Galaxy S3 GPS issue

[fbrubbo]

I was in Amsterdam trying to use the GPS during a walking. However I have found that it does not work properly. While I was walking to the arrow direction (see the attachment), my GS3 was telling me that I was looking to the other side. This inaccurate direction of the GPS appear to happen very often whenever you are walking. Are you facing the same issue or it was only happening in the Brazilian version of the GS3?

P.S.: this issue also happens with all sensors turned on

 

[Rev2010]

You need to calibrate the sensors! Go to the Google Play Store and download an app called GPS Status. Go into it and then press the Menu button and choose Tools. Then select Compass Calibration. After selecting that you then need to rotate the phone twice through each axis. I hold the phone vertically and rotate it twice around (spin the phone from screen facing you all the way around till you see the screen and do it once more). I then rotate it by spinning the phone so that (while the screen is facing you) you rotate it so that it goes completely upside down and back to right side up. Then you spin it, and this is the hardest so be careful you don't drop it, upside down to rightside up going away from you. So you hold the phone with the screen facing you then the bottom goes away from you with the top going toward you, it goes around a full 360 as all the others.

This is probably confusing as hell but just try to understand it needs to be rotated twice along each of the 3 axis'. Once you do this the phone will be 100% in sync with your location *and* the direction which you are facing.

Keep in mind, the GPS goes out of sync often and needs recalibrating! It's not the Galaxy S3, my Droid 2 also went out of sync often. Some people when calibrating hold their phone and swing it in a figure 8 pattern, though I've not tried that it would certainly be easier.


Rev.

 

[trunkmonkey1972]

Rev,
Is it normal to have to do this? I'm just curious why the calibration function isn't built-in. Is the app 3rd party or from Google?

Thanks.

S3 on Sprint - 16gb pebble blue + 64

 

[Rev2010]

The app is 3rd party. Not sure why on Earth Samsung didn't include a calibration option built in, my Droid 2 did, and it was one of my early annoyances. But, I have to admit, I like using GPS Status waaay better than the built in calibration for my Droid 2. With the Droid 2 you simply had to boot fresh then do the calibration. In other words, if your phone was on for a few hours and you tried to calibrate it would fail every time and you'd have to reboot the phone and do it first thing to get it to "Greenlight" your calibration. With GPS Status I just rotate it along the axis' (sometimes even sloppily) and it fixes my GPS perfectly every time. It also downloads GPS Assistance data which is supposed to provide data for the phone to see more available GPS satellites and give quicker lock on and more accurate positioning.


Rev.

 

[fbrubbo]

Thanks Rev2010 for your reply

I did the steps you suggested and it seems that it still pointing me to the wrong direction (I'll try harder after work, probably I didn't follow your steps correctly).

Note that the problem I had in Amsterdam was intermitent. In other words, some times it pointed me to the right direction, some times not.

What intrigues me is that I didn't have this issue in my N1. And I've use my N1 for two years, at least.

Anyway.. thanks again for your help

 

[Rev2010]

Just to be sure, did you do the calibration outside? You should be outdoors for best calibration. Also, just making sure but you do have gps location enabled and not just wifi location right? And after you did the rotations did you press the OK button (or done, forgot the name of the button)

Rev.

 

[fbrubbo]

Hi Rev,

I was not outside. Probably I should be, but right now it is not possible.
About the GPS. yes, it was enabled.
About the button. yes, I pressed it at the end. Actually It was a bit hard, once I kept pressing the back button without intention. So, I had to start the hole process many times..

Thanks again for your reply. I'll try again after working time outdors.

 

[Rev2010]

Yeah, I've done the accidental back button press too, annoying right!? LOL. But yeah, outside is best since indoors there can be magnetic or structural interference. It's strange that you were walking and it was facing the wrong way, usually it picks up your direction and points properly - though here in Manhattan I do still have lots of times where the arrow is "sliding" all over the place and also rotating to point in all sorts of directions. Someone else mentioned when I posted about it earlier that tall buildings will have a negative affect on the GPS and I believe it because when I'm home in Jersey it works flawless. In a car it also works flawless since the car is moving quick enough it's easy to read the GPS changes.


Rev.

 

[fbrubbo]

yes.. in a car I have no problems.. only walking.. that is when I miss my good and old N1. :-(