GPS question...

arianhojat · #1 (**permalink**) 08-22-2008, 09:16 PM

if you are using the Touch with Verizon (which cant use assisted GPS)...
when you are trying to get a lock, should it make a difference if there are tall buildings around you?

i have a super hard time trying to get a lock in the city.
but coming home everynight, cold locks can take 2-12minutes sitting by my window.

also whats the deal with VZ Navigator already on windows mobile devices.... if the software is made for windows mobile platform, shouldnt it be portable and why doesnt VZW roll out their service to vx6900 Touch users?
Do they know GPS is easily hacked at that point for VZ users (like im not sure how Bell users get free assisted GPS to help their GPS get quick locks, when they have their own Bell navigation software... they just not lock it down? like once they allow you to access their servers/towers to get a quick lock, can any program get assisted GPS at that point? i dunno i am trying to figure out what Verizon is afraid of)?

Thanks!

arianhojat · #2 (**permalink**) 08-23-2008, 03:31 PM

anyone?

PapaDocta · #3 (**permalink**) 08-23-2008, 03:37 PM

yes it can be hard to get a lock with tall buildings are around you ...

arianhojat · #4 (**permalink**) 08-24-2008, 05:18 AM

cool i guess thats why i havent gotten locks when im around high rises.
So my remaining question now is...
since the current roms give us verizon users a GPS radio... but ranging from 2-12 min locks on clear skies. (sometimes much longer but let me guess say average 2.5-3.5min 'cold start' lock on my experience for best conditions (hot starts are really fast but thats moot))
1. do we have to wait for a rom/new radio from verizon to improve GPS for us?
2. do we have to just wait for VZW navigator for us VZW users to somehow enable assisted GPS and get super fast locks? will this enable us to somehow change the ServerIP setting and get locks via some computer cell tower that will help us triangulate us.
3. is that HTC ServerIP reg setting assisted GPS? or assisted GPS is the phone service itself and not a specific computer.
4. once better GPS/assisted GPS is available, how would we enable it on our phones?
a. run a PPST type prog (which i am not sure what PPST really does but seems to help Sprint peeps)?
b. change reg setting of ServerIP to match some server to help track your assisted GPS position
c. run VZW prog to somehow enable better GPS/aGPS and then remove the prog (keeping whatever it enabled hopefully)
d. needs a new radio and therefore only a new official rom from verizon that enabled GPS will fix it?

crangel · #5 (**permalink**) 08-25-2008, 03:38 PM

I have a lot of the same questions, any comments?

hexto · #6 (**permalink**) 08-25-2008, 03:59 PM

Assisted GPS is totally available thru Verizon. Its required on ALL cell phones for E911 so they can pin point emergency calls. I recommend trying a different ROM than the one you're using. I've always had Verizon and with this phone I've had ROM get better GPS than others. Right now I'm using Whosdaman's and it gets locks in the city around tall buildings without a problem. I've had the same experience from Negamann's ROM over at PPCHaven.com and from OMJ's.
What radio are you on? 3.42.50 seems to get me faster locks than 3.37 did.

crangel · #7 (**permalink**) 08-25-2008, 04:48 PM

I am on the 3.37 radio and DHarvey's ROM, maybe I should try your setup. My issue is the time to a first lock.

hexto · #8 (**permalink**) 08-25-2008, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crangel

I am on the 3.37 radio and DHarvey's ROM, maybe I should try your setup. My issue is the time to a first lock.

That's one of the ROM's I couldn't get fast locks with. I recommend you first upgrade to radio 3.42.50. Instructions can be found here: http://www.ppchaven.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=4

Then flash to:
http://www.ppchaven.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=113

Good luck. Report back.

crangel · #9 (**permalink**) 08-25-2008, 08:47 PM

Thanks for the info and links. Any reason you are suggesting Negamann303's ROM over Whosdaman or OMJ's? Just curious if you have seen any GPS differences with them.

hexto · #10 (**permalink**) 08-25-2008, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crangel

Thanks for the info and links. Any reason you are suggesting Negamann303's ROM over Whosdaman or OMJ's? Just curious if you have seen any GPS differences with them.

Negamann's is just the one I'm using right now plus he has Verizon so you know they're tested on the same network and equipment as your own. Most of the guys here use Sprint and sometimes its hard to get specific info on vzw that's been tested.
I tried Whosdaman's latest yesterday and part of today it got great locks and I've always had great gps locks with OMJ's except I'm not crazy about the look of his ROMs. Great performance though I haven't tried his latest.