Gps is abysmal

[Kamar234]

I am unable to get a quick gps fix with this phone unless I am connected witth wifi. If I do get a gps lock, with out wifi, it takes 30 seconds to a minute if I'm lucky. I used the gps and google maps on my phone daily on my old phone, the original Droid. Is there something that we can do about this or am I going to have to wait for some kind of update to fix it.

[o4liberty]

I find the GPS on the Fascinate much better than most saying. I had the Droid X and yes it connected better but would not stay connected. My fascinate connectes within 30 seconds and stays connected. I am sure Samsung will have a fix for this issue soon.

[brad0286]

I have noticed it does take a minute for the gps to work but after that it works flawlessly.  I haven't had any problems with it thank goodness because all the other galaxy s phones have a gps problem.

[tsebek]

i just got the fascinate last week and cannot get a good gps location. Seems that no matter where i am at the location is off by at least a half mile. My blackberry was pinpoint on. Kind of disappointed so far... hope there is an update soon.

[guts55]

I am not tech savvy and just got this phone about 10 days ago.  The GPS app that I use shows excellent GPS signal and so far, the Google maps works great.  It took maybe 20-25 seconds to lock on.  No GPS problems for me yet. 

[PJNC284]

I think there's definitely an issue there for a lot of people with slow initial gps lock.  I previously had issues where if I hadn't actively used the gps in a while, it'd sit on Searching for GPS for 3-5min when using Google Nav.  The past couple days it's been working fine and the locks are much quicker.  Only thing I've done is turn off VZW location services under Location & Security. I also downloaded GPS Status from the market and reset and redownload the AGPS data in Settings->GPS & Sensors ->Manage A-GPS state 

[scoutxlt]

Well, Abysmal would be about right... my Fascinate has been "Worthless" in GPS Loc right from the word go... I looked around and found numerous complaints about this issue and just as many suggestions about the "New" Android Bios update which has been out for some time... Yet the phone out of the box didn't have it last week, and some how I don't see it on the "Update" list either, WHY...?

Needless to say, when I came across the discussion here about this issue and the GPS Status/Tools download... I buzzed over to Market and downloaded it pronto. The first thing I noted was but a "SINGLE" satellite on my screen.... No Wonder the Verizon Bloatware was not allowing my phone to get a GPS Loc... I also just for giggles checked to see what the VZ Nav product cost a month... TO ACCESS A FREE SERVICE provided by Our Tax Dollars, up in Space.... Out Rageous...

Anyway, the moment I pressed "Clean Cache" and Reset.... Bang, I had at least 10+ satellites on my screen [and yes I walked outside...] With in about 10 sec. I had full GPS Loc, calibrated the Compass, and cleaned up the Lousy Settings or what ever Verizon loaded as preset spam for their GPS service... I have both Google Earth, and their Nav products loaded... Both FREE, and neither was working properly.... Until Now!

I would highly recommend getting this Free Download, and when I'm done here I'm going to look into what they are offering as their "Paid" app... doubtless it looses the micro ad on the bottom of the open screen, and maybe even gives you a bit more for your generosity. I can't believe Verizon puts this High End Droid out there... with dismal or abysmal settings, doubtless for $10 a month they would be willing to fix it, for those who don't bother to look into solutions on their own...

################################

Done Deal... a $2.63 donation to the cause, and I'm ad free... not to mention having "FULL" access to All the Features of the Full App.. settings, presets, and a whole plethora of other goodies that alone are worth the minor donation... doubtless Google will get their "$1.00" on top of it... Overall though, considering how much it "IMPROVED" the GPS Signal Strength and Lock... Immediatly... l literally watched all the satellites suddenly appear, where at first there was but "One!" Its no wonder the GPS was not working... This app gets 5 Stars from me.... if that is worth anything, hope others out there get the same results.

[Cinderqh]

Scout, where did you press "Clean cache" and reset?

Thank you. I would like to get this working too.

[scoutxlt]

After downloading the GPS Status app... the first window suggests you "Clear/Clean Cache" and then warns you it will remove ALL pre-sets & history, and it did in fact do that ; the app cleared out the pre-loaded p*^%-poor settings. Once I cleared them all out via the app I was good to go. I also was notified of a couple app "updates" over the past couple days and found that they did in fact improve matters as well. So i don't doubt over the course of time this functionality will get better and better. Neither was from "Verizon" for the sake of noting that....

I was actually testing it out yesterday, and was finally able to Navigate with Google in real time.... it also worked with voice commands for the find & navigate functions. The whole GPS feature was up to speed & functional, following my progress on the highway to and from the locations I was going. the one complaint I have is the phone volume was almost unintelligible, so I don't know if hooking it up to the vehicle audio or a blue-tooth would be better, but as for graphics & directions it worked perfectly.

Now, bare in mind... you NEED to have a Data Plan for this to occur on the road... and it is running the whole time, so if you have a limited data plan its going to be racking up usage. I've got the Unlimited Plan so its not an issue, but if your paying by the bit & byte... it could burn through your limits pretty darn quick if your using it as your GPS device while driving every day!

[PJNC284]

It's not really an end all be all solution though as the GPS will start lagging again over time so you'll need to go back into the app. I did notice that disabling Verizon location services and leaving the other 2 enabled under Location & Security does help decrease lock times.   I'm currently running the leaked DJ05 update and if my experiences are any hint at the upcoming maintenance release, the gps woes will be a thing of the past.  Hopefully Verizon gets it or a newer release out soon to tide their customers over while they wait for Froyo.

[scoutxlt]

I would expect that your cache does need a clean out regardless now and then, as it gets chock-a-block full of temp files etc. it will doubtless need to be dumped.

I'd really like to see that "Improvement" to the bios, it would appear by all measures of the word Verizon is way behind the curve on this update, doubtless working on how to stuff their bloatware into the cleaned up package... what ever the moniker it happens to have from Android... Sadly, that appears to be the way they do business and its no wonder people do things to limit this annoyance. Its not like they are not making any dough off of us, but they want it all... in the end the carriers are no better than Apple with their behavior in this regard. They can't or more factually won't rely on the quality of their programs, and let the market decide... NO they have to limit the Consumer's Free Choice, to their own restrictive domain... Typical Predatory Behavior, sadly if one does it they all have an excuse... When will they learn, no time soon I contend...

Hopefully they grace us with the pleasure of a fully functional GPS, not to mention the many other niceties that these Very Capable Phones are designed to provide... rather than limit & impede them.

[MaxBuck]

I have to say, I have the Verizon locator, standalone GPS and Google locator all active.  And my GPS response is much faster than my Garmin standalone device (which is pretty much a paperweight at this point) - I usually lock onto my location within 30 seconds.  From my perspective, this device is the most-useful GPS device I've ever used, since you can get mapping or satellite imagery useful both in walking and driving modes.

Maybe my expectations were lower, or maybe my usage pattern just suits the capabilities of the Fascinate, but I love the thing.

[scoutxlt]

I thought I'd post another reply, since there appears to be continued interest in the post.... although I do note that a couple of them are now gone? Anyway, in regard to the numerous comments and after further reflection on my own earlier comment; I continue to be disappointed in the dismal "Update" factor in regard to the Android OS... which is undoubtedly a result of our "Carrier" and not  the Android Team's fault... I suspect they would contend that they want to be sure it is compatible across their client base... I would state what better way to get it up and running than put it out there and de-bug it.

As for the GPS;  I continue to have spot on sync & real time GPS Tracking for Google Nav. as well as the other apps that utilize the Google location widget, I have not nor will I "Pay" a substantial monthly fee for what is a service that my Tax Dollars put in orbit &  I am paying maintenance for. I have both a Garmin GPS as well as my new phone, which I have been testing... I find that while my Garmin links up faster, I don't doubt that is more a factor of the "route" the signal must travel in the 3G system... than the actual GPS signal its self. Would that Verizon actually allowed this to function as well as it could... I don't doubt that the sync would be as fast as my Garmin... at least initially. Once the channel is open & locked, I find it keeps up with real time driving location even on the highway, posts real time traffic conditions, follows routes and destinations.... I have even recently begun to utilize the "Voice" commands, both for the in-system phone as well as the Google Integrated commands for the GPS... and found them to be quite functional.

I will make mention though, I did go through the somewhat lengthy process for the "Voice Recognition Synchronization" to my Speech Pattern, which took probably 5-10 minutes... Once I completed the process, I have found the voice recognition to be about 80% on, which is pretty good for speaking off hand street names and such. As for Command Short Cuts, there is no problem what so ever, more a question of my own recalling the exact command at the time... than the system, but I have been quite pleasantly surprised at how well the Voice system both for the GPS functions and Device Call/ Search functions have been working. So if you have not taken the time to try it out... I highly recommend you do, especially if your considering using it as a GPS in the vehicle.... My next acquisition will be a Blue-tooth of some sort, so that I can completely integrate the system... I did have to come up with a mount, since "NONE" of the factory mounts work with the phone when it has a Protective Case on it... I found a "Sticky" mount for $20 that works mint...

So in closing if a Verizon Customer Service Rep. reads any of this stream, I'd really like to see some form of "UPDATE" for the Android OS... come on, its been out in a number of forms for months now, at least give us the earlier update... I do note that "Updates" are on my Bill, so somewhere in the fees we as Users are paying for update development.... why not let us have it and work the kinks out a bit faster, rather than leave us hanging in the wind.... I and doubtless many other customers would be most appreciative of it... Thx.

[scoutxlt]

Well, I FINALLY got my Froyo 2.2 Update and WOW....! I have to say it has ironed out all the delays and issues with the GPS. While I have to say the GPS Status App I downloaded, and made a Donation for earlier did in fact speed things up.... it still would take up to 90 sec. to connect with the GPS Network, But it would at least connect in the end. Unlike my original non-functional GPS as shipped.

I used the Google Nav. the other day, as well as the GPS Status app and the Connection was almost instant.... no lag time, even though the weather was marginal at best... the speed improvement was quite apparent. So I thought I'd throw out a Well Deserved "Kudos" to the FROYO Team [& My Carrier] for finally allowing the Update, and getting the GPS function up and working as is should.... Thank You!

[yaboidh]

i have had my fascinate for about a week and a half now. using google i do get a location fairly fast but when i try to navigate it keeps saying that its trying to get get a good gps signal. the directions will show in the list view, but it will not start the voice navigation. anyone knows why..

[billsfan2a]

Was afraid of the GPS issues as well.  After downloading the GPS Status app, and of course going outside, was able to get a location lock and had no problem navigating with Google Maps thereafter.  The volume in the GPS app could be louder; hopefully they'll fix that one of these days.

[Kabob]

I was having GPS issues as well but whilst browsing through the Marketplace I came upon an app called "GPS Status & Toolbox" and several of the comments mentioned that it made the GPS work much better on their Galaxy S phones.  I gave it a download and lo and behold I'm connecting MUCH faster than I was and holding said connections.

Downloaded it to my boss's Captivate and he still has no luck (finds zero satellites), so YMMV.

[suzola]

Sometimes I have to wait for 5 minutes for a GPS lock. I have downloaded a couple of applications trying to help. Once I get a lock then it works pretty well the rest of the day.  But I have to do the same thing the next day.

[papa_leo]

It is normal for GPS to take some time to lock in signal during a "cold" boot. There are several parameters that affect spped of lock that GPS can achieve. They are:

1. time of day,

2. your location (downtown of the big city with high scrapers vs. suburban)

3. your speed upon attempting to lock the signal.

I downloaded GPS Test and noticed that while stationary I am able to lock satellite signal within 2 - 3 min with 16 - 20 feet accuracy. Whenever moving, it takes about 3 - 4 min (which is basically twice as long) with the  accuracy of about 100+ feet. But even while driving, accuracy of the GPS improves as soon as at least 5 satellites are being locked.

[gtxiong]

I am in total consent with you. The GPS was very nasty for me to get use to. It loads very slowly and it's just very hard to use.the lagging is soooooo annoying.

[papa_leo]

Though I have to agree that GPS cold boot is somewhat slow. Performances of the GPS while locked are outstanding. Recently, I was on 200+ miles trip through a lot of a new development neighborhoods (2 years old or less) in Northern California and my standalone GPS Mio DigWalker C310 (which is 4 year old) of course didn't have map for all those streets but Google maps worked perfectly. On the freeway, Fascinate GPS performance is also on par with my other GPS and more.

I have a high hopes that with 2.2 upgrade GPS cold lock issue will be resolved.