yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Ciddy:
GPS is a receiver, giving it a better antenna (or less obstruction thereto) would help. However the prime has no outside GPS antenna socket (surprise!) and thus without actually prying the case open, there is nothing one can do by adding stuff. There is talk of some guy prying the case open and thus getting better reception, but with a device of this price point and still in such high demand, returning/selling it and waiting for a better designed tablet is probably the best option if you cant live without proper GPS on the tablet.

---------- Post added at 08:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:10 PM ----------

GPS Test only updates these values once it has a GPS fix (a GPS signal contains the UTC timestamp it was sent and the satellite ID, plus a part of the "almanach"). If you cant get a fix because the receiver is weak, these values will never show. If your phone gets a fix with 5 satellites, you also get that UTC info from the satellites.

Not software related.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Matthew Carson:
I can vouch that just being on WiFi or tethered to a phone does not make it work as intended. However, I did find an app on the Android market (TetherGPS) that specifically shares your GPS data over WiFi by setting the mock GPS location of the tablet. I just went for a drive and verifies it works as intended. I tethered it to my phone's hotspot and turned on the TetherGPS app on both, and it constantly updated my position on Google Maps on the tablet. All location sources on the tablet were turned off. I then turned on navigation and was able to use it properly to get home. I had to turn on GPS on the tablet to get it to work, but the location was correct.

I'm still not happy that the GPS does not work as intended, but at least I am happy that I have found something that will let me use it while traveling.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] PrimeTimeBro:
Do you think tethering a smartphone VIA Bluetooth and running just the TetherGPS app on the tablet would yield the same results? It doesnt have to be running that app on the smartphone does it?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] RussianMenace:
I've used tethergps on my nook color back about a year ago using my DInc. Seemed to work great, from what I remember they had to be wifi tethered, mock locations on, and running app on both devices; one a server other client.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] slanford:
Got my Prime yesterday from Amazon and I'm happy to report that the GPS does in fact work. Is it the best most sensitive GPS money can buy? No, but it seems to work well enough to be perfectly usable. Using the GPS Test app to track satellites, the results of my initial testing are as follows.

Outside under an overcast sky with only moderate obstructions from trees I was able to see as many as 14 satellites and maintain a fix on 8-10 (varied over time). I didn't think to keep track of my time to first fix but I'd say it was less than 5 minutes which is not unusual for a first fix.

For a more meaningful test I wen't on a 45 minute car drive across town to see if it could maintain a fix inside a moving car with no windows or sunroof open. Again, using the GPS Test app and with the Prime lying in the passenger seat I monitored the satellite usage. The Prime was able to maintain a fix on 5 satellites on average with an accuracy of 60 feet which should be totally adequate for driving navigation. Occasionally the number of satellites in use would spike up to 7-8 and on a couple of occasions it dropped down to 2, but only for maybe 5 seconds or less and only a couple of times that I noticed. Here is my estimate of the satellite usage over time based on my observations.

- 80-85% of the time it was able to maintain a fix on 5-6 satellites.

- The remaining time it was able to maintain a fix on 3-4 satellites with occasional spikes up to 7-8 and down to 2.

My next test will be to actually do some turn-by-turn navigation using Google Navigation but based on the satellite usage I'm pretty confident it will be totally usable. Oh and it's worth nothing that between the outdoor test (first fix) and my driving test I had turned off the Prime (not shutdown just off). As a result it had to reacquire a satellite fix for the driving test which took less than 30 seconds this time around.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] shinzz:
I think you are the first to post with positive feedback/comment on GPS functionality while moving. Hopefully your turn-by-turn navigation test is just as positive.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BarryH_GEG:
No it doesn't. If you slog through the GPS threads you'll see Asus pulled the feature off their U.S. website. They now have boiler plate that the CSR's are using and they use to reply to e-mails that pretty much says "the Prime's not intended to be a relpacement for a stand-alone GPS device." They've also confirmed in e-mail the reception issue is caused by the aluminum back cover. The fat lady's pretty much sung on the whole GPS thing. So unless the back cover of yours isn't aluminum it'll perform just like all the others. Not trying to be a buzz kill, but all of the above wouldn't be taking place if Asus thought there was a quick and easy fix.

This is a previous post...

The Prime's GPS gives the allusion of working under the following conditions:

1) If it gets a lock with assistance from Wi-Fi it will hold the lock as long as it isn't moved any distance. That's because the chip memorizes the positions of the satellites. If you move it and aren't connected to Wi-Fi it won't be able reacquire the satellites.

2) Outdoors with an unobstructed view of the southerly sky in good weather the GPS alone will be able to get a lock. If the conditions are anything less than near perfect it won't. If you've had it on Wi-Fi, turn Wi-Fi off, and move 20' to your yard, the chip is still working from memory. If you were able to lock outdoors without Wi-Fi and move 20' and go indoors it's still working from memory.

3) If the GPS locks and you turn off Wi-Fi it will seem fine until you move the device any distance. It won't be able to reacquire the satellites on its own.

When anyone says it's working it's because they've gotten a lock (Wi-Fi or stand-alone) and haven't changed the position of the device. Once it has to reacquire the satellites without the assistance of Wi-Fi it will fail. The reason it fails the driving test consistently is because the chip isn't able to keep up as position changes. And that's because it can't get a clear and consistent signal. And that's because of the aluminum back cover. And it effects every Prime equally.

You'll be fat, dumb, and happy if:

1) You only use GPS when you're connected to Wi-Fi.

2) You only care about GPS when you're stationary.

3) You never intend to use the device for any type of mapping or navigation that requires moving the device any distance.
​
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] PrimeTimeBro:
No offense but how is tracking satallites in your car a more meaningful test. A meaningful test is putting in an address and navigating to it watching to see if it keeps track as you go turn by turn onto different streets, roads, or highways.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] slanford:
Asus say whatever they want and you can believe whatever you want but it absolutely does work reasonably well. At least mine does. Could it work better...absolutely, but it is by no means useless or non-functional and does NOT require wifi and does NOT require you to be stationary.

I can only comment on how well my unit functions and maybe I got lucky but I know I'm not the only one reporting that it works ok even driving around in a car.

---------- Post added at 10:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:27 PM ----------

Because there is a direct correlation between satellite fixes and accurate location tracking. Only 3 satellites are required to be useful, the more the better with more accurate tracking. As long as it can maintain a fix on at least 3 satellites (5 more more being better) then navigation software should have no trouble giving directions.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] PrimeTimeBro:
I dont care if you locked onto a billion satallites if you read through all 70 pages you will see others with the same satallite results but as soon as they try to turn by turn navigate fail.

Also if you find yours does stay working doing turn by turn be sure to take a video to prove it.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] slanford:
Oh and by the way if you had bothered to actually read my post you'd see that my next test is to actually see how it performs with driving navigation. I'm fully aware of the fact that this is a more meaningful test than the others. But that doesn't make the other data meaningless.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] PrimeTimeBro:
70 pages of this thread says otherwise (aka it is meaningless)
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BarryH_GEG:
With all that's known now, and Asus' actions, posts like yours are dangerous. If you're happy with it, that's one thing. To post that "it's working" when, unless your Prime is somehow different than all the others, it can't be will mislead people coming here for information. Asus said it best: "the Prime is not intended to be a replacement for a stand-alone GPS device." People wanting to use it as such should look at other tablets that can perform that function.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Ciddy:
Where did they say that? Totally missed it...
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Lock-N-Load:
Typing this as my chick drives - my TFP is tethered - NO ability to keep fixes on GPS while driving. Going 70 on the 5 fwy with huge open sunroof & no chance. Not even tethered thru 3g cell will it work... but I can surf the web :-)

Before I left in my driveway with no wifi & no tether & only GPS I could see 10 & lock on 8... all lost & signals come & go as drive with no improvement in tether.

I tried Maps & My Tracks. Bummer but not surprised.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BarryH_GEG:
Either this thread or the one about it being pulled from the website. Happy hunting. ;)
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Matthew Carson:
The TetherGPS app doesn't work with Bluetooth, but there are other apps that can make a smartphone act like a Bluetooth GPS. Anyway you cut it you will have to run an app on your smartphone to share the GPS data.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BarryH_GEG:
If you really like your Prime and use it only a small amount for navigation getting a Bluetooth GPS receiver solves the probelm and has been tested. I know you shouldn't have to, but it's a way of keeping the Prime and still getting the job done.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] n11:
Thanks for the update. As you said...not surprising.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] don_cheadle:
http://www.landofdroid.com/2011/asus-response-to-transformer-prime-gps-problems/

Dear Valued Customer,

Thank you for contacting ASUS Customer Service.

The ASUS Transformer Prime is made from a metallic unibody design, so the material may affect the performance of the GPS when receiving signals from satellites.

Please note that this product is not a professional GPS device and signal performance can be easily influenced by factors including, but not limited to: weather, buildings and your surrounding environment.

Please understand there are some limitations when using the GPS function.

Some scenarios you may encounter when experiencing weak GPS performance:

1. Using the GPS while traveling in a car: The roof of a car, the insulation, bridges and other factors can affect signal reception.

2. High density areas with large buildings and structures that can block line of sight communication with GPS satellites.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] arcticreaver:
Are we reporting this to sites like android central, engadget, etc.

I think we would get some sort of response if sites like these reported this.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] compuw22c:
Well, I definitely agree the GPS is futsed, however, the fact that I'm sometimes able to see satellites AND get a lock indoors no less (sometimes easier after a reboot), however at other times (even outdoors) I am unable to get any kind of satellite signal leads me to believe the issue may be in software.

My other 'amateur findings' include it seeming as though the GPS reciever is located in the top near the front camera (possibly just to the right of it?) as opposed to someone else who thought it was in the bottom right corner. Also of note is the fact that the digital compass seems to be a bit wonky. At first it may seem these 2 are not related, however, consider this: My old Epic 4g (SGS1) had issues with GPS like no other. It also had issue with the orientation sensor which also goofed up the compass readings. One day the released an update to fix it, it fixed the orientation sensor, which in turn fixed the compass (since it knew which direction it was actually pointing), which in turn fixed the GPS. Now, that being said, there's an option in the galaxy s phones called "use sensor data" to allow the compass/orientation sensor to assist the gps which doesn't exist in the Transformer prime.

All this being said, I'd be inclined to believe that the GPS chip itself CAN work (although admittedly the signal strength isn't the best in the world) but its possible the software stack for it maybe doesn't initialize it correctly sometimes (shown by NO found satellites at all with any signal) or has trouble keeping it running. I'm hoping they designed this device to run ICS, are putting all their devs on that build, and using HC as a stop-gap solution. SERIOUSLY hoping for an update before next Friday when I'll have to return it or gamble...

EDIT: Also, I know people are claiming the Aluminum back could be the culprit. While I don't disagree with that idea, I wonder if the front of the device has any kind of metal shielding. If not, I would imagine the signal could pass through the screen easier than the back, which is how most people tend to use it anyways (I always have mine laying flat, rarely hold it up, maybe it's just me)
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] thomslik:
I think we have a combination of a very marginal GPS (on those that do work) and some buggy software.

Just moments ago, I was sitting on my deck with my prime, as many times before, hoping GPS would miraculously somehow start working as it should. I had GPS Status, GPS Test, and Google Maps running switching between the apps, noticing how they were all keeping a fix under perfect conditions, which I've managed a few times. I was starting to think maybe I will keep this thing if Asus will stop pulling the crazy stuff of changing specs and pretending there isn't a problem. Then for no apparent reason, sitting in the same place with the Prime in the same position, all satellites disappeared and all apps lost the fix. Several minutes later, no change, no sats and no fix. I then rebooted and everything came back up with a fix!

This sure seems like buggy software to me. Even though it is known we are dealing with a marginal GPS setup, it seems there needs to be some work on the software.

If Asus will get going with this thing, instead of hiding in a hole and pretending nothing is wrong, we may end up with a GPS system which works much better than the very little we have now. Will it be as good as we all expected originally? No, probably not. But it may be something we could live with. After all, no other company has this much to offer in a tablet at the present time.

This is just a though. If we don't hear something soon, I will have no choice but to return mine, as the 14 day time limit is approaching.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] trublu:
The gps issue is a deal breaker for me if it can't be fixed. The statements by ASUS are disingenuous at best. On my TP the gps is absolute garbage. The sad thing is I love every other aspect of it. ASUS threading risky grounds if they carry on this way. I get one to two satellites indoors with all my other devices but zero with the TP. Outside a max of 3 with no lock and a minimum of 5 for other devices. Two years ago I bought an HTC phone with known gps issues and ended up regretting that I kept it. Once bitten twice shy. I love the TP so I have 3 more orders of it coming in. I just need one to work otherwise they are all going back. I don't think I can pin my hopes on ICS fixing it
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] DaRacerz:
Sounds all fine and dandy, but Asus is trying to dance around the un-educated customer. Professional or consumer product, we still expect the GPS to work at a satisfactory level for us to be able to use it for Navigational Purposes. Like many have pointed out, just about every phone on the market and GPS navigation unit locks onto satalites and is able to keep the lock in motion while the TFP cannot.

I also believe Asus has yet to admit faulty GPS units. Although some of us have better units then others, there are still way too many units that are unable to get a lock at all in clear view. And those of us who do, based on everybody's readings I at best have seen very weak locks.

Now maybe software can fix some of the "glitches" we are seeing, but it in no way, IMO, will fix the weak signals we are experiencing.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] PrimeTimeBro:
To be honest someone needs to disassemble the Prime and see if the aluminum backing is the real problem . I am sure on of the tech sites or magazines would be willing to do this someone just needs to make contact with them. It would be nice if someone on these forums could do it but I doubt anyone is willing to throw $500 down the toilet (maybe)
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] deviouskater:
Hello fellow members. I know this is not a fix but a workaround to have navigation working assuming you have a smartphone with bluetooth tethering .

I have the transformer prime nonrooted and evo 4g running cm7.1.

I used this how to video

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?desktop_uri=/watch?v=d43uq-gzI_I&v=d43uq-gzI_I&gl=US

I first blutooth tether to get internet access. Uses less battery. (I didnt follow his wifi tethering instructions )

Make phone discoverable connect tablet. Hit pair on both devices, then connect internet on tablet bluetooth setting ( once done i turn off discoverable on phone)

Then enable the phones gps app (gps over bt, market free )left discoverable at 30. (I change this to 5 still works fine)

On the tablet i went to settings application setting enable mock location

I then launched the tablet gps app (bluetooth gps, market free by googoo ) and enable mock location. Then hit the connect button. And thats it.

Add the widget tablet. Done.

Hopefully ics does fix this problem

I love my evo 4g with cm7. Does everthing i need
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] PrimeTimeBro:
Very good info bro thank you for this I think this deserves its own thread for now.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] stephen44:
the link is bad - i think this is it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d43uq-gzI_I
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] n11:
Excellent tutorial and workaround.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] deviouskater:
Yeah thats th right video
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] clenz:
Thanks for the tip. It does seem like a pain in the @$$ to launch several apps (and rember to exit them) each time I want GPS. However, now I can see how cool Google maps and the nav app is on the TP compared to my phone! Makes me realize that functioning GPS on this device is important.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] deviouskater:
Theonly time ill be using the bt apps is when i need navigation. I constantly tether bluetooth internet except when im at home (wifi) . the transformer finds my overall location with internet
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] slanford:
UPDATE:

Tonight I got a chance to test out my Prime with turn by turn navigation and as expected it worked pretty well. I wasn't sure if Google Navigation is able to cache routes so I opted to test with NavFree instead since it has offline maps. Nothing too scientific here, I just ran a couple of errands and used it just like I would have done with my phone. Specifically, I used it for two short 20 minute or so trips with the Prime lying on the center console behind the shifter (between the two front seats). It was lying glass face up in the Asus box it came in (so it wouldn't slide around). It's worth noting that the aluminum back in this configuration is probably a non factor since pretty much any GPS signals it was receiving would have been coming through the front glass.

Anyway, navigation worked fine and I didn't notice any dropouts. However at times I did notice that my location wasn't entirely accurate on the map. Not far off mind you but sometimes it would show my location as being off to the side of the road I was on. Also, it seemed like maybe I didn't get as much warning for upcoming turns as I'm used to. Both of these issues could be the software but I actually suspect that it was more related to decreased accuracy due to only being able to maintain a fix on 5 satellites on average. But the bottom line is that it got me where I wanted to go with no significant issues.

GPS reception on my Prime is certainly much weaker than on my phone for example but as I've already stated I've had no trouble maintaining a lock on an average of 5 satellites in my car driving without sunroof open or windows down or any other trickery.

Now, having said all that, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone intending to use it heavily for driving navigation as the weakened signal reception would almost certainly make it less reliable than alternatives, especially in the mountains or large cities like New York, Chicago, etc. with lots of buildings and other obstructions.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] bestco:
I'm one of those who got the first batch TF Prime, unfortunately I also got the same GPS problem.

Here is what I found, since I still have my original TF, I have both tablets to compare side by side when testing GPS.

- when using it indoor on a WIFI connection, I get that "waiting for location" error on Prime (no lock on) with Google Map or Navigation, but my TF1 works just fine.

- I tested both TF1 and TF Prime with GPS Essentials and GPS Status indoor, TF1 found 10 satellites, but no satellite found on Prime.

- Then I took both tablets outside, both TF1 and TF Prime were able to lock on 10+ satellites, but it was faster on TF1.

- Next, I went to a nearby McDonalds', standing in their parking lot under clear skies, again my Prime found 10+ satellites, then I connected Prime to McDonalds' WIFI. Now I was finally able to lock on my location with Google Map! (slower than TF1). Then I tried the Google Navigation, and it worked this time and finally it could calculate the route info successfully without giving me the "waiting for connection" error.

- Then I went back home and tried both tablets with WIFI, again Prime failed to find any satellites, failed to lock on with Google Map or Navigation app. While TF1 worked flawlessly the whole time.

So it seems to me there is definately a signal problem with the GPS, it works only outdoor with a clear sky view and WIFI connection. I"m guessing it's either a design issue (maybe the aluminum case) or defective GPS unit. I doubt a software update will fix it.

I think I'll send it back to Amazon and try my luck one more time (buy another one).

---------- Post added at 11:03 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:56 AM ----------

I tried the factory reset method too, if that's what you did. But it didn't work. After reset I still had the same updated firmware 3.2.1. Do you know if the firmware can be reverted back to factory's version too? I'm suspecting that may have something to do with it.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] bestco:
That's what I'd like to find out too, I can't remember whether it was working before the firmware update or not (I think it did), but I can't get back to the old firmware to verify it.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] the_game_master:
Is there a way to say No to the firmware update? Do we even know what this firmware update does?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] shinzz:
That is certainly interesting that you were able to navigate....