As many others, I have updated to official Mango yesterday. And i was really surprised by compass - its accuracy is much worse than simply guessing "where the hell could that north be" . Do you experience the same?
Majority of applications I tried required "calibration" - shaking Omnia in 8 shaped movement, but I found this absolutely useless. Even if the pointer is in north-south orientation, it usualy swaps north and south part of the pointer.
I tried:
Compass 7 from Redtalon - points north in 1 from 10 cases, usualy points towards west. Rotating phone makes this absolutely crazy
123 Compass from Agulhas Solutions - sometimes points north, but pointer is shaking as hell, most usual direction is south-west. Rotating your phone means rotating pointer anywhere. No sign of pointing towards north...
Compass from KanzSoft - this one looks to be the most promising. It shows at least basic knowledge where to point, but is oscilating in +- 10°
Maybe I just found wrong applications - do you have any suggestions?
I totally agree...
It sucks and they didn't even implement it in bing maps, that's the only thing I miss from the iPhone.
I tried the first two compass apps and the first one was stuck at north until i shook my phone, the second is not better than the first...
Agreed. My compass is utterly useless.
The compass that is included in the diagnosis app by entering *#0*# works pretty well over here. It does oscillate quite a bit though...
If I understand well the Mango SDK docs, our crap compass doesn't manage to pass the calibration test made by the devs. Only the Compass app from KanzSoft seems to use results even if the sensor is not calibrated.
I'll try to play with the sample as soon as i find so time to.
As far as i'm concerned, I didn't even know that the Omnia7 came with a compass, so it's a good news.
well, not for me - for me, it does not do anything - diag version 0103
Marvellou said:
If I understand well the Mango SDK docs, our crap compass doesn't manage to pass the calibration test made by the devs. Only the Compass app from KanzSoft seems to use results even if the sensor is not calibrated.
I'll try to play with the sample as soon as i find so time to.
As far as i'm concerned, I didn't even know that the Omnia7 came with a compass, so it's a good news.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey.. Remarkable. I tried the app. I won't get passed the calibration. But in the background you see a compass and it's working quite well (best I've seen so far). So if Samsung just fixes this calibration issue, we could actually have a proper working compass on our Omnia7. They fixed a lot of issues in the Mango driver update package. I hope they're gonna fix this one too.
Heathcliff74
Optimus 7 too....
Something, somewhere is completely screwed
Through the engineering menu, compass works fine (a bit jumpy - but at least points to North!)
But...every compass app I've tried points the the wrong way, usually by 10-20 degress
Even the official Scansearch app is ropey - allthough it it does seem to get it right eventually after rotating the phone a few times
(often gets N/S flipped)
Mango RTM + latest firmware (1.0.13.10)
Confirm: mine pointing west too.
how to fix ?
Deleting and reinstalling the diagnosis app made mine run much better.
However, mine is 180 degrees inverted (i.e. North shows as South)....
illuzn said:
Deleting and reinstalling the diagnosis app made mine run much better.
However, mine is 180 degrees inverted (i.e. North shows as South)....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well you guys are upside down, down under! Sorry couldn't resist!
---------- Post added at 08:29 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:26 AM ----------
On a serious note though - My compass is pretty rubbish too. It may point vaguely in the right direction. I wouldn't trust it though, I do a lot of hiking and fell running and i'm not about to trust this and go without a real compass!
Freypal said:
Well you guys are upside down, down under! Sorry couldn't resist!
---------- Post added at 08:29 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:26 AM ----------
On a serious note though - My compass is pretty rubbish too. It may point vaguely in the right direction. I wouldn't trust it though, I do a lot of hiking and fell running and i'm not about to trust this and go without a real compass!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was a cheap shot haha...
It more for a stargazing app I use - Skymap... check it out its pretty good... it uses the compass and telemetry data to orientate the map on the screen so it knows where you are looking.
Try Compass VO, it's the most accurate one compare to my actual compass.
It looks like the compass on the Omnia 7 is off by 10* according to Compass VO accuracy fix.
http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/apps/5b51fa9c-14c7-4dce-92ec-f12649076e7d
edit: so, compass is confirm to be crap. Rotation is in consistent.
I used to have heading at least in diags, but no more. I've got only those XYZ values. However it doesn't change the fact that I never got trustworthy readout from compass. Sometimes it was correct heading, but I never knew that until I compared it to real compass. And when I turned 90 deg compass heading changed only little bit, like 20 to 40 deg or sometimes it didn't changed at all.
I have to say it's quite disappointing and I'm thinking about trying luck with RMA.
On my Focus, at first all compass apps didn't worked correctly. After I read this diagnose menu, I tried to enter. The XYZ changed as I change my direction, but the compass didn't move at all.
Then I tried the compass app again (from Kantz something), It now pointing in a consistent direction and rotate (keep pointing in the north???) as I rotate my position.
Dunno what really happened here ...
Ok, this is my first post. But I hope this willl help some Omnia 7 owners.
I tried also a lot of compass Apps but without luck. There was no App which showed the correct cardinal direction. Then I read in another Forum someone had reinstalled the diagnostic tool and after that everything was fine. So I tried this also.
And...after the deinstallation of the diagnostic tool the 'My Compass' Apps works perfect. Now the app didn't ask again and again for reinitialization of the compass.
I didn't installed the samsung diagnose tool again and I didn't tried other compass apps but this was for me a first step.
Omnia 7
Mango 7.5
OS: 7.10.7720.68
Firmware: 2424.11.8.5
Hardware version: 3.15.0.4
Bootloader: 5.8.1.9
Unbranded and official Mango update process
"My compass" works well after installing the diagnostics & proving that it actually worked.
it seems to be reading backwards until you set it to "rotate face"
firmware 242.11.9.3
timbuktu said:
Ok, this is my first post. But I hope this willl help some Omnia 7 owners.
I tried also a lot of compass Apps but without luck. There was no App which showed the correct cardinal direction. Then I read in another Forum someone had reinstalled the diagnostic tool and after that everything was fine. So I tried this also.
And...after the deinstallation of the diagnostic tool the 'My Compass' Apps works perfect. Now the app didn't ask again and again for reinitialization of the compass.
I didn't installed the samsung diagnose tool again and I didn't tried other compass apps but this was for me a first step.
Omnia 7
Mango 7.5
OS: 7.10.7720.68
Firmware: 2424.11.8.5
Hardware version: 3.15.0.4
Bootloader: 5.8.1.9
Unbranded and official Mango update process
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey! That actually works! Weird, I did reinstall the diagnosis app after the Mango update and the Samsung KH5 update. But I just tried it again. Immediately opened Diagnosis and dialled *#0*# and tapped compass. Then it worked! I tried another compass app and that one worked too. Thanks!
EDIT: Cool! My Reality Scanner in Navigon 4.0 works now too!!
Heathcliff74
Something else... Calibration!
From this article: http://blogs.microsoft.co.il/blogs/alex_golesh/archive/2011/05/24/windows-phone-mango-what-s-new-new-sensors-amp-tooling-enhancements-part-3-of-8.aspx
In addition, compass sensor enables application to subscribe to the Calibrate event, since magnetometer sensor which used to implement the compass is subject to external interference. Metal obstacles, high-voltage electrical installations and some electronic devices could interfere with Earth’s magnetic field and change the local magnetic field’s values. In case the sensor needs to be calibrated and the compass API fires the Calibrate event. When this event fired the application have to present the UI with instructions to perform sensor calibration. Sensor calibration performed by waving the device in figure 8 pattern.
The API doesn’t provide any “CalibrationComplete” notification, and it is up to developer to decide when data accuracy sufficient to the application. In general, HeadingAccuracy below 10-15 degrees should enough for most applications.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most compass apps have a calibration function. I couldn't get this to work. Didn't matter how I moved the phone in a "figure 8". Then I tried Youtube and found this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sP3d00Hr14o. It's for an iPhone, but it works the same. The guy in the video wave just once to calibrate it. I had to do it a few times, but then the app said: Calibration complete!
I now finally have a working, calibrated compass in my Omnia 7!
That also means I can use all apps that need the Mango Motion-sensor. Omnia 7 doesn't have a gyro, but with compass and accelerometer combined you have a fully functional Motion-sensor (although slightly less accurate than newer devices that also have a gyro).
Ciao,
Heathcliff74
Compass-VO update
stan2 said:
Try Compass VO, it's the most accurate one compare to my actual compass.
It looks like the compass on the Omnia 7 is off by 10* according to Compass VO accuracy fix.
edit: so, compass is confirm to be crap. Rotation is in consistent.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actualy Compass VO works very well on my Omnia 7 .. once the phone digital compass is calibrated (8 shape) I have no issues with rotation, pointing magnetic and geographic north.
I like it because it allows you to set a map (topographic) in the background and use it together with compass to navigate. Not to mention multiple themes + other features ...
Really recomended.
Cheers,
Clody
Related
I think I may be having problems with the compass on my Aria. On all apps I've used that utilize the digital compass (sky map, compass, AR apps like wayfinder nyc), the compass movement seems jumpy and will give extremely inconsistent results, most times settling on an inconsistent heading.
Is there some way to check that the compass is properly calibrated?
Has anyone else been having problems?
Sent from my HTC Aria using XDA app
I very much have the same problem. Skymap and compass apps are incredibly underwhelming
Same here, skymap is basically unusable.
update:
Figured out a pretty good way to calibrate it. Launch skymap, then rotate the phone around several times on every axis (ie, rotate around x axis a few times, then y, then z). The magnetometer should reset itself and point in the correct direction.
update2:
After playing around with it for a while, I noticed that there is a difference of about 5-10 degrees between north in landscape mode and north in portrait mode. Pretty disappointing and lesson learned - don't rely on your Aria if you're going to Man vs. Wild it in the jungle for a while.
As with all digital compasses, it needs calibration, rather some sort of reset.. I haven't see true calibration.
See this video on it.. It's very simple to do. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sP3d00Hr14o
No, it's jot a joke. Compare against a real compass. Without this, I've found my N1 20+ degrees off, after, +/- 2
When i had the backflip you could go into the settings and click on compass calibration, you have to rotate/spin the phone on all it's axis or just do a figure 8 in the air with the phone. I did this yesterday on my Aria on google skymap, told me the sun was underground so I did a figure 8 to calibrate the compass and then it was all good. Just do it when you open any compass using app when you launch it.
Hey so I just installed the update for google maps and now the GPS and compass finally seem to be working properly. Anyone else seeing this?
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Yes and no. The pointer turns a little smoother in maps but if you go to street view and activate compass mode you will see that the XY axis lags terribly. The vertical axis is fine and very responsive but horizontal is slow like molasses. Compass is IMO still broke.
I installed it, and things seem to be somewhat improved. However, I still consider them to be broken.
Hopefully, this isn't the 'fix' Samsung and T-Mobile was talking about. Spotted nine satellites again, but can only lock onto a single one. The cycle continues.
The Compass is still slow to update and not at all 1:1 with my movement. GPS reception is still poor, and Google Maps still can't decide if I'm in Seattle or Issaquah (hint: I'm not in Issaquah).
Slight improvements, but not fixed.
Thanks for the heads up, though. Anybody else tried it?
I'm pretty sure you're imagining things. The compass problem is strictly a hardware/firmware issue. Simply updating a single app like GMaps isn't going to fix it. But don't take my word for it.
To see the raw sensor data, go to the dialer, and type in *#*#1472365#*#* then press Test Application, then Show Sensor Data. Look at the compass and tell me it's functioning correctly.
My GPS connects faster than heck, but being 30meters off really sucks. I mean my G1 would be 3-9meters off not 30
My vibrant isn't even connecting to a satellite tonight. This ain't no G1.
I've yet to find a Compass app that works on my Omnia7. I don't know if it's the lack of a GPS signal (been trying it indoors) - my old Hero used to work fine with no GPS signal as does my Wife's iPhone.
Has anyone else found a Compass app that works on the Omnia7 without GPS signal? I'm wondering whether my phone is faulty or whether the phone just doesn't have the hardware to get a Compass reading without GPS.
Isn't there a diagnosis code to test this?
Ya, pretty much.
One in the test menu, Not sure it's working 100% tho when i checked, so maybe any apps running off it's readings might be wrong. *guessing*
I read that there isn't a Silverlight API for the compass yet, hence no apps.
*#0*# from the Diagnosis app takes you to the LCD Test screen where there is a Compass tile, which gives you a functioning compass
oweng said:
I read that there isn't a Silverlight API for the compass yet, hence no apps.
*#0*# from the Diagnosis app takes you to the LCD Test screen where there is a Compass tile, which gives you a functioning compass
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Makes sence, Call me silly, but which way up is best for the compass, Flat on phones back, Or Back of phone Facing away from me.
As i seem to get two diffrent readings and havn't got a "normal" compass to compare too.
Having the phone horizontal will give you the best results - if you just rotate your position, the needle should point in the same direction. I've tried it in two locations and it seems accurate enough
oweng said:
Having the phone horizontal will give you the best results - if you just rotate your position, the needle should point in the same direction. I've tried it in two locations and it seems accurate enough
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Note to self *test outdoors before saying anything again about compass *
Thanks for the *#0*# trick - works fine, so it's just the apps that don't work as is suggested above.
It seems like my compass is somewhat off. I've downloaded a compass app from the market and used its calibration function several times, but it still seems off. This appears to be somewhat problematic when using google maps 5.0 in compass mode as well, since the actual compass directions don't line up with the calibration of the phone.
What's the most accurate way to calibrate the compass? Is there an app, or some other way, to manually adjust the calibration if its off?
In what way does the compass seem off? I have no problems with the compass on my end.
in maps 5.0, is so OFF!
Tested actually a few hours ago, my compass was like 30 degrees off.
ArcticWolf91 said:
In what way does the compass seem off? I have no problems with the compass on my end.
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Click to collapse
Like the previous poster said...using compass mode in Google Maps 5.0, the direction of the map is off compared to how I'm holding the phone (if that makes sense).
Omg I know what you guys mean in the new maps 5.0 the compass is showing for me that its pointing a couple of degrees to the right. So has anybody figured out how to fix it?
Make sure when you're checking the accuracy of the compass that you are not using it around something that would be causing interference, especially the MyTouch Car Dock that T-Mobile sells. For some reason, that thing causes major interference, and makes my compass think it's 90 degrees off.
... Ironic for a Car Dock designed to help the phone act as a GPS device.
I am getting very inaccurate gps positioning on my samsung focus. It almost never finds me correctly. I am running Mango 7720, but this happened in 7712 also. Not sure if it happened in NoDo or not.. Any thoughts?
wilcoholic5 said:
I am getting very inaccurate gps positioning on my samsung focus. It almost never finds me correctly. I am running Mango 7720, but this happened in 7712 also. Not sure if it happened in NoDo or not.. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Define inaccurate. Meters, positioning, weak signal...
Positioning. When I open maps, it rarely ever shows my correct location. Sometimes it will get relatively close, but it will stay stuck in a location even if I'm moving. If it does find me, there is the large circle around my location, indicating that its not 100% sure of my location.
Sent from my SGH-i917 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
There's a "GPS App| in Marketplace, can tou check with that?
After getting a green signal I check with Bing the location, it usually puts me right within 1-2 minutes (sometimes less).
Hopefully you don't have a faulty GPS.
wilcoholic5 said:
I am getting very inaccurate gps positioning on my samsung focus. It almost never finds me correctly. I am running Mango 7720, but this happened in 7712 also. Not sure if it happened in NoDo or not.. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm getting the same thing with my Focus as well after updating to Mango. Just like you, its the same on 7712 and 7720. Didn't have this problem before. I'm guessing its a driver issues. I wish there was a way to resolve this.
wheelerk said:
I'm getting the same thing with my Focus as well after updating to Mango. Just like you, its the same on 7712 and 7720. Didn't have this problem before. I'm guessing its a driver issues. I wish there was a way to resolve this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it is a driver issue, you should wait for the official Mango release from the carrier. Those releases typically come with new ROM and driver updates from Samsung.
The Garmin app on marketplace is accurate even though bing takes forever to find me just to lose lock. I haven't bought the full version garmin app (it's pricey) waiting a bit but the trial works for gps mapping and finding local things (food, gas, hotels, etc)
GPS working even after Tango update
I own samsung focus 1.3 (AT&T). I purchased it in the beginning of Sep. 2012 (quite late). As soon as I got the phone, I connected it to Zune for updates. After having updated to 7.10.7720.68, I started using the phone. The GPS did not work. I then updated it to 7.10.8773.98 with the hope that updates may make GPS working. I tried all possible tricks available on XDA as well as other forums. I tried following tricks with various permutation & combination:
(i) Pulling out the battery for 30 minutes.
(ii) Changing the MOLR CP/UP setting in GPS diagnostic to UP and CP (one by one),
(iii) Rebooting the phone with location off & again rebotting with location on
(iv) Apps like GPS info & others
& few more which I do not recall now.
After having tried for about a month, I reverted back to original OS version 7.0.7004.0 just to ascertain the availability/ functionality of GPS hardware as on some of the forums I read that their GPS stopped working after No-Do updates. The GPS did not work even after trying all above tricks on 7.0.7004.0 version of OS.
GPS did not work means - It never locked on Bing, Gmaps, etc. GPSinfo shows Mode as 'A-GPS' go to open sky. The location I used to get was based on Cell towers.
Finally I accepted my GPS to be faulty or not being there and again updated to latest OS version.
One day I read on some forum that putting off the location service & then switching on makes GPS working. Wow, I tried it today, IT WORKED. On bing map it locked, initially with a bigger circle & then reducing down to a dot. In areas covered with thick trees or high-rise buildings, the circle used to become bigger but again in clear sky area it used to reduce down to dot. I am keeping my fingers crossed. Let me observe for some more days to ascertain that this trick actually works.
Those who have not been able to make their GPS working with other tricks, please try this & let us have your feedback on this forum/ thread.
In continuation to my previous post, the working of GPS is not reliable. It sometimes works very fine & some times doesn't work at all during the entire journey of 15 Km. You cannot depend on this GPS for navigational aid. It appears to be some software issue. But anyway, I am happy that my GPS is not faulty. Hoping for some fix in future which will make GPS work reliably.
High Fidelity Position
wilcoholic5 said:
I am getting very inaccurate gps positioning on my samsung focus. It almost never finds me correctly. I am running Mango 7720, but this happened in 7712 also. Not sure if it happened in NoDo or not.. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd also recommend checking out Samsung's high fidelity position app (explanation here: http://www.wpcentral.com/new-samsung-high-fidelity-position-enhances-gps-modifies-settings-mango) in the Samsung Zone in the marketplace. Might help. It made a big difference for me.