GPS on i900 with Garmin XT

[Guest Elusivellama]

The GPS on this thing is terrible, it takes up to 20 - 30min to get a lock, if ever. I have installed the latest DZIA5/DZIA2 ROM, used registry editor to delete the GPS log values (not the entries) and also removed the two logs files + xtra file. I have set WM to automatically manage GPS, set the GPS to COM3, hardware COM9/57600baud. I've tried every freaking thing and the GPS lock is still garbage!<br /><br />I'm at my wits end, what am I doing wrong here?

Edited July 3, 2009 by Elusivellama

[Guest lutharigno]

The GPS on this thing is terrible, it takes up to 20 - 30min to get a lock, if ever. I have installed the latest DZIA5/DZIA2 ROM, used registry editor to delete the GPS log values (not the entries) and also removed the two logs files + xtra file. I have set WM to automatically manage GPS, set the GPS to COM3, hardware COM9/57600baud. I've tried every freaking thing and the GPS lock is still garbage!

I'm at my wits end, what am I doing wrong here?

It sounds like your doing everything right to me. You have done more than I have (just hard reset after rom update) and i get a lock usually in 90 secs. I'm using garmin xt v5. Have you tried re-installing Garmin? I do have a problem locking ocassionally but after i exit out and go back in, i usually get a lock. On rare occassions, i need to do a soft reset.

Currently running Sector's winmo 6.5 W1a Lite rom but have been getting same results since ia1. At least that's as far back as i remember.

[Guest Lancez]

The GPS on this thing is terrible, it takes up to 20 - 30min to get a lock, if ever. I have installed the latest DZIA5/DZIA2 ROM, used registry editor to delete the GPS log values (not the entries) and also removed the two logs files + xtra file. I have set WM to automatically manage GPS, set the GPS to COM3, hardware COM9/57600baud. I've tried every freaking thing and the GPS lock is still garbage!<br /><br />I'm at my wits end, what am I doing wrong here?

garmin is running fine on mine, set baud rate to 38400 and keep the Xtra data

[Guest Elusivellama]

@lutharigno Are you using the XTRA assisted GPS for your device?

[Guest KSTAN]

I just run Garmin without changing any GPS settings. It takes less than 1 min to lock on (outdoor)... ;)

Edited July 3, 2009 by KSTAN

[Guest monyozt]

using AGPS function only needs 5seconds to get locked ;)

[Guest Elusivellama]

I turned on assisted GPS, plugged it into activesync and it downloaded the file. After that, I soft reset and have tried again... still no fix after 5 min. I'm using Garmin XT v4. Must I be standing outside, away from tall buildings and make sure the sky isn't very overcast? It is quite overcast here (about to rain), and I'm just trying from my apartment balcony with a clear view of the sky.

[Guest jenben]

Ye mate dont know what the fix is for your problem but with my i900 stock rom with all the reg edits and stuff that you did gets a lock in around 5 to 20 seconds.

Just tried it right now inside with a overcast rainy day and I got a lock in exactly 46 seconds, but I think if your outside and away from tall buildings it should work even better.

Hope you get it fixed!!

[Guest KSTAN]

yup, it just took a couple of seconds to get a lock when i'm outdoor or in the bus... ;)

I'm using Garmin Mobile XT V5.00.20wp... :D

[Guest X-Ray A4T]

Firstly ignore all posts about disabling AGPS, all it does is download 36KB of data every day or two which unless you are roaming should not cost you very much. Set you i900 to use the XTRA info. If you do not you are going to need to stand outside with a clear sky and let your GPS download the XTRA data from the satellites at 2400b/s, which for 36.4K will take at least 2 minutes. I have my phone set up as standard with auto download of XTRA data when required and I usually get a lock in seconds.

I do occasionally get a partial "lock" usually 3 bars and the position varies wildly. I have recorded my self at 10000km/h. If you get this problem the quickest fix is to turn flight mode on and then off. This turns off the phone radio and the GPS radio is linked to it so it gets a reset.

Your version of Garmin XT should not affect your lock speed as the GPS radio gets a lock and the software just gets its data from there.

[Guest vinbeaver]

No problems here, lock in under 30 seconds.

[Guest darkside80]

My GPS was kind of slow to.Out of the box , with xtra data enabled, it took about 8-12 minutes in Igo or Garmin to get a fix.

After the reg tweak it takes about 4 minutes with xtra data disabled and about 1-1.5 minutes with xtra data enabled.

[Guest Elusivellama]

Thanks for the tips guys, especially since I didn't know the GPS radio was tied to Flight Mode. As for Assisted GPS, I don't think it even costs me a dime since I plug it into my computer and Activesync downloads it for me. No GPRS or any data charges, I've checked to make sure of that.

Anyway...... I FINALLY managed to get it to work, but I have to do all of the following.... if someone could look at it and tell me exactly why I have to do all this, would be nice ;)

1) Turn on Garmin XT

2) Click on the GPS signal bar at the top right. This will cause my screen to freeze. This step is necessary because, otherwise, it will keep saying "Need New Elevation" when I try to view the map.

3) Press the omnia power button once, wait 3 seconds then press it again to resume the device. Now the screen is refreshed with the GPS info page.

4) Click on Disable, then select Com3 for attached GPS device.

5) Click on Enable, then Back to the main application screen. Now it will say "Searching for Satellites" when I view the map.

6) Press the menu button on the omnia (top right), select "Favourite Settings" then flip the page to where the icons are for bluetooth, motion, etc. Sometimes I don't even have to press "Favourite Settings", merely need to access the menu using that button. Click on 'back' then 'exit' and the GPS will now work.

Why is it such a complicated process for my device? I don't understand it... although I'm happy that the GPS now works (somewhat).

Edited July 4, 2009 by Elusivellama

[Guest guymid]

Thanks for the tips guys, especially since I didn't know the GPS radio was tied to Flight Mode. As for Assisted GPS, I don't think it even costs me a dime since I plug it into my computer and Activesync downloads it for me. No GPRS or any data charges, I've checked to make sure of that.

If you're using AGPS from the same PC you Autosync to, it's not doing you any good because it's in the same location every time... AGPS is for when you've travelled somewhere and the GPS needs to get a new lock from startup at the new location, and the downloaded info gives GPS a head start by telling it the approximate location.

[Guest lutharigno]

@lutharigno Are you using the XTRA assisted GPS for your device?

I previously didn't have xtra enabled. After reading some of the posts here and in other gps topics i gave it a try and got a fix faster than usual! I have it set to auto download when data is expired.

You shouldn't have to do all that to get gps to work. I haven't had problems like that on any of the newer roms. You may want to try flashing the rom again or try another rom and see if that helps. I always hard reset before and after I flash. If you use a back up software make sure your not backing up system data. That caused me some problems in the past. Created some kind of hybrid rom. Can't remember if gps was affected though.

[Guest X-Ray A4T]

If you're using AGPS from the same PC you Autosync to, it's not doing you any good because it's in the same location every time... AGPS is for when you've travelled somewhere and the GPS needs to get a new lock from startup at the new location, and the downloaded info gives GPS a head start by telling it the approximate location.

Hi Guymid,

APGS downloads XTRA data which is information on the orbits of the satellites which helps the GPS determine where it is. It is not location specific. This is why with XTRA data you can get a fix indoors where as without it you cannot because indoors you have difficulty downloading the XTRA data from the satellites. Once you have the data it is good for 6 days and you can get a quick fix even indoors with it. If it was location specific it would not be good for 6 days.