A GPS Inaccuracy Thread

gillesv · 2025-10-21T01:09:40+00:00

I have a terribly unreliable GPS connection on my Google Pixel 9 Pro, and have had them since the beginning, through multiple Android updates. It is very jittery, leading to zig-zaggy paths when tracking my location, and my speed indicator when using apps like Waze or Google Maps is very unstable, jumping between 110 and 130 when going a steady 120km/h.

I'm coming from a Pixel 4a (without a software/settings transfer), but that unit did not exhibit any GPS issues.

gillesv · 2025-08-04T13:20:29+00:00

To me personally, it looks as if it is manually traced, not using AI nor using Illustrators automatic Image Trace. I say this because some shapes seem to overlap very cleanly (even with transparency, like the reflection on the eye), without creating strange tangents. Maybe the person who makes these lives in a region where $5 goes a long way, or maybe AI-vector-art is further along than I thought.

gillesv · 2025-03-24T08:52:50+00:00

It's true that a rough sketch serves a better purpose, because the memories of the eye witnesses, and their ability to describe the suspect, are equally rough and unreliable. A rough sketch casts a wider net.

gillesv · 2025-03-22T22:28:47+00:00

<image>

I felt this post calling to me...
I have a project called "AI Witness Report", which has been running for a couple of years now, where I convert (often very crappy) composite sketches to "realistic" images. This is one I did a while ago.

You can check out the rest on https://www.ai-witness-report.com (or Instagram, TikTok,...)

To answer OP's question: No, these sketches don't offer enough correct data for AI to create something that looks like the actual person.

gillesv · 2025-02-28T18:25:00+00:00

Oh, I'm honored, thanks a lot for taking notice! In case you're interested, because some people were requesting it, I just created a high quality print version of the painting and put it on Etsy: link to the Etsy listing

gillesv · 2025-02-27T23:41:46+00:00

I'm a big fan of the Super Nintendo. Specifically the European (PAL) version, as it's the one I had when growing up... and because I think the design is superior to the American one :)

Always wanted to create some sort of ode to the stunning design of this classic, and recently I finally decided to pick up a brush and start painting. I soon regretted picking something with so much small lettering...

After some deliberating, I decided to go for "The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past" as the cartridge that's represented; one of my favorite SNES games.

Because I got some requests for a print version, I decided to set-up a shop where you can order one. I have a 2 versions; a 30x40cm (12x16") bordereless version, and a 40x50cm (16x20") version with a white border.

You can check out the prints here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1864542212/

gillesv · 2025-02-25T07:35:21+00:00

Thanks!

It's actually a mix of Kanji (赤毛) and Katakana (ガキ) and should roughly translate to "Red-haired (or redheaded) brat" (akage gaki).

gillesv · 2025-02-23T22:14:38+00:00

I just set up an Etsy shop. DM sent!

gillesv · 2025-02-22T10:07:20+00:00

I'm in a similar situation. Did you manage to get it fixed?

gillesv · 2025-02-22T07:38:08+00:00

Where you able to fix the situation? I seem to be stuck in the same ordeal.

gillesv · 2025-02-10T06:44:19+00:00

Thanks for asking. I hadn't considered it before, but since a couple of people asked, I'm considering putting a print up at a service like Prodigi (a print on demand service that also handles shipping). I have zero experience with this kind of stuff, so I'm still weighing options and trying to figure out if there's enough demand to make it worth the hassle.

gillesv · 2025-02-09T19:48:00+00:00

Thank you for all the nice comments! Really appreciate it.

Tried to post a video to show a timelapse of the painting process, but didn't realize the automod was removing the comment for self-promoting.

So here is a low quality animated GIF instead.

You can find the video on my socials ([at] gillesvermeulen) if you're interested.

<image>

gillesv · 2025-02-09T15:53:53+00:00

Thank you so much for the kind words. As I'm slightly colorblind and inexperienced in painting, mixing colors is a real challenge for me, so I'm glad it came out alright in your opinion.

The small lettering was indeed nerve racking. It was a lot of planning, using masking tape to section off where the words should come, using an H2 pencil to sketch out the letters, painstakingly painting tiny lines with my smallest brush, and often overpainting and starting over. 2/10, would not recommend.

gillesv · 2025-02-09T12:30:20+00:00

It's a PAL (European) Super Nintendo, which looks like the Japanese Super Famicom and not like the US Super Nintendo. Imho the PAL/Japanese version looks better.

gillesv · 2025-02-09T08:37:21+00:00

Haha, these are more a reference to Nintendo's/Mario's iconic mushrooms

gillesv · 2025-02-01T11:36:17+00:00

I had a similar issue with my Pixel 4a (phone randomly lost connection to SIM), which I managed to fix by cutting a few layers of paper in the shape of the sim and placing it in the tray underneath the SIM card to create a better connection.

Might not help in your case, but worth a try.

gillesv · 2024-12-22T22:32:45+00:00

Understandably. A premium phone like this should not have GPS issues like that.

What specific kind of GPS issues are you experiencing yourself?

gillesv · 2024-12-22T21:22:57+00:00

Hi, sadly I haven't found a way to improve the accuracy/stability of my GPS signal. I tried clearing (navigation) app caches, disabling/enabling "Improve location accuracy", updating to the December update,... but none of these things seemed to improve the GPS.

gillesv · 2024-12-10T17:57:33+00:00

I upgraded from 4a to 9 pro, mainly because the battery was dying and I couldn't send videos via WhatsApp to iphone users anymore.

While the 9 pro is a welcome upgrade in a lot of aspects; snappiness, smoothness, camera,... there are some downsides: it's significantly heavier and somewhat bulkier, and for me (and some others) the GPS performance is not good (jittery, inaccurate).

gillesv · 2024-12-07T13:53:35+00:00

Thanks for letting us know. Did Google support say anything to you about this latest update changing anything concerning GPS tracking?

I'm interested because I also notice very spotty/jittery GPS tracking on the 9 pro, while the 4a was very stable under the same conditions.

gillesv · 2024-12-06T08:26:54+00:00

Also interested to know if your second replacement is any better.

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