Can a sticker set / decals interfere with reception? Safe to use?

Fanbelt · Dec 12, 2016

Hi everyone

I'm a very happy owner of a mavic and have been flying around for about 2 weeks now. I decided to try a sticker mod, so I ordered one from taco-rc dot com and applied it to my mavic today. It looks really cool and I'm quite pleased with the outcome.
While I was placing the stickers and slowly getting towards the end, I suddenly had a horrible thought that the stickers might interfere with reception, be it gps, visual transmission, or what have you. The seller calls the material "carbon fiber vinyl used is high quality and is rated for outdoor use". What I'm wondering is, is there metal of some sort in there that makes it so shiny? Or is that the way its designed somehow?
It smells and feels like vinyl, a magnet won't stick to it, so maybe I'm just worried about nothing...
Anybody have any ideas? I haven't flown it yet with the stickers on, hoping to get some feedback before I do try.
Here are some pictures, perhaps someone has some experience with stickers looking like that. Also a picture of the back of the sticker. I can't read that but maybe someone can and maybe it says what the material is...

Dylan · Dec 12, 2016

You're fine. I would imagine if it makes a difference you won't be able to notice it would be so slight.

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chippie · Dec 12, 2016

There be gold falling from them skies!

They have been around for the Phantom and other quads for years, you will be fine

Multicoptertec · Dec 12, 2016

If it truly had carbon fibers, yes. If it's just printed on the vinyl, no problem at all. I suspect the latter.

Techcop50 · Dec 12, 2016

GPS reception is the only concern I might have, but that would depend on the metallic content of the sticker material.. I know aluminum foil will block GPS.

Fanbelt · Dec 12, 2016

Wow, thanks for all the quick replies. Looks like I'll be leaving the stickers on

.

J_lemmuh · Dec 12, 2016

Fanbelt, does that sticker pack cover anything on the underside? I've ordered a similar set in white carbon fiber and am curious how it will affect the visibility of the drone while in the air.

Piros · Dec 12, 2016

I asked the same question to DJI before I flew with my company logo fitted to the front only , this is the response.

"The GPS of the drone is at the part of its tail. If put a sticker at the front, it seems no influence to the function actually. "

So from that I would say what you have done could interfere with the GPS , so maybe just peel the back section behind the battery off to be safe. Or do what I did and send a photo to DJI and ask them.
[email protected]

Mako79 · Dec 12, 2016

It interferes with my eyes!! they hurt.. =) so much bling!
Take some pics when she's in the air.

Fanbelt · Dec 13, 2016

J_lemmuh said:
Fanbelt, does that sticker pack cover anything on the underside? I've ordered a similar set in white carbon fiber and am curious how it will affect the visibility of the drone while in the air.

Only the arms have stickers on the bottom. The rest is pretty much heat sync.

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finz4lyfe · Dec 13, 2016

Just ordered the red. Are they easy to put on?

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Fanbelt · Dec 13, 2016

I used rubbing alcohol to get rid of any possibly greasy spots. Good lighting and a pair of tweezers and that's it. It can be removed again without any problems, but still sticks well. I read somewhere that someone also used a hairdryer to heat up tricky areas and get rid of bubbles. I didn't find that necessary (at least not so far).
Btw, a person from Taco replied today and assured me that the stickers were absolutely safe to use.