yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Captivate General] xhozt:
i was able to find it ...
[Captivate General] jahfry:
Yep, grabbed it from the Market, worked like a champ. Thanks both :)
[Captivate General] GaryS1004:
*#*#3214789650*#*# works on the new 2.2 update.... GPS LOCK S_CKS THOUGH!
[Captivate General] jerseyjereme:
Thanks for the info but everytime I try and put the code into my dialer the dialer resets itself with nothing on the screen? Is there another way to get into the settings option?
[Captivate General] wgarrido:
Really you found it in the market? There are 2 version of the app too. The new one doesn't have the update market fix.
[Captivate General] PhilipPeake:
My GPS wasn't too bad. Not really usable for any serious navigation, but good enough to use at a pinch.

I have installed the official AT&T Captivate update to 2.2 and GPS is decidedly worse.

I can have 8 or 9 satellites showing, but no lock for five minutes or so.

Before, once there were two or three satellites showing it would lock.

I am pretty convinced that the hardware is the base problem, but that it is compounded by software problems.
[Captivate General] KennyXL:
He meant to say:

*#*#3214789650#*#*

He transposed the last 4 characters.
[Captivate General] wgarrido:
I always use SGS Tools, it has a list of all the codes. You just click the one you want, even if its changed in the OS it takes you straight to it.
[Captivate General] sanjeezy91:
thanks for this
[Captivate General] n2deep3d:
I have had issues with the stock 2.1, Cog 3.04, and Cog 4.1; using these settings it helped me actually find satellites, but I have noticed the navigation and map programs still do not work well. I wonder if it is just the programs and the way they interact with the hardware.
[Captivate General] illmatic90:
I had many issues with gps before but this seemed to have cleared them up. Thanks very much for your help!
[Captivate General] PhilipPeake:
Did some more playing around with GPA yesterday.

On the official (AT&T) Froyo (2.2).

Tried changing to suppl.google.com.

No real difference, maybe a tiny bit slower.

What I do observe is that I fairly quickly see multiple satellites either using the standard settings or using google.

So both seem to be doing their job of giving me an approximate geographical location, and hence a clue where to look for satellite signals.

The problem is in getting the initial ephemeris catalog data from the satellites in order to use them. It takes forever.

This is more pronounced if you try it in a poor location (like indoors), with something like 7 or 8 satellites visible, but none exceeding a signal level of ~30.

Eventually some will lock.

Outdoors, with higher signal strengths, the lock occurs faster.

This seems to indicate (to me) some issues in decoding the data being received, possibly S/N ratio issues since things improve when the signal (and hence S/N) increases.

It can take a long time to get more than 4 or 5 satellites locked, and surprisingly, more locked satellites doesn't seem to improve the precision much. Best I see is 16', but more often 30' or worse.

The ephemeris data seems to be kept, because re-starting GPS will lock very quickly (within seconds). Leave it too long, and we have to go through the acquisition phase again.

I can't help getting the impression that what we are dealing with is a crappy GPS receiver, possibly a sub-standard GPS antenna and likely internal crap interfering with the received signal.

In other words, poor design (and little in the way of testing during the development phase). Software is never going to fix these issues (IMHO).
[Captivate General] meohman1:
Thanks for the info and the correction.

Mike
[Captivate General] crawt1:
GPS lock within seconds

My GPS locks within a few seconds unless I am inside shielded by my monitor or any other sheet metal object. I have tried different ROMs and they all work great. Must be a hardware issue....
[Captivate General] askpcguy:
Have a look at the white sticker under the battery. There is a number which starts with 10.07 and that means August 2010 meaning the build date.

Maybe you can rma it for a newer device.
[Captivate General] adzidek:
Is there an LBStestmode in CM7?

What's the*#*# for LBS test mode in CM7?
[Captivate General] brettchuck:
If you want a flawless GPS...buy a Garmin nuvi 3790...if you want a great phone...buy a Cappy.:D
[Captivate General] Fate-Silver:
I'm using PlumbBob GPS Fix, I am not sure actually which fix is the BEST.

There's too much tricks and tweaks outside everywhere. Is it really there's no TRUE FIX?

Meanwhile, I can get LOCK ON within 10-20 seconds. I am quite happy with it already.
[Captivate General] askpcguy:
Initial GPS lock almost is never the problem however the problem is Google maps and tracking your position while driving.

Running cognition 4.11 with no GPS fixes except the supl.google.com change.
[Captivate General] Bubbleb1:
GPS fix from T-Mobile site worked for me : )

While browsing the web for gps fixes, I came across this one from the T-mobile board. I have the Captivate that I just upgraded to the official froyo 2.2. after which I lost my 'sort of functioning' gps. In addition to the steps listed below, I also have checked under Settings, Location and Security, "Use Wireless Networks and "Use Sensor Aiding" All I can say is it worked for me. :) I went outside my apartment and spun in a circle and the little blue arrow spun right with me, no lagging. I hope this carries over to having a functional gps for real world use. Will have to go for a drive and test it out :p

"We installed the Froyo update and GPS would not get a fix even after a reboot. After some research and trial and error I think I found a fix that will work for everyone. This fix has worked on the 2 phones I have tried it on so far...

Let me know how it works for you.

Note: This only works for the Samsung Vibrant / Galaxy S with Froyo 2.2 installed (to install Froyo 2.2, see below)

1.Open your Dialer and dial *#*#3214789650#*#*

2.Tap Application Settings and confirm the following:

3. Session Type = Tracking

4. Test Mode = S/W Test

5. Operation Mode = Standalone

6. Start Mode = Hot Start

7. GPS Plus = On

8. Dynamic Accuracy = On

9. Accuracy = 50

10. GPS Logging = Off

11.Tap the Back Button 1 time

12.Tap SUPL/CP Settings and confirm the following:

13. Server FQDN Type = AUTO Config

14. Server... Leave it

15. Server Port... Leave it

16. SUPL Secure Socket = On

17. AGPS Mode = SUPL

18.Tap the Back Button until you get to your home screen

19.Go into the Android Market

20.Search for Samsung GPS Restore

21.Download and Install GpsRestore

22.Go to Applications and Run GPSRestore

23.If you do not get a position fix within 15 seconds try going outside with a clear line of site to the sky"
[Captivate General] gleonard3:
FWIW... it's the hardware

Without diving into this thread (usually spend my time in ROM Development section), I thought I'd post my situation in case it benefits anyone else. Apologies if this has already been discussed.

I bought my Captivate just about the day they became available in July 2010 (big mistake). Since then my GPS had been horrible. Constantly going off-course and recalculating routes. Nothing like the acceptable GPS performance I had become used to on my antiquated HTC Magic. Very aggravating for a high-end device.

I logged a call with both AT&T and Samsung pretty much immediately back then, and they both told me to wait for updates, and suggested ridiculous "fixes" like enabling WIFI.

Over the last ~8 mos. I've been thru every attempt to make this work, ROMs, kernels, radios, Jupiter, Plumb-Bob, all of them. While some of these had a slight impact on GPS, it was never usable really.

I finally had had enough and called AT&T, and did a warranty exchange. They sent me a refurbished device. I'm happy to report that this unit's GPS works great. Definitely on par with my expectations from my HTC Magic days. FINALLY. The tracking has been dead on for the most part using stock 2.2, and with the latest CM7.

Bottom line, obviously a hardware problem that neither AT&T or Samsung are being forthcoming about.

I have not returned my faulty device yet, so if someone wants build numbers or whatever from it let me know.
[Captivate General] wgarrido:
Can you post your before and after build numbers?

I am thinking of getting a replacement, problem is I don't want a referb... I wish I ha bought from Best Buy. I didn't know they have it on launch day.
[Captivate General] gleonard3:
Well I guess this isn't going to be of much help. BOTH my old defective device AND my refurb unit that works great, are build 1007.
[Captivate General] wgarrido:
I got mine on launch day and its build 1006.
[Captivate General] mwiz123:
Ummmmm I'm running a rom and when I tips in the number it just brings me back to the diler
[Captivate General] askpcguy:
Type which number? What are you trying to do? And what rom are you on?
[Captivate General] Xanaki:
This actually works, I get a fix within 3-5 seconds and it seems to use all the Satellites in view and is very accurate. I tried today and it was accurate within 16.4 feet I know thats not perfect but hell that seems to be the best Ive see, Sorry if this has already been posted I just stumbled upon this thread and thought I would share.

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=957164&highlight=PlumbBob
[Captivate General] seamonte:
Good job,shaneaus! I was a headache for the gps settings.thank you!;)
[Captivate General] rohith8055:
custom roms fix GPS

No doubt plumbob is a widely accepted fix but I managed to get a lock within 3-5 sec on COG 4.2 rom(& kernel) by DesignGears. The results were same with existz's KB1 kernel on top of COG 4.2 as well.

And none of them mention about a GPS FIX in their OP.

DG replied to a comment that there is no need of a FIX as the new drivers are well written.
[Captivate General] phoneturf:
Power cable and position make the most difference for me

In all of the recent roms I have used, the GPS works about the same which for me is pretty good. What makes a far bigger difference is whether I have it plugged into the car charger and where it is positioned in the car.

I have a phone mount on a center vent where the top of the phone is about even with the top of the dash, and it "sees" windshield above it, so it has a good view of over half the sky. This positions it about 8 inches in front of the stereo - I don't know if that makes a difference. In this position, the GPS does not work well - occasionally jumping around and being jerky while driving, and often with a circle of indecision (or whatever it is called), sometimes large, around the position indicator. It does not matter whether it is in landscape or portrait position.

When it is plugged in to the Samsung OEM car charger with the coiled cord, it is far worse, and virtually unusable. Jumps around a lot and very jerky, sometimes shows me off the road a hundred yards, takes a half a block to realize it turned, etc. I don't know if this is due to noise on the line or what - I ought to try a USB adapter with a straight cord to find out, or try a ferrite core on the coiled cord.

When I lay the phone on its side on the ledge in front of the speedometer (and not plugged into the charger) it works perfectly - smooth and accurate with never a circle. And this with the shroud of the dash completely blocking its view of the sky, granted the plastic should not interfere much with the signal, but perhaps this gives it more view of the sky since it is closer to the side window with less interference from the roof.
[Captivate General] jdiazm:
I have the same problem here
[Captivate General] askpcguy:
Running cognition 4.2.1 with the overstock v1.2 kernel.

Only change I made is the Google supl server, port 7276 and secure off.

Went from Seattle Washington to orange county in California and the GPS got a lock in seconds. Google maps tracked well just rerouted due to it thinking I am on an adjacent road.
[Captivate General] seamonte:
I agree with your point of view, I am using Phoenix rom ....
[Captivate General] seamonte:
I also think so...
[Captivate General] seamonte:
Ah no, it seems the brothers angry:o
[Captivate General] brettzx:
Solution: Exchange if you can!

I received my Sumsung captivate within the last 30 days, and quickly discovered (as many have) that my GPS did not even come close to my experiences with my previous phone, an HTC Tilt 2 (Rhodium). I tried all the suggested fixes, apps, ROMs (best semi-solution being Darky's ROM which gave reliable stationary results but unreliable turn by turn navigation), but none was anywhere near what I knew real GPS to be. So, I called At&t Premier Support, and stated I wanted to return my phone as the GPS was defective. The customer service rep didn't give me any hassle; he just verified the other phone functions were not an issue. I verified this; he emailed me return postage for the defective unit and ordered me a new unit, which arrived this Monday.

There is no comparison between the first and second units. The new phone has spot on GPS (so far, fingers crossed). It finds a lock within seconds, reliably tracks me as I walk, or drive. It functions just as well as my Tilt 2, which I consider a benchmark for reliable GPS.

The old unit was from August 2010, the new unit is from December. The new unit's battery cover is labeled version 2, and the internal design varies between the metal antenna and the battery itself. Where on the original unit this area had a circular design, the new unit has a circular hole with what looks like another recessed antenna.

So, based on my experience, if you are still able to, return your unit, stating that the GPS is defective, and they will send you one that works, hopefully. :rolleyes:
[Captivate General] Bogie1:
I am on FireFly 2.6 and GPS is Awesome
[Captivate General] phoneturf:
I have tried two other chargers and the problem is the same - a straight OEM usb cable connected to a car lighter usb adapter and a battery pack charger with a short OEM usb cable, with and without an external ferrite (noise-reducing) core. My GPS is horrible when it is connected to any of these chargers. When it is not, it works fine. This stinks since GPS uses so much power and cannot be used for long trips without the phone being plugged in. Does anyone's GPS work well when the phone is connected to a charger and if so, what charger?
[Captivate General] wgarrido:
Since I have a inverter in my car I use the stock charger. You can get cheap inverters.
[Captivate General] greenleaf10:
I am using Andromeda3. I don't know if this version includes any GPS fix. I don't see any in their release notes. However, the GPS performance is amazing. I came from Cognition 4.2.2. and GPS for me was unusable, even with PlumbBob's fix. I was getting good results with Cognition if I just run GPS Test. However, driving on the road is a totally different story. With Cognition, I would constantly lose GPS signal and once that happens, it would take forever to lock. But with Andromeda, it locks in a few seconds and stays locked.

As usual, your results may vary. It's a try and see kind of thing.
[Captivate General] andrewdroid:
I've tried a Nokia Supl that seems to work well.

Server: Supl.nokia.com

Server Port: 7275.

It angers me that my dad's Motorola Bravo has this incredible GPS I've seen it down to 4 meters accuracy. O well.
[Captivate General] tedkyle:
Ditto!

Traded an Oct built unit for a refurbished unit and gps is perfect now.

If you have gps problems, consider this the most likely fix.
[Captivate General] phoneturf:
So, there is no difference in GPS performance between your phone being unplugged and being charged by the inverter? I would think that an inverter would introduce a lot of noise, so it makes me think that noise is not the issue.

Since my last post, I have had a permanent 5v usb cable installed in my car to my phone holder, so this is the fourth attempt, and it works the same as the other three, which is to say, it doesn't work worth a crap. Very frustrating since the GPS otherwise works perfectly, even getting a lock inside my house within a few seconds (in a room with a lot of windows).
[Captivate General] alelas:
Off-topic, but if you like to try 1-minute quick hardware fix to improce SNR values big time, try this (worked on my i9000):

http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=12972756&postcount=248
[Captivate General] phoneturf:
The GPS antenna is not accessible on Captivates, as far as I can tell. Unlike the i9000, there is a bar across the top of the back of the phone which covers it and the camera lens.
[Captivate General] nkmishr:
Cannot see the Skyhook option on LBSTESTMODE

I cannot find the skyhook option setting. I am using the captivate with Froyo OS
[Captivate General] spencertp81:
Astro File Manager worked a little better for me.
[Captivate General] spencertp81:
Same here, I'm not seeing the Skyhook Setting
[Captivate General] CNH320:
I've been using the Plum Bob fix and oddly I have had the best results with version 0.942. This includes 1.0 and various Beta 2.x versions.
[Captivate General] NascarFastcar:
Skyhook was removed from the lbstest settings after the official froyo update. None the less it was proven useless.
[Captivate General] phoneturf:
Please let me know what car charger you are using. My GPS works fine in the car unless I have it on a charger. I have tried the Samsung OEM car charger with the coiled cord as well as various OEM cables with USB car chargers. Thanks.
[Captivate General] spencertp81:
Thanks! I was totally confused because I was sure I had seen it before, I thought I was going crazy!
[Captivate General] czforest:
I used to have problem with gps. Sometimes, it took a few minutes to lock. Sometimes, it took forever. Recently, I reset my phone from settings/Privacy/Factory data reset without SIM card. After that, GPS always locks in a few seconds.

My phone is using stock froyo.

Just a kind reminder: all personal data will be deleted when you reset your phone.
[Captivate General] mahmoudgazzar:
Man, I can't describe my gratitude to you my friend, you options worked like a charm here it is again (My device is activate running 2.2 froyo)

To get the settings, I used :

*#*#3214789650#*#*

And YOUR options (After un-checking "Use Wireless Networks")

Application Settings/Operation Mode/MS Based

Application Settings/Operation Mode/SkyHook/ON (VERY IMPORTANT) (This one I didn't find in the settings)

SUPL/CP Settings/Server FQDN Type/Custom Config

SUPL/CP Settings/Server/supl.google.com

SUPL/CP Settings/Server Port/7276

SUPL/CP Settings/SUPL Secure Socket/Off

Thanks very much again ... appreciate your work.
[Captivate General] 4walls:
+1 for Firefly

I am on FireFly 3.0 (coming from Cognition 3.4) and the GPS is amazing. Locks indoors as long as I am near a window... not right up against the window, just near it.

Cognition never locked this fast or as easily. I did try PlumbBob fix and it seemed to help a little, but Firefly is amazing.
[Captivate General] NascarFastcar:
As I posted a page or so back Skyhook was removed when the official 2.2 release. It was pointless.
[Captivate General] phatninja13:
KC1

After trying a bunch of the different GPS fixes from around the forums I started flashing different modems. A lot of people are saying the JL2 and JL3 modems are doing them a great service. I've tried almost all of the modems over at the linked thread and finally found the KC1 modem to be working the best down in the southern states. Locks both stationary and moving 60+ mph and navigation staying locked for up to 20-30 miles without losing signal.

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=876391
[Captivate General] phoneturf:
I have figured out how to get my captivate GPS to work well when it is plugged into a charger. That is to remove the metal battery cover. I don't know why the metal cover affects it so much, but it does. I have a large extended battery (3000mah) with a plastic battery cover, and the GPS works fine while charging when it is installed. I tried the regular battery with the huge plastic cover, and it works fine (except the battery can fall out). So it is definitely the metal battery cover causing the problem. I have looked all over for a plastic or carbon battery cover for the standard battery and cannot find one, so if anyone does know of one, please let me know.

I have the large extended battery for trips where I will not be by a charger, but don't like it for day to day use since it makes the phone so thick. So I purchased a smaller extended battery (2000mah) with a plastic cover that should arrive soon and if it only adds a few mm, I might use it all the time, but I would still like to have a plastic cover for the standard battery since I prefer to use a case and no cases I have found work with an extended battery.
[Captivate General] stevebic83:
Really good info... Im going to try tweaking some of these when I get home. And I agree, seems to be a software issue, seeing as everytime I flash a new ROM I get varying results, sometimes really good, other times really BAD! Lol! Thanks.
[Captivate General] Bogie1:
Thanks for all the info...great help
[Captivate General] movrshakr:
I have found a way to make GPS on Captivate work perfectly, but it means not using the Captivate GPS--using an external Bluetooth GPS device with the Captivate...as others have said.

I got a Qstarz BT-818XT and it works absolutely great. Very long battery life, very small, super fast acquisition, 2m indicated accuracy about 95% of time or more. Every time I have checked with GPS status or GPS Test, as soon as they click in, they show 2-4 ft.

Downside is cost to acquire [about $70 for X model (5Hz max) and discontinued, or $110 for XT (10Hz max)] + a bit of manipulation to get phone and GPS rcvr set:

Prep...

Have the Bluetooth Provider app installed on phone

Get phone and rcvr BT paired

When ready to use...

GPS rcvr: turn on

Phone:

Settings>Applications>Development>Allow mock locations ON

Load Bluetooth Provider app

Press 'Start'

Load app that uses GPS and go

When ready to stop...

rcvr off

Allow mock locations OFF

Call up Bluetooth Provider app, Press 'Stop'

Clear things still showing in notifications panel

If you want to use the tracks that are stored by the device, there is driver and pgm to install on PC.

Even so, I really, really like this--no more wondering if SGS is losing fix or accuracy or is off track or hearing "GPS satellites lost" or whatever.
[Captivate General] tquang620:
my cappy don't work with this number? why?
[Captivate General] wgarrido:
You mean the code to get to GPS settings? There are two codes depending if you are on 2.1 or 2.2. Also you can SGS Tools to get there without the code.
[Captivate General] stojkov.matt@gmail.com:
best advice, flash a rom with good gps review
[Captivate General] RocketSled:
At a guess, Samsung may have left a ground path from the USB connector ground to the back cover. Connected to the USB cable, the cover is now grounded and acts as an effective RF shield. Plastic cover, not conductive, no ground plane, no effect on GPS.
[Captivate General] movrshakr:
The metal cover on a Captivate IS the antenna, is it not?
[Captivate General] wgarrido:
I thought so.
[Captivate General] pkadavid:
Get a different Cappy

I apologize if this has been said at any point in this thread. I searched, but there are 70+ pages.

I think this is mostly hardware related. Hear me out.

My first Cappy had horrible GPS. No matter what fixes I tried, nothing worked (at least not permanently). At the same time, I was having an issue where the Home button kept "touching" itself repeatedly, making the phone useless at times. Through this, I was able to get a replacement.

Granted the replacement phone is a refurb, but it has worked perfectly since day one, and I've had it since November. In the meantime, I've also rooted, and ROMed the phone. The GPS performance has not changed i.e. stayed just as good as when the phone was stock. This makes me believe that it's a hardware thing.

Find a reason to return your phone that is hard to replicate (e.g. the home button issue). With luck, you'll get one where the GPS works.
[Captivate General] wgarrido:
+1 I exchanged my phone and the GPS is great. Any ROM or settings and it still has been usable.