. Its a great gps chip. It should simply f*ing work, simples.
rueben68 said:
For me is more the fact that I paid $500 + tax for a fully working tablet and its not what I got. I'm funny like that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True. But, they originally delayed shipment of the tablet because of the GPS issue and then said they were planning to disable it. So, I wasn't even expecting to have the option available on it. I'm just curious what people would use it for if it was functioning. Maybe to make myself feel better that it's not working.
teknomar7 said:
I'm just curious what people would use it for if it was functioning. Maybe to make myself feel better that it's not working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://bestandroidappsfor.com/maps-navigation/best-android-offline-maps
Offline maps are great for off roading, for instance. Or trekking in a big national park. Heck,een geotagging, tagging your pictures/notes for organizing them later.
Star, planets, educational apps.
Edit: oh yeah, those tablet retrieval security apps...those that would report back (when connected) where your precious is located if stolen. That's about it, LOL.
teknomar7 said:
What are you using GPS for when you are offline?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Locus Pro, but there are many offline solutions such as CoPilot.
rueben68 said:
For me is more the fact that I paid $500 + tax for a fully working tablet and its not what I got. I'm funny like that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
RipplingHurst said:
At this point in time, in a premium 2012 tablet, GPS is not exactly black magic. It should work in a premium tablet - it works perfectly on a wifi samsung 10.1.
At the very latest it's like buying the keyboard dock with a non working sd card reader. Yes, there is the cloud, the micro sd card in the tablet, just plug a usb drive, blah blah blah. Really?
It's there. Its a great gps chip. It should simply f*ing work, simples.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The two posters above nailed the issue dead on.
GPS isn't voodoo, nor is it black magic. It's a standard feature in Android devices. Why is this top of the line, leading edge, Android device deficient?
As has been discussed many times, Apple has sold tens of millions of iPads with no GPS chip whatsoever, and for $100 more per tablet on a same-storage basis. So, obviously, the market as a whole doesn't demand GPS in a tablet. Toss in about 6 million Kindle Fires to illustrate the point.
I kind of understand the idea that the chip is there so some people want it to work, but for myself I have to admit that I pretty much don't care beyond that completely theoretical level. I suppose my opinion is influenced by the fact that I never once used GPS on my original Transformer. Not a single time. Didn't even think about using it. So, the chip sat there, completely unused. What do I do, complain now that I spent money on something I never used? Should I have demanded a lower-priced version of the Transformer without a GPS chip?
I think the fact remains as it always has with the Prime: if you want navigation-quality GPS on a tablet, then the Prime isn't for you. Neither is the iPad. So, make a different choice. I choose to simply think of the Prime as a tablet that's like the iPad in not having GPS, only $100 cheaper.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk
wynand32 said:
As has been discussed many times, Apple has sold tens of millions of iPads with no GPS chip whatsoever, and for $100 more per tablet on a same-storage basis. So, obviously, the market as a whole doesn't demand GPS in a tablet. Toss in about 6 million Kindle Fires to illustrate the point.
I kind of understand the idea that the chip is there so some people want it to work, but for myself I have to admit that I pretty much don't care beyond that completely theoretical level. I suppose my opinion is influenced by the fact that I never once used GPS on my original Transformer. Not a single time. Didn't even think about using it. So, the chip sat there, completely unused. What do I do, complain now that I spent money on something I never used? Should I have demanded a lower-priced version of the Transformer without a GPS chip?
I think the fact remains as it always has with the Prime: if you want navigation-quality GPS on a tablet, then the Prime isn't for you. Neither is the iPad. So, make a different choice. I choose to simply think of the Prime as a tablet that's like the iPad in not having GPS, only $100 cheaper.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you turn off the GPS location services in the settings? Does this actually turn off the radio to preserve battery or just disable the app usage?
teknomar7 said:
I wonder how much it really matters though?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Regarding your title question.... To you... Not much. To others... I can't say, but for me, I put off my purchase directly because this feature is not available/functional.
wynand32 said:
......I think the fact remains as it always has with the Prime: if you want navigation-quality GPS on a tablet, then the Prime isn't for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
'always' = o'rly?
As it remains, now, yes, but AFTER ASUS TOOK THAT FEATURE OFF OF THE SPECIFICATION LIST....AFTER ALREADY MANUFACTURING IT AND SELLING IT AS PREVIOUSLY SPECIFIED AS HAVING GPS CAPABILITY
sorry for SHOUTING, but some folks forget the timeline involved, and also that we are not all after the same thing -feature wise- with tablets or other technologies. Some features are more important to others, some features may never even be used by some folks...maybe they will use it in the future or folks will give the tablet to their kids who my discover unused features.
Also, some of ya'll must never travel out of cell phone signal range, and that's a very sad thing, because there exists a LOT of places on this beautiful planet and some of them, gasp, don't have wifi or cellular coverage for location services-places where I turn phones off because they become completely useless. I travel to some of these places, and would be nice to navigate, geocache, geotag pictures from my DSLR, watch movies, play some simple games, keep notes of the journey, itinerary, etc... on less than 2 or 4 devices, possibly even on just 1 nearly awesome device... but I guess not this one-that doesn't make me wrong for wanting GPS capabilities on a high-performance Android Tablet and being interested in one that was supposed to have said capability.
/rant
GPS doesn't drain battery if not in active use, it's not like wifi that test network even when no network usable.
So you can leave it on but what for...
teknomar7 said:
Do you turn off the GPS location services in the settings? Does this actually turn off the radio to preserve battery or just disable the app usage?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The "GPS location service" is WiFi. Google has mapped out where millions of WiFi nodes are, plus you are getting AGPS data over WiFi if there is an open access point.
"GPS Satellites" is what you want to uncheck to save battery.
Striatum_bdr said:
So you can leave it on but what for...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use your imagination! Think of places where you might want to know where you are but there is no wifi or cell coverage. Think of things you would want to do with that information. Think of reasons for wanting that information integrated within a device you use for other purposes (ie: using something you already have with you instead of bringing something additional)
The sad thing is mine and my dads prime had gps working outside until the last update which was to "fix the gps".
Yes, my GPS was working too until the last update specifically for GPS. Then it no longer worked. It has been posted that the update would disable GPS. Guess I should've believed that and passed.
I use GPS a lot with my smartphones and wanted it here for the larger map. I carry a 3G MiFi for travel so maps and aGPS were a go once upon a time and the larger map was indeed a plus.
It matters to me but I'm not returning my Prime until or unless a fix is known.
-jts
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk
mrmark93 said:
Regarding your title question.... To you... Not much. To others... I can't say, but for me, I put off my purchase directly because this feature is not available/functional.
/rant
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you planning to purchase an alternative tablet for GPS? Is the Galaxy Tab the only other one with that feature?
teknomar7 said:
Are you planning to purchase an alternative tablet for GPS? Is the Galaxy Tab the only other one with that feature?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My Prime's pretty solid, no real issues that aren't software as far as I can tell.
If Asus can't fix the GPS issue I'll probably buy a bluetooth GPS puck and call it a day.
Col.Kernel said:
The "GPS location service" is WiFi. Google has mapped out where millions of WiFi nodes are, plus you are getting AGPS data over WiFi if there is an open access point.
"GPS Satellites" is what you want to uncheck to save battery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I meant... thanks.
I actually noticed Google Maps was crashing on me when I had GPS turned on and couldn't get a signal. Then when I turned it off and just used wifi for location, it worked fine. Plus, every time I open Facebook it tries (and fails) to find my GPS location. So, I will probably just disable it for the time being.
teknomar7 said:
It appears like I'm one of the many people with non existent GPS. I wonder how much it really matters though. Outside of location services for apps, what is the point of having this on a wifi only tablet? You are going to get some location info on wifi. When you are not connected to the Internet, what good is the GPS? Google maps generally requires a data connection, as do most apps.
I already knew about the GPS problems before buying the tablet, so I'm not stressing about it.
What are you using GPS for when you are offline?
Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1. A good point well made.
If I ever need GPS data I can use my mobile, but can't ever remember needing to use it.
mrmark93 said:
Regarding your title question.... To you... Not much. To others... I can't say, but for me, I put off my purchase directly because this feature is not available/functional.
'always' = o'rly?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, yes, there is a group of people who bought Primes and didn't find out about the likely permanence of the GPS issue until after their return policy expired. For those people, ASUS needs to come up with a solution, up to and including giving a refund.
However, this thread is about whether GPS matters today. Certainly, anybody buying it now and visiting this forum has zero reason to complain, except in general to say "Boy, I really wish the Prime had working GPS, because then it would be the perfect tablet." Fact is, though, it doesn't, and so that wish and $.25 won't even get a person a cup of coffee nowadays.
Alright, i am not a stranger in this subforum anyway so i will kick this in right away.
My Eternity served me very well in GPS Navigation Before (last month, it helped me take the journey to a brand new City to take a TOEFL test and returned home safely)
But now, i just realized it yesterday, when it failed to track down where i was on the road.
I mean, the 3G Signal is fine, i can surf web, i can search location on Bing Maps, but it fails to track down where i am. Sometime it will display something like "Sorry , Bing Maps can't ..." or it will show me somewhere not even close to my house ( i suppose it is where the tower of AT&T located.)
Somehow the GPS really fail on 3g, if i hook it up with a USB cable, or WIfi, it will show me kinda exactly where i am ( with a big circle covered up amount of area show the sign that the phone is not really sure where i am really located in that area)
I am on the latest update from HTC and Microsoft, anybody facing the same problem? I would like someword from someone use AT&T over here.
Thanks.
Here is the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHCT6BCMNB8
Strike_Eagle said:
Alright, i am not a stranger in this subforum anyway so i will kick this in right away.
My Eternity served me very well in GPS Navigation Before (last month, it helped me take the journey to a brand new City to take a TOEFL test and returned home safely)
But now, i just realized it yesterday, when it failed to track down where i was on the road.
I mean, the 3G Signal is fine, i can surf web, i can search location on Bing Maps, but it fails to track down where i am. Sometime it will display something like "Sorry , Bing Maps can't ..." or it will show me somewhere not even close to my house ( i suppose it is where the tower of AT&T located.)
Somehow the GPS really fail on 3g, if i hook it up with a USB cable, or WIfi, it will show me kinda exactly where i am ( with a big circle covered up amount of area show the sign that the phone is not really sure where i am really located in that area)
I am on the latest update from HTC and Microsoft, anybody facing the same problem? I would like someword from someone use AT&T over here.
Thanks.
Here is the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHCT6BCMNB8
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow dude. You are totally having too many issues. Gotta get a new device.
I have had literally zero issues with my Titan. And heck, the GPS lock on all my Windows Phones have been just fast and spot on, especially the Titan. This is whether I'm on 3G or 4G.
Bad luck?
Could be a temporary issue. I know every so often, GPS satellites will go crazy and just not work properly for a day or two and then be just fine.
prjkthack said:
Wow dude. You are totally having too many issues. Gotta get a new device.
I have had literally zero issues with my Titan. And heck, the GPS lock on all my Windows Phones have been just fast and spot on, especially the Titan. This is whether I'm on 3G or 4G.
Bad luck?
Could be a temporary issue. I know every so often, GPS satellites will go crazy and just not work properly for a day or two and then be just fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HTC replied me with a message about letting the "Location" services on (which i always let it on) , so it is no help.
Anyway, i recognized yesterday that whenever i go outside , i will stuck on 3 bars for Signal (which i always had full bars when i went outside before)
Might it be the low-signal problem again?
I don't know if i might end up having the AT&T version which is slow on getting the update
And hey bro... how could you get the Lumia 800 that fast??? LOL
Strike_Eagle said:
HTC replied me with a message about letting the "Location" services on (which i always let it on) , so it is no help.
Anyway, i recognized yesterday that whenever i go outside , i will stuck on 3 bars for Signal (which i always had full bars when i went outside before)
Might it be the low-signal problem again?
I don't know if i might end up having the AT&T version which is slow on getting the update
And hey bro... how could you get the Lumia 800 that fast??? LOL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well the GPS radio does not require you to have a signal with your wireless carrier. GPS is separate from data/voice, but of course it does need the data connection to download maps and directions.
I don't know if the update will fix your issue as the release notes don't say they fix any GPS issues. I haven't heard many people having GPS issues to begin with, so I don't think its a massive issue. Maybe its interference from something around your house? What happens if you go elsewhere?
I got the Lumia because Microsoft/Nokia gave one to me.
prjkthack said:
Well the GPS radio does not require you to have a signal with your wireless carrier. GPS is separate from data/voice, but of course it does need the data connection to download maps and directions.
I don't know if the update will fix your issue as the release notes don't say they fix any GPS issues. I haven't heard many people having GPS issues to begin with, so I don't think its a massive issue. Maybe its interference from something around your house? What happens if you go elsewhere?
I got the Lumia because Microsoft/Nokia gave one to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Man, i walk out of the house, i get stuck in 3 bars when i normally have 5.
Then i drive around St.Pete , i get stuck in 3 bars no matter where i go./
That's sweet dude... i am currently still thinking about buying Nokia again since i have had bad experience with Nokia before.
Strike_Eagle said:
Man, i walk out of the house, i got stuck in 3 bars when i normally have 5.
Then i drive around St.Pete , i got stuck in 3 bars no matter where i go./
That's sweet dude... i am currently still thinking about buying Nokia again since i have had bad experience with Nokia before.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Weird. Maybe its the back plate? I read that the backplate has some contacts in it that help to increase overall phone reception, and that may include GPS reception. If you backplate isn't on the phone properly, then that may be causing interference, in which case, you may need to get a replacement backplate.
prjkthack said:
Weird. Maybe its the back plate? I read that the backplate has some contacts in it that help to increase overall phone reception, and that may include GPS reception. If you backplate isn't on the phone properly, then that may be causing interference, in which case, you may need to get a replacement backplate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ya, might be... but weird, i had had a really good experience with the phone , now it comes out like sh!t?
I should wait tomorrow and try it once more time, the HTC Supporter is gonna call me also. We'll see how it turns out.
Maybe you are right, sometime GPS got luggish for a little bit and be back normal after a few days.
/
Give me some Screenshots of your Lumia
Strike_Eagle said:
Give me some Screenshots of your Lumia
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably not the most appropriate place for it but here ya go man...
Okay, screw this.
turn off 3G + Wifi = Normal GPS? dafuq
Strike_Eagle said:
Ya, might be... but weird, i had had a really good experience with the phone , now it comes out like sh!t?
I should wait tomorrow and try it once more time, the HTC Supporter is gonna call me also. We'll see how it turns out.
Maybe you are right, sometime GPS got luggish for a little bit and be back normal after a few days.
/
Give me some Screenshots of your Lumia
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe try to reboot your phone once a day or two, & all will be fine.
I had the same issue once with GPS, & after reboot, all went fine.
God luck
No bro... this thing is so hard to predict.
With 3G , i can get the position after quite awhile... with a big circle around... they normally point at somewhere else... really hard to get correct position.
With Wifi, it catch my position right away, but always with a big circle around... if i disconnect wifi and disconnect 3G too, it will be able to track me down for quite awhile...
Turn off everything before i track my position, i got nothing from the phone.
Hand down, this is kinda clear that i have Hardware failure... but strange... one month ago, it was still fine!
me too!
I am now having the same GPS problem on my euro titan as well grr! Even after flashing several roms it still does not work, and what is even worse is that it sometimes does work!
Dear all,
Can anyone tell me if they are able to use Google Maps, especially for Navigation with Satellite Imagery turned on?
I have a terrible issue whereby after about two or three minutes of driving, first, my location freezes on the map (though notable is that the voice commands stay current and correct based on actual location). Then, the screen starts freezing, jumping, jerking, and generally MASSIVELY GLITCHING and flashing in a completely unviewable state. The voice commands however stay correct. It's just as if the device cannot handle 3D rendering of the imagery at all.
Now here's my big issue...
I am now onto my THIRD Galaxy S3, and this issue is reproduce-able 100% of the time, and over 100% of the devices. That is, it does it every time, and it does it on any and every Galaxy S3 I try to use for Google Navigation. And my devices have deliberately been a mix of some White, some Blue, some from one supplier, some from another.
So what I am asking, is are there any users out there that CAN actually use Google Maps Navigation fine on their Galaxy S3...
By that, I mean for a proper period of time, over a proper journey, deviating away from the set route, and with Satellite Imagery layer turned on. EVERY time I do this, on THREE separate devices, the display goes haywire. So I am trying to establish WHERE the fault is... is it phone software... is it phone hardware (I prey not), or is it a Google Maps issue (you'd think they have noticed by now if it doesn't work with the SGS3 though...)
The only saving grace is that it points to a Maps issue, as when using my NatWest Banking App, to locate ATM machines, when dragging the map about, it freezes terrible, then eventually crashes (just as Google Maps natively does for me a lot), and then eventually FC's... and the underlying mapping it uses is, yes, Google Maps.
So I'm after any feedback at all here.
But worried that it's 100% of the time for me, and on no less than THREE Galaxy S3's I've had so far, mix of white and blue, and mix of suppliers and locations...
Any comments please...?
----
EDIT - just to add device info:
Samsung Galaxy S3, UK Unbranded, both blue and white.
Previous Firmware (with the same issue) was: XXLE8. CURRENT FW: XXLF2
Similar behaviour to what I see on the galaxy note after the so called ics update. Everything was fine on GB. So could be an issue with ICS. Because of that, plus a few other critical issues, I'm now an ex Samsung owner.
I have the same issue.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
Try an older version because I'm using v6.1.1 and no problems so far.
I have experienced crazy flashing and also a black screen while using Google Maps Navigation. It occurred about half way through a 30 min journey. I've seen it happen on both my girlfriends S3 and my own. Also, satellite layer was off.
Could be a bug caused by Samsung's graphics drivers? I hope its fixed soon. I'm currently on IMM76D.I9300XXALE8. There has been no OTA update for me yet and I am in Australia.
Well, that's the end of the S3 for me. The GPS using Google maps + Navigation was (is) a major feature for me. It worked so well on the SGN under Gingerbread and totally corked when I upgraded to ICS. Now I see the S3 ships with ICS and you guys have exactly the same issues.
I spoke to my retailer and went into great depth over what went wrong post ICS and they have noted EVERYTHING and has given me a full refund for the phone. This was my fourth device, Samsung cant/wont get it right and I want no more. I have no idea what my choices are for now, I'm using an old motorola clamshell whilst I ponder. I would recommend anyone having issues with the S3 or Note, just send it back to your retailer for a refund. The product is flawed and little will be done until Samsung see devices returned by the lorry load.
I have a white s3 (UK sim free) with lf2 and 6.8.1 Google maps. I've been using Google maps navigation for 2 weeks as my work pda (with built in tomtom) has been returned.
I've used it all day, 5 days a week, making at least 6 journeys per day with no issues.
I tried it today with satellite view and that too works with no issues. Worked ok with shipped firmware too. Le8 I think it was.
I have had the map jump around/flicker before when turning on a layer but exiting and reopening maps sorted that.
Hope this helps
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
skibadee said:
...........I have had the map jump around/flicker before when turning on a layer but exiting and reopening maps sorted that.
Hope this helps
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was not my experience under GB. Under ICS My experience had nothing to do with layers, and reopening maps is not an option when driving, also, that is not how the software should be behaving. So you too have a faulty unit.
bigstarrynight said:
That was not my experience under GB. Under ICS My experience had nothing to do with layers, and reopening maps is not an option when driving, also, that is not how the software should be behaving. So you too have a faulty unit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have had similar random bugs on GB and froyo (since my sgs 1) and to say the 1 out of 50 times I use maps it may crash - means my s3 is faulty?
I don't think so
You do realise navigation is still in beta?
Last week Google introduced a bug which killed latitude, few days later another update fixed it.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
skibadee said:
I have had similar random bugs on GB and froyo (since my sgs 1) and to say the 1 out of 50 times I use maps it may crash - means my s3 is faulty?
I don't think so
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We both have different experiences. See how you get on with the S3. Personally, I paid top whack for a flagship product and it doesn't work as it should. It also has the faulty eMMC chip. Under GB it never crashed once, under ICS, its so unstable as to not be reliable and not performing as could reasonably be expected. As I say, see how your S3 goes. I'm certain that not all units will display the same characteristics, but its clear some are. ;-)
bigstarrynight said:
We both have different experiences. See how you get on with the S3. Personally, I paid top whack for a flagship product and it doesn't work as it should. It also has the faulty eMMC chip. Under GB it never crashed once, under ICS, its so unstable as to not be reliable and not performing as could reasonably be expected. As I say, see how your S3 goes. I'm certain that not all units will display the same characteristics, but its clear some are. ;-)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, wasn't aware the eMMC chip issue was present in the s3, I'm sure I ran chainfires app to check when I first got it.
I shall bear that in mind when flashing, seeing as my s2 died a horrible death because of it
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Firstly, a BIG thank you to ALL who have contributed to this thread.
Could I ask that those with issues though, tick the poll to say so, as the comments in the thread indicate lots are seeing this issue, but the poll indicates most are having no issue.
Just to add to my own original post though, to say that today, on two separate journeys, Google Maps Navigation worked FINE for me, but with the SATELLITE LAYER TURNED OFF.
That is, standard mapping, and I had no screen issues.
So this only seems to happen when Satellite Imagery Layer is turned ON. In which case it does this 100% of the time for me, across 100% of three different S3's so far, and let me be clear, is so bad, the application is 100% unusable (unless you navigate by voice prompt) as the screen is either entirely frozen, or glitching permanently and incessantly, the whole time.
So my next question though is this... if this IS only a Google Maps Software issue, how exactly do we reach out to Google, to tell them that GMaps is not working, with the latest flagship Android Device...?
Also, as best I recall, I never had this issue with GMaps on my SGS2's both running ICS. But it might have been an earlier GMaps version.
Now, how would I find an earlier GMaps version, to see if that works...?
(Finally, as an aside, why does the SGS2 running ICS, score higher/better scores for 3D graphics, than the SGS3 does, using either Quadrant, CF Bench, or AnTuTu... surely the SGS3 should have BETTER 3D hardware...?)
I tried v6.1.1 and working so far.
http://multiupload.biz/qpmbog3jzau0/Maps_6.1.1_MultiUpload.biz.apk.html
Shadamehr said:
................So my next question though is this... if this IS only a Google Maps Software issue, how exactly do we reach out to Google, to tell them that GMaps is not working, with the latest flagship Android Device...?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I doubt it is just confined to GMaps as other issues crop up, not just with me, but other guys on this thread and elsewhere. How to reach out: Android = Google = Gmaps. Samsung are in bed with Google. Throw the phone back to Samsung and use the forums, eventually they will roll over and tell Google to stop snoring, get up and do something. Oh I wish.
Hi,
I'm having similar issues but I get the screen locking on both Google Maps and also Sygic Maps.
Anyone else having this issue with more than one GPS SAT NAV software ?
ash99 said:
Hi,
I'm having similar issues but I get the screen locking on both Google Maps and also Sygic Maps.
Anyone else having this issue with more than one GPS SAT NAV software ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It shouldn't do that. Faulty unit, send it back.
I dont use the Satellite version of Navigation very often, but when you select walking directions it defaults to the satellite map. I was out cycling a couple of weeks ago and selected the walking directions, the satellite map got stuck and glitched exactly as per your description.
The reason your poll is soo heavily weighted as a no is it dosnt mention this issue is specific to using the satellite map.
Just a brief note to say that I too tested an OLDER version, 6.1.1 today, and found that it worked fine on the three journeys I tested it on, with Satellite Imagery turned ON.
So well done to that man - and whilst it still could be a combined Google/Samsung to blame flaw, it does give hope that it is software only issue, that can be fixed with a new version of Google Maps.
As for the point about the poll appearing flawed as it does not specifically state "if Satellite imagery is turned ON", then very good point - my bad!
Contacting Google about this issue:
I've reached out to Google in the only way I can think of...
The following Support Forum thread:
http://productforums.google.com/forum/#!category-topic/mobile/maps-earth-latitude/IlJDfMkgl3U
Hope it's ok to share it here. Mods, if not, please delete the post, not my account *lol*
If anyone else is seeing this issue, can you post there too?
That's not taking anything away from this forum, or attempting to gain anything from this - it's just that this is the ONLY way to let Google know about issues.
So please post there, if this is ok with the Mods here.
Shadamehr said:
I've reached out to Google in the only way I can think of...
The following Support Forum thread:
http://productforums.google.com/forum/#!category-topic/mobile/maps-earth-latitude/IlJDfMkgl3U
Hope it's ok to share it here. Mods, if not, please delete the post, not my account *lol*
If anyone else is seeing this issue, can you post there too?
That's not taking anything away from this forum, or attempting to gain anything from this - it's just that this is the ONLY way to let Google know about issues.
So please post there, if this is ok with the Mods here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is a very good post, and thanks for making the effort. I hope the Mods do not delete it. I'm sure they wont. We all have to make whatever contribution we can to get the product right. In essence, both the SGS3 and SGN have a uniqueness that is not repeated by any other manufacturer yet. I have tried to seek alternatives that satisfy my needs in the way the two Samsung products can potentially do, but there are no realistic options. However, in their current state, I'm keeping my wallet firmly closed until Samsung/Google get it sorted.
Hi everyone, I'm having a hard time using google maps because about 80% of time the phone is not showing the direction in which it's pointed properly, it's about 90 degrees off most of the time, can even go as far as being 180 off when indoors, and the worst thing is that it's not like that all the time, so there is no way of getting used to it, really annoing for me cause I use maps to get directions all the time.
HelloMoto777 said:
Hi everyone, I'm having a hard time using google maps because about 80% of time the phone is not showing the direction in which it's pointed properly, it's about 90 degrees off most of the time, can even go as far as being 180 off when indoors, and the worst thing is that it's not like that all the time, so there is no way of getting used to it, really annoing for me cause I use maps to get directions all the time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download "GPS state" from Play Store and do it's "compass calibration"...
enetec said:
Download "GPS state" from Play Store and do it's "compass calibration"...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks very much for the answer, but I got a little confused figuring out which one you're talking about, cause there are plenty of those on the market:silly:
HelloMoto777 said:
Thanks very much for the answer, but I got a little confused figuring out which one you're talking about, cause there are plenty of those on the market:silly:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Search for "GPS Status & Toolbox" by MobiWIA....
I had your same issue on my european LG G2 when I went to Taipei...
enetec said:
Search for "GPS Status & Toolbox" by MobiWIA....
I had your same issue on my european LG G2 when I went to Taipei...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot, seems to be working just fine now.:good:
enetec said:
Download "GPS state" from Play Store and do it's "compass calibration"...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I guess compass was not the problem, yesterday I experienced somewhat of a slap in a face from moto. I was in a hurry to get to a bus station since I was late and in an unknown part of the city, so I opened maps for directions, and as I found out later, the direction pointer (for a lack of a better word) was 90 degrees to the right from where it should have been, so I went the wrong way and missed my bus, then opened the GPS status app to see if the compass needs to be calibrated, and it said it was already perfectly calibrated. This is the most frustrating issue I had with a phone, what's the point in fancy features if the basics aren't covered, I feel like calling moto for warranty, but this sure would be a tough call, since my phone's from UK, and I'm in Poland right now, so I wish there was another way.
HelloMoto777 said:
Well, I guess compass was not the problem, yesterday I experienced somewhat of a slap in a face from moto. I was in a hurry to get to a bus station since I was late and in an unknown part of the city, so I opened maps for directions, and as I found out later, the direction pointer (for a lack of a better word) was 90 degrees to the right from where it should have been, so I went the wrong way and missed my bus, then opened the GPS status app to see if the compass needs to be calibrated, and it said it was already perfectly calibrated. This is the most frustrating issue I had with a phone, what's the point in fancy features if the basics aren't covered, I feel like calling moto for warranty, but this sure would be a tough call, since my phone's from UK, and I'm in Poland right now, so I wish there was another way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why is it that Chinese phones have such a problem with GPS? for the same brand and model, the one device GPS works perfect, another it's a disaster.... i read this on several chinese made phones....