Which GPS option would consume less battery power, the interal GPS or an external Bluetooth GPS unit?
TIA
WT
Thats a good question, I know a few people have said they run external receivers.
If they don't reply I would suggest you do a test and let us know.
Same here good ? I'd guess that an external would use less as it's only running BT "external units self powered" and the software compared to GPS & software.
ah but really, which antenna uses more power? the BT or the GPS?
If you are using GPS while driving, then you can use car charger to charge. But if you want to use GPS while hiking etc, then just keep a couple (or even more) extra batteries. These days you can buy extra batteries very cheap (as low as $5).
More over there are programs which can save battery by connecting to GPS every 1 minute, 2 minutes, 5 minutes etc (e.g gpsVP).
In short, you can do much better without external GPS.
So then maybe you can do even better if you do what you're suggesting and use external bt gps. hmmm
ChumleyEX said:
So then maybe you can do even better if you do what you're suggesting and use external bt gps. hmmm
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But then you have to carry external GPS, its charger, may be extra battery for external GPS. All that can be avoided by carrying extra batteries for Kaiser.
Is that what the OP is asking?
Thank you gentle for your input. The real test will be simply try it I suppose.
What I have found out is that the BT-359 has superior GPS accuracy over my Kaiser and that I like. Thanks again
WT
Working Tools said:
Thank you gentle for your input. The real test will be simply try it I suppose.
What I have found out is that the BT-359 has superior GPS accuracy over my Kaiser and that I like. Thanks again
WT
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah i used to use a Magician with extrenal GPS and it fixed so much faster than the Kaiser on board does
I've found the power consumption using the same backlight, same application, etc, but using internal vs Bluetooth GPS was around 100mAh. You do the math.
And the Kaiser's GPS blows.. Doesn't turn off sometimes (continuing to use battery), doesn't work well at all for low speeds (walking), not very sensitive, can be extremely slow to start, and sucks battery.
Thanks khaytsus, what current drain were you able to measure while using the internal GPS unit?
As you can tell I am quite the noob when it comes to the internal workings of the Kaiser but I am learning much from this forum. Thank you everyone for your offering of knowledge!
WT
Pros and Cons of external GPS.
Pros:
Less drain on phone battery.
GPS receiver can be placed where it gets best reception (such as on top of the dash).
Cons:
Another device to haul around.
Another battery to charge.
The hassle of pairing/connecting.
Can't use BT GPS and A2DP simultaneously.
Is it even possible to switch between internal and external GPS on the Kaiser without a hard reset?
Wilhelm said:
Pros and Cons of external GPS.
Pros:
Less drain on phone battery.
GPS receiver can be placed where it gets best reception (such as on top of the dash).
Cons:
Another device to haul around.
Another battery to charge.
The hassle of pairing/connecting.
Can't use BT GPS and A2DP simultaneously.
Is it even possible to switch between internal and external GPS on the Kaiser without a hard reset?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what does this have to do with the OP?
Wilhelm said:
Pros and Cons of external GPS.
Pros:
Less drain on phone battery.
GPS receiver can be placed where it gets best reception (such as on top of the dash).
Cons:
Another device to haul around.
Another battery to charge.
The hassle of pairing/connecting.
Can't use BT GPS and A2DP simultaneously.
Is it even possible to switch between internal and external GPS on the Kaiser without a hard reset?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Switching? It's just a different com port. Now, if you're doing registry tweaking to route the external GPS through com4 so that 'any' program can use it, even those without the ability to modify the com port, yes you'd need a soft reset. Otherwise, of course not.
Pairing and connecting are a zero issue. You do it once.
I thought changing the hardware port on the GPS settings meant you couldn't return to the internal GPS without a hard reset.
Eh that post was just too mean. SOrry
Wilhelm said:
I thought changing the hardware port on the GPS settings meant you couldn't return to the internal GPS without a hard reset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, there's a GPS switcher app out there too, and private builds of CamerAwareBuddy supports switching too.
Also, I don't know about AD2P, but I can use BT GPS and BT headset simultaneously.
Well, from my own experience (Tilt is broken now but I used to use Igo My Way 8.1) the GPS has a function that saves battery...
How does it handle it?
Simple: if you for example have to drive straight forward for 5 kilometers the screen will turn black (standy) and won't turn on (unless pressed) but at the moment when you're getting new directions (Turn left, right, bla bla)
I used to have an external GPS only for my SE M600i but that's a different story
Related
Following reports elsewhere of high temperatures being generated when the built in GPS was operative, I wondered if the battery life could be extended by using my Globalsat BT-338 GPS receiver instead of the Kaisers' built in GPS receiver. To find out, I first put the internal GPS to the test.
After fully charging my standard 1350mAh battery, I soft reset the phone, set the screen brightness to minimum, disabled phone, Bluetooth and Wifi. I started Memory Map (GPS setting set to COM4) and the stopwatch on SPB Time. When the phone eventually ran out of power and switched off I fully charged it again and ran the same test, with all the same settings except this time I enabled Bluetooth and configured Memory Map to accept GPS input from my bluetooth GPS receiver.
The results were interesting. When utilizing the internal GPS, the phone ran out of power after 5hrs 16mins. When using the external GPS it switched off after 5hrs 32mins.
I must admit I expected the battery to last much longer when using the external GPS receiver. I guess the extra power required to maintain a BT link offset the power saved not running the internal GPS receiver almost exactly.
I really need to get out more.
For what it's worth - I'm just like you! I do the same types of tests and wonderings. I think your findings are actually pretty interesting as since I've had my TYTN I haven't used my holux BT receiver, and have been wondering about power drain.
One thing you may not have considered - you tested with the phone off. With the phone on, the TYTN uses cell-towers for assisted GPS - which may actually cause more battery drain.
That's an interesting observation. I don't really know that much about the inner workings of assisted GPS. I was under the impression that assisted GPS helps the GPS receiver to get a quick fix but I wasn't aware that it continued to "help out" following this. Would assisted GPS still be operative, and draining the battery, if I had a perfectly good GPS signal I wonder? You see, I mainly use GPS whilst I am out walking (hence Memory Map). I always have a good view of the sky so I'm supposing assisted GPS would not be called upon under these conditions?
http://www.xperiadepot.com/freedom-keychain-gps-2000/10A95A2869.htm
There are no good description for this product. Does anyone know what they do?
I think this is an ordinary gps modul and description made by someone who does not know there is already a gps receiver built-in in X1.
maybe you use it to help find your keys?
Feezer said:
maybe you use it to help find your keys?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right but the description confuses me and it does sound exactly like what jabe said. But I would so buy this if it was key finder.
It just a bluetooth GPS module that fits on a key chain. You don't need it as the X1 already has a built in GPS chip. If you had a smartphone without a GPS chip, then there's be some benefit to it.
Or if you wanted to use GPS stuff on a laptop or something with BT etc.
Suppose your X1 is positioned in your car that way that the GPS reception is bad but you cannot relocate it. You can set it up to receive GPS signals from this external module. The module itself can be put anywhere like near a window or on the car's roof or so.
WTF? Did you even read? "The Freedom Keychain GPS 2000 is the world’s lightest and most compact pocket GPS receiver."
It's an external GPS receiver.
gps is receiving only!
you pick up a signal from several satellites and the device calc your position
this keythingy have gps and bluetooth
bluetooth have a range of 10m so even if it could transmit
it's cords to your phone then you would have to be pretty close to the lost keys
an external gps, my brother has one but of a different brand. his loads really quick and there's no need to wait on finding satellites. i'm not sure how this performs though, but for a keychain it seems promising for other phones without a built-in gps
I actually have one of those. Well, mine is a white Vodafone branded one, but it's the same chip, hardware, box, everything. It's actually still vaguely useful - it's DGPS capable (WAAS/EGNOS), which the X1's GPS chip is not (augmented accuracy within certain systems, WAAS for North America/Canada and out to sea within several hundred miles, EGNOS for Europe etc), and it has apparently far better reception - my X1i couldn't pick up a GPS signal to save its life inside a BA Boeing 777 flight. The bluetooth'd external reciever picked up and held a strong signal for the entire 3500 mile flight at 40k ft. And inside a plane fuselage, that's got to be borderline faraday cage.
I'm trying to increase battery life of my Diamond when I use it as GPS device for mountain biking. I use the great GPS Cycle Computer software. Usually maps are already in the phone, so I disable map downloading.
But even so, the device won't last more than 3 hours (actually not even 2 hours). I was thinking that an external GPS, connected by Bluetooth could be helpful? Instead of receiving GPS signal, the Diamond would use Bluetooth connection. Will it last for more?
Not sure if bluetooth uses less than the gps chip.
You could also look into the huge 3000mAh battery available somewhere. Its around 60 usd I think.
It is the fact that your phone is constantly processing data. Try standby mode to increase battery life
mc4ren said:
I'm trying to increase battery life of my Diamond when I use it as GPS device for mountain biking. I use the great GPS Cycle Computer software. Usually maps are already in the phone, so I disable map downloading.
But even so, the device won't last more than 3 hours (actually not even 2 hours). I was thinking that an external GPS, connected by Bluetooth could be helpful? Instead of receiving GPS signal, the Diamond would use Bluetooth connection. Will it last for more?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bluetooth uses less power than GPS, as it is just receiving a signal, and not doing all the leg work of searching for satellites etc. You can get a good Bluetooth GPS from eBay for about £10 which you can charge with your Diamond's charger.
Has anyone experience with the connection of the galaxy with a bluetooth GPS ? My car's windows are provided with a heat shield made of a metal film, i can only use a bluetooth GPS in my cars GPS windows.
I would use Sygic.
I'm now using a HTC Touch Pro WM6.5 and it works fine with a Bluetooth GPS
I contacted Samsung with my question but the only answer i got was that i had tot contact route 66 ???
The bluetooth GPS is for me the point to buy a galaxy or not<;
Don't buy any android phone, far as I know, bt gps not supported on android. May be some workarounds for specific programs.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
Bynar010 said:
Don't buy any android phone, far as I know, bt gps not supported on android. May be some workarounds for specific programs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its a pity that android does not suport external gps.. I'd like to use that too. (I just got a Galaxy S).
I think the galaxy S has a socket for gps antenna on the back (under the cover).. so you can at least try to plug in one of those 5€ ebay gps 1.5ghz antennas to improve signal. Just put the magnetic box on the roof of your car.
As I've replied in the GPS Poll thread, I believe TrekBuddy supports external GPS just fine, so I wouldn't think it's Android limitation rather than a choice of the programmers of most apps - IMO they just don't bother supporting external GPS when there's not a single Android device that doesn't have internal...(I guess).
I guess you got a point when you say that all Android devices have a gps chip embedded. But I sill think it's an Android limitation not supporting an external gps.
On Symbian devices, you just have to say 'use bluetooth gps' in your application once you've paired it.
In WinMo the internal gps has a com port, so does the external when you hook it up. Again you tell the gps software which com port it has to use.
This kind of association does not exist inside Android. You can hook up a external GPS, but no program will access it. The OS itself doesn't have access to it.
BTW I looked this up, but I could not find what chip goes inside the SGS. Is it SirfStar III? Can anyone confirm?
guibao said:
BTW I looked this up, but I could not find what chip goes inside the SGS. Is it SirfStar III? Can anyone confirm?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is a Broadcom BCM 4751 chip. Designed on a friday afternoon, after a long, well-wined lunch. Or so I heard. But I hear a lot of nonsensical rumours.
Beowulf_pt said:
It is a Broadcom BCM 4751 chip. Designed on a friday afternoon, after a long, well-wined lunch. Or so I heard. But I hear a lot of nonsensical rumours.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Beowulf_pt did you manage to redirect data from external GPS?
I can read data with "bluetooh GPS" aplication but i did not find any redirect software.
I have a Hollux receiver that say's 10 satelites in use rather then 8 of the galaxy.
jllb said:
Beowulf_pt did you manage to redirect data from external GPS?
I can read data with "bluetooh GPS" aplication but i did not find any redirect software.
I have a Hollux receiver that say's 10 satelites in use rather then 8 of the galaxy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You got me wrong. I'm not trying to use the BT GPS with the SGS as that is currently not possible in android. No native stack support nor navigation apps that use the units over the internal GPS. Only that little experimental app that reads NMEA data but has no real use. I hope Android gets this in 3.0 but I doubt it.
What I will try to do with the Samsung is to connect it to an external amplified GPS antenna (1.5 GHz) via the connector on the back of the samsung (net to the SIM card).
I have not recieved the antenna yet so I can't comment... but it should at least provide some better SNR results.
PS: I also have a Holux. It is quite nice, I use it a lot with my Nokia E72 and it works fine unlike the SGS
guibao said:
I guess you got a point when you say that all Android devices have a gps chip embedded. But I sill think it's an Android limitation not supporting an external gps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can understand their decision not to invest time in this as all android devices have an internal GPS... but time has proven that that is a bad idea as many units have really poor GPS. The Galaxy S is probably the worst of them all.
Without the ability to use an externa receiver you're pretty much screwed... no alternatives at all.
Guys,
Did any one try this app ?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=7703266#post7703266
jllb said:
Guys,
Did any one try this app ?
forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=7703266#post7703266
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is the site of the developer :
mobile-j.de/snipsnap/space/start
wonder if it's works well, pitty it doesn't support sygic and others ....
Guys a new application is on the market and for free ...
Check Bluetooth GPS Mouse
Work but in my case a bir of lag sometimes ..
jllb said:
Guys a new application is on the market and for free ...
Check Bluetooth GPS Mouse
Work but in my case a bir of lag sometimes ..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The free version is a trial, it disconnects every 10 minutes or so. The full version is 1.99€.
I tried the free version with two of my bluetooth devices (Holux M1200 and ncs-navi 150), seems to work fine with both.
BTW, with JM7+voodoo fix combination, the internal GPS has been quite satisfactory so far (touching wood...)
Has anyone experience with this application yet ?
Bluetooth gps seems to have a bug. It seems to update it's location and after that sgs will give its location, what happens is that it starts switches between the two locations every second
If you turn gps location service off from android settings, the lag is gone.
However, an app named "gps provider" does not lag in the same way. I think bluetooth gps mouse app will have updatea, where this problem will be fixed.
Other than that the location is very precise using an Nokia LD-W3 bluetooth gps.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
i'm using the bluetooth gps mouse with sygic mobile maps and it works perfectly. I did'nt hope it was working that nice.
rogo-1 said:
The free version is a trial, it disconnects every 10 minutes or so. The full version is 1.99€.
I tried the free version with two of my bluetooth devices (Holux M1200 and ncs-navi 150), seems to work fine with both.
BTW, with JM7+voodoo fix combination, the internal GPS has been quite satisfactory so far (touching wood...)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What you mean with "quite satisfactory"? Does the internal GPS get a fix without A-gps support? I mean without being online?
I use GPS Bluetooth mouse unlimited on a daily basis with Motonav , Sygic or Navigon.
Internal gps receiver AND Mobile networks( A-gps) are disabled on my sgs.
My external gps receiver got a sirfstarIII chipset . In a hot start I get a fix in less than 20 seconds. Otherwise 4 to 6 minutes in a cold start.
Once again no need for internal gps receiver and / or A-gps (celular network) for for a fast and stable satellite fix. Pure GPS navigation pleasure...
Offline GPS navigation = Freedom
And it rocks on my super-Amoled gs screen!!!
Guys,
I've implemented the external BT GPS for the CM7. Until now I only supplied a I9000 rom and source code. Since vibrant users with CM7 suffers from GPS performance (lack of it ;-) )
new build with android 2.3.7!
http://iloki.nl/2011/09/30/android-237/
Installation is the same procedure as the CM nightlies. Only rom file is different.
Howto install
cool will give it a shot
gekkekoe123 said:
Guys,
I've implemented the external BT GPS for the CM7. Until now I only supplied a I9000 rom and source code. Since vibrant users with CM7 suffers from GPS performance (lack of it ;-) )
I've decided to build a rom also for vibrant users. Give it a try: http://iloki.nl/2011/08/06/update-06-08-2011/
Beware, I'm uncertain if vibrant uses the same bootloader as the I9000. Changing bootloader isn't required for GPS support and is NOT recommended for vibrant users.
for more background information: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1170031
Please try to centralize feedback in the background topic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you! I love my Vibrant but GPS is a deal-breaker for me.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA Premium App
This does not improve the internal GPS radio in any way. This just gives us a switch to enable a external Bluetooth GPS receiver natively without buggy 3rd party apps. This causes apps such as Google maps or navigation to be much more accurate due to the dedicated GPS receiver hardware. Using my GlobatSat BT-359 I have managed a app reported 0 accuracy and almost always below a 5 foot area. This pretty much makes the internal GPS cry like a newborn baby...
SkOrPn
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
so you'll need something extra for this to work?
On the download page, you will find step by step instructions on how to use it.
Basically, flash the rom, pair your gps mouse and just enable/disable GPS (using power widget for example).
But read the instructions at: http://iloki.nl/2011/08/06/update-06-08-2011/
it has screenshots and stuff
My rom basically gives you a switch to use our BT gps mouse as if it were your internal GPS. So you will get maximum compatibility , less battery drain and so on. Normally external receivers are way better than the ones that comes with your phone. My gps mouse is giving me 0.8m-2.0m accuracy for example. I was happy if I had 10m on my internal one. Most of the time I could get a lock (already tried soldering and so on).
To use my stuff the requirements are:
Galaxy S I9000/Vibrant -> binary builds. Other devices can be built from source.
NMEA 0813 capable GPS Mouse with Bluetooth Serial Port Profile (SPP)
gekkekoe123 said:
NMEA 0813 capable GPS Mouse with Bluetooth Serial Port Profile (SPP)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does it matter what chipset is being used in the mouse? By the way, I call it a GPS Receiver, "mouse" sounds strange to me, lol....
My unit has the SiRF StarIII chip and is also NMEA 0183.
GPS Protocol Default: NMEA 0183 (Secondary: SiRF binary)
GPS Output Data: SiRF binary >> position, velocity, altitude, status and control
NMEA 0183 MEA0183 V2.2 protocol, and supports commands GGA, GSA, GSV, RMC, VTG, GLL v2.2 (VTG and GLL are optional)
GPS transfer rate: Software command setting (Default : 38400,n,8,1 for NMEA )
Connection: Communication with host platform via Bluetooth Serial Port Profile
Using the 3rd party app "Bluetooth GPS Provider" from the market, it lets me actually select my chip type, in this case SiRF. Does this even matter in this case?
Nope doesn't really matter as long as they output nmea sentences (I haven't seen one that didn't. But it doesn't hurt to check before buying).
I myself am using a MTK2 chipset.
btw: google GPS Mouse ;-)
gekkekoe123 said:
Nope doesn't really matter as long as they output nmea sentences (I haven't seen one that didn't. But it doesn't hurt to check before buying).
I myself am using a MTK2 chipset.
btw: google GPS Mouse ;-)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I already knew its called a mouse, I was just commenting that I do not like it. Its a GPS satelite receiver, or even a Wireless BT GPS puck would have been more appropriate I think... Come to think about it, mine is slightly smaller than a ice hockey puck but rectangled and very heavy for its size. I could easily play ice hockey with it, LOL....
Ok, so good NMEA support is all we need to worry about then. Most excellent...
EDIT: I hear MTK is better than SiRF, but not sure myself...
Synced with the low power mode patches.
new vibrant rom available.
This post is just asking for more clarity.. ..
gekkekoe123 said:
Guys,
I've implemented the external BT GPS for the CM7. Until now I only supplied a I9000 rom and source code. Since vibrant users with CM7 suffers from GPS performance (lack of it ;-) )
I've decided to build a rom also for vibrant users. Give it a try: http://iloki.nl/2011/08/06/update-06-08-2011/
Beware, I'm uncertain if vibrant uses the same bootloader as the I9000. Changing bootloader isn't required for GPS support and is NOT recommended for vibrant users.
for more background information: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1170031
Please try to centralize feedback in the background topic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your developments and this post, seems to have a great feature for the Vibrant users like my self, if I could understand your post....
External BT GPS...... If I had an external GPS, why would I use my phone....
External BT mouse . . . . this is not clear to me....
This post is just asking for more clarity.. ..
serendipityguy said:
Thanks for your developments and this post, seems to have a great feature for the Vibrant users like my self, if I could understand your post....
External BT GPS...... If I had an external GPS, why would I use my phone....
External BT mouse . . . . this is not clear to me....
This post is just asking for more clarity.. ..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He has enabled this phone to take advantage of the common GPS Pucks you see around the world. They do not have a screen of their own, all they do is have the high quality GPS chip like MTK or SiRF StarIII or something similar, and they have their own antenna and they connect via Bluetooth to computers, laptops and smartphones. Smartphones are given very cheaply made low quality GPS systems, but some people like myself included would prefer a much higher quality GPS result on their phone.
Advantages:
1. MUCH higher quality GPS accuracy down to 1 foot or less.
2. Uses less power since Bluetooth is MUCH more power efficient. I had my GPS on over 8 hours yesterday and when I went to bed I was still at 54% battery left, using the built in GPS system my phone would have died long long before then.
3. Lets people use their current GPS puck/mouse. Now I can use my GlobalSat BT-359 GPS mouse. My Samsungs built in GPS system is non-existant and has never worked properly. Now I finally have real GPS, so props to the OP.
This OP in my opinion was very very clear in the first place... You shouldnt roll your eyes or wink like you know what your talking about unless you truly know what your talking about. All you did was show how much you are lacking up stairs. Figured I get to now roll my eyes at your stupid post.
A GPS Mouse is a GPS unit made for smartphones and laptops and they DO NOT have a screen of their own, there are hundreds of them made and have been for many many years. This is what he is doing, letting us use these awesome Bluetooth GPS devices so we can have much more accuracy and bettery battery savings. I see no harm in this.
@the OP, thanks for your great efforts as this was long over due...
new vibrant build available http://iloki.nl/2011/08/24/update-24082011/
gekkekoe123 said:
new vibrant build available http://iloki.nl/2011/08/24/update-24082011/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The new Vibrant build still has flashing according to Skitz.... he broke it Im sure, lol....
Thanks SkOrPn for the explanation, this helped greatly.
SkOrPn said:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks SkOrPn for the explanation, this helped greatly.
serendipityguy said:
Thanks SkOrPn for the explanation, this helped greatly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why certainly your most welcome....
I'm using this via Trigger - works BEAUTIFULLY on my BT 359 receiver. Although it was pretty confusing at first - after pairing initially it just said "paired but not connected" - needed to switch to the external first, then reboot, then turn on both BT and GPS (sometimes they turn on together in tandem, sometimes they don't..) before the light on the receiver indicated it was connected to the phone. And even then, it's still reported as not paired.
But that aside, this is ROCKING. I would tell you how accurate of locks I'm getting but GPS Test is freaking out (which seems to have been fixed and needs to be implemented in Trigger)
What are the odds of getting this into CM7 mainline?
strictlyrude27 said:
And even then, it's still reported as not paired.
What are the odds of getting this into CM7 mainline?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It reports itself as "Paired but not connected", not as not paired. I mentioned this somewhere else I think in the Trigger thread but now I cant find it. I believe it cant report itself as connected because it does not use a constant on connection similar to that of a BT Headset would. I believe the puck sends data at on/off intervals to short for the phone to display a connection. Just my theory though... My BT Headset on the other hand causes the phone to report as connected, but I think that's because its a constant connection, as obviously an on/off connection would be detrimental to transmitting voice... lol
I can't wait to get this in cm7 source myself, but I wont hold my breath. I wonder if there is anyone we can email to get this pushed along quicker?
Don't worry about paired but not connected message. The most important thing is that is it paired.
Connected is represented by the GPS icon.
flashing -> connected and waiting for fix, or temp lost a fix
solid -> connected and fix
none -> no connection.
Just pay attention to you gps icon and you should be fine. The connection should be there all the time, a fix can be lost temporary if you're going through a long tunnel.
It's generally best to first turn on gps and then enable it on your phone (handshake attempts are initiated from the phone). The first handshake attempt might failed otherwise and you have to wait a little bit for the retry. But eventually it will connect.
New vibrant rom is being build, should be up shortly.
This removes the reboot requirement when switching gps sources. Yes it means no more rebooting
http://iloki.nl/2011/09/08/reboot-requirement-removed/