GPS slow issue

**batboris** · 08-30-2011, 07:24 AM

Hi, all

Anyone had/has issues with the GPS?

I think mine is very slow. At least it is slower than the one on my Torch.
For example, I was never able to use the check-in funtion of the FB app. Bing maps takes ages to find my location.

Any ideas how I can test/benchmark the GPS in order to be sure if there is a hardware problem or not?

Sent from my BlackBerry 9800 using Tapatalk

**blacklighter11** · 08-30-2011, 07:35 AM

experiencing the same thing. im thinking the gps isnt fully functional.

**togardergrosse** · 08-30-2011, 07:50 AM

Any ideas how I can test/benchmark the GPS in order to be sure if there is a hardware problem or not?

1. Bring your PB outside ur home/building, under a clear sky.
2. Bridge to your BB (if any) or previously install Compass app (Free).
3. Try to get lock position, wait for 5 minutes.
4. If still no lock after 5 minutes, try holding the PB upside-down (BlackBerry logo is on the top instead bottom).
5. Get WiFi (yes, outside) and try open Google Maps via browser and detect location, or use Bing.
6. If still fail, try different location before filing an RMA

From my experience, trying to get position inside a building is hard, since there is no Cell tower location to aid and I think PB didn't use WiFi to triangulate the position.
And for holding it upside-down, I read in here that the GPS receiver located on bottom left/right.
Hope it helps. It's already discussed so many times though...

**batboris** · 08-30-2011, 08:31 AM

Originally Posted by togardergrosse

1. Bring your PB outside ur home/building, under a clear sky.
2. Bridge to your BB (if any) or previously install Compass app (Free).
3. Try to get lock position, wait for 5 minutes.
4. If still no lock after 5 minutes, try holding the PB upside-down (BlackBerry logo is on the top instead bottom).
5. Get WiFi (yes, outside) and try open Google Maps via browser and detect location, or use Bing.
6. If still fail, try different location before filing an RMA

From my experience, trying to get position inside a building is hard, since there is no Cell tower location to aid and I think PB didn't use WiFi to triangulate the position.
And for holding it upside-down, I read in here that the GPS receiver located on bottom left/right.
Hope it helps. It's already discussed so many times though...

Thanks for this info. I did search in the forum, but maybe not in the right way. Once again, i do apologize for creating a new thread and will try your suggestion.

**togardergrosse** · 08-30-2011, 08:48 AM

Originally Posted by batboris

Thanks for this info. I did search in the forum, but maybe not in the right way. Once again, i do apologize for creating a new thread and will try your suggestion.

Hey, no need to apologize

Sometimes thread like this get buried since most have figured it out.
Good luck mate!

**peter9477** · 08-30-2011, 09:24 AM

The GPS antenna is in the lower right corner (not the lower "left/right"), when the tablet is held in the default (landscape) orientation with the logo at the bottom.

There's no need to rotate it to use the GPS, but you do need to be careful not to cover that corner tightly with your hand. Rotating it could help you avoid that (as would holding it in your left hand, or placing it on something like a table).

**togardergrosse** · 08-30-2011, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by peter9477

The GPS antenna is in the lower right corner (not the lower "left/right"), when the tablet is held in the default (landscape) orientation with the logo at the bottom.

There's no need to rotate it to use the GPS, but you do need to be careful not to cover that corner tightly with your hand. Rotating it could help you avoid that (as would holding it in your left hand, or placing it on something like a table).

Yeah, I forgot where the exact location so I put left/right (not left & right).
Thanks for confirming this.

**Blacklac** · 08-30-2011, 10:54 AM

Cause your 9800 is using cell triangulation before it gets a real GPS lock. Obviously the Playbook doesn't use cell towers. It locks on similar to a stand alone GPS unit. It takes a few seconds, sometimes a full minute depending on sky view.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

**PanaSama** · 08-30-2011, 11:00 AM

So far the Magellan app has been the most succesfull in finding my position, it usally does it very fast and even indoors, Bing is a hit and miss, it can even be very fast or painfully slow.

**epress man** · 08-30-2011, 01:00 PM

Mine doesn't even find my location no matter how long I wait

If I go to wifi, it gives me a location that is 50km away. Tethering doesn't work at all.
Useless either way. At least it works good on the 9900.
I searched and searched this site with no luck on a solution.
RIM told me it was a software issue that would be fixed soon. I think she just said that to get me off the phone.

F2 · 08-30-2011, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by epress man

Mine doesn't even find my location no matter how long I wait

If I go to wifi, it gives me a location that is 50km away. Tethering doesn't work at all.
Useless either way. At least it works good on the 9900.
I searched and searched this site with no luck on a solution.
RIM told me it was a software issue that would be fixed soon. I think she just said that to get me off the phone.

While there may be a software component to is not working for you, since it does work in some apps and for some users, it is less likely to really be a software error.

Have you tried the free compass app? And sat for 1/2 hour or so in a very wide open location? It really should find your location. Make sure that that rim has assigned a case to it so that you can get it replaced if it really is faulty.

**epress man** · 09-26-2011, 09:02 AM

Thanks for the response,
I did get a case #.
I am too busy to be on the phone so much with them.
It will not pick up my location, ever.
I may need to look at a replacement

It worked once and never again.
My 9900 works great, but the screen is not as handy for this type of app.

**peter9477** · 09-26-2011, 09:52 AM

One last thing to try, though I doubt it makes the difference between getting no reading at all and getting a reading.

Disable WiFi. Yes, this obviously means you can't be using it with many of the apps, such as Magellan Compass or Bing, but you could at least start this way, using a simple app like Compass.

Having WiFi enabled appears to significantly increase the noisiness of the reading, at least under some conditions. Conceivably for a unit that's never got a solid "lock" yet, disabling it will help you get that first reading, after which it may work for you even with WiFi on and with the other apps.

**0100010** · 09-26-2011, 10:32 AM

Thanks for posting this thread. When I got my PB, I remembered to test the screen using the free DisplayTest app; now because of you're thread I have tested the GPS.

MapApp and Compass pick up my position w/o issue, but Bing is not.

**epress man** · 09-26-2011, 10:39 AM

I use poynt and Bing for now.
Wifi is always disabled when I travel to save battery.

**passonat** · 01-14-2013, 11:42 AM

Can I use the external GPS ( via bluetooth) with the playbook?

**kill_9** · 01-14-2013, 11:50 AM

The BlackBerry PlayBook's built-in GPS has never exhibited stellar performance to the point of being useless 99% of the time. Even bridged to a BlackBerry smartphone the tablet's GPS is likely to send you over a mountain cliff instead of around the bend ahead in the roadway. Meanwhile, my BlackBerry smartphone can pin-point my location 99% of the time. See the difference?

**Chaddface** · 01-14-2013, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by passonat

Can I use the external GPS ( via bluetooth) with the playbook?

No you can't.

**Chaddface** · 01-14-2013, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by BB9700CA

The BlackBerry PlayBook's built-in GPS has never exhibited stellar performance to the point of being useless 99% of the time. Even bridged to a BlackBerry smartphone the tablet's GPS is likely to send you over a mountain cliff instead of around the bend ahead in the roadway. Meanwhile, my BlackBerry smartphone can pin-point my location 99% of the time. See the difference?

I use the PB with the Magellan app more then I use the factory nav in my car. Haven't driven off a cliff yet.
It take 20-30 seconds to find me after I start the app and it is just as accurate as any other GPS tool I have used.