[Video] HTC Desire HD case test GPS blocking

[GerdJ]

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]

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]

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?

 

[GerdJ]

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]

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 )

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!

 

[GerdJ]

Sorry, black or silver bt?

Sent from my HTC Desire HD using XDA Premium App

 

[paul c]

good point - silver for the barely there case

 

[gflare]

good point - silver for the barely there case

Thanks for grabbing the old case and testing it. I hope we can get some more input from people with the other color variations to see if it's something to do with the paint/material/finish...

 

[GerdJ]

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

 

[gflare]

A quick update with another case...

This case purchased off ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260746755524

It does block GPS, not as much as the case-mate mirrored silver, but enough that I won't be using it whenever I try to use GPS function.

 

[el_commandante]

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?

 

[Maverik DHD]

very nice video

 

[internet4o]

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.

 

[IN-Freak]

very nice vid i like it

 

[gflare]

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.

Well, case-mate doesn't even officially offer the mirrored silver anymore, so that might suggest the white one is ok.

 

[SensationStyler]

**** i have the silver one XD

 

[shah_jee]

totaly agree, had a white rubbery silicone case and GPS was virtually disabled.

 

[gflare]

**** i have the silver one XD

Keep in mind, you can visit case-mate's website and contact them. They allowed me to RMA my mirrored silver case, and promptly shipped me a matte black case as replacement.

 

[Rennastico]

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!!!