Would this device block GPS signal?

Skywalker · Mar 30, 2016

msinger said:
Is it even a legit problem though?

It's a "Phantom problem". Yuk yuk yuk.

10X · Mar 30, 2016

Marknmd said:
To be fair, your hand is a lot different than plastic (e.g. it has water in it)...

Well I guess to test this theory you could put a phantom battery on top of the quad to see if it blocks GPS signals.

Ricky81385 · Mar 30, 2016

Imabiggles said:
thats a crap thing to do being that you dont own one. GPS's in phones are covered by the plastic/glass/metal case and work just fine. My P3 picks up a GPS signal in my basement and therefore covered by my house. I dont understand the negativity unless you own and can honestly review it.

I added a " proceed with caution" comment on this. Wow.

WetDog · Mar 31, 2016

Marknmd said:
To be fair, your hand is a lot different than plastic (e.g. it has water in it)...

Anyway... way back last fall I wasn't happy with the time it took to get my satellites even after the re-route GPS cable mod, just for fun I took my dremel out and ground away at the plastic in the inside center of the plastic top. I ground away that little circle in the middle and part of the perpendicular branches that led away from it. I also ground a layer off the plastic lid itself right in the middle. Afterwards, I did seem to get my satellites quicker. I can't give it a fair comparison test though...

The primary GPS in my boat sits on the helm surrounded by several displays and a bunch of wires. Under a fiberglass top with some wires running through it. Works fine.

The third / fourth generation GPS systems are frigging incredible. My iPhone is currently registering a valid GPS lock on the ground floor of my house, three feet from the window. A few LEDs are unlikely to make a difference. Also realize that the GPS constellation isn't always 'up' in relationship to the drone - it can be sideways and, at altitude, even below the craft. So stuff on 'top' may not make much of a difference.

RadRich · Apr 1, 2016

Only thing that would effectively block the GPS signal on the Phantom would be aluminum foil (seen it on a tested.com Youtube page).

@9:56 seconds in

Ricky81385 · Apr 1, 2016

Good to know. I undid the product comment. I still however will not personally use any accessories that will mount on top of my phantom. Thanks for posting everyone.

Droner412 · Apr 1, 2016

Think about all the stuff a car gps signal goes through and the phantom3a/p and i'd assume 4 have access to more satellites iirc. Pretty unfair to write a negative review over an untested theory.....

Multicoptertec · Apr 2, 2016

It's the location of the car GPS antenna that matters, not the unit itself.

fastfed · Aug 21, 2016

well I can leave a review,

Satellites , Litchi, OH MY

after that post, I tested it,, 7-10 satellites vs 15-20 without it.

Also, flying around I will go from 7-10 average to 3 for a split second.
unacceptable, and during that litchi mission I ran, I was lucky I had signal to get it back.

CCrew · Aug 21, 2016

I have that PP kit, have had it about a week and 4x long flights. No GPS problems, I have more of an issue with the way the kit actually fits. The lights the way they clip to the legs are for lack of a better description sub-optimal, and the cradle that fits on the top is just "meh". I could get the same value with some Planet Bike blinkies wire tied to the legs. It's going back.

Rommel111 · Sep 28, 2016

Yes these do cause interference. I will refer to mine anyway. Without a doubt it caused interference on my phantom 3 advanced right down to having to fly it home with no gps. Maybe it depends on where you live and how many satellites are available but I won't be using them again. Under normal conditions I'm only pulling in mid to high teens for number of satellites