gyroscope problem

Eric The Duke

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Has anyone noticed any problems with their gyroscope? When I take a picture the framing hint that helps you take a level picture seems to show 1 degree when I'm almost certain the phone is level.
 

N4Newbie

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A 1 deg slope over the length of your phone is only about 0.010 rise - the thickness of a few sheets of typical copy paper placed under one end of the phone. Over a 50 foot image width, it works out to about 10 inches.

Are you *sure* your phone is level?
 

Eric The Duke

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I am working on getting a level so I can confirm. But when I hold the phone at 1 degree it feels level to me. When I hold it at 0 degrees it feels ever so slightly tilted. I will report back once I have a level to confirm.
 

N4Newbie

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The simplest way to check a level for accuracy:

Place the level (or, in this case, your phone) on a flat surface. For example, use the side of the phone that does not have any buttons or other protrusions and place that flat on a table. Do it near the edge of the table or against a moderately unmovable object. Now, make a note of the reading.

Turn the level (your phone) 180 degrees around and place it in the exact same location. It should give the exact same reading. If, for example, the table was a short leg and is off by 5 deg when the phone is turned one way, the table is still off by 5 deg when the phone is rotated 180 deg. Does that make sense?

If you get two different readings or it says -5 deg one way and +5 deg when repositioned, something is wrong with the phone. If the readings are the same, then your phone is fine.

This relates to carpenter's levels, but the theory is exactly the same: https://www.johnsonlevel.com/News/QAonLevels
 

Eric The Duke

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I'm not sure I understand what you are saying. If I use my phone as a level in the way you are saying and I get the same reading twice, doesn't that just show that the level is consistent? That doesn't necessarily mean it is accurate?
 

N4Newbie

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I'm not sure I understand what you are saying. If I use my phone as a level in the way you are saying and I get the same reading twice, doesn't that just show that the level is consistent? That doesn't necessarily mean it is accurate?

Here's another way to look at it - the instruction manual for a digital level: https://www.johnsonlevel.com/files/manuals/40-6028_40-6048 English manual.pdf

Scroll down to section 6. As you will see, the directions are essentially the same as I described earlier and it says that if the two readings obtained are within 0.2 deg, then the level's calibration is ideal.

Since you get the same reading twice, your phone's horizon sensor seems to be just fine.
 

N4Newbie

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PS: I do see one problem here, however. The horizon view in my Pixel 4XL does not show + or - regardless of tilt; it only shows a whole number. I can see where that might make it difficult to know for certain what the camera is telling you.

You could try installing a bubble level app such as this one https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gamma.bubblelevel which will give you positive and negative readings from true level. Easier to see what is going on that way. :)
 

Eric The Duke

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I think I just confirmed the problem I am having with the gyroscope. I borrowed a Pixel 3a from someone. When I placed that phone and my phone on surfaces that I know are level, the 3a would show zero degrees and my phone would show 1 degree. I think I will try and get my phone replaced.
 

N4Newbie

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I think I just confirmed the problem I am having with the gyroscope. I borrowed a Pixel 3a from someone. When I placed that phone and my phone on surfaces that I know are level, the 3a would show zero degrees and my phone would show 1 degree. I think I will try and get my phone replaced.

Is your phone in a case? Do you get the same result out of the case?
 

Eric The Duke

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This is frustrating. Google has sent me a replacement. The replacement is worse than the first phone. On a level surface, the phone now reads at 2 degrees. I have both phones with me and it's really obvious on the 2nd phone.
 

Eric The Duke

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I just received another replacement today. I have checked it with a level and it has the same issue. I'm beginning to think this a wider issue as this is my third phone with this problem.
 

N4Newbie

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I just received another replacement today. I have checked it with a level and it has the same issue. I'm beginning to think this a wider issue as this is my third phone with this problem.

So, I wonder where within the phone the "horizon" indicator is generated. Is it integral to the camera assembly? Or, does it rely on some other sensor?

If it is integral to the camera assembly, then a very small mispositioning of the camera when it is assembled onto the mainboard may be the root cause of this issue.

I'd like to know what a an app like Sensor Toolbox (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.exatools.sensors) reports for the Orientation sensor. I notice that, with my 4XL, if I shake the phone up a bit and then place it on a level surface, it takes quite some time for the Orientation sensor to settle down into the near-zero range but never quite gets there.
 

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