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.
Well, I am probably getting close to upgrading again, and I was wonder what I can expect with the Note 4. Has it been fixed?
i have never had an issue with my note 2 or 3 or even 4 now!
MrGibbage said:
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.
Well, I am probably getting close to upgrading again, and I was wonder what I can expect with the Note 4. Has it been fixed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm... on my phone the compass in Google Maps is there to show which way is north on the map. Not which way I'm facing although now that you mention it I do seem to vaguely remember there used to be a mode in Google Maps which would use the compass to change what was shown on the screen based on which way the phone was pointing.
I believe that got removed from Google Maps a couple years ago. At least I haven't seen it for a long time.
If I'm right, it's a "feature" of the app rather than a limitation of the phone(s).
I'm not talking about the red and white compass in the upper left corner. I am talking about the blue arrow in the middle of the screen that represents your heading. When I drive down a street, that arrow should also point "down the street" on the map. The arrow on my screen points in pretty much any direction other than the correct one.
Here's a thread that I started a couple of years ago that still gets posted to occasionally by other people that have the same problem.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=44662834#post44662834
Additionally, google sky map is pretty much impossible to use for the same reason. The google apps have no idea what direction the phone is pointing.
*#0*# Calibration can help, but it usually reverts back to the broken state after a few minutes or after a reboot.
it shows me walking or driving the right way and google sky map works perfect as well and i dont even have GPS on high accuracy. i used sky map to see what a bright star was a couple nights ago and maps today and both are fine
MrGibbage said:
I'm not talking about the red and white compass in the upper left corner. I am talking about the blue arrow in the middle of the screen that represents your heading. When I drive down a street, that arrow should also point "down the street" on the map. The arrow on my screen points in pretty much any direction other than the correct one.
Here's a thread that I started a couple of years ago that still gets posted to occasionally by other people that have the same problem.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=44662834#post44662834
Additionally, google sky map is pretty much impossible to use for the same reason. The google apps have no idea what direction the phone is pointing.
*#0*# Calibration can help, but it usually reverts back to the broken state after a few minutes or after a reboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is not based on which direction the phone is pointing, it is based on which way the phone is moving. Has to be moving for the arrow to move. GPS in maps measures movement
I believe this is an inherent issue with the magnetometer/compass in all cellphones. All you have to do is shake the phone around (or swirl the phone around in a figure 8 pattern) to calibrate the magnetometer with the maps app open. You'll find that it is accurate afterwards.
Related
Hi,
I appear to have a problem in that the inbuilt compass used by Google Sky Map (excellent app) and Google Streetview does not read correctly until the phone has been waived around to calibrate the compass. This has to be done each time the apps are started otherwise the orientation is completely wrong with South reading as North.
Having tried a couple of compass apps from the market, they have the same problem with Compass (snaptic) telling me it needs recalibrating each time it is used due to a magnetic field. Is this a problem with my device, or do they all read incorrectly each time the apps are started until recalibrated?
I don't know about the other applications, but when using Compass (Snaptic, v1.1) mine loads and points north immediately. No need to wave it around or anything.
Thanks. Sounds like my Desire has a problem.
I re-calibrate mine most times as well ? I don't feel its a problem
Sent from my HTC Desire using the XDA mobile application powered by Tapatalk
I have the same problem. It's pretty annoying to have to do it all the time. Is this really normal?
I think there are quite some things that might interfere and/or require you to do the 'calibrate swing'. Your position on this earth, just to name one
When I'm sitting at my desk at the computer, the compass always points at my synthesizer or subwoofer lol But I guess it's quite sensitive.
RaptorRVL said:
I think there are quite some things that might interfere and/or require you to do the 'calibrate swing'. Your position on this earth, just to name one
When I'm sitting at my desk at the computer, the compass always points at my synthesizer or subwoofer lol But I guess it's quite sensitive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed - mine also points at the subwoofer when I'm by the desk. However, the problem is experienced every time I start any app which uses the inbuilt compass and happens when I'm in the garden and away from home ie it's not a localised issue.
Hello,
I realized a few days ago that the digital compass in my phone simply doesn't work. I tried several compass apps and Google Maps, and the readings from the compass seem completely random. The only time when it consistently shows the right direction is in Google Maps, while moving, when there's a GPS fix. As soon as I stop, the little arrow starts doing "doughnuts" - literally circling around its axis.
I did try to calibrate the magnetometer using the method of drawing 8s parallel to the floor, but it didn't work. Maybe for a few seconds, no more.
Did it happen to anyone else? Is there a solution?
Thanks to anyone who can contribute.
emonk said:
Hello,
I realized a few days ago that the digital compass in my phone simply doesn't work. I tried several compass apps and Google Maps, and the readings from the compass seem completely random. The only time when it consistently shows the right direction is in Google Maps, while moving, when there's a GPS fix. As soon as I stop, the little arrow starts doing "doughnuts" - literally circling around its axis.
I did try to calibrate the magnetometer using the method of drawing 8s parallel to the floor, but it didn't work. Maybe for a few seconds, no more.
Did it happen to anyone else? Is there a solution?
Thanks to anyone who can contribute.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Search is your friend. 37 pages of existing discussion by searching on "compass"
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1594281&highlight=compass
see above
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1594281
thead closed
Hi,
SGS6 Edge is finally here! A real slick device. I've noticed couple of issues:
1. GPS: It seems that the GPS sends a location update once a second or so. When I use Waze, driving on a highway (~70-80mph) the update of my location is choppy and the map is progressing in steps instead of a continuous smooth movement. I did not see that with the SGS5, it was a smooth progression of GPS updates and the map movement (BTW: With Google maps its less noticeable because they are somewhat smoothing the movement through the software but you can still notice that updates are coming once a second or so).
2. Compass: I've noticed that with a compass application, I get a reasonable reading of my direction (N/S/W/E etc.) but for some reason, when I open Google maps, the small triangle that shows direction at my location is an exact 180 degree opposite to the direction I'm pointing to.
Did anyone notice that? Or is there a known issue / solution to that?
Thanks,
Try using gps test from the play store.
Let us know how it goes.
We have that problem with the note 4.
Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Galaxy Note 4 General GPS close to unusable :/ by Chefproll
gilbnx said:
Hi,
SGS6 Edge is finally here! A real slick device. I've noticed couple of issues:
1. GPS: It seems that the GPS sends a location update once a second or so. When I use Waze, driving on a highway (~70-80mph) the update of my location is choppy and the map is progressing in steps instead of a continuous smooth movement. I did not see that with the SGS5, it was a smooth progression of GPS updates and the map movement (BTW: With Google maps its less noticeable because they are somewhat smoothing the movement through the software but you can still notice that updates are coming once a second or so).
2. Compass: I've noticed that with a compass application, I get a reasonable reading of my direction (N/S/W/E etc.) but for some reason, when I open Google maps, the small triangle that shows direction at my location is an exact 180 degree opposite to the direction I'm pointing to.
Did anyone notice that? Or is there a known issue / solution to that?
Thanks,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have use GPS with MAPS to navigate and find absolutely zero issues. Voice navigation as well as graphics absolutely perfect. Admittedly the phone was very laggy at first, but I was using the Samsung connect app to transfer data from my S5 to the S6 Edge. It was also downloading/restoring over 140 apps automatically at that time. Lastly the phone was plugged in charging and it was fairly hot.
I ran the OTA update. Then rooted the phone using the SM-G920T file after soft bricking using the SM-G925Y file and now my phone is nappy. Smooth as glass. Extremely fast bringing up tons of pics in my gallery. Zero complaints, including no scratches that some users seem to be reporting.
When using Google Maps, I'll press the circle to center in on my location, and the arrow is supposed to show the direction I'm facing. About half the time, it shows me facing about 30 to 90* in the wrong direction. The arrow will move left or right as I do, but still faces the wrong direction. There have been occasions when it will show the dot and arrow moving and facing backwards while I'm driving. This hasn't affected Navigation, as it still accurately shows my location. Has anyone else noticed this, or have a solution?
What I've tried so far: Sensor Calibration under the *#0*# menu.
Also, I had this issue on my Note 4 as well.
Welcome to Samsung crap GPS. Crap radios as well, the radio on the edge drops more signal then on the Note 4.
DigitalChris602 said:
When using Google Maps, I'll press the circle to center in on my location, and the arrow is supposed to show the direction I'm facing. About half the time, it shows me facing about 30 to 90* in the wrong direction. The arrow will move left or right as I do, but still faces the wrong direction. There have been occasions when it will show the dot and arrow moving and facing backwards while I'm driving. This hasn't affected Navigation, as it still accurately shows my location. Has anyone else noticed this, or have a solution?
What I've tried so far: Sensor Calibration under the *#0*# menu.
Also, I had this issue on my Note 4 as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unless you're military... I wouldn't so much worry about where my "GPS arrow" is facing... and just hope that it is an accurate location. Apps like Skymaps, etc will have that "un-usability" but for the most part... if your pretty close to the street, and the location of your device is mostly on point.. I would just get use to it.
Wouldn't say it's a Samsung defect either.. it's more of a "expecting your phone to perform as well as a satellite GPS tracker" issue...
Like I said, would just try to get use to it. Most often, when I cross an intersection, my phone shows me crossing ab ok about the same time. That's all that should matter. The directional point is something that will never work like it does in COD, etc. Lol
Sent from my SM-G928T using XDA Free mobile app
The part that bugs me is that for years I've never had this problem on any android phone, now all of a sudden it's an issue on two samsung phones in a row. :^(
Sent from my SM-G928T
I have a temporary fix that must be done while an app is using the compass. Rotate the phone two full circles on all three axis, one after the other. Like turn the phone full round as if taking a panorama, then a full circle like capturing a panorama of the floor then sky, and lastly a full spin like the phone is on a turntable in front of you. The compass should be stellar right after this and at least prove to you that it CAN work.
I asked some hardware buddies of mine at Qualcomm and they told me some reasons why it sucks on phones. The magnetometer that scans relative magnetic field strength does not self calibrate whenever it is subjected to new fields. This happens very often as you pass through varying fields all the time. If the phone was kept away from all of these, the phone still would need calibration as its own operation creates magnetic fields that may tamper with its magnetometer depending on placement and shielding.
hate to say it.
DigitalChris602 said:
When using Google Maps, I'll press the circle to center in on my location, and the arrow is supposed to show the direction I'm facing. About half the time, it shows me facing about 30 to 90* in the wrong direction. The arrow will move left or right as I do, but still faces the wrong direction. There have been occasions when it will show the dot and arrow moving and facing backwards while I'm driving. This hasn't affected Navigation, as it still accurately shows my location. Has anyone else noticed this, or have a solution?
What I've tried so far: Sensor Calibration under the *#0*# menu.
Also, I had this issue on my Note 4 as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do not experience this problem at all and keep my phone in the hub between the front seats in my car and use Android auto in my car. However the poster above is correct about resetting your magnetometer. May be your magnetometer is faulty or fried. Also what position do you keep your phone in the car? That could make a difference, I would rotate phone until it shows you the right direction.
Having issues with waze app and GPS. I've always had GPS issues with all of the Note series, so this doesn't surprise me. But this time around it seems like waze is the only one acting oddly. Specifically when I'm on a guided route waze intermittently sees me in a different area, most commonly when I'm on the highway it will see me on a side street running parallel to the highway. So then it thinks I'm off course and routes me back onto the highway or another direction, but I'm still on the highway. Sometimes I think it even sees me traveling a different direction, many times I'll be on the highway and it will want me to do 2 u-turns, changing directions twice but ending up going the same way as before. I also see the arrow icon representing my car on the map will constantly turn as if waze can't tell which direction I'm traveling.
My first thought is faulty GPS. I've ran Google Maps and it seems pretty solid, with none of those errors, but I'll have to test some more. Just wanted to see if anyone else got this? I may switch back to an older APK and try that as well.
No problems here. I noticed the 7's gps is way faster than my note 4 too. It finds my location on a second. My note 4 would take 5 to 10 seconds to lock in
I am having the same issue with Waze on my Note 7. It thinks i have turned onto a side road so it trys to redirect me to the the road im acually on. Its seems to think im about 30 to 50 feet to the right on the screen no matter what direction on the compass i am going.
Sent from my SM-N930P using Tapatalk
I've been having an issue when I'm stopped at the light, and the screen will start to spin around. It's like Waze forgot which way I was going so turns me around & recalculates the route...repeat.
Improvement over my Note 3 which regularly couldn't find a GPS signal or lost it in the middle of driving somewhere.
Were issue
I have been having issues also bit but only with the voice guidance. I get hazard alerts but that's it. Any thoughts on this?
waze always seemed to place me about 50 feet to the right of the road. It spent a lot of time recalculating on/off ramps when it didn't think I was driving through corn fields. I figured it was just a calibration issue with my device and didn't do anything about it before swapping it for a non-exploding phone.
I had no problem with my recalled Note 7. The replacement is messing up with waze. All the symptoms listed above are happening. Ugh
Hmm..that's not good..I still need to get mine replaced...
No GPS issues with Waze on my note 7. I use it daily and mine is a replacement. The only issue im having with Waze is the voice commands. The three finger option and waving just don't do anything! Anyone have an issue with that? I want my one eyed purple monster back!
IDK, I haven't checked on my Note 7 yet, I find this a bit funny though, Most GPS's should be accurate to within something like 5 feet, They are really accurate to within fractions of an inch but the Government and Military makes sure that the firmware on the GPS's for use by the general public are locked out of that level of accuracy. It really is a joke these days.
Do a search and in the search box enter in 2##2 to enable debugging and then enter in ##@rawgps and it will show you what your phone is reporting as the actual raw GPS via a yellow arrow. Send in a debug log on the very bottom of the settings every day. Could be possible that Waze can make adjustments to the note 7. I personally haven't noticed any issues with either phone yet, I do also keep my phone in a case and in a windshield car holder with a good view of the sky. When I ran the app for the first time though I did have to toggle location off and on to get Waze to get a GPS lock.
I returned my replacement unit and got another Note 7. No change. Waze is still showing me taking exits and being on the side road before correcting. Very annoying and the constant recalculate and accompanying chime make it onerous to use. Google maps seem to be fine. I submitted a ticket to waze as well as sending log files. I hope a fix comes soon. I need my alerts when commuting.
I fixed my Wave problems. Apparently when you do the smart switch transfer, it transfers some settings or calibrations maybe. I went into phone settings, application, waze, long press storage, clear cache, clear data. Then Uninstaller and re-download and install waze. Mine has been rock solid since doing this. Hope it works for you too.