To start out I'd like to state the current eldering system is better than the previous shroom system. However I also think that it has room for some improvements.
~ First a radius sphere / bubble - when a elder crystal is popped the radius for the active zone is expanded, not only around it but also above and below -> bubble. This would be helpful to the dragons who end up using all their stam to get to crystals only to over/under shoot where to land and now they have missed the tic, or to the ASD who are eldering during day yet unable to reach the crystal due to the height. This could also help in PvP servers where you need to get in and out as quick as possible, run/jump/fly/glide into the bubble get the tic and off you go not even needing to stop momentum.
~Second extend the time the radius is in effect. - To put it simply once the crystal is popped the amount of time that the elder tic can be gained from when the crystal is popped is extended from instantaneous, to being still active up to 5 mins after the crystal is popped. This will help those who used up stam, or who struggled with getting into the air multiple times or the stones that trying to break the ASD's spirit. as well as adding a bit of time for those in PvP to make their escape or whatever is needed.
The amount of time a dragon can get to a crystal differs based on the type of dragon. the faster ones can cross the map in a few minutes. Even then they can still struggle to get in the air to get said crystal. Whereas for the BW who when even getting into the air can use up almost a 3rd of stam needing to stop to regain stam is a constant and the likelihood they've missed the crystal is very high.
The expanded area of effect and extended time it is still active even after initially being popped, could help lessen some of the conflicts that are bound to come up due to the eldering process being done in a public setting. This allows for the player base to continue to enjoy the game the way they would like to play it, be it solo or grouped, it can help avoid harassment or trolling toward and from particular player(s) while also adding a bit of a grace period for the dragons to have a chance at the crystal they worked so hard to make it to.