[Video] HTC Desire HD case test GPS blocking

G

GerdJ

Guest
Hi there,
some time ago I compared some cases for the Desire HD and focused on the GPS signal. I uploaded a video to youtube.

Just search for 'HTC Desire HD case GPS test ' on youtube.

Comments are welcome!
 

gflare

Senior Member
Aug 2, 2010
186
18
0
Baltimore, MD
Nice video,

Keep in mind the Case-mate Barely There Mirrored Silver case blocks the signal. This video and other people have noticed GPS does indeed work with the black case, but the silver case is bad news.

I've contacted case-mate about the mirrored silver model, and I'm hoping they send me a matte black version to compare. If they do, I'll be sure to post my findings!
 

paul c

Senior Member
Nov 15, 2006
1,690
521
143
Madrid
interesting... I have a CaseMate Tough (silicone plus hard matt plastic)

I was sat in the attic of my house, underneath a skylight winidow.

I did get more satellites visible and locked without the case. I got 8 on average (max 10), whilst without the case I got mostly 4 (max 6).

The silicone skin did not make any difference.

Still acceptable, in an area of good-poor visibility of the satellites.

But should this really be a surprise since the GPS signal is very weak anyway, and it has difficulty passing though material?
 
G

GerdJ

Guest
The strange thing for me is the fact, that some cases do not block the signal, but others do. There are reports that not all silicone cases block.

Sent from my HTC Desire HD using XDA Premium App
 

paul c

Senior Member
Nov 15, 2006
1,690
521
143
Madrid
The strange thing for me is the fact, that some cases do not block the signal, but others do. There are reports that not all silicone cases block.

Sent from my HTC Desire HD using XDA Premium App
I forgot I had a Barely There which I don't use (since as cases go, it doesn't offer much protection :rolleyes:)

Took the CaseMate Tough off, the signal went from 6 to 9 satellites locked.

Put on the Barely There - the signal dropped to JUST ONE in view/use (average 2).

So, this Barely There case doesn't offer protection, and stops the GPS function!
 
G

GerdJ

Guest
Good idea. I will get some other cases for testing maybe. If so I will post the results.

Sent from my HTC Desire HD using XDA Premium App
 

el_commandante

Senior Member
Jan 15, 2011
66
13
0
Bremen, Gemany
interesting... I have a CaseMate Tough (silicone plus hard matt plastic)

I was sat in the attic of my house, underneath a skylight winidow.

I did get more satellites visible and locked without the case. I got 8 on average (max 10), whilst without the case I got mostly 4 (max 6).

The silicone skin did not make any difference.

Still acceptable, in an area of good-poor visibility of the satellites.

But should this really be a surprise since the GPS signal is very weak anyway, and it has difficulty passing though material?
That's interesting. I also have the Case-Mate Tough and it seems to block a great amount of signal. While having it on and sitting inside a tram I can't get a fix at all. After taking it off and waiting a minute I do a decent signal. Same happens while using it inside a car. Sometimes I do get a signal with the case on, but very slowly and the signal is much weaker than with the case off. What ROM are you using?
 

internet4o

Member
Apr 16, 2009
5
0
0
White Barely There Case

Hello,

Does anybody know if the white Barely there case causes the same reception problems as the silver one? I was just going to buy it when I've stumbled on this topic.
 

Rennastico

New member
Jun 22, 2007
2
0
0
Case-Mate Pop case

Hello,
my black Pop case reduces the GPS signal of my Desire HD: the Error in the "Gps Status" app come from 3m (DHD naked) to 41m (DHD with Pop case) ..:(
I've also found this video, that exactly prove my test:

search for "Case-Mate Pop significantly degrades HTC Desire HD GPS performance"

Incredible!!!
 
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