GPS off course

I don't use GPS often, but I do use it. With Froyo, it was off by inches, something I could live with. I tried using GPS today, first time since I downloaded and installed Gingerbread, and it is off by about 7 miles. This is definitely unexeptable. I did a search of GPS and found nothing to help me. Any one got any suggestions? Gerio, Ann154, Wildman.

Accepted answers

mortb

Downloaded GPS Test and it worked nicely. I opened my Google map and i was very close to where I live. The arrow was pointing to the house across the street from where I live. Doable, only a few feet off. I then went to places and it worked like a charm. Thanks everybody for your input, I appreciate all the help.

All comments

Ann154

Yikes I have never seen it that far off.

Did the gps symbol in the notification line show as locked in or still searching?

Was this in Google Maps that it was off? There was an update to Maps. yesterday I think?

I use an application called "gps test" to show just how many satellites the signal is bouncing off of.

mortb

It was off on both Google maps and on the apps Places, which I like to use to find new restaurants. With Froyo, it gave me restaurants usually within a 10 mile radius. Now with GB, it gives me restaurants, still well within driving distance, but off by roughly 7 miles. BTW, I greened all three GPS items: Google, Verizon, and GPS, individually and in pairs, and finally all three together.

bearone21

7 miles while moving or stationary or both? what area?

using gps and verizon towers?

mortb

bearone21 wrote:
7 miles while moving or stationary or both? what area?

using gps and verizon towers?

Stationary. The area is within the greater Kansas City area. With Froyo and using "Places" I've found quite a few great restaurants, since I don't like to cook and/or wash dishes afterwards. :smileyhappy:

bearone21

using gps and verizon towers? are you using the latest version of google maps? are you using gm or something else?

gerio

Perhaps you saw this problem during the recent Lightsquared tests... :smileyhappy:

)

Seriously, I've not seen a discrepancy that much off. But I don't use the GPS features that often. Sorry...

Geri O

curtterp

I would turn it all off and use just the GPS. GPS satellites are the most accurate, while using Verizon Towers is the least accurate. It sounds like to me, while in the city with big buildings around, the phone is using the Verizon towers because it cannot see enough satellites to get a fix. That could cause the maps to be way off on your location.

Then again, it could be the phone. Its really hard to say at this point.

If you do try to use GPS only, please let us know what happens.

bearone21

then don't you think the signal has the same hard time getting around the buildings for a phone call??

fwiw:

using only verizon towers for location, i'm within 100 yds or so.

curtterp

bearone21 wrote:
then don't you think the signal has the same hard time getting around the buildings for a phone call??

fwiw:
using only verizon towers for location, i'm within 100 yds or so.

The signal does have a hard time getting around buildings, but you also have towers is more locations, and the towers have more power to them than the GPS signals.

If you're getting within 100 yards of your destination off the towers, then you are seeing more than one tower at a time. It is easier to pinpoint a location with 2 fixes, than to with one. If I use Towers only in my location, I am off by a couple of miles for the most part, using GPS only, I am within 50 feet at all times.

Ann154

I have seen a GPS lock on the Eris be almost a block off in an area with several tall buildings. The area also takes generally longer to get a lock with the satellites. I don't recall how far off I have seen the Tbolt.

mortb

bearone21 wrote:
using gps and verizon towers? are you using the latest version of google maps? are you using gm or something else?

I started by using Standalone GPS Service, then Google location services, finally VZW location service all by themselves. They all put me roughly 7 miles from where I was. I then tried using a mixture of two of them, finally checked off all three. With Froyo, the GPS was great. Yes, I have the latest google map and using it exclusively.

As for tall buildings, I am in suburbia and the only tall things are maple trees, a few pines, some oak trees, etc.

It's not a big deal as I can get restaurant info from the internet as well as a google map on how to get there. But it sure was handy on the Droid X. Personally, I thing it's GB since with Froyo I had no problems.

Ann154

How about trying a GPS and the status of the satellites themselves? I like one called GPS TEST. I have also used GPS STATUS, but had some issues with it on my Eris. Just to rule out any miscalculations.

http://market.android.com/details?id=com.chartcross.gpstest

B33

I have Chartcross as well Ann i'll check an see how mine does Sunday afternoon. Give it test Run thrue. then Repost.

mortb

Ann154 wrote:
How about trying a GPS and the status of the satellites themselves? I like one called GPS TEST. I have also used GPS STATUS, but had some issues with it on my Eris. Just to rule out any miscalculations.

http://market.android.com/details?id=com.chartcross.gpstest

I sure will give them a try and see what happens. Thanks Ann154.

mortb

Ann154

That's great!

B33

Done alittle Driving in area were live Ann an Google maps worked great. as my dad was going down the different county roads an Main Highways i checked both my Droid X an my Incredible they were both Showing the roads we were coming up to an Buisinesses as well now on the X it show a little more in Depth. An as we got back to town they both showed Buisinesses on the north an south side of the street an i had the Direction indicator in-gaged so it was showing tru North. An when we was sitting at the dodge dealer i did a search of our Local Mcdonald's an it showed all of them an when we left the Dealership it showed on Both of the Phones the Mcd's on the south side of the street as it should be so i think so its all good with google unless some other weired thing happens. :smileyvery-happy:

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