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GPS accuracy problem S3 mini

khkarel shared this problem 9 years ago
Not a Problem

Hello,

I am using Pro version for few weeks and I think it's really great app. I find it very usefull especially for geocaching. The only problem I have is the GPS accuracy.


I use Galaxy S3 mini i8190, that supports both GPS and GLONASS.

The problem appears mainly (not only) under trees, in the forest etc ... The deviation is sometimes 200m. You can imagine that with this accuracy it is sometimes impossible to find a cache :)


The fix is always very fast, but after some time, the position goes slowly wrong.

I spent couple of hours (days) googling for possible solution. The only things I found was - do not turn the display, using GPS status, GPS test. I have the screen always on and switching off display doesn't influence the accuracy. I usually ride bike.

Whenever I check satelites in use, the count is normally more than 5-6 even in the forest.

Calculated accuracy 5m.


When I compare it with 7 years old PDA Asus A696, the PDA doesn't have this issue and is much more accurate in this area.


I am attaching example screen - the same way in both directions - once almost directly on the route, the way back 200m deviation.


I think this is not problem of Locus, but what do you think?

Can I change settings in Locus to improve this issue?

Is it problem of my particular phone?

What should I chech / try to find the root cause?

Is such deviation acceptable?

Is it possible to turn off GLONASS satelites? I didn't find this option in the system settings.


I am thinking of RMA the phone ir buying external GPS bluetooth module.


Thank you for each input

Replies (10)

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2

Hi,

When you enable GPS in Locus, then Locus app says into Android system: "Hey system I wan't to know position. Give me something." I only wanted to describe that Locus has no tool how to influence the accuracy of your GPS position. GPS unit is maintained by Android system itself.

However there is a feature Menu > Settings > GPS and Location > Disable when hidden. If you uncheck/disable this method then GPS will be always (if Locus runs) turned-on. I can only suggest to keep clear view on sky, avoid the trees or buildings...

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2

Hi,

thank you for answer. It is clear that Locus asks for position, but then it can make some filtering or use some other algorithm :) From the answer I understand that this is not happening and that the position is 100% controlled by android system.


This doesn't solve my problem :(


Does somebody has the same phone? (S3 mini)


Thank you

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1

Hi Karel, I have also S3mini with the some problem (sometimes deviation about 50-200m, very frustrating is stand - visit of castle etc - on the track are horrible jumps). But I have also mini 8' tablet lenovo Yoga with Locus and on the some way is recorded track without any deviation. So I guess it is S3mini "feature" :).


BTW: I can fully recommend Yoga - solve another problem with GPS tracking - battery life. I carry Yoga on my back and it can precisely record 2-3 days trips.

BR jan

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2

Hi Jan,

so it seems it is problem of all S3minis. I can't understand that this issue is not well known. I chose S3 mini because it is quite famous and I didn't find this issue in the past.

Thank you for the tip for tablet.


Any other user of this phone having the same problem????


For me "this feature" is really bug, I would prefer not having any signal and position, than to not be sure if the shown position is true or 200m far away.

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2

Hello everybody,

some months ago, I reported the same problem unter title "track deviation" and received the response, that this is not expected to be an Locus issue.

Anyway, I now found out, that the effect disapeared when disabling the hardware compass ( in satelite menu ). The compass function was most likely disturbed by a magnetic clip of the phone`s case. This effect may also happen to other hardware?!

Enjoy Locus,

best regards, Werner

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2

Hello,

where did you change the settings? In locus app or android?

I also logged both internal and BT external GPS modul with different app (ultra gps logger) and the deviation was the same. So it is definitely not the problem of Locus only.


thank you

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2

Hello,

in the satelite view of Locus there is a menu with the option for disabling the hardware compass. I did not generally disable the compass in my S3 mini.

I do not know, how compass data can influence tracking, but it oviously does.

Next, I will cross check tracking without the phone's case and with compass enabled.

Best regards,

Werner

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2

Hi,

as I wrote in other post http://help.locusmap.eu/topic/track-deviation#comment-15509 It's really weird that HW compass would influence the accuracy. Would you please check that inaccuracy is really caused by hardware compass?

Thank you

Petr

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Hi, I have checked Locus with and without HW compass (setup->sensors->use HW compass) and I did not find any significant difference in tracking accuracy.


SIII mini (I8190 android 4.1.2, locus pro 3.7.1)


Jan

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2

Hi,

in my other post http://help.locusmap.eu/topic/track-deviation#comment-15509 I put again a description.

Thank you.

Werner

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