GoPro Hero3 Black+ and Blade 350QX GPS Failure and FIX

Is your Blade 350QX losing GPS lock when the GoPro Hero 3 Black+ is shooting video? A ongoing topic of discussion in the Blade 350QX forums is a GPS conflict between the GoPro Hero3 Black+ and potentially other wifi capable camera's including but not limited to the original GoPro H3B. Its strongly recommended you never fly a quad copter with wifi engaged and in this instance GPS is being blocked by a unknown frequency transmitting from the GoPro with its wifi turned off. Since the Blade 350QX and H3B+ released around the same it time it is not surprising there is a technical issue of which both companies are unwilling to resolve this technical conflict. For every indication this tutorial will remedy this situation.

This simple $1.00 modification will resolve your Blade 350QX GPS block.

Wondering why its happening...Google: Radio Frequency Interference (RFI)

What's needed for the repair / modification:

The L-Type Hex Keys (aka Allen Wrench) set that came in you Blade 350QX packaging.

1 pair of scissors

3 feet of aluminum or copper tape can be found here...

Purchase a Blade 350QX here:

Purchase a GoPro Hero3 Black+ here:

Musical Artist: Chill Carrier (aka) Sebastian Kretzschmar
Song Title "Moving On"
Commercial audio copy right usage license on file @ Google.

© 2013, LightSoundImagination
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This video contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized broadcast or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this video may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from Bryan Conover

Violators will be reported to Google.

[thewelsho]

Not only a great tutorial, but a user who actually responds to the comments and questions of others users. Thanks!

[Horizinn]

THANK YOU!!! This is sure to go viral. It's posted at one of the RC forums I hang out at and I'm putting this up at a couple of others.

[ToddMetalhead]

Best instructional video ever. Grounding is not necessary in all circumstances, I think you proved that. Diverting signals is important. (from my unprofessional research). I will be doing this to my quad and cam which is exactly the same equipment you use. Thank you very much sir!!

[ThomasHarvey]

Thanks for the great video!  I took your advice and shielded the inside of my 350QX and still had some issues.  Then I used the aluminum tape on the inside of the waterproof GoPro case.  It's a tight fit, but between the shielding of the 350QX and the GoPro case, it seems to work like a charm.  I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get the GoPro in the case after applying the tape but it goes in and out just fine.  I should caution anyone planning this fix to be extremely careful closing up your 350QX, as I cut a wire to one of the motors while inserting one of the screws and I had to repair that.  I should have been more careful and the fix would have taken less time.

[frag]

I vouch for this method. Tried it, worked perfectly even with wifi on. Thanks a lot man.

[rcflyerplus]

I actually bought my 350 used as it had prop adapters and this shielding already installed.  Looks simple, but this is an extremely well done tutorial and nice demo of the successful results.  Thanks for sharing.

[metagleam]

Thanks for making such a well done video and adding to the fun hobby. Even your voice over was perfect.

[mrmurphy]

Great fix. I agree with other posters that if you're uncomfortable with dismantling your quad, you should be able to insulate from the outside. It may even be a cool look, imagine a silver and copper 350qx.

[docDeutschmann]

Not only presenting a nice and easy solution, but also very nicely done video and commentary.
I am curious though, how the fix influences the reception of the receiver. Or does the Blade have the antenna routed to the outside of the body (i.e. along the landing skids or somewhere...)

[coincarver]

Excellent tutorial.  I'm sure this will benefit many. 

[MarionBlair]

Good video, Is there any danger of shielding the thing so good you loose communication between the transmitter and the Blade?  Do you know where the blade antenna is.  I suspect that should not be shield with tape in that area?  Your thoughts?

[JohnnyFlashConcepts]

I love the blade 350qx but there are so many issues.
I took my 350 apart and put aluminum tape all on the inside just as you did. so far with 2 test flights "with FPV and the Go Pro recording" I have no issue at all with gps lock. This project took some time to do but its working great!

[MrTonegee]

Just followed your instructions and lined my 350QX with copper tape and the GPS is now working perfectly fine, THANKS !  :O)

Tested before with my GoPro Hero 2 and lost GPS instantly so was going to cover my GoPro waterproof case with the copper tape but your method was worth the extra time of taking the 350QX apart I think. It took approximately 5g of copper tape to complete the job. I've also upgraded my props to Carbon Fiber ones so no worries of snapping props mid flight either like with the stock props ( A ) or ( B )

I'll try to post up a quick Video of the finished job on my YouTube if anyone wants to see how it looks.

[rcoconut]

Nice instructional video! My GPS Lock is my Vtx placement for FPV with my Hero3 Black, but nice video & glad you got it fixed!

[atvnut]

Great info, great video! I love my Blade 350QX. I'm a beginner so still learning to fly mine in "Safe Mode". I bought just the Gopro 3 white edition and with the Wifi off I've had no major problems as of yet. Fingers crossed!

[BrianTownsendFundy]

Thank you! This is exactly the problem I was having. Now I know why.

[The.Steve.West.]

Did you try it the right way up in HH's own mount ?as I see that you have the camera upside down 

[rondarling]

Nice!!! Have you tried simply lining the outside of the bottom of the quad with the aluminum foil tape? It would be very much simpler for those who do not wish to disassemble the quad. Wouldn't look bad either if carefully applied. --Ron

[Shauncat]

Thank you for this video, very informative, will do the same if i get the gopro black plus. will i have the same issue with the older gopro black edition?

[JamieRamageVO]

Thanks for providing this great tip! I'll be trying it out soon!