Newbie Question: GPS can't connect

Map Editors Community General Topics
1

Hello internetz,
I just started using Waze this week and I wanted to ask a question about the GPS connection.

Background info: I have an iPhone 3GS, OS is updated, latest version of Waze running. I live in a major Canadian city and have been travelling within the city only so far.

I have found that I have GPS connection only about 50 percent of the time. It doesn’t seem to be weather or time-dependent (not sure if GPS capability is?). Anyway, I was wondering if this was a common problem to iPhones, 3GSs, Waze, or just me? Anyone have any ideas in how to improve this?

Thanks

2

Your problem does not sound typical. Although when you are in an urban setting with large buildings, you will likely experience GPS signal drop outs.

Is Waze your first app that uses the GPS?

My suggestion would be to start by doing a full power down reset of your phone, and try Waze again. If you still have a problem, do a full shut down of Waze, and try another app that uses the GPS like your builtin (Google) Maps app and see how it performs.

If the power down reset did not fix the GPS connectivity with any app, then you will have to talk to Apple.

3

Phone placement makes a big difference also. It needs to “see” as much of the sky as is possible. As the leaves begin to fall, the signals will get stronger. The only place I ran into trouble was near some high power lines, i did not lose a signal, but it shifted me way off the road. Hope this helps.

4

Xxxx

5

Have you used other GPS applications? Do you have better results with them?

As mentioned in previous posts, phone placement in the vehicle is important. Generally the closer to the window, the better. Also, be aware that some vehicle windshields have some type of coating, film etc. that block GPS reception. I am sure you can do a quick google search and find out if your vehicle has this issue (not likely).

Also be aware that the GPS chip in the iPhone 3, 3GS is not as good as the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S. If you have an iPhone 3 or 3GS and are serious about GPS - you may want to consider purchasing something such as the TomTom GPS cradle that includes the following enhancements:

  • Better GPS chip
  • Louder speaker
  • The ability to dock the phone into the cradle which will charge your phone
  • Hands free speakerphone via Bluetooth
  • Be aware that the TomTom GPS cradle is not compatible with most/any iPhone cases, bumpers, etc.
6

Not to mention some windshields will block GPS signals.

Of course if your other GPS apps are fine in the same location…

7

I updated my previous post. Forgot the word ‘windshield’, but that is what I was referring to.

Good catch, thanks.

8

Lol. I scanned for “windshield” and didn’t actually see that you were talking about it, but forgot the word. Me readses too fasts. Oh, and athermic is the word for the coating or kind of windshield manufactured to block heat transfer.

9

I had WAZE working just fine on my Android but after I installed ICS on it, it never finds a satellite. It takes it about 25 minutes to find a signal and by that time I’m already home. This is quite frustrating and I’ve even updated the WAZE app. Any suggestions on this would be greatly appreciated.

10

For those with such difficulties might I recommend the Dual Bluetooth GPS antenna http://www.amazon.com/Dual-Electronics-XGPS150A-Universal-Bluetooth/dp/B006M49G80/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1344987012&sr=8-2&keywords=DUAL+GPS. The Galaxy S is also known to have a very poor GPS chip and so I decided to try an external. Waze and other nav apps actually became useful after I started using this device.

Note there are other similar devices out there, some costing a bit less. The Dual is just the one I found when I was looking.

11

that’s good info to know. what i’m still puzzled is on the fact that before i updated to phone to ICS, gingerbread was working JUST fine without any type of GPS booster. WTF!?!?

12

Do other GPS apps have the same problem? Could this be a incompatibility between your phone’s GPS & ICS?

13

The galaxy nexus got problems locking satellites with jelly bean, the solution is to deactivate Google location in the gps options. It’s an issue from Google servers. Could be the same for you.

14

i have google maps and a compass app. both work perfectly fine.

15

going to deactivate this and try it out this evening to see if that solves the problem. thanks for the help, i really appreciate it.