The GPS in the iPhone is good. I've tested it in NJ and it had decent, quick results. But, it it just me, or does the GPS never show you actually moving? i.e. You'll be driving and the GPS jumps to where you are every once in a while, instead of actively following you on the map. I've heard some people say it works actively and some people say that it jumps, but in the few times I've tried using GPS in a few different places, even with a completely clear view of the sky, it never worked actively, not even for a few seconds. How is it for you guys? How is it for people in Jersey? BTW, I've used 3G every time I used the GPS, though it jumps around on EDGE, too.
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Does GPS Really Work The Way Apple Demonstrated?
- Thread starter MICHAELSD
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i used it on a sunny day on our california's I-80 from Sacramento to San Francisco, the pin moves very fast very smoothly and does not jump. maybe it has to do with the clouds in the sky.. or buildings around you~ when i usual do mine i do it in open areas, with clear skys~
The reason for the jerkiness in a moving car could be due to the downloading map data trying to keep up with the movement. Remember that normal navigation software maps are already on the phone or pda. It's exactly the same on my WM6 pda, TomTom is smooth whilee goggle maps struggle to keep up at high speeds.
It shows me moving along on the map but sometimes it is horribly inaccurate. Many times it will show me as traveling in the middle of the block as if I am driving through peoples back yards. Another time, it showed me as driving through a lake and the lake was at least 100 feet on the other side of the road. This was on my 3G phone with 3G enabled along with location services on..
My Garmin GPS is far more accurate.
My Garmin GPS is far more accurate.
I have previously downloaded some data from my Copilot GPS system and imported into Google Maps. I noticed that some of Googles road data is not particularly accurate, at least in the UK. Often it shows me driving through the fields on either side of the road, or bypassing junctions. The installed Copilot maps were much more accurate.
So I think some of the problems experienced may be Google Maps fault, rather than the built in GPS. When someone releases a third party GPS app we will know for sure.
So I think some of the problems experienced may be Google Maps fault, rather than the built in GPS. When someone releases a third party GPS app we will know for sure.
It's usually a little slower than I expected to get a lock on, but once it's got that it's amazing, I was in a car park in a small town and it pin-pointed my location as close as 2 car park spaces from where I actually was, and then proceeded to smoothly glide and follow me around as I walked, haven't tried it in the car yet, but so far, very good!
Would you guys think there's something wrong with my iPhone 3G if it won't smoothly follow me, even with a clear sky? The GeniusBar obviously wouldn't be able to test if it's working right in my mall, so I'm wondering if anyone else's GPS always jumps around, especially people in NJ?
I'll bet that the Garmin is not nearly as accurate as you think. If it's one of the units designed for turn-by-turn directions, it 'locks' on to the most likely road instead of showing the actual computed position. At its best, consumer GPS accuracy is rarely better than 15 feet and sometimes much worse depending on atmospheric conditions and satellite positions.
wikipedia said:
It doesn't hurt to bring it in and see what they say. It sounds only fair that your GPS should be working properly, although it might be for your area and conditions.
I went up north this past weekend and was actually amazed at how well it worked. I had initially dismissed it as something I'd never use, as I have a Garmin GPSMap 60CS that I love, but this worked damn good. It was great to have one device plugged into my Jeep providing GPS, music, phone, email, etc. One thing that I thought was particularly cool, is that you can use the satellite view while it tracks too!
I find that it looks more jumpy if I am zoomed in as far as it will go...I'm sure because of downloading the maps. It's not to the point of being annoying, though. Pretty amazing, actually, considering what it is doing!
I have also noticed a few times that it's maybe 20 or 30 ft. off and has me driving down people's back yards instead of the road. Weird because most of the other times, it's amazingly accurate.
I have also noticed a few times that it's maybe 20 or 30 ft. off and has me driving down people's back yards instead of the road. Weird because most of the other times, it's amazingly accurate.
Mad Mac Maniac
macrumors 601
Mine does the same thing. I haven't tested it a lot and I don't remember the weather conditions, but I've seen many other people in MR complain about that very same thing.. So it may be a defect, but it's a common one. If apple replaces yours let me know!
