Making GPS better for my Nexus?

[fuzzybabybunny]

I have the Samsung Nexus and the GPS is just getting worse and worse. Just this morning I was in an airplane so there obviously wasn't any cell phone reception. No matter how long I waited the GPS Status just couldn't get a lock.... on ANY satellite.... with literally nothing but clear sky above.

Is there some kind of driver I need to be updating? Everything is stock and rooted 4.1.2

Or do I basically have to either buy a completely different phone with GLONASS support or external Bluetooth GPS receiver?

 

[NightFox]

Wouldn't it be hard to get signal in an airplane as you are pretty much in an enclosed metal container.

 

[vshah]

i've NEVER gotten a gps signal in a plane. too much metal in the way, tiny windows etc.

i'll occasionally get it to see a satellite or two, but that's it.

 

[ss284]

Yeah GPS is pretty much a nogo on planes. Since you are rooted, try running the fasterfix app.

Also, why not upgrade to 4.3 with more up to date radios.

 

[corkyg]

And that is why aircraft have external antennas for their GPS and communications.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

I was right by the window. I have always been able to get GPS on planes, especially back in like 2000 with an old Dell Axim and little Bluetooth GPS receiver. Actually had zero problems.

 

[SKORPI0]

I've used a Bluetooth GPS tracker/logger with my HP Touchpad since late 2011. Never had a problem getting GPS signals with it propped against the airplanes window at 35000 feet, 450 mph.

Logger I used... http://compare.ebay.com/like/330950217273?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

its hard to get a GPS signal in the sky. I've tried with my Moto Droid, Nexus S, GS2, and Nexus 4. I was only able get GPS once to lock on and it took a LONG time.

https://www.google.com/maps/ms?msid=201661076899005095776.0004a5b72f62085be50df&msa=0

I captured the SFO 28L approach on my flight home (this is the same approach Asiana 214 took I believe).

The way to get it to even get remotely close to locking is to hold the phone against the window. That's a bit hard to do during landing without getting caught. But once it locked I was able to set my phone on the armrest and then it continued to track my descent.

Edit: The last time I tried on my N4 I believe it worked on my flight in Dec. I probably glued the phone to the window for a good 10 minutes before it finally locked. It might help to use GPS Status and have it predownload aGPS data and you might get a faster lock?

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

I've used a Bluetooth GPS tracker/logger with my HP Touchpad since late 2011. Never had a problem getting GPS signals with it propped against the airplanes window at 35000 feet, 450 mph.

Logger I used... http://compare.ebay.com/like/330950217273?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar

Gracias.

Yeah, GPS that actually, you know, WORKS (ie. NOT the ones on cell phones) is so good. Back in 2000 with the Axim and GPS receiver I would just have to turn it on, wait for 5 seconds, and BOOM, I'd get 5+ satellite locks, all green, no matter where I was, and I went to some pretty crazy places. And yes, even on planes.

The technology is NOT inherently weak - it's just that the application of it in our phones is so, so bad. I've noticed an obvious and crazy decline in GPS performance from 2000 to now. A-GPS is practically fake GPS (IMO) - it can't do sh*t unless it has access to cell towers and data connection. And the downside is that most people don't seem to realize this.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Gracias.

Yeah, GPS that actually, you know, WORKS (ie. NOT the ones on cell phones) is so good. Back in 2000 with the Axim and GPS receiver I would just have to turn it on, wait for 5 seconds, and BOOM, I'd get 5+ satellite locks, all green, no matter where I was, and I went to some pretty crazy places. And yes, even on planes.

The technology is NOT inherently weak - it's just that the application of it in our phones is so, so bad. I've noticed an obvious and crazy decline in GPS performance from 2000 to now. A-GPS is practically fake GPS (IMO) - it can't do sh*t unless it has access to cell towers and data connection. And the downside is that most people don't seem to realize this.

Yeah phones' gps receivers are bad in general. I remember getting an N82 in 2007 and I didn't have data overseas so I just kept trying to acquire. I climbed onto the roof of my grandparents apartment to try it and it FINALLY locked. I NEVER got a lock in the city. I didn't know whether or not to keep the phone because I was scared it wouldn't work in the US. However once I came back and got aGPS working, it locked flawlessly everytime.

As for AGPS it's still tough even on a plane. I haven't tried recently, but I remember it was hard even with cell reception due to the metal tube. I've tried multiple times to capture the speed on a bullet train and I've probably gotten it to work once or twice only and thats with glueing the phone to the window.

 

[GreenOrbs]

Several of you mentioned the metal of the planes getting in the way. Anyone know if those new carbon composite planes like the 787 Dreamliner are more friendly to GPS's? Just wondering.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Yeah phones' gps receivers are bad in general. I remember getting an N82 in 2007 and I didn't have data overseas so I just kept trying to acquire. I climbed onto the roof of my grandparents apartment to try it and it FINALLY locked. I NEVER got a lock in the city. I didn't know whether or not to keep the phone because I was scared it wouldn't work in the US. However once I came back and got aGPS working, it locked flawlessly everytime.

As for AGPS it's still tough even on a plane. I haven't tried recently, but I remember it was hard even with cell reception due to the metal tube. I've tried multiple times to capture the speed on a bullet train and I've probably gotten it to work once or twice only and thats with glueing the phone to the window.

Oh yeah, I've had that too where it can't get a fix on a train. And honestly, sometimes even in a bus or a car, which at times can get downright scary and worrisome (I'm in some foreign country, where the hell am I, DO I GET OFF THIS STOP OR NOT???)

And to make matters worse, it breaks the lock every time I turn off the screen on my phone. When I turn it back on again, that hard-earned lock is gone.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Jesus Christ. I'm functionally lost in Denver, navigating and guessing only by cross streets and direction of the sun.

Full HSDPA signal. Restarted twice. Cleared A-GPS data twice. Downloaded data twice.

Just can't get a f*cking fix.

I want to smash this phone onto the ground repeatedly right now.

 

[Crono]

Disable A-GPS entirely and if that doesn't work give up and get a dedicated GPS unit or bluetooth module.

Which is unfortunately the best and only viable option if phone GPS is crapping out. The way a lot of these phones are made, the GPS radio is the last one in consideration by the manufacturers and only has to be "good enough", which really isn't perfect.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Disable A-GPS entirely and if that doesn't work give up and get a dedicated GPS unit or bluetooth module.

Which is unfortunately the best and only viable option if phone GPS is crapping out. The way a lot of these phones are made, the GPS radio is the last one in consideration by the manufacturers and only has to be "good enough", which really isn't perfect.

But doesn't that give you even a lower chance of getting a fast lock? The Galaxy Nexus shouldn't be that bad. I've never struggled with AGPS on my other devices, and only with the GS2 but that's because CyanogenMod uses some hacky GPS stuff.

Jesus Christ. I'm functionally lost in Denver, navigating and guessing only by cross streets and direction of the sun.

Full HSDPA signal. Restarted twice. Cleared A-GPS data twice. Downloaded data twice.

Just can't get a f*cking fix.

I want to smash this phone onto the ground repeatedly right now.

OP, I'd encourage a factory reset or something. My gf for example struggles with her GS3. It frequently loses GPS signal. From my understanding, having GPS + GLONASS, that phone should lock quickly and retain signal. I'm not so sure why her phone performs worse than say my GS2 does. It's likely software. If it were up to me I'd wipe Crapwiz and install CM for her, but since she doesn't really want me modding her phone, she just runs with a bad GPS and reaches for my Nexus 4 when we need directions in the car.

 

[Crono]

But doesn't that give you even a lower chance of getting a fast lock? The Galaxy Nexus shouldn't be that bad. I've never struggled with AGPS on my other devices, and only with the GS2 but that's because CyanogenMod uses some hacky GPS stuff..

I read something earlier on a few forums and sites about assisted GPS interfering with true GPS on some Android phones, preventing someone from getting a fix even in clear areas where a fix should be possible. I'm not sure if that's true or the scenario here, but I would give disabling a-GPS a shot. I'll see if I can dig up those links, as I doubt it's a widespread issue if real.

 

[Joe1987]

There are several free apps in the play store, search for "gps fix"

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

There are several free apps in the play store, search for "gps fix"

There's a lot of apps out there that claim to fix things. Not sure if snake oil or true. Kinda like that whole "seeding entropy" thing and reducing lag on Android... it was proven to be pure placebo.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Disable A-GPS entirely and if that doesn't work give up and get a dedicated GPS unit or bluetooth module.

Which is unfortunately the best and only viable option if phone GPS is crapping out. The way a lot of these phones are made, the GPS radio is the last one in consideration by the manufacturers and only has to be "good enough", which really isn't perfect.

It would be even worse I'd imagine. For example, while driving through the desert with zero reception and WiFi, it is impossible to get a GPS fix with a clear open sky.

But doesn't that give you even a lower chance of getting a fast lock? The Galaxy Nexus shouldn't be that bad. I've never struggled with AGPS on my other devices, and only with the GS2 but that's because CyanogenMod uses some hacky GPS stuff.



OP, I'd encourage a factory reset or something. My gf for example struggles with her GS3. It frequently loses GPS signal. From my understanding, having GPS + GLONASS, that phone should lock quickly and retain signal. I'm not so sure why her phone performs worse than say my GS2 does. It's likely software. If it were up to me I'd wipe Crapwiz and install CM for her, but since she doesn't really want me modding her phone, she just runs with a bad GPS and reaches for my Nexus 4 when we need directions in the car.

This is off of a new stock install. I won't update to a newer android because it hopelessly breaks a lot of things such as tethering and the lag because unbearable. 4.1.2 is still the fastest and most stable version.

 

[lopri]

Part of me wants to ask what one needs a GPS for on an airplane, but I suppose there are reasons. :hmm:

Anyhow, I have an off-topic question: Why does GPS consume so much battery life on smartphones? In the past I used to think it's not the GPS itself but the apps/services that use the location service are what eat up battery, but that isn't strictly the case, it seems. Do those dedicated GPS unit consume comparable amount of power as well?

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Part of me wants to ask what one needs a GPS for on an airplane, but I suppose there are reasons. :hmm:

Anyhow, I have an off-topic question: Why does GPS consume so much battery life on smartphones? In the past I used to think it's not the GPS itself but the apps/services that use the location service are what eat up battery, but that isn't strictly the case, it seems. Do those dedicated GPS unit consume comparable amount of power as well?

Well, the airplane stuff was just for fun, but I do use it sometimes to see how far away I am from the destination, see how much longer I have for the ride, and also what areas I am flying over so I know what I'm looking at through the window.

For flight, GPS is certainly useful and necessary for things like paragliding.

 

[midwestfisherman]

I want to smash this phone onto the ground repeatedly right now.

Too much caffeine?