any recent experience with GPS on new N7? - positive or negative

[OldListener]

I have been poised to buy a 2013 Nexus 7. GPS input to off-line map apps is one of my main uses for the tablet. I read some threads from a few months ago about problems with GPS on this forum. I'd like to hear from people about their current experience with GPS on a WiFi-only 2013Nexus 7.

1. If you had problems in the past, have those problems been resolved? Or are you still unable to use GPS on your 2013 N7?

2. If you are successfully using GPS on a 2013 N7, please say so. Sometimes you hear from the people with problems and don't hear from those who use a feature without problems.

I'll appreciate any responses.

 

[roguetrader]

I've had my Nexus 7 for a couple of months and I haven't had any kind of problem with anything to be honest. GPS functions well, comes on and turns off properly when needed by apps. All in all, it's a fantastic little device, does exactly what it says on the tin.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using AC Forums mobile app

 

[pete1118]

Mine is working fine, I never really seemed to have a problem from day 1 and I have an early made N7 2013

 

[ezas]

Same as the two above. Added bonus is use of glonass satellites. My first cold start indoors took 15 second tops. For my friend, also indoors at his house took a little longer. 30 seconds maybe.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using AC Forums mobile app

 

[thatguy97]

On my model it can be a little finnicky on rare occasions but it's just fine in fact with a solid connection it's actually phenomenal

 

[jawad973]

Been using for a quite a sometime now and didn't face any problem. Mine one is 2013 one.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[Riverrunner88]

Mine works well too. I've used it in the middle of nowhere and GPS locks on fast using the trial version of Backcountry Navigator.

 

[OldListener]

Thanks to all for your input.

 

[leonard land]

I haven't been using it very much, BUT it does seem to be much improved now.

 

[physioprof]

Same here: it seems much improved with the latest KitKat update.

 

[George Stevens]

Every time I test it now it is working. It used to be just the opposite, and I and others thought it might well be an inherant hardware problem, but it looks like they've fixed it.

 

[chemgeek]

No problems after the initial updates. Certainly not in the current 4.4.2 Android. I use mine for aviation mapping and navigation.

 

[tomclifton]

This appears to have been a firmware issue that was fixed in August 2013 . AnandTech | Nexus 7 (2013) JSS15Q OTA Update Rolling Out - Fixes GPS/GNSS and Multitouch Issues If you were not anywhere near a network connection the GPS would loose lock and might take up to 15 minutes to recover.

 

[Chingyul]

Anyone try their GPS in the bush or hard to track locations?
I'm debating about getting a Garmin GLO (bluetooth GPS receiver) to use with the tablet.
For one, I'm hoping it has better GPS reception (locks and stays locked), and trying to save battery on the device itself.

 

[George Stevens]

Anyone try their GPS in the bush or hard to track locations?
I'm debating about getting a Garmin GLO (bluetooth GPS receiver) to use with the tablet.
For one, I'm hoping it has better GPS reception (locks and stays locked), and trying to save battery on the device itself.

I'm using it in pretty remote locales, and yes it seems to be working good now. I use my Garmin as my GPS. I haven't learned how to substitute a tablet for the Garmin, nor do I know if it would be a totally adequate substitute. The N7 does have a bigger and better screen than my Garmin.

 

[bmoliver]

I have been poised to buy a 2013 Nexus 7. GPS input to off-line map apps is one of my main uses for the tablet. I read some threads from a few months ago about problems with GPS on this forum. I'd like to hear from people about their current experience with GPS on a WiFi-only 2013Nexus 7.

1. If you had problems in the past, have those problems been resolved? Or are you still unable to use GPS on your 2013 N7?

2. If you are successfully using GPS on a 2013 N7, please say so. Sometimes you hear from the people with problems and don't hear from those who use a feature without problems.

I'll appreciate any responses.

My N7 2013 GPS works great on Android 4.3. I tried KitKat a few weeks ago and I could not get the GPS to work and at least one app was broken. I reverted to 4.3 (with a system wipe) and will stay that way until I am convinced my GPS won't break again.

 

[bmoliver]

My N7 2013 GPS works great on Android 4.3. I tried KitKat a few weeks ago and I could not get the GPS to work and at least one app was broken. I reverted to 4.3 (with a system wipe) and will stay that way until I am convinced my GPS won't break again.

Well, I retried going to KitKat (KOT49H) this morning, and initially had exactly the same issue with the GPS for both GPS Status and Google Maps. This time, however, I remembered something from my Galaxy S days about resetting the AGPS data using GPS Status. I tried this, and it took a few minutes, but did download new AGPS data, afterwhich GPS Status got a lock in a few seconds and Google Maps was now working fine! So, for those with GPS issues after updating from 4.3 to 4.4, try resetting the AGPS data.

 

[George Stevens]

"try resetting the AGPS data."

How do you do that?

GPS was actually working good for the past month or so - and now it seems to have gone back to where it started - nothing!

 

[sparksd]

"try resetting the AGPS data."

How do you do that?

GPS was actually working good for the past month or so - and now it seems to have gone back to where it started - nothing!

You can use an app like GPSTest - it's an option available under Settings.

 

[George Stevens]

I've got GPS test app. In fact the GPS never seemed to work, even at its best, unless I started GPS test first, and I don't know why. But how does that reset agps data, whatever that is? I also just downloaded another app Called GPS status, but I don't see that doing anything. Anyway GPS test is blank now - picking up no satellites - back to the way it used to be.