GPS problems while driving

[mojo rising]

The last couple of times I have used my GPS the phone frequently loses it's GPS signal. The phone is placed near the gear shift on the center console.

I saw a thread on Slickdeals that stated Google was replacing broken phones with re-furbished phones is purchased through the Play store. In the thread several people stated that there were GPS problems with the 1 batch of phones.

Is this a known issue? If so, I would want a new phone instead of a refurbished phone.

Google Play is offering a free replacement for broken Nexus 4 or 5 devices purchashed thru the Play Store!!! 09-03-2014 - Slickdeals.net

 

[duncanator]

Early nexus 5 devices had GPS problems relating to contacts on the back cover. If they will do the swap then I'd go that route. I tried fixing mine by doing some of the tricks found on youtube, but none of them stuck. I ended up soldering some tiny wires and now get great reception, but I think that if I were to do it all over, I'd just contact google to get an RMA.

 

[mojo rising]

Thanks. I bought it a couple weeks after it was released. I had to return the 1st one because of the jiggly Power Button.

 

[thekarens]

I had the same problem with my day one nexus 5 and used this fix http://www.internetbestsecrets.com/2013/12/how-to-fix-nexus-5-gps-problems.html?m=1 . I've only used my GPS once since but it did work.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

[digink]

I have a launch day 32GB N5 that has this very issue.

Google was quick to offer me a refurb which I took. When I got it, the port to eject the SIM card looked like soneone tried to stick a screw driver in there. Then the SIM slot wouldn't read my SIM.

I had to send it back. I was very hesitant to get another refurb from Google, but I just bit the bullet again and am hoping this time the refurb I get is "like-new" as they state it should be.

My GPS issue is really annoying so I wanted to get a refurb to fix it.

 

[Jeremy8000]

I have a launch day 32GB N5 that has this very issue.

I also have a 1st-day-ordered 32GB N5, and never had any (of what I would call) issues with the GPS until these past couple of months. Now it is taking substantially longer to lock on to a signal tried this with both Waze and Google Maps to make sure it wasn't just an app issue) and, strangely, sometimes will actually lock on and be functioning but still say "No GPS Signal Available" (this is on the Waze app, so it could be an issue there).

I always hate getting a refurbished phone, as there's generally a lot of variance in what you'll get, but at this point am tempted to take Google up on the swap (especially since the OEM warranty is coming to an end anyway).

 

[LeoRex]

I had a 16G unit, purchased a few months after release.... the GPS was always a bit spotty. I use Waze a lot to help me avoid traffic on my commute and if I put the phone on the passenger's seat, it would lose signal once or twice a commute and have a hard time getting it back. And it was never the speediest when it came to getting a GPS lock.

 

[Jeremy8000]

After lengthy internal debate, I contacted Google. One of the first things they did when I indicated a GPS issue was to ask my IMEI, which they matched up as being within an IMEI range of early production unites for which GPS issues are acknowledged. In all of about 3 minutes time from there we arranged my replacement, which should be on its way to me shortly (hopefully with better performing GPS (dare I hope for bigger holes in the speaker grill?!)) at their shipping expense, with a pre-paid shipping label by which I may return my original unit after I've set up its replacement.

Couldn't have asked for better, friendlier, or more accommodating remote-based customer service.

 

[digink]

I had a very similar experience to you Jeremy, though when I got my first DEFECTIVE refurb I was really pissed.

I spent 3 weeks deciding if I wanted to try another, and decided I did since my GPS was driving me up a wall anytime I had to use it.

 

[digink]

So...

I just recieved my second refurb device (after the first one not only had cosmetic issues, but a non working SIM card reader).

This one looks like someone had been using it as a hockey puck with scratches all along the side and bottom. I emailed Google back, I refuse to accept a device that is not in "like new" condition as they stated it should be.

My launch day N5 may have GPS issues, but it is in perfect working condition and I refuse to accept a sub-par replacement device.

I am slowly losing all faith in Google, this experience has been horrible.

 

[Jeremy8000]

I am slowly losing all faith in Google, this experience has been horrible.

Sounds like you're having some bad luck

After confirming my order with them late yesterday afternoon, I was expecting to get my replacement sometime around the end of this week - I was pleasantly surprised when it showed up this morning via UPS Next Day Air. Cosmetically it's flawless, the buttons feel 'tight' and responsive. It'll be some time before I can get everything set over on it and test it out.

So far the only criticism I have is that it was shipped out with 4.4 (its original release OS) -- Google could have flashed these to the current version rather leaving it to me to run through the 4.4.2, 4.4.3, & 4.4.4 updates (not a huge ordeal, but detracts from QoL).

 

[digink]

Yeah I've had 4.4.2 on both.

they did give me 3 options, none of which are really any better than what ive gone through.

1. Send back the refurb and my OG N5 for a full refund.
2. Send back the Refurb and rinse and repeat.
3. Keep the refurb and return my OG N5.

Sigh... why they cant just send me a new N5 if they're willing to refund me my money is beyond me. I still say this customer service is horrid.

 

[Jeremy8000]

Yeah I've had 4.4.2 on both.

they did give me 3 options, none of which are really any better than what ive gone through.

1. Send back the refurb and my OG N5 for a full refund.
2. Send back the Refurb and rinse and repeat.
3. Keep the refurb and return my OG N5.

Sigh... why they cant just send me a new N5 if they're willing to refund me my money is beyond me. I still say this customer service is horrid.

I agree it seems a little odd, but it could be any number of reasons why they won't send a new N5 - perhaps they are low on or out of stock of your particular memory/color configuration. Also, it's not unlikely that the unit that manages warranty service/replacement operates with a completely different facility and inventory than the 'new sales' unit. That said, you could always just take option 1 and then order a replacement (or find another device to tide you through another 4-6 weeks or so if you wanted to put that towards a N6, presuming it releases).

In my experience with their service group (of which there's been a couple of causes for contact in my collective ownership of both N7 models, the N4, and N5), I have yet to wait a full 60 seconds before speaking with a live rep, and have yet to deal with one that was dismissive. I'm inclined to suggest that a company that is proactively offering to fully refund your purchase of a device whose relative market value has diminished substantially and has been used for nearly a year isn't really providing 'horrid' customer service.

They may not be offering you exactly what you prefer, but they're giving you very reasonable options - most companies would only offer another refurbished replacement, made you pay for shipping at least one way, at least one time in the process, and would be much more difficult to reach.

--------------

On topic of the replacement I received, I've fully switched everything over and realized just how bad my GPS signal acquisition had been on my original device (even when it was new, when I felt it worked better than my old N4). The replacement even picks up signal in my house, and only takes a few seconds to lock on!

Interestingly... the Google Search bar says Say "Ok Google", which text my being-replaced unit lost some months ago (yes they're both on the same version of the OS at this point).