Big cities - Smartphone GPS with tall buildings.

Forums › GPS, maps and mapping software › Big cities - Smartphone GPS with tall buildings.

rayonline

1734 posts

Uber Geek

#204294 25-Sep-2016 20:59

Is this just the way it is or is there a semi help available? Esp when one is in a foreign country, in the city, with tall buildings and it throws your current position off course.

Cheers.

richms

28168 posts

Uber Geek

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Lifetime subscriber

#1640386 25-Sep-2016 21:24

With that many things around you usually do perfecly fine with wifi positioning instead.

Richard rich.ms

HaggisKiwi

94 posts

Master Geek

#1640387 25-Sep-2016 21:30

Short version is yes.

Long version is check what your device's OS supports to increase positional accuracy. WiFi &/or cell sites can aid GPS, but if you're stuck in an urban canyon then it possibly easier to ask the locals.

rayonline

1734 posts

Uber Geek

#1640388 25-Sep-2016 21:33

I didn't have WiFi. I had mobile data enabled. Android on Kit Kat. Maps with Me or Google Maps. Pedestrians walkways beside buildings in Hong Kong. Tall buildings on both side of roads, 2 lane roads in between (one direction each side).

richms

28168 posts

Uber Geek

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Lifetime subscriber

#1640389 25-Sep-2016 21:39

Since a few versions ago the default on android is to still scan wifi networks for postioning even when you have the wifi set to off, so that is probably what it was using.

Richard rich.ms

ZiglioNZ

194 posts

Master Geek

#1640503 26-Sep-2016 10:14

Multi-constellation receivers significantly improve performances over GPS alone in urban environments:

http://gpsworld.com/innovation-quo-vademus/

What constellations can your receiver see? On Android I use: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.androits.gps.test.free

My Huawei can acquire GPS and Glonass, newer ones I've seen they can also do Beidou.

rayonline

1734 posts

Uber Geek

#1653132 18-Oct-2016 19:52

ZiglioNZ - if you are still here, sorry about the delay. Here is a screenshot can you tell me how is my device like ... .

https://www.dropbox.com/s/mfemqad1z2kegt0/2016-10-18%2006.36.49.png?dl=0

I find that, SIM is really a need, maybe in future I would go with XT and pick up a data roaming pack. Good for short duration visits or else get the SIM there. The places that I didn't get the SIM I struggled.

Navmii offline app - database was not large so lots of the places I couldn't search.

MapsWithMe could open Google Earth co-ordinates up but I find that the Google Earth isn't as accurate as Google Map search. One one instance there were a few same name cafes so we went to the wrong one, wrong area. Whereas Google Map brings it up on the first search. Bugger thing is GM and GE don't share points and GM you cannot officially export to another app. Ie .KMZ.

Also China blocked Google (China sourced SIMs), shoulda just used a roaming SIM to use Google then. We didn't even get a SIM for our 2 night visit anyway.

ZiglioNZ

194 posts

Master Geek

#1665090 7-Nov-2016 15:36

Hi Ray,

yep still listening. Unfortunately some phone's GPS receiver don't work at all without connection to the network.

I experienced the same problem with my first Huawei.

Here's another app that could help detecting problems in the future:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.android.gpstest

https://github.com/barbeau/gpstest

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rayonline

1734 posts

Uber Geek

#1665093 7-Nov-2016 15:41

Thanks for that will look into that app. Does my screenshot provide any insight on what it is capable with? I know, I just have this phone and it's pretty much what I only have ... :)

ZiglioNZ

194 posts

Master Geek

#1665097 7-Nov-2016 15:44

It only shows GPS satellites. Must GPS receivers I've seen can also do Glonass, and they're starting to do Beidou as well (which should cover NZ well).

It's ok with GPS alone under normal conditions, your problem was due to the SIM card I think.

But with phones getting so cheap, I would certainly upgrade. I'm tempted to get the Moto G4 Plus, under $400 from the DSE web site.