Galaxy S5 GM-900J (SCL23)

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melon

4 posts

Wannabe Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#185283 17-Nov-2015 10:18

Hi

I recently purchased an S5 GM900J (from Expert Infotech) which I understand is the Japanese version of the S5 and can be pretty locked down to the Japanese network, with some 3g bands unavailable. Everything seems to be working ok so far in that regard, but I am having issues with the GPS, which is something that I rely on quite a lot. I get the occasional fix, but there is no tracking functionality (which could potentially cause marital problems when we go on family road trips!).

I've tried a few things such as updating the A-GPS data through a third-party ap, though I never really did hold out much hope that it would solve the problem. Is there anyone out there that has experienced a similar problem and managed to find a workaround?

I am running andriod version 5.0, the build version is SPINXV2A.SCL23KDU1COE7, and I am on the skinny network (please let me know if any other information would help - I am a little bit of a newbie in regards to this).

Many thanks in advance
Melissa

damianv

4 posts

Wannabe Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#1450811 15-Dec-2015 14:15

Yep, I bought the same phone from Supero. They gave me great service (and $40 back once we worked out there were GPS issues when used outside Japan). Unfortunately I can't offer a fix yet - only a workaround. The workaround is that when you want to use GPS, you need to enable Flight Mode and set your Locating Method to "GPS only" (i.e. NOT High Accuracy). It seems to work ok then. The downside is you then don't have use of a data connection, so you can only use Google Maps for navigation in offline mode, or you can try another Navigation/Map app like Nokia's "Here" - which offers offline maps for NZ for a one time download of about 200mb.

I'll keep trying to find a better solution, but at this stage I think we're stuck. Let me know if you find anything else.

The other annoyance with using the SCL23 in NZ is that you can't lock in a voicemail number. So instead of being able to click on your voicemail notification, you have to manually dial voicemail through contacts.

Those are the only two issues I've found with mine.

Good luck!

melon

4 posts

Wannabe Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#1450823 15-Dec-2015 14:35

Thanks for your reply! Glad there is someone else out there in the same boat.

I've figured out something similar to you - only I do not need to put my phone in flight mode for GPS to work. I've installed a few GPS aps (GPS Test, GPS Status and ActiveGPS), so not entirely sure which one is the one that is working, and have simply set my GPS settings to "GPS Only" as you discovered. Everything seems to be working fine. What happens for you when you turn flight mode back on?

Expert Infotech wanted me to send my phone back to them to upgrade some Samsung software that only they could install from their end.. I'm happy with the work around I've stumbled upon.

kinsten

240 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 8

#1450889 15-Dec-2015 15:30

Yea, when I 1st got the phone I think there was a special ROM installed, which allowed the phone to work mostly without issue on NZ network.
I got mine from 1-day.co.nz, no clue where they sourced it from.

Perhaps if you send the phone back for new software to be loaded, they may just load this specialized NZ compatible ROM for the phone. Or make it worse .. =S

Mine also has the GPS issue, and I now run google maps offline when I need them. Otherwise I use the phone on wireless networks for apps and internet stuff, and use it for practically nothing other than msgs & calls now when out and about.

damianv

4 posts

Wannabe Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#1450934 15-Dec-2015 16:34

I've been using GPS status too to manage my A-data.

I found that just setting GPS mode to "GPS only" didn't work - I had to also enable flight mode. The support guy at Supero suggested there may be some conflict between mobile data and the GPS - if there is, it's well above my head to figure out a fix, and he couldn't offer any. Disabling flight mode takes the phone back to normal operation - and after a few seconds I lose GPS lock again.

I think I'm also running a custom rom, loaded by Supero (or their supplier) - SPHINXV2A.SCL23KDU1COE7. I can't seem to find too much info about the rom, except that it was put together in May 2015. It may be that at some point we could see an updated rom that fixes this issue - but I'm not holding my breath.

I use my S5 mainly with data and wifi enabled for apps/internet/etc, and only switch data off (or enable flight mode in my case) and GPS on when I'm needing the GPS (for Strava and car navigation). Not ideal, but I can live with it. Especially for $500 for the 32gb version a month or two ago - I see it's down to $460 at Supero now.

damianv

4 posts

Wannabe Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#1498850 24-Feb-2016 22:21

Good news!

The super-helpful geeks at Supero have sent me a patch to get my GPS working. Something called AngryGPSmod. My GPS works like it should now. I'll paste here the install instuctions from Supero - you should be able to search for the patch. If you can't find it, flick me your email or something and I'll send you the file.

From SUPERO:

Please see attached, extract the files to a folder and then copy the folder to your mobile phone via USB.

Once copied, go to my files and select the copied folder and file AngryGPSmod.apk. Install the item, check the option 'allow from unknown sources if it is unchecked' the proceed to install.

Once installed run the program and set the settings as follows:

Setting→General Setting→Operation Mode→STANDALONE

Setting→SUPL Setting→AGPS Mode→CP+UP

GPS will work correctly.

melon

4 posts

Wannabe Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#1499175 25-Feb-2016 14:25

That's great - way to go Supero - will have to remember that next time I consider purchasing a mobile phone online (which at this stage I'm not! Ever! lol).

I'll PM you for the .apk, if that's ok - I want to make sure I get the right one :)

Thanks heaps!