Can you find the GPS signal easily?

@youless (114117)
Guangzhou, China
February 10, 2010 3:13am CST
I think my cellphone can't find the GPS signal very soon. Usually it will spend me about 10 minutes finding the GPS signal. Especially it will spend longer time if there are many skyscrapers nearby. Although I have installed some GPS assistant software, but it doesn't have an obvious help. I just found that if I often on the GPS, then next time it can find it sooner. This is why I will turn on my GPS almost everyday to make sure next time it won't spend long time finding the GPS signal.
2 people like this
4 responses
@23uday (2997)
• India
10 Feb 10
hi friend, Using gps signal system is fast and good. Some phones will catch signals easily but some other phones will catch lately signals.The gps system is present technology. have a good day.
2 people like this
@youless (114117)
• Guangzhou, China
10 Feb 10
Yes, GPS is good for someone like me because I can get lost easily
1 person likes this
@ridwan08 (1183)
• Indonesia
10 Feb 10
hi youless maybe you can try to holding power button for about 25-30 seconds seemed reset the unit.GPS is back now.that my experience.do you have to update your firmware?download most recent update.Good Luck Thanks
2 people like this
@youless (114117)
• Guangzhou, China
10 Feb 10
I think the cellphone GPS works differently than the GPS device.
1 person likes this
@skysuccess (8857)
• Singapore
10 Feb 10
youless, It sounds like a firmware problem, you may want to check the cellphone's official website to see if there's is any latest firmware which may fix your GPS access problem. The next problem I see, could be because you did not configure your phone on auto mode for GPS access which will affect your accessibility readily as and when you want it. As these access comes in packets, you will need to be on this mode to have and operate your GPS apps on demand. Please note that this is not the fault of the phone or its manufacturers not to set this on auto in its original factory settings and they have a valid reason for doing it. GPS access packets have a price tag especially when you travel overseas, setting this access on auto mode will just be asking for trouble especially your wallet. Because when you access GPS overseas, you are on roaming and access price will be according to the country's local network rates plus your home overseas access charges. Also, when you are overseas this auto mode can sometimes creep in when you go online. This will happen when your WiFi access fails in the middle of your operation, the GPS access will just automatically kick in - so you can imagine the shock when you suddenly find a large amount of your prepaid access disappearing at the end of the day. So, you should not configure this to auto mode and when you encounter access problems just turn on the access manually and reboot your cellphone to capture the signal. And, to remember to switch it off when you have finished using it. I hope this will solve and answer your doubts here. P.S. You may auto enable WiFi access as this access is usually free of charge.
@youless (114117)
• Guangzhou, China
10 Feb 10
In fact when I turn on the GPS software from my cellphone, the GPS will be on automatically. And then it will start to find the satellites automatically. But at first the satellites will be red, you have to wait for three green satellites so that your GPS can find where you are and show you the way. As to the Wifi access, unfortunately most of them are set password so that I can't access to it.
1 person likes this
• Singapore
10 Feb 10
youless, In this case, please be aware of the latest firmware updates for your cellphone and I would also advise that you install an anti virus software in your cellphone to avoid any inconveniences from attacks. I have experienced that the 3G network is really not that stable and readily available in a lot of places around your country. Also, the 3G network in your country is on WCDMA platform which is really different from the rest of the world who are using the GSM platform. I suppose we just have to be tolerant when our impatience get the better of our available technologies. Take care and have a nice day.
1 person likes this
@liewss80 (85)
• Malaysia
16 Oct 10
In order to get satellite position fix quickly, please make sure that you switch it on in an open space, with a clear view of the sky, without being blocked by any structures, such as building, bridge, roof, etc. It would also takes longer if you didnt switch on your GPS for quite some time, or you're far away from your last received position. In this case, you have no choice but to wait. If the GPS still takes long to lock onto position, check your Firmware for updates. Your phone manufacturer's website would normally publish firmware updates periodically, try to update to solve this issue. Check if you have the 'QuickGPS' feature in your phone. If yes, Run the 'QuickGPS' and download GPS data from the internet could help a lot in GPS positioning too. This GPS data expires from time to time, just keep redownload when its expired. If all this still failed, the problem could lies on the GPS hardware itself, such as the antenna and the GPS chipset. If this happens, you have to return your unit to the manufacturer for repair.
@youless (114117)
• Guangzhou, China
16 Oct 10
You are right. The GPS signal can be found easily in the big space without high skyscrapers around.