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Hi, I purchased S3 mini around december 2012, one of the main reasons why I bought it was the gps/glonass-feature, since I figured it would provide me with more accurate tracking while running. Previously I had used a Samsung Galaxy Gio phone for running, and with rooting and a gpsfix (changed the server) it provided accurate gps in long half-marathon runs and so forth. The issue with that phone was that the battery life was terrible.
Now, the S3 mini is brilliant in battery consumption, but the gps accuracy has been horrid. It locks a satellite within seconds, several satellites are in use immediately. So, nothing to complain there. However, it is almost one street off, throughout my run. It tracks usually 1-2 kilometers less distance than the Gio, which manages to stay on the road I'm running on perfectly. If I'm to believe the S3 mini, I frequently run in water and through people's backyards...
Now, I have attempted the usual tricks, cleared agps, updated it before runs, calibrated the compass with GPS status indoors and outdoors. But nothing seems to work. Many times the gps will track perfectly when I'm headed, let's say northwards for several kilometers, but then when I turn to go west-east or southwards (for example) the gps accuracy goes off. I'm hoping this is an issue that could be easily fixed, since it's a shame that such a fabulous phone like the s3 mini fails to be a good running partner.
My S3 mini is not rooted, most of the gps fixes only fix satellite locking. My issue is inaccuracy, and yes, many people think it's normal, but having had perfect tracking with an entry-level smart phone like Samsung Galaxy Gio, I fail to understand why my S3 Mini does not excel in this area.
What else should/could I try? or just use my gio while running and hope it doesn't run out of battery in 1,5 hours.
I have also noticed the inaccurate gps of the s3 mini. After some positional testing I have decided that the gps is just not V good on this phone including being mounted on shoulder.
I also have an issue where gps locks up and freezes when the phone sleeps. I have yet to overcome this. I'm hoping it's a kernel issue brought about by flashing.
After years of smartphone soul searching, I now use a Garmin 405cx for sports, etrex10 for work and hiking, and a tomtom for sat navigation. I only now rely on the shoddy gps for View ranger Os mapping on the phone. Based on its performance I've started purchasing paper maps and now use those to navigate while walking and hiking.
This makes me very sad. I love android and like the s3mini. However yesterday I contemplated throwing it across lane 3 of the M20.
Sent from my GT-I8190 using Tapatalk 2
Hi, I have a same problem with my new Samsung Galaxy S3 mini and Sports Tracker. And many other reporting this problem. Sports Tracker works fine with my ZTE Blade. The first I thought that the fault is in bad GPS module in my phone. But the GPS work fine with Navi software. I realized that in Navi software the phone screen is always on and with Sport Tracker go in stanby. And when the screen go in standby the gps stop working. And when the signal is repeatedly interrupted then for a long time does not want to connect. Solution is that you in Sport Tracker settigs set Screen backlight to Always on. Now the problem is that the random clicking Stop suspended yor current workout. I do not know if fault is with Jelly Bean ROM or with Samsung Galaxy phones. Later I again tested navi app IGO Primo and if I turned off the screen GPS also go on off.
Phone screen always ON is also not an ideal solution. Because the signal is still losing, but every once for a second.
I tried various apps: GPS Status (settings: Background behavior/The app will keep the GPS running even the device screen is turned off.
But it does not work).Tracker Booster, Keep My GPS Alive, but without success
Is there any solution for this?
I've got the same problem while using GPS in a running application (like runkeeper, runtastic or endomondo).
I know this is an old thread, but I want to ask if anyone has found a solution for this problem.
I would be very thankful!
I have the exact same problem. After two months of GPS hell with my SII I got a new SIII mini. Initial GPS lock and detection goes really quick (22 satellites). If I do a quick turn in running it seems that it tracks a bit of until the end. It may be 100 meter or 200 meter on a 10 kilometer (and people indeed say it's normal, but with my SII it was perfect)
Could it be processor related? I run with a bluetooth heart rate sensor, google music, running app, etc. I tend to believe if I switch of 3G that it goes better.
Any other suggestions on this?
I have basically come to the conclusion that the GPS on this phone is ****, primarily due to the OS sleeping it. Which is a battery saving strategy. We do have very good battery life on these devices.
The GPS doesn't have any issues if an app is using it, like (Viewranger recording a track). This prevents the OS sleeping it. However accuracy of the GPS on SGS3M is poor. But really if you after doing serious tasks that require even a hint of accuracy then purchasing a dedicated device is the way forward. If you run try the Garmin range of fitness devices. If it's work try a hiking GPS I use a etrex 20 for assisting in surveying trees. Recording my movements across a site and the locations of any trees with works associated.
I think the phone manufacturer decided that the accuracy issue was not a concern as many navigation apps would snap the users location to roads and such.
Don't hold out for any solution. I can say the only thing to ensure is the latest firmware. I have the latest which isn't available on the "BTU" location code. However the German firmware works fine with my UK device. Check the Dev thread for latest stock rom, (pretty rooted).
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
gaze eademno
ninjalandpirate said:
I have basically come to the conclusion that the GPS on this phone is ****, primarily due to the OS sleeping it. Which is a battery saving strategy. We do have very good battery life on these devices.
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Click to collapse
I don't know what to think from it. If I track a car drive with it (using Endomondo), it uses a perfect track to road tracking.
Also initial running tracking using Endomondo is fine. It seems that a sudden change in direction (eg a sudden change from south to nord) let's down the accuracy. It's strange because the device has a very good satelite detection and fast lock.
NicolasBE said:
I don't know what to think from it. If I track a car drive with it (using Endomondo), it uses a perfect track to road tracking.
Also initial running tracking using Endomondo is fine. It seems that a sudden change in direction (eg a sudden change from south to nord) let's down the accuracy. It's strange because the device has a very good satelite detection and fast lock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This morning I had a spectacular improvement.
What has changed:
I installed the latest 4.1.2 official build from sammobile.com
I ran without 3G location services. (pure on GPS)
I also switched the device from being upside down on my left arm, to being straight on my right arm.
Possible something that has nothing to do with it: my work e-mail policy was not yet enabled on the device.
I also ran a slightly other route (but there was still a sharp turn halfway involved), and the signal corrected itself perfectly.
My bluetooth heart rate was enabled, 3G was enabled and google play music was enabled.
So the thing I'm eager to try is: enabling location services again, and doing the route that caused trouble again.
But to be honest ... I think it's the new 4.1.2 build that solved it.
My gf's phone has XXAMG1 build and it has exactly this same issue. GPS shuts down a couple of minutes from start.
Recently I found out that my GPS becomes inaccurate when I enter into the forest. I use it mostly for navigation while mountain biking. The position defers after 10 to 20 minutes for 200 to 400 metres. The position error direction is almost every time in the direction of departure point that means that GPS position stays behind me. When I check GPS reception with GPS test, there are always 5 to 12 satellites in use with estimated error up to 5 metres. The interest thing is that if I switch GPS off and then again ON, the new first fix is very accurate. After that, if I continue cycling, the position becomes inaccurate again. I have tried different programs (sports tracker, view ranger, orux maps, Google maps) with same results.
Any suggestions very welcome.
Same issue here (example included)
Same issue here. S3 Mini and Endomondo. Tracks start to differ after a certain amount of time (refer to attached JPG)
Chatted with Samsung about this issue and they told me that this is caused by the fact that all Galaxy phones have AGPS, where an internet connection is neccessary for the GPS to work. But I am not sure that this is the problem...
Samsung told me that I am the only person indicating this is a problem so it's probably my phone. Perhaps good to file an official support request at Samsung?
My few thoughts on this...
On stock rom everything was working well. except for the rom itself.
On maclaw cm 10.1. gps worked well until after an hour or so of use for tracking. then gps decided that I'm cca 100 meters away from spot where I was standing. it just translated my position and stayed translated the whole time until I turned gps on/off.
On Stock i8190XXAMJ3 gps was amazing, it was locking onto satelittes even inside the house, but it had the same issue like cm10.1 rom.
Now I'm on S5style_i8190XXANA2_v1 and for now gps look good, didn't have any issue, hope it will stay like this.
just to say, I've played with gps.conf, with various apps like gps status, gps test, resetting agps data, trying different apps for tracking and nothing worked. after a while, gps simply translates my position and stays like that.
to reply to myself...
for some reason every stock rom I flashed with cwm apparently didn't flash baseband with it (or something went wrong), so phone was showing original baseband version. then I flashed baseband ANA2 separately and now gps shows no problems stated in previous post.
I've had the same problem on my S3 mini. I'd tried a few apps to track my sport activities before I've found working one - Navime Sport Tracker. Since then I've been using it and faced no problems with GPS and tracking. Unfortunately app only works in Poland. So you may ask why I'm writing about this. I do so because I reckon that problem sometimes lies in a tracking app itself. E.g. in the same place where Navime was detecting 7-13 satellites Endomondo (with identical GPS settings) managed to find 1 or 2. That's how I solved my problem. And one more thing - I use stock-Samsung Android 4.1.2 (newest).
My usual GPS config:
- GPS is ON (obviously)
- using wireless network to fix GPS is OFF (option on the top)
- GPS data available for Google services is ON (option on the bottom)
- data connection is ON
Proof:
navime.pl/trasa/348283/Katowice-Pszczyna+17.04.2014
Hi pcm266
I know this is a reply to a post a year old, but this is the closest description of the problem I continue to experience. Perhaps you and others are still looking for a solution.
This is NOT simply a matter of poor connections due to loose screws. I tried a month ago tightening screws, checked every setting but the problem persists. Loosened then tightened screws again yesterday. Today I ran with both my S3mini and my old Samsung GIO. The GIO recorded perfectly!
Your sentence "Many times the gps will track perfectly when I'm headed, let's say northwards for several kilometers, but then when I turn to go west-east or southwards (for example) the gps accuracy goes off. " is pretty well what I see happening.
What is puzzling is that S3mini worked perfectly in a race on 29 March. ??? Have not been able to repeat that.
Tightening screws is certainly not helping me. I am sure that this is a software error. There is a consistency in the type of error that is not is the type of error I would expect from intermittent connections.
Another strange thing is that the S3mini tracking is pretty good when travelling in a car. It is when I ran - which is of course much slower than a car - that the tracking is worse. Something to do with collecting too much data and doing some sort of averaging????
My son runs with an S3. Never had a single tracking problem.
A tip re the GIO battery: The Lithium-hydride batteries in laptop battery packs have the same charging characteristics as the batteries in the Samsung phones. I simply soldered wires from the contact points in the phone to a battery taken from an old laptop pack. (Usually when these battery packs fail, most of the individual cells are still good. I use them in all sorts of applications. ) The battery is fastened to the back of the Gio with duct tape. The phone no longer has a simcard in it, so I keep it on airplane mode. The battery stays charged for days!
Guys, I've never experienced this GPS problem. My S3 Mini has completely accurate readings both in car and while walking. You can try and update your phone to a newer firmware version if it's still on a firmware from a year ago. Don't know what else to suggest, God bless my S3 Mini for not having this problem, 'cause I use GPS frequently
Hello, I have the same problem with inaccurate gps after some time. Is there any solution. I use this phone only for running, so for me it is not a problem to flash another rom. I hope someone can give me a solution or a rom that works while running.
Hi all,
I've had a search and there seem to be quite a few questions about the compass. How accurate is it on the HTC One? I tried geocaching recently and found that mine varied quite a bit, depending which way round I held the phone. I've done a test, calibrating the phone, then moving it to different positions, turning it round 360 degrees. As I turn it, the pointer for north moves, varying as far as 30 degrees.
Is this normal, or is it a fault? My wife's Xperia SP seems far more accurate. If it makes any difference, I've rooted the phone, but no custom rom or kernel. I'm on 4.2.2.
Hi!
I am facing problems with the orientation sensors (accelerometer and/or gyroscope), because installing several applications to test them (or use games), it is clearly observable, that they are a bit off (with enough to be disturbing when required). For example, games or tests that simulate a ball, and my phone is laying on a horizontal table, the ball rolls quickly to the edge of screen. This happens as well with the built-in tests in the "service menu" of the phone, for accelerometer and gyroscope also.
Do you have any suggestions how could I calibrate these sensors globally (for every app)?
Thanks.
Info
vetko said:
Hi!
I am facing problems with the orientation sensors (accelerometer and/or gyroscope), because installing several applications to test them (or use games), it is clearly observable, that they are a bit off (with enough to be disturbing when required). For example, games or tests that simulate a ball, and my phone is laying on a horizontal table, the ball rolls quickly to the edge of screen. This happens as well with the built-in tests in the "service menu" of the phone, for accelerometer and gyroscope also.
Do you have any suggestions how could I calibrate these sensors globally (for every app)?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
factory Reset ur phone and then use PC companion app to Repair Firmware...
this can wipe current data and install fresh firmware on ur device
:good:
Hi,
I have the same problem. Only the x axis of the accelerometer seems to be affected : it show a value around 1 instead of 0 while the phone is sitting flat. Y and Z display normal values.
All the software solutions I have tried have had no effect at all... It seems the built-in test reads raw data from the accelerometer. It is hard to imagine how this can be a hardware problem though...
Anyway, in my case I believe a software fix (x=x-1) would do the trick but I have no idea how to do such a thing ! Any help ?
@vekto : Have you solved the issue by any chance ?
Would anyone care to try the accelerometer tests and post their results ?
Typing *#*#7378423#*#* will get you on the service menu. The two significant tests are "accelerometer" and "gyroscope".
I'd post some screenshots myself but I'm not allowed yet...
I'm having the same problem now. It seems one axis is affected. Haven't found a way around so far. This is sad because it affects the images taken with Google Camera Sphere mode. The images are badly aligned together with glitches in between. My phone wasn't like this before.
Either a SW fault - might be able to calibrate with GPS Status & Toolbox app, for example - or a FW fault - and reflashing ROM might help (highly unlikely) - or HW fault - the sensor has moved on the board (which is a bad sign anyway, might be on the way to disconnecting itself).
I sent mine to Xperia Care and got it back with the accelerator fixed. Still unclear if it's a HW problem...
It came back with a white spot on the screen (near the power button) though... so I sent it back again
I'm also having issues with the gyroscope. Installed Bubble app to calibrate the gyro. It showed the gyro was of a couple of degrees. Unfortunately the bubble app calibration doesn't work in a game like Need for Speed. It's very difiicult to achieve good times in the game right now since I have to hold it tilted to the left to go straight ahead.
So if anyone has a fix or workaround... Please do post.
Same problem, Seems after factory reset whith wipe dalvik cache.
any solution?
02nd March 2017, my autorotate has completely stopped working, restart, safe-deposit and reset do not fix. Diagnostics show Gyroscope Light Sensor and accelerometer failed testing, 3 years of same issue, surely there must be a fix that works by now?? ( please note, " turning it off and on again " does not fix it )
Helps Please
I have the same issue. Since last week, gyro, accelerometer, light and proximity sensors stop working. I've tried reflashing stock ROM without success. I have not warranty (almost 3 years old), so I even try to disassemble , disconnect an reconnect every flex (I don't know exactly were the sensors are located on the board). After that I get almost 8 hours of fully functionally sensors and then, they stop working again, so I'm almost sure it's a hardware issue.
Same problem for 3 years
I'm just now getting around to doing something about this. As my power button stopped working I can't post requested screenshot without going to the pc. I have been shopping new (fall 2018) phones after having the Z3+ since release. In my research I'm finding the phone still is better than Samsung, LG, and the pixel3 for me because the 3.5mm phone jack is mandatory for me using my device with an i-rig midi requiring both that port and the USB at the same time. I'm going to do everything I can to keep using this phone till it falls to dust. It's one of 4 Sony I've bought since the day Z1 came out of t-mo. I look forward to testing solutions. :good:
Some time after my post, I bought a new jack/proximity sensor flex and replace it. This solved the issue, but weeks later, the bottom portion of the touch screen becomes unresponsive. May be I have done something wrong... may be programmed obsolescence...
Hi I'm facing a problem of my gyroscope I don't know which one is not working a gyroscope or accelerometer. My gyroscope is so delay when I play pubg mobile and I can't also calibrate my Gsensor it always says FAIL but I put in a perfect flat surface please please please help me with this problems
I picked up the nexus 6 from AT&T a couple days ago and love it but I have one issue. The compass is off by 90 to 180 degrees. If I spin it around enough it usually calibrated itself but only lasts until the next time I start maps.
I've seen a couple of comments indicating similar issues but I'm not sure if it is a hardware issue and should be replaced.
Does the compass work correctly for everyone else?
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
Same issue here
I have the same issue with my Nexus 6 64Gb blue, bought in Germany from Amazon.de.
Calibration helps but it decalibrates soon, and then the compass is off by 90° or 180°.
DontHaveACLue said:
I picked up the nexus 6 from AT&T a couple days ago and love it but I have one issue. The compass is off by 90 to 180 degrees. If I spin it around enough it usually calibrated itself but only lasts until the next time I start maps.
I've seen a couple of comments indicating similar issues but I'm not sure if it is a hardware issue and should be replaced.
Does the compass work correctly for everyone else?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would NOT be a hardware issue. That is entirely software.
doitright said:
That would NOT be a hardware issue. That is entirely software.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why are you so sure it's a software issue if the sensor loses calibration no matter what?
max.shirshin said:
Why are you so sure it's a software issue if the sensor loses calibration no matter what?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
heres one way to calibrate a compass in android.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzQSsUsOWJc
simms22 said:
heres one way to calibrate a compass in android..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly, except that in case of Nexus 6 the calibration only helps for about half an hour. It corrects the compass sensor and it starts behaving as it should, only to start showing random direction when you open Google Maps the next time. I've been testing it for several days, both inside and outside, in different places, running calibration several times a day. In no less than a couple of hours (usually even faster) it goes nuts again.
If you own a Nexus 6 as well, and do NOT have this issue, please let us know where you bought the device and which exact model it was (white or blue? memory size?)
Thank you very much in advance!
ingdir said:
Exactly, except that in case of Nexus 6 the calibration only helps for about half an hour. It corrects the compass sensor and it starts behaving as it should, only to start showing random direction when you open Google Maps the next time. I've been testing it for several days, both inside and outside, in different places, running calibration several times a day. In no less than a couple of hours (usually even faster) it goes nuts again.
If you own a Nexus 6 as well, and do NOT have this issue, please let us know where you bought the device and which exact model it was (white or blue? memory size?)
Thank you very much in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bought mine through tmobile. black(blue) 32gb version
max.shirshin said:
Why are you so sure it's a software issue if the sensor loses calibration no matter what?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Calibration *IS* a software function. You feed corrections into the compass driver to compensate for the magnetic fields generated by the phone itself. If it is losing calibration, it CAN ONLY be a software issue. The data generated by the compass HARDWARE is not affected by calibration. The calibration adjustments are applied to values after they have been received from the hardware by the driver, and before being passed on to userland.
---------- Post added at 08:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:50 PM ----------
ingdir said:
Exactly, except that in case of Nexus 6 the calibration only helps for about half an hour. It corrects the compass sensor and it starts behaving as it should, only to start showing random direction when you open Google Maps the next time. I've been testing it for several days, both inside and outside, in different places, running calibration several times a day. In no less than a couple of hours (usually even faster) it goes nuts again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you totally certain that this is a function of losing calibration and not of needing a NEW calibration? The problem is that a compass reads magnetic fields. Nearly EVERYTHING generates magnetic fields, ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING that uses electricity will generate magnetic fields. Everything with IRON in it will generate magnetic fields, typically in line with earth's magnetic field so it won't interfere (much), but if that thing with iron in it is MOVED, it will DEFINITELY interfere for quite a long time until it resets.
What the calibration does, is it tries to sort out all the competing magnetic fields in order to lock in to the true earth magnetic field. If you keep switching the compass on at different locations, then absolutely YES, it will spit out various incorrect values. In fact, if you go get yourself a regular old fashioned magnetic compass (with a needle on a pin in an oil bath) and you move it around, it WILL react to all the different things that produce a magnetic field.
Maybe try going into a forest, calibrating it, sitting around for a few hours (maybe a camp fire?), and then checking if it keeps its calibration.
doitright said:
Calibration *IS* a software function. You feed corrections into the compass driver to compensate for the magnetic fields generated by the phone itself. If it is losing calibration, it CAN ONLY be a software issue.
Are you totally certain that this is a function of losing calibration and not of needing a NEW calibration?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I'm not. Well, here are some possibilities to consider:
1. External magnetic fields affecting the phone in a way the compass goes nuts.
Before Nexus 6, I had Nexus 5 for 1 year and its compass worked perfectly in the same locations where Nexus 6 compass fails: same apartment, same office, same places around the city. Moreover, I don't even remember calibrating my Nexus 5, the compass just worked. Now I have Moto G as a temporary phone as I've sent my N6 back to Amazon, and Moto G compass works excellently as well -- again, no calibration required. So we have at least two devices with compasses working fine in the same environment.
2. Software bug that causes calibration data to be dropped.
I had the compass problem both on stock Lollipop and on CM. I also have a friend who did NOT have any compass issues while running exactly the same setup (first stock, then the same builds of CM) on the same Nexus 6 model. In Android, apps typically can't work with drivers on such a low level that could affect the calibration, and I don't run any special apps (except Google Maps) that do something with the compass. So it CAN be a software bug, but then it has to be very picky. Running a phone on pure CM without Google Maps for several days could be a good test as Maps is the only app that had something to do with a compass on my phone.
3. Some magnetic interference inside the device itself, or the sensor being too sensitive and/or having a hardware problem of its own.
This one seems the most likely to me, as it fits a pattern: the problem happens consistently on one device while never happening on other devices with identical configuration, several users have this problem (there are threads on reddit and other places, too) while the majority seems to be unaffected, and other devices with a compass work just fine in same locations.
Anyway, there obviously ARE devices around which can have a compass working just fine, and be it either a software or a hardware issue with Nexus 6, it's good if more people report a similar issue (or a lack thereof).
I have the same issue. I have calibrated from home and on the road in several states. I does not hold calibration.
I'm road warrior, and this is a real problem when traveling.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
I had the Note II and I always had trouble with the compass in gmaps. Specifically, if you are just looking at the map without having a destination entered (perhaps to review traffic), the compass would never work. The heading marker pretty much had a mind of its own. Well, I upgraded to the Note III, thinking that the problem must be fixed. Nope! Wrong! Nada! Same problem.
I started a thread a couple of years ago when I had the Note II
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=44662834#post44662834
And a lot of other folks responded, suggesting that it was some sort of bug.
I have tried the *#0*# calibration, and it seems to help at least for a few minutes, but it usually starts getting wonky again shortly. Also, the calibration almost never survives a reboot, forcing me to calibrate again.
Well, I am probably getting close to upgrading again, and I was wondering what I can expect with the Note 4. Has it been fixed?
Never had the issue with any of the note lines. Works ok for me.
Compass working great here.
Not so great with mine. Compas and GPS is only issue I've had with n4. Stark contrast to note 2 which was both fast and accurate.
10-K said:
Compass working great here.
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Click to collapse
+1
Mine has been perfect since I calibrated it. Prior to calibration it was always 180° off. Survives reboots.
I guess it all depends different factors: user, location, service, etc. I've never had problems with GPS or compass with any of my Notes (1-4), from New York to Los Angeles, AT&T and T-mobile. If it was a thing, it was never a thing for me.