Improve GPS signal on Phantom 2 Vision+

For more info: www.dronexpert.nl
Keep up-to-date: / dronexpert
It appears to be a common problem. As read on many forums lot of people having GPS signal problems on their stock DJI Phantom 2 Vision+. In many cases people have to wait 5-10 minutes before they have 6 satellites, or even losing signal while flying,
The reason for this problem is that the Wifi transceiver module has interference with the GPS receiver. We found out that extra shielding of the GPS module will solve this issue and improves the GPS signal.
See here how it is done (use it at own risk).

[@bobxtan]

This fix is incredible. I was having trouble straight out of the box with my p2v+. I was terrified having to open it up 2 days after i got it. I was getting a max of 5 satellites and as soon as i would try to record any video i would lose them all. I used aluminum tape that i picked up at a hardware store. I'm now getting 8 to 10 satellites with NO DROP when i begin to record. Thank you so much for this fix.

[@dronexpertnetherlands4182]

You're welcome TJ

Thank you so much for the advice. My first DJI Phantom 2 Vision+, I had no GPS, after telling the supplier they admitted they were having a problem with the GPS. Sent it back and waited nearly 3 weeks, they replaced it. Had GPS but it would take ages to get a signal and then loose the GPS signal in flight. I nearly had a fly away but thanks to you, problem solved, from 4-5 to 6-8! (at home) just with some aluminium foil from the kitchen. Just wish DJI would be honest and admit there is a problem - still a great machine - back to flying :-)

[@dronexpertnetherlands4182]

You're welcome. Good to hear the tip works well for you!

[@SyntheticMemoriesGuy]

aluminium come from kitchen? No efraid to "shortcircuit"? How isolate them? Thx. Raf.

[@backriver1106]

Worked like a dream. I used Aluminum Tape found at HD or L. Need to use Krypton Tape or something over shielding to prevent shorting (IMO). I can fly without worry of a fly away. Thanks for taking the time to do this Video!

[@dronexpertnetherlands4182]

youre welcome

[@BF1GUN]

Many thanks for this video. I moved the cable from front to back and got an immediate improvement in GPS reception without fitting the aluminium foil. Thank you.

[@dronexpertnetherlands4182]

your welcome

[@skpManiac]

How come the Tape changes colour - why did you swap Drones while making the video?

[@AlPereiraPhotography]

Great video I get the whole thing except at after you put the 3M™ Sheet how does it stick and what do you use over it in order not to have a short circuit and how does it stick to the back of the 3M™ Sheet . thank you for your response. Al

[@trinityprosound]

So, I think my latest mod has solved completely the dropping of GPS. It is rather a bother to do, but now get 9-10 sats while recording in 60fps mode. Had to completely disassemble to get the cable out from the camera to the board. Used copper tape in strips to cover all section of the flat cable, then covered again in the kapton tape to insulate. Also did the small jumper on top of the board between the small PC board and connection to the main pc board. Fired it up and GPS lock is so fast is amazing. This is not a mod for the feeble, but if you can do neatly, it should solve all the GPS locking issues. I have also done the mod at the top of the copter to shield over the GPS as others mentioned, but that produced poor results for me. Now we are flying with 9 sats and even got 12 tonight during test run. Turned recording on/off/on, etc. and no issues at all.

[@adznz11]

Is there anyway you could post a vid?

[@trinityprosound]

I will have to dissasemble but give me a week

[@adznz11]

Absolutely. You would be doing the community a great service.

[@bakenia]

I also experienced bad GPS reception. Only 5 satellites on top of a hill on a cloudy day. Around my house I only could fly in non GPS mode. which is very tricky. Saw your video and starts working right away. After half an hour he was up in the air again with much better reception! Great, I now fly around my house like a wasp! Thanks for this video well done!

[@South_of_the_Tyne]

Thank you for this tip, as I was also having gps problems at my home address with sats picked up between 4 & 6 fluctuating all the time I also carried out this mod using 50mm wide aluminum ventilation repair tape. I did exactly the same as you but used two to three layers as it was pretty thin tape. What a difference it has made as I now pick up to 8 sats at home and if I hover at about 15 - 20 feet I get 11 sats. Many Thanks

[@Samlol23_drrich]

Question; when you move the gps wire from front to back, i see the wire is short. When the top of the copter is replaced is it put pack on backwards to make the gps wire line up ( i mean 180 degrees opposite from the position when it was taken off) ? Or do the gps wires still reach eachother? Thanks

[@VPaulKenyon]

Brilliant, what an easy fix, I went from 7 to 12 satellites in 20 minutes. Thank you very much . . .

[@brucekhosrozadeh3778]

Paul: what kind of aluminum sheet did you use? Yours seems to have worked the best. Anything else that you can share? That's a huge jump. I wonder if you are on to something.

[@VPaulKenyon]

Bruce: I followed the instructions as per the video the only difference being I couldn't find the sheet aluminum so I purchased, from Maplins, a small roll of aluminum strip. It comes on a roll, like insulating tape, which ment I had to lay it in strips which overlapped. The aluminum strip looks thicker that the sheet used in the video; so I guess I just used a lot more aluminum . . .

[@brucekhosrozadeh3778]

Thanks very much. This is my third drone. The first two did not have this problem what so ever (lost both over the water!). So I thought maybe the GPS reception in my neighborhood had changed. But now I am convinced that I need to shield it. Thanks for all your help.

[@mvonarx]

Bought mine today and had no adequate gps lock. Used thin aluminium foil and jumped from 4-5 to 6-7 satelites. Had not expected to open this toy at the first day... Thank you for that hint. Waiting for your quickrelease now. :)

[@TommyBBQBessinger]

Where did you purchase the sheet of 3m laser printable aluminum foil that stick on backside? I can't find it anywhere. Thanks in advance for your help.

[@ronduff1]

Okay, now I'm worried. just spent $1300 on Phantom V2+. It's not even here yet and I'm reading about problems. Should I send it back. Should I just make recommended changes as soon as I get it or should I risk a damage flight during my learning curve?

[@jeanmariecannie]

Nice mod! Best thing that happened to my drone. 7-8 sats where I used to have 3 or none. FWIW : While you have the system open it may be wise to check if the ceramics of the GPS aren't broken. It's really in the most vulnerable place of the drone and gets broken on the slightest crash.

[@jeanmariecannie]

Here's an instructable on how to do this. Not sure if KZbin allows links now. www.djiphantomforum.net/viewtopic.php?f=11&p=89

[@brunoaduarte]

Shouldn't the aluminium foil be connected to the GND of the drone for the shielding to be more effective?

[@saltire546]

I noticed that you were not recording video loads of poeople are getting sat drop out as soon as they switch on video and its worse the higher resolution you use .You are very clever folks so hows about finding a cure for this common problem and yes i tried the shielding and it did help a little but not when i switch on camera.

[@MattErvinMIDrone]

This is an awesome tweak. Where I was getting 6-7 satellites I am now getting 10+ Where I was getting under 6 I am getting 9+ and almost instant!! I used the Aluminum Duct Tape like some others and worked awesome. Thanks for this!!!

[@francisburton916]

Hi....great clear video...Just went to do same mod on my Phantom 2 Vision....it appears DJI already have done. There was a layer of the grey stuff then looked like copper foil then another layer of the grey stuff....but can see it working well if your Phantom has this missing...cheers.

[@piecesandbytes]

Hi, i had the same thing. DJI had already put in some sort of isolation. However it didn´t help at all. I did the mod and now it 10 times better. More satellites, faster locks. And i can record video without loosing GPS. So even if you have the DJI-factory "isolation" this mod helps, at least in my case, a ton!

[@1elaijah]

piecesandbytes Okay your the first person to have worded my problem exactly! thanks so ill be able to record! ? Really im sooo excited and that's no jk. any other tips and has this worked well since?

[@kenargo]

Is there a reason you didn't ground the extra shielding; I'd think you would get even better signal rejection if you did?

[@jledesmaf1]

does the foil have to be that size? can't you just make it the same size as that sticky think you re-routed the cable under?

[@videohorizonsllc]

Where do you get that sticky foil sheet? I've searched online and can't seem to find it. Thank you. Eric

[@rogermaki640]

Will this make any improvements on the Phantom Vision only model?

[@erwinsilberstein7839]

DRONEXPERT.NL, this is a great hack for the Vision 2+! It reliably improved the number of visible sats by +2 under difficult circumstances (not more than 4-5 sats visible after 5+ minutes). Danke well! I think the shielding of the GPS-Module-connection-wire did most of the trick. However, I followed the instructions of Faraday-caging the bottom of the GPS-module. For all who are unsure of what material to use: I sandwiched regular household alu-foil between self-adhesive plastic-foil used for wrapping book-covers. I applied double sided adhesive tape (used for fixing carpets) on one side of the sandwhich, and here you go. E.S.

[@Apeshaft]

Is it possible to attach a small external GPS antenna instead?

[@TheMuffdivr]

Took the advice, except I used a piece of adhesive backed 12" X 12" copper foil since copper is a better conductor than aluminum. Once installed I used some 30mm wide Kapton Polyimide shielding tape to cover the copper. Both are available on e-bay. Regarding loss of satellites once camera recording starts. Someone suggested lining both top and bottom of the battery compartment in the same way so as to eliminate interference of the camera signal from the GPS unit. I'll be trying that next.

[@sup3rfunk]

Great tutorial. Is this only recommended for Phantom 2 or has anybody done it for the phantom 1 too?

[@jrussphantom3208]

Will doing this mod void my warranty? Because I really need it like most everybody else is saying.

[@Thecon100cc]

What size is the screwdriver to open the shell up?

[@4SquareHI]

It worked great! I used 2" foil tape used on HVAC Ducts and it worked great! I went from 5 satellites in my back yard to 8! I first took 2 pieces from arm to arm and then filled in the corners with some small pieces. Thanks for the tip! I have a picture of my final version but can't seem to post it in this comment. Thank you!

[@dronexpertnetherlands4182]

you're welcome

[@TommyBBQBessinger]

Hello, I just subscribed. Thanks for the video's. Could you please tell me how do you add music to your videos? Any good advise sure would be helpful. Thank you!

[@ivemeister]

You'll need a video editor. KZbin "Best video editors".

[@jamesdonegal]

This is a simple and VERY effective thing that I have just finished doing and had to come on and say how good it is. went from at most 7, usually 6, (or under.. ekk) to having 9 consistently, reaching a 10+ for a bit, and that's beside my house, not in the open or flying it above the house... I used aluminium tape from maplin, its 1cm wide, was easy to shape and push into the folds and corners of the cover... big thumbs UP for this video, giving the reassurance of 9 locks versus just the minimum 6 :) THANKS

[@dronexpertnetherlands4182]

Your welcome

[@kittkites]

Dronexpert nl My Brand new vision looses all satellites as soon as i hit record on the camera. Is there a fix for this?

[@sergiogiaccone6291]

Is not necessary wire the alu shield to ground? (- battery)

[@JonathanNewAge]

I need help. I did exactly like in the video, I went out to try it and now not only does not work gps but I did not even start the engines. Of course tell you that I checked a thousand times in the GPS connector and obvious. What might be? Thank you, Gionata, from Italy

[@surrogatemarker]

Can you share the product number or a web link for the aluminum foil adhesive backed sheets you used? Thanks!

[@VolkerSt]

Yes, need them too. :)

[@rbjBorre]

@ Mark Williams / Serpens Alatus We used 3M aluminium laser iprintable Foil, (Google on: 3M 7983). Normal Alu-foil for baking a cake does work also, glue it inside the shell. Be sure that you not make shortcuts to the electronics inside the Vision, cover it with paper f.i.

[@NiallAllen]

Roger Borre I've been looking for this but can't find it anywhere. Is that code correct? It's probably just me being stupid, but the only links I can find seem to be linked to the 3M site, but the page no longer has any of the item. I've just got this Phantom last week and have yet to fly it (bad weather and been ill :( ) but I thought I might try this mod before I start off.

[@surrogatemarker]

I recommend you see if you have a GPS satellite issue first Niall.. once you modify your Phantom as described here.. you will have voided your warranty.. If you have the issue .. then by all means, go ahead.. I too cant seem to find this foil in the USA..

[@NiallAllen]

Mark Williams That's a very good point! I'll check that first. Sometimes I think my own brain is out to get me :D

[@MichaelWilliamsHDPhotography]

Thank you so much for posting this. I went from 5 to 6 satellites to 10, only thing I did different is use copper tape @ 50mm.

[@dronexpertnetherlands4182]

you're welcome Micheal.

[@carlosbanda6834]

hi!!! this could fix the problem of getting all the satelites off when i star filming? thnk you

[@svleur]

I used aluminium tape and it worked like a charm ! No more scares for flyaway :D Thank you very much for this fix ! P.S: Seems to influence the videolink to mobile when your flying low

[@DotoRossi]

Hi guys! I got a bad GPS signal maybe due interference and was not fast enouth to turn GPS mode off...so a full Phanton 2 crashed on building wall and then dropped 30 meters on asphalt...everything is broken, including mainboard, battery, NAZA, iOSD, 2 motors, shell, GPS module...and also Zenmuse! Well, I have to do this on my next Phantom. Could somebody tell me WHERE to buy this 3M laser printable alu-foil sheets? (link please!) Thank you patners.

[@joels9865]

where can i buy this 3m aluminum foil that you use for your P2V+,thanks helpful video.

[@christopherferrer4773]

hi just wondering could this work in my phantom2 quad not the vision2 version?

[@andymapps]

Can you tell me what music you used on this vid please? I really like it

[@ohare100]

i have a problem.. with the cheerson cx-20 I did this mode still the same its like fly in manual mode and theres not videos showing my issue HELP!

[@MagicMerny]

Have you ever had a problem where the satellites drop during flight when you push record on the video camera of PV2+? My drone works fine UNTIL i push record on the camera and then the satellites go, GPS goes, and I go into panic mode as its so hard to control without GPS!!! Would the Aluminium mod help me or is it a separate problem? Thanks in advance!

[@kittkites]

The Same thing is happening to me. Its pretty annoying ! I'm on my 2nd phantom in less than a week.

[@mohdnorazmil]

Ok. Sharing my experience. I had GPS issue as well and this video gave inspiration how I got mine fix. My case is at stock, 0 GPS and as soon as I move the top cover out, I get 4-5 GPS easy fast lock. However, unlike most here, when I move the wire under the shielding, my GPS signal drop to 0 (with or without the cover moved!). I tried moving the wire around the GPS board under the shielding. It works slightly but I have shorter connection distance. But, as soon as I close the cover, the GPS signal drop again... not as bad as before but still and also it seems that the cable also cause interference with the GPS board (thus why I had to circle the wire around the GPS board). It seemed I was in a no win situation and was about to give up. Out of pure curiosity and believing in this video, this is what I did. With the wire at stock position (not under the shielding as the video), I just rotated my top cover clockwise... meaning, now my GPS wire doesn't run through top of the vision (metal casing) transmitter. Basically, it made the wire as far as possible from the transmitter... guess what... from 0 signal with the cover... to 5-6 signal AND no signal lose when I click record!!! No aliminium added... stock... just by rotating the darn cover. OMG. So, that is something you could try!! P.S. > I am going to the shops to see if I can get a cable extender for the GPS cable and move the cable further from the transmitter. Hope this helps!

[@gersonmorelli]

I tried using 3M silver foil and it did improve reception by 1 or 2 satellites right out of the bat... However on my second flight I experienced some weird malfunctions (e.g. camera wouldn't connect to iPhone, even though telemetry - battery, satellites, etc - was showing fine, weird behavior on one of the motors, lower range on RC)... My only guess is that the foil was touching some of the components and could be causing some interference.

[@rudsomlima]

Thanks for the video. I put a milk carton that has cut aluminum. It worked perfectly. Increased from 6 to satellites 8,9,10!

[@firemann816]

I need a way to do some wifi range increases - or something - seems intermittent after a crash. BUT I LIKE this video and will implement it next week.THANKS!!!

[@valeriob6433]

great guys!i've made it yesterday with milk tetrapak,with addition of black insulated scotch......my phantom now is a satellite hunter!10 to 12 sat quicly and persistent with 1080p recording!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!at the beginning i was becoming crazy,i had 6 to 8 max sat and when i record sat fall to 5 or 4!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!DRONE EXPERT ROCKS!

[@rodbuilder3657]

+Valerio B (windtalker) What the hell is milk tetrapak?

[@valeriob6433]

+rod builder, is the common milk package

[@dronexpertnetherlands4182]

+Valerio B (windtalker) Your welcome ;-)

[@iftibashir]

Is this only an issue on the Vision+ ?

[@milanswoboda5457]

Yes, the video transmitter of the Vision+ is close to the GPS receiver thus causing interference issues with the weak stock shielding

[@SyntheticMemoriesGuy]

One year later.... No prob with aluminum and shortcut ??? You must isolate them, before mount? (sorry for my english".

[@SyntheticMemoriesGuy]

...and "shortCircuit" no sortcut. How isolate basic aluminum tape?

[@piecesandbytes]

Would this mod help with this? DJI Phantom Vision+ camera interference Im having exactly that issue.

[@pcvirt]

yup it solve that issue of yours ^_^

[@mvonarx]

The Fix works partially. Jumped from 5-6 to 7-9 Sats but only if the camera isn't recording. If i activate the recording function the gps drops instantly to 4 till 0 Sat's. That's strange because even if the recording function is off, the camera always works to send the picture to my phone... Any ideas?

[@lordofwar7060]

Mine went in the water the battery is dead no matter what i belive but can the unit be saved ? i put it 10 pounds of rice . till i under go the breaking down of the parts . and do you have full break down of how to video would be great if you do . i was real careful but i forgot about sailboats guide wires it hit one flipped and down to the depths of the marina it went . sad nightmare .

[@tony13985]

I found that using hair dryer (and then rice) is more effective way to save your unit!

[@lordofwar7060]

Ah nice i put it in my dryer on low cause i have a front loader and what they call a shoe rack add on i was able to do better . I cant hold hair dryer that long i prob burn up my unit . but camera is shot dead it did not survive . glad to see your was saved as well

[@ThomasKim558]

Well that also happened to me..... but I saved it with hair dryer but u have to buy another battery for it...

[@lordofwar7060]

Thomas Kim Yea unless you take apart the battery the battery is fine its the electronic board that frys . I MAY GO WITH GO PRO HERO cam there water proof and make my own with game of drones case

[@ThomasKim558]

Lord OfWar Phantom is kinda waterproof... but fpv kits.... :P

[@fear1819]

Hi,can any one give me a hint? Il try my best to explain what I need (replace body she'll) first when you remove the top of there you can see silver box,can any one tell me how to remove? Asking why? That silver box is blocking 1 screw and I can't reach that because of that silver box,! Pleas respond as quickly you can,than you!!!

[@GibsonLesPaul2273]

Is this needed on P3 Advanced?

[@smazeyy]

Could I use copper tape ?

[@rapzan1]

I use copper foil in place of aluminum?

[@NASA2008]

Please help me. Why is there no live video on mobile ? But telemtria sending data . But now the problem that I can not connect to + Phantom 2 Vision says this : "Phantom connection broken " what could be the problem?

[@tigergray1100]

you need to bind wifi extender and your drone using your vision app on your phone.

[@Kaijser24]

Thanks for the update of the phantom it works great. i have 10 sat now. super. . . i'm realy happy this problem is solved

[@billsinnett]

will copper work better

[@manuelferran6486]

Why this mod do not appear to be necessary in the non+? I don't loose satellites while recording.

[@PaulHegarty]

The Wifi system for the camera transmitter causes interference on the GPS. In the none plus versions, the transmitter's physical location is different, avoiding the issue.

[@manuelferran6486]

Thanks! DJI should take care of this.

[@yurikomkom]

Double shielding is good but it is not the main problem. It didn’t really work for me. The main problem is the low sensitivity of the gps receiver and excessive noise in the electronic circuits. You cannot solve the low sensitive problem unless you find a gps replacement unit. However, basic electronics, you have to connect the original shielding to the ground wire. Just by covering the unit is not enough. I did solder a wire from the original shielding to one of the black thick wire of the closest motor controller (grounded it). That improved my gps a lot.

[@danilovacca5613]

Yuri Kom please, could you put here a link with photo of your "ground wire connection"?

[@23MeV]

Where can I buy this type of foil? What Lowe's have something like this? Thanks for the vid!

[@puzzlesguide]

most hardware stores or automotive centers sell aluminum tape. it will do the job just as well as the aluminum sheet. it's basically the same material in tape form.

[@23MeV]

Dave Fisher Thanks!

[@lindahill7599]

Possible to just stick it on the outside of the top shell? Would not look as pretty, but no risk of messing up the electronics inside.

[@lindahill7599]

I'm bad. Just realized you need to shield the top GPS module from other electronics INSIDE, not outside.

[@craigjenkinson47]

you can also use aluminum foil tape. it comes in rolls for heating and duct work. any hardware store.

[@joels9865]

can anybody please help me....I have done all the step by step on this video putting the foil, as well as moving the cable to the back and hook back the cable. But could not get any GPS reception, showing " 0" Satellite on the screen, Went to check "Find My Phantom 2 Vision Plus on the setting. The back light showing 1 green and 3 blinking red lights. Please kindly help.Many thanks in advance.

[@slimm9969]

Did anyone help you with this? I'm having the same issue. No GPS Sats.

[@Open2viewMelbourne]

Great result thanks for the heads up, worked a treat

[@djordjecoric]

I cant wait to try this.. hope will do 👍

[@SkyviewArts]

Great job I will try it in the next few days.

[@qwertycharkityr]

esto con la actualizacion se arregla verdad? la 3.06

[@elemillo]

Hola, has probado actualizarlo? funcionó?

[@qwertycharkityr]

no nada. lo actualize, le hice lo del cobre para los satelites. y nada. grabo en 480. y funsiona bien. y con 720. con 1080 es que falla.

[@dallas69]

New Phantom 2 V+ (2-2-15) and had the top off the replace a motor ESC but My new 2V+ has a larger shielding in fact its as large as the one you made / installed. WTF DJI is watching and has improved their surveillance drones. FYI On the install make sure you purple or blue loctite the bolts / screws or your surveillance drone will lose parts in flight.

[@RadioRozaBxl]

you have good advice, thanks

[@dronexpertnetherlands4182]

you're welcome

[@sketch6995]

i dont have this problem with my vision +.....

[@zebbidyarrives]

Works great,problem solved.thank you.

[@dronexpertnetherlands4182]

you're welcome Alan

[@ronduff1]

Dronexpert nl Okay, now I'm worried. just spent $1300 on Phantom V2+. It's not even here yet and I'm reading about problems. Should I send it back. Should I just make recommended changes as soon as I get it or should I risk a damage flight during my learning curve?

[@rodbuilder3657]

Ron Duff No. When you get it just re-address it and send it to me. Then ask another stupid question here!!!!

[@seankim7005]

Wow, wonderful.. Thanks for your video...

[@audreygraham4067]

Should not happen in the first place .My new p2v+ drops 3/4+ sats when i turn on the video untill then its ok !!!!!Thanks for the tip though.

[@DotoRossi]

Well, also GoPro3 was damaged. Not good!

[@taharmammir]

well done

[@cdhanks]

"Avoid Shortcuts?" I think you meant short circuits.

[@dronexpertnetherlands4182]

Yes, you are correct. We dutchies having sometimes a bit difficulties with the spelling ;-)

[@cdhanks]

Drone xpertnl- Is there any danger of shorts with this material, it is aluminum, isn't it? I noticed that the same place that sells this also sells gold foil, same price, would gold be better?

[@BManCan1]

I would imagine this issue is made worse for users that are Boosting their P2V+ wifi power.

[@rbjBorre]

I believe that the boosting app only boost the range extender part, and not the Wifi module inside the Vision+ , so then it would have no influence

[@gigasmb]

Roger Borre No, the software booster change transmit power of the wifi inside the V+, not the repeater. Is this a problem using this extra shield?

[@ranardohopkins2180]

Sweet !!

[@FahrzeugtechnikUSA]

I have try this with cooper tape. But nothing is better. :-( shit

[@rodbuilder3657]

lowriderlord82 I thought Cooper made tires!!!!!

[@stuartross2158]

Thanks for the advice, I have gone from very occasionally getting 6 satellites to getting 11! with near instant lock on. I used 'Silhouette printable Gold Foil' purchased from EBay. The pack has this URL (www,silhouetteamerica.com) for our cousins across the water. Once again many thanks.

[@AZTEC_ARTS2023]

Where do you get alu-foil printable paper ? Wal Mart ?

[@PilotoCharly]

Subtitulado al español (con autorizacion de Dronexpert.nl), aqui: vimeo.com/121950243

[@tiburon827]

Useful video,thank you.