GPS! SOMEONE realize this is an issue!!

It is a sad thing when Apple cannot admit that there looks like a problem with the newier OS or hardware or combination. Whichever it may be it is sad since they seem to really pride the device around the GPS location functionality.

You add a compass and the ability to rotate a map according to your direction.

Well it seems to be worse than ever.

I met with apple service today and they ended up replacing my phone. It still can not get a good lock on my location. 50 + yards off. I did not have this problem with my 3g Gen 2 model. It was dead on accurate within a matter of ft and fairly quick locks on.

I am at wits end with this issue.

Support by Apple is really poor.

Interesting observation about the GPS issue. I have two vehicles, a truck and a convertible. I have been having the same issues many have with GPS not working correctly, not locking on etc. In an unscientific test, I operated my GPS while driving my convertible twice and the last couple of weeks. The GPS actually locked on and functioned most nearly has it had before the problems arose. I wonder if the OS updates have decreased the sensitivity of our antennae? Or maybe Apple lowered the power sent to the antenna whereby crippling its ability to lock on in a car. If the OS updates touted better battery life, that might be the case.

Regardless, it still stinks and I wish they would come out with a real fix or take responsibility. I shouldn't have to have Apple Care to protect me from things that Apple does to my phone. Maybe that's what Apple Care means?

Finally went into see a Genius with my problem today not expecting much. Wasn't disappointed. He confirmed I wasn't getting sat triangulation, went in to check my warranty status, and said I could buy a rebuilt device for $199 (I've had the 3G for over a year). No plans to "double down" on another device that may develop the exact same issue. He did tell me to make sure I'm updating my apps, updating the software, and he said he restores his own iPhone every 6 weeks. That was a bit surprising.

I've tried everything on the web I've read...all the permutations, combinations, resets, restores, and voodoo that some people have used to get their GPS working right again. At this point, there is no way to know if my hardware is faulty (he had no way of knowing) or if there is software (and Apple is keeping quiet if they know it's an issue). I either suspect that one day, out of the blue, the GPS on my iPhone will magically start working with no explanation for the manufacturer or I'll limp along with what I have until such a time that I decide to buy a new handset.

UPDATE

Continuing my unscientific tests, I made it a point today to hold my phone out at arm's length under the windshield of my truck. When the phone was more under glass than the cover of my truck roof, GPS worked like a charm. It leads me to believe that the changes in the software especially for 3G users has rendered the GPS chip somewhat neutered. It must not get enough power to detect GPS signal through the roof of a vehicle. The only solution I think that is available is to use some sort of mount where the phone is mounted to the windshield in view of the sky.

😟 Apple

Um....sorry to point this out but in the UK we're warned (by car makers) that the coatings on new/recent windshields affect radio transmissions, both for mobile-phone communications AND for GPS, so only to position radio-devices in particular areas......

Personally I'd be very damning of anyone from the UK who posted here without knowing that to be the case, but then I'd probably get the wolves on me anyway.....

What the heck when you know the truth because you BOTHERED to read the manual????

phdirt, this is basically my experience as well. I get a good gps fix as long as I'm out in the open with my phone, but as soon as I get in the car and place it in my dash mount (just in front of my radio, under the car's roof) I lose gps fix and Tomtom says "poor gps reception."
I also tried holding my phone out under my windshield, and I too regain signal as long as it is held close to the glass with a view of the sky.
Reception seems to be the issue for my phone.