WinMo 6.1 - OEM / Custom Rom GPS Issues: Survey

[kavi]

Windows Mobile 6.1 Only

Thought of starting this thread to get an idea of GPS performance on OEM and Custom ROMS with different radios. According to most threads and my personal experience the GPS performance is sub-par on 6.1 and highly unreliable. It would be great if I can get some feedback on the following:

1. ROM Version
2. Radio
3. Time for Cold Fix
4. Time for Hot Fix
5. QuickGPS Version

I think this thread would help lot of members who rely on GPS navigation on a day to day basis to make up their mind on ROM/Radio combo - specially me.

Thanks.

#################################
Here's mine

1. ROM Version - Garmin DK 1
2. Radio - 1.65.17.56
3. Time for Cold Fix - over a minute / @ times under 20 seconds
4. Time for Hot Fix - under 10 seconds
5. QuickGPS Version - Version 1.00 919.717

[sebbes]

Tried the official WM6.1: HTC_TyTNII_FRA_3.28.406.0_25.83.40.02_1.65.16.25_S hip
- Cold Fix was > 5mn

Back to the official WM6.0:
HTC_TyTNII_FRA_1.56.406.5_22.45.88.07_1.27.12.17_S hip
- Cold Fix is < 30sec

[kavi]

Tried the official WM6.1: HTC_TyTNII_FRA_3.28.406.0_25.83.40.02_1.65.16.25_S hip
- Cold Fix was > 5mn

Back to the official WM6.0:
HTC_TyTNII_FRA_1.56.406.5_22.45.88.07_1.27.12.17_S hip
- Cold Fix is < 30sec

So you are back on 6.0 permanently? I have been debating on this for over a week now :(

[Barneyabz]

Have a look at this link - no real answer to this issue but possibly one of the recomendations will work for you

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=397728&highlight=quickgps

By the way I am on the official Vodafone UK update

ROM Version 3.28.161.1 WWE
Date 05/02/08
Radio Veriosn 1.65.16.25
Protocol Version: 25.83.50.02H

Cheers

Barney

[NotATreoFan]

I have tried many different 6.1 ROMs, and the GPS performance is usually about the same. I'll post my 3 most recent below, newest/current ROM at the bottom.

________________________________________

1. ROM: Shogunmark's Death V4.1
2. Radio: 1.58.25.17
3. Cold Fix: Over 1 minute without a jumpstart / 20 seconds using GPS Test (v1.04)
4. Hot Fix: Less than 15 seconds
5. QuickGPS Version - Version 1.00 Build 220.821
________________________________________

1. ROM: Garmin.DK.1
2. Radio: 1.58.25.17
3. Cold Fix: Over 2 minutes without a jumpstart / 45 seconds using GPS Test (v1.04)
4. Hot Fix: Less than 30 seconds
5. QuickGPS Version - Version 1.00 Build 220.821
________________________________________

1. ROM: HyperDragon IIIi (Diamond/Xperia build)
2. Radio: 1.58.25.17
3. Cold Fix: Over 1 minute without a jumpstart / 20 seconds using GPS Test (v1.04)
4. Hot Fix: Less than 15 seconds
5. QuickGPS Version - Version 1.00 Build 220.821

[kavi]

I have tried many different 6.1 ROMs, and the GPS performance is usually about the same. I'll post my 3 most recent below, newest/current ROM at the bottom.

________________________________________

1. ROM: Shogunmark's Death V4.1
2. Radio: 1.58.25.17
3. Cold Fix: Over 1 minute without a jumpstart / 20 seconds using GPS Test (v1.04)
4. Hot Fix: Less than 15 seconds
5. QuickGPS Version - Version 1.00 Build 220.821
________________________________________

1. ROM: Garmin.DK.1
2. Radio: 1.58.25.17
3. Cold Fix: Over 2 minutes without a jumpstart / 45 seconds using GPS Test (v1.04)
4. Hot Fix: Less than 30 seconds
5. QuickGPS Version - Version 1.00 Build 220.821
________________________________________

1. ROM: HyperDragon IIIi (Diamond/Xperia build)
2. Radio: 1.58.25.17
3. Cold Fix: Over 1 minute without a jumpstart / 20 seconds using GPS Test (v1.04)
4. Hot Fix: Less than 15 seconds
5. QuickGPS Version - Version 1.00 Build 220.821

Thanks for the detailed feedback.

If you don't mind me asking are the above results constants or random. I am wondering whether this odd behavior is device or device/radio/rom related. Some don't have this issue at all and some do. Beats me.

[Boinng]

It's all very bizarre, I've been watching posts on this for weeks trying to see some kind of pattern, but there just doesn't seem to be one. Some people have serious problems (like me), others have perfect GPS, but not one of them seems to be on quite the same combination of ROM/radio/SPL etc - or rather those that are seem to be split randomnly between the two camps.

It's a very frustrating topic to get into, because you'll inevitably get people telling you the problem doesn't exist (because they've not seen it) or offer some magic bullet that just doesn't work.

For the record I'm using the stock HTC WWE 6.1 rom/radio. Whenever I try to get a lock just walking down the street, or on the bus, it can take up to 20 minutes at times. The other weekend I was actually using it in anger on a roadtrip, relying on it for directions, and it worked brilliantly for two solid days, with lock times mostly under a minute. It just doesn't make any sense. I'd say it was unreliable, but when I actually did need to rely on it, it came through.

[ADB100]

1. ROM Based on HTC Official 3.29.707.0
2. Radio 1.65.20.29
3. ColdFix - 20-seconds - (you mean following a soft-reset right?)
4. HotFix - 2-seconds - (hotfix is when you have closed down your GPS App (TomTom in my case) and then restarted it but haven't soft-reset the device right?)

I am counting from after TomTom starts and immediately when it begins to talk to the GPS module (if you go to the GPS Status screen it initially says 'No GPS device!', then a couple of seconds later the little yellow/black circular symbol begins to flash and it says 'Poor GPS reception' - this is when I am timing it from from).

Andy

[kavi]

It's all very bizarre, I've been watching posts on this for weeks trying to see some kind of pattern, but there just doesn't seem to be one. Some people have serious problems (like me), others have perfect GPS, but not one of them seems to be on quite the same combination of ROM/radio/SPL etc - or rather those that are seem to be split randomnly between the two camps.

It's a very frustrating topic to get into, because you'll inevitably get people telling you the problem doesn't exist (because they've not seen it) or offer some magic bullet that just doesn't work.

For the record I'm using the stock HTC WWE 6.1 rom/radio. Whenever I try to get a lock just walking down the street, or on the bus, it can take up to 20 minutes at times. The other weekend I was actually using it in anger on a roadtrip, relying on it for directions, and it worked brilliantly for two solid days, with lock times mostly under a minute. It just doesn't make any sense. I'd say it was unreliable, but when I actually did need to rely on it, it came through.

Agreed 100%.

Just when I tell myself it's working the problem starts again. I used to be so content with the 6.0 GPS performance.

Furthermore, I think the device plays a major role as well. There is no reason for 2 identical phones having stock rom updates to spit out two different GPS lock times. Although I complain about mine the longest lock time for me have been 3 minutes.


1. ROM Based on HTC Official 3.29.707.0
2. Radio 1.65.20.29
3. ColdFix - 20-seconds - (you mean following a soft-reset right?)
4. HotFix - 2-seconds - (hotfix is when you have closed down your GPS App (TomTom in my case) and then restarted it but haven't soft-reset the device right?)

I am counting from after TomTom starts and immediately when it begins to talk to the GPS module (if you go to the GPS Status screen it initially says 'No GPS device!', then a couple of seconds later the little yellow/black circular symbol begins to flash and it says 'Poor GPS reception' - this is when I am timing it from from).

Andy

That's awesome... I could only wish :)

[ADB100]

Agreed 100%.

Just when I tell myself it's working the problem starts again. I used to be so content with the 6.0 GPS performance.

Furthermore, I think the device plays a major role as well. There is no reason for 2 identical phones having stock rom updates to spit out two different GPS lock times. Although I complain about mine the longest lock time for me have been 3 minutes.




That's awesome... I could only wish :)


I have just tested this again, just to verify...

Soft-reset, wait a couple of minutes for Kaiser to settle down and then start TomTom and open the GPS Status screen, wait for 'Poor GPS reception' to appear and start timing..

1. Cold-Fix this time was 28-seconds.
2. Hot-Fix this time was 6-seconds.

Still quite good though :rolleyes:

I am actually sat in the house with the Kaiser next to the window but it is quite a clear day.

Andy

[NotATreoFan]

Thanks for the detailed feedback.

If you don't mind me asking are the above results constants or random. I am wondering whether this odd behavior is device or device/radio/rom related. Some don't have this issue at all and some do. Beats me.

Constant, give or take 1-2 seconds.

Edit-

To Boinng,

Although I have little issue getting GPS reception, I must say that when I was running Garmin's ROM, and one of Dutty's (don't remember which one of the 1000's), my GPS signal was great, but my software performed really poorly; sometimes only updating in 1 mile increments.

[wireless_one]

I seem to be getting much slower starts since I converted to TT7. I tried this morning and after 5 minutes, just ended up resetting my quick GPS and then it took about 45 secs.. I've done the change to "other NMEA . . . " and no consistent result.

I also have no idea why the radio would make a difference with this as I've always thought that only dictated your phone reception and that the GPS was in itself its own device. Any clarification would be appreciated.

[Boinng]

I just posted this in another thread - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=2393635#post2393635

Basically it looks like my own GPS performance has been improved substantially by switching from the 1.65.16.25 radio (the one which came with the original HTC 6.1 update) to the newer 1.65.17.56, which they seem to have quietly snuck out with a new version of the same ROM (the ROM itself is still 3.28.405 so I just used the radio only version someone posted).

I wouldn't say it was quite 6.0 level, but it's a lot closer, for me anyway.

I did have to install HardSPL 3.28 (to replace the stock HTC SPL 3.28) first before I could change radio, I suppose it's possible that had a bearing too?

[wireless_one]

I just posted this in another thread - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=2393635#post2393635

Basically it looks like my own GPS performance has been improved substantially by switching from the 1.65.16.25 radio (the one which came with the original HTC 6.1 update) to the newer 1.65.17.56, which they seem to have quietly snuck out with a new version of the same ROM (the ROM itself is still 3.28.405 so I just used the radio only version someone posted).

I wouldn't say it was quite 6.0 level, but it's a lot closer, for me anyway.

I did have to install HardSPL 3.28 (to replace the stock HTC SPL 3.28) first before I could change radio, I suppose it's possible that had a bearing too?

You hit the nail on the head!!! Worked like a charm for me. Cold sync under a minute and unbelievably IN DOOR syncing!! AMAZING!

[rajmagi]

I have just tested this again, just to verify...

Soft-reset, wait a couple of minutes for Kaiser to settle down and then start TomTom and open the GPS Status screen, wait for 'Poor GPS reception' to appear and start timing..

1. Cold-Fix this time was 28-seconds.
2. Hot-Fix this time was 6-seconds.

Still quite good though :rolleyes:

I am actually sat in the house with the Kaiser next to the window but it is quite a clear day.

Andy

that was FAST!!!!!
im going to compare

1.58.25.17
1.65.16.25
1.65.20.29
1.65.24.36 ---> downloading .....

[kavi]

I just posted this in another thread - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=2393635#post2393635

Basically it looks like my own GPS performance has been improved substantially by switching from the 1.65.16.25 radio (the one which came with the original HTC 6.1 update) to the newer 1.65.17.56, which they seem to have quietly snuck out with a new version of the same ROM (the ROM itself is still 3.28.405 so I just used the radio only version someone posted).

I wouldn't say it was quite 6.0 level, but it's a lot closer, for me anyway.

I did have to install HardSPL 3.28 (to replace the stock HTC SPL 3.28) first before I could change radio, I suppose it's possible that had a bearing too?

I have tried this and it works sometimes but not constant - at least on my device. This bug is killing me. I rely on Navi almost everyday and would hate to go back to 6.0.

Also I have noticed that even hot fix times vary with 6.1.
With 6.0 I used to get hot fix under 15 sec. indoor all the time.

My question to all....

Although we blame OS, Radio and SPL can this symptom be device related too?

[austinsnyc]

i am also in the same boat as most of you the GPS just plain sucks ass on my kasier no matter what the radio rom combination it seems. i use the application Seagate which is just like quickGPS and i also use quickGPS sometimes its super fast on cold starts sometimes its more than 25 minutes and i give up because of battery drain for nothing. i dont want to go back to 6.0 period so i hope we can all work on this and get things working properly. i wonder what .dll's are in control of the GPS and what parts of the radio rom also control the GPS that would be a good place to start and see what we can modify a little for better performance.

[kimtyson]

Using GPS Test:
1. ROMeOS V.3 http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=406346
2. New NEON 1.65.24.36 http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=406995
3. Time for Cold Fix- about 1 minute
4. Time for Hot Fix- <10 seconds
5. QuickGPS Version 1.00 (220.821)
6. AT&T in Central PA

[wireless_one]

i am also in the same boat as most of you the GPS just plain sucks ass on my kasier no matter what the radio rom combination it seems. i use the application Seagate which is just like quickGPS and i also use quickGPS sometimes its super fast on cold starts sometimes its more than 25 minutes and i give up because of battery drain for nothing. i dont want to go back to 6.0 period so i hope we can all work on this and get things working properly. i wonder what .dll's are in control of the GPS and what parts of the radio rom also control the GPS that would be a good place to start and see what we can modify a little for better performance.

It took a few SR's before the GPS and the new radio clicked, but it did make a huge diffrence here in AZ. I had the same 20+min (if ever) fixes on a cold start before and getting an indoor fix was a laugh, hot or cold. I just did an indoor hot fix in under 20 secs! Cold fix indoors is somewhat dependant on where, but after running visual GPS, no issues

Death V.4 plus the latest Kaiser (not neon) radio seems to be the charm for me, but maybe it IS handset/local specific.

I just wish the handset silencing issue was fixed, but I digress . . .

[waterdeep]

WM 6.1 HTC OEM official
OS 3.02.405.0 WWE
radio 1.58.26.20
coldfix -- about 1 minute
hotfix -- 5-6 seconds

I was surprised to have hotfix this fast. and the battery goes way longer than on 6.0.
great radio indeed.

[schizo]

I agree with Kavi and Boinng, I never got a consistent cold fix time for GPS, no matter the ROM and Radio combination I used, no matter my position (indoor and outdoor) and no matter the wheather condition. Big time puzzle for me? I do suspect it something to do with WM6.1 though. In WM6 I remember it being more consistent.

I can only say by percentage, that for cold fix 10% it locks under 30 secs, 60% of time it locks in under 1 min, 10% under 5 mins, 10% never lock AT ALL.

This is what I got with 1.58.25.17 and 1.64.24.36. With other radios I remember being more inconsistent, so in this regards I may recommend to pick among these two. And also my currently tried ROM 1.65.17.56.


1. ROM Version : Garmin DK 1
2. Radio : 1.65.17.56 (still trying..! LoL)
3. Time for Cold Fix: varying between 30 secs to never)
4. Time for Hot Fix: varying between 3 secs to 1 min)
5. QuickGPS Version: 1.0.0 build 919.717 (does it matter anyway?)

p.s: yesterday i tested it head-to-head with my wife's D810 (trinity) and guess what, my kaiser does beat it quite significantly everytime (10-20secs margin)

[kavi]

Finally we may have a break

Been playing with emo Radio 1.71.09.01 ( http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=410953 ) and getting under 30sec cold locks consistently.

[ModsSuk]

yes but battery life sucks ass i think with the new radio rom :/ its like a no win here. either GPS works ok and battery sucks or crappy GPS and good battery life.

[kavi]

I agree with Kavi and Boinng, I never got a consistent cold fix time for GPS, no matter the ROM and Radio combination I used, no matter my position (indoor and outdoor) and no matter the wheather condition. Big time puzzle for me? I do suspect it something to do with WM6.1 though. In WM6 I remember it being more consistent.

I can only say by percentage, that for cold fix 10% it locks under 30 secs, 60% of time it locks in under 1 min, 10% under 5 mins, 10% never lock AT ALL.



Care to give this ROM a shot?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=415377

[schizo]

Care to give this ROM a shot?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=415377

So, WM6 does have better GPS driver, eh?

I do care, but maybe later since right now I'm reverting to HTC shipped WM6.0. Recently i found that my screen has two faintly dark spots diameter around 3-4mm, quite annoying. I revert to prepare for warranty repair. cross my fingers for this.

Anyway, the GPS seems consistent too in this current ROM. Not fast, but averagely consistent.