iphone 3GS GPS accuracy?

pulliptears

Im having problems with my 3GS's GPS and wondered if it was a common thing?

Basically, my phone thinks I live in a school playground some 2 miles away from my home. Whilst this is amusing, its getting a bit of a pain. I use Gowalla and Friends Around Me which rely on location, I was also considering buying Tom Tom software as well but I think I have a problem here.

I've been out tonight with Maps running. Firstly it thought I was 2 miles away, but after a minute or so decided I was on my drive. Result? Well no. I have driven a mile before its registered me as moving, then it performs a frantic catchup. After a few seconds of actually being in the right place it stops again and I can again travel up to a mile before it reaches me again.

Now, I know this can't be right. OH has the same phone, and he doesn't live in the primary school playground. His GPS manages to locate him and he can use Maps without any of the issues I have.

I also seem to have to calibrate the compass almost every time I launch Maps, something which OH has never had to do.

I'm thinking its going to have to go into Apple now, but I wondered if anyone else had these problems? The GPS on my old 2G was always spot on

RobTang

Obviously there is nothing wrong with the phone and you are in fact in the wrong place, you need to move that playground for correct operation of your phone.


Most GPS devices us similar chips so its probably your GPS aerial is a bit duff, generally a good lock (gps only) should be about 10m accurate. low quality locks i was getting to about 50-100m accuracy before it give up.

pulliptears

RobTang wrote: »

Obviously there is nothing wrong with the phone and you are in fact in the wrong place, you need to move that playground for correct operation of your phone.


Most GPS devices us similar chips so its probably your GPS aerial is a bit duff, generally a good lock (gps only) should be about 10m accurate. low quality locks i was getting to about 50-100m accuracy before it give up.

I've just confused the hell out of it by visiting the shop next to the playground it thinks I live in It span around a bit, asked to be calibrated (for the 3rd time today) and then put me a mile further down the road somewhere in the middle of the dual carriageway.....

Its got to be faulty, I've tried it now side by side with OH's and the difference is obvious. Looks like I'm going to have to try and book it in with Genius.

Any ideas if its a big fix? Only its a fair trek to my nearest Apple store and if I have to return days later as well

thescouselander

Are you sure you are getting GPS lock? If you haven't got GPS lock the phone will triangulate using the phone network and can position you several kilometres away from your actual position. Once you get a proper GPS lock you should get accuracy to within a couple of meters. On my Andriod phone I have got a GPS status app that tells you when you have achieved a lock - I imagine you can get the same on IPhone.

Also don't forget you'll never get a lock if you are inside or are surrounded by many large buildings or natural features such as hills. Make sure you have a good, unobstructed, view of the sky to get the initial lock.

Oscar_The_Grouch

Hi there

Any reason why you haven't taken this up with Apple? If there is an Apple Store near you, you may benefit from a visit to their Genius Bar (clicky). You need to make an appointment, but they may be able to fix the problem for you straight away.

robt_2

Oscar_The_Grouch wrote: »

Hi there

Any reason why you haven't taken this up with Apple? If there is an Apple Store near you, you may benefit from a visit to their Genius Bar (clicky). You need to make an appointment, but they may be able to fix the problem for you straight away.

Read the 2nd post that the OP made on the thread :)