Umi Plus and GPS Signal

Menomis · Post time 2016-11-20 05:59:29

I have a theory as well. I think that high buildings around you make your current position inaccurate because the transmission betwen satellites and your device is problematic in that scenario.

Make sure you are in the open (on a highway for example) and that you're not surrounded by high skyscrapers.
I have found out in several articles that GPS is not accurate when you're right at the bottom of a skyscraper or surrounded by very tall buildings

Let me know how it goes.

stedk · Post time 2016-11-20 06:35:45

@Menomis: tomorrow I will make some more tests but the comparison with my Moto X Play left me with little doubts. If Umi Plus cannot keep accuracy while standing still I can only imagine that moving (driving) will make things worse. I'm afraid this phone will prove unable to be used as sat navigator. Umi is at fault here. I have little faith for a product recall ( small producer without real assistance network here in europe) so, again, I think I am left with an expensive paperweight.

stedk · Post time 2016-11-20 19:04:17

Edited by stedk at 2016-11-20 19:07 \n\nThis morning driving test. Google maps. Wifi/agps on. Copper wire installed. Cloudy sky but no problem locking satellites (engineer mode ciew). The navigation is extremely jumpy when in town and gest much much better when no buildings are around. Mostly it seems that when agps is on the wifi fix on known networks overrides the gps position. Copper wire did no significant difference. I would say that a software update that gives gps lock priority over agps could fix 95% of the accuracy problem. So, back to my original hypothesis. Umi has anything to say? Where are you Umi? Your customers are investigating problems for you! This stuff has to be sorted BEFORE launching a product...

Menomis · Post time 2016-11-20 21:19:33

Yes, when you're in the open with no trees and high buildings around, the GPS works fine.
Problem is when you're walking on sidewalks, narrow streets, or under a tree-lined road, in these cases the position becomes very inaccurate and the blue dot starts jumping around even in the 500-1000 meters range.

Umi has already replied to this topic, they suggested to replace our devices and identified this as an isolated case.
Maybe if we have to get them trying navigation in those conditions they will realize what really is wrong with it and move in the direction to fix that.

Pepelu · Post time 2016-11-21 05:36:33

Como ya dije hace tiempo para que funcione el gps el móvil tiene que estar en modo avión y utilizar apps como maps o here con mapas off line. Tambien hay que configurar el gps en modo solo dispositivo. En estas condiciones el gps funciona perfecto.

Fyodor · Post time 2016-11-21 11:04:02

Pepelu replied at 2016-11-21 05:36
Como ya dije hace tiempo para que funcione el gps el móvil tiene que estar en modo avión y utiliza ...

'Airplane mode' is 'non-transmit' mode.

This kinda points to a huge interference issue between transmitting antennas and GPS receive-only antenna.

Just my 2c.

Fyodor

Menomis · Post time 2016-11-21 22:19:24

Yes, offline navigation with Google Maps works well.
You just need to download the desired map through wifi or 4G, then switch to airplane mode and just turn the location ON.

Thing is any smartphone should have good GPS, this one works well on big roads but VERY BADLY on sidewalks, narrow streets, or under a tree-lined road. Since UMI's only advice is to replace your device, I believe I'll try to sell it and get a new one from a reliable brand. Cheers.

chickin · Post time 2016-11-21 23:54:05

Exactly, manipulating the device to get GPS working is not an option .... mine will be sold as soon as I have an adequate replacement device.

Which one are you going to get Menomis?

Marina33 · Post time 2016-11-22 05:55:19

I bought Umi Plus at the official aliexpress umi store about a month ago. From day 1 I could not get GPS working, no matter if I tried it in the city or at the open space. It gets a fix for maximum 2 seconds, then goes searching for satellites again. Both waze and google maps go crazy rotating the map and jumping to parallel streets. The store asked me to provide video with a proof of gps malfunctioning, which I did. Then they asked to produce another video, which I also did. This is the reply I got after a month (!) of trying to communicate with their representative named Subrina, who also very vaguely understands English :

"the map is a little stranged.
not like what we see before,
try to use another phone to take video for your phone GPS."

Then

"we tried to check with engineer, as they said, suggest use off-line map ,try to use local data"

I told them that they should sell paper map with this phone and got this hilarious reply:

"hi friend,
ok,
any more news please tell us immediately"

They refuse to accept that there is a problem, issue refund or exchange the phone. So unless you want to go back to the roots and start using paper map while driving, I suggest to stay away both from this phone and the company which produces it.

Fyodor · Post time 2016-11-22 08:20:57

Man, don't give them ideas, like bundle paper map with each phone.

And then write new slogan on box, like "Paper map don't jump around, always stable"