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I've been using a range of Firehouse strobes for the past several months and own an Arc II, a few smaller of their cree strobes (red/green) and now several Arc V strobes. I started using strobes 99% of the time when I recognized that I'd lose sight of my drones (especially my Mini) easily. Lately I've had a few opportunities to fly without any visual obstruction at all (mostly over water) and took note of when I could no longer clearly see my drones, both day and night. The difference between keeping VLOS day or night is almost staggering, but not surprising.
For the most part now, I use the Firehouse Arc V strobes, usually mounting the main on the bottom, a red/green on the front arms (for visual orientation) and often one on the top. To be honest, the one that really counts is the one on the bottom. That's the one you'll be able to see from any position.
Daylight overcast (no sunny tests yet): I've done two different distance tests during the daylight hours. I'm not sure how the cloud/sun conditions aided or hindered my ability to see my strobed drones. But in the two tests I've done I was able to clearly see my drone 1200' away and another time 1600' before it disappeared in the distance. More commentary later.
Night flights: Seeing the strobes at night allows a MUCH longer distance keeping a drone in sight. Just the other night I flew out 10,000 before I really couldn't see it any more. I had done a previous flight and had taken it out 8,000 ft and it was still clearly in sight, but didn't go further because the missions wasn't about seeing how far I could see the strobe and brought it home because of battery life, not VLOS.
The FAA approved strobes have to be visible for 3nm and Firehouse claims that the Arc V rated at 1000 lumens can achive that (as Lume Cube's 500 lumen claims as well). I have to believe that the strobes are bright enough to be seen at 3 miles, but their size is what make them disappear before 3 miles. But still, 10,000 feet is nothing to sneeze at to be able to actually see your drone unaided.
I haven't done any testing with only a top-mounted strobe, but from a VLOS standpoint I would have to believe that the drone itself at elevation would eclipse most or all of the strobe and make it harder for the pilot to spot. At night, minimally I use both top and bottom to make sure that both aircraft and I have the best vantage point to see my drones in flight. But for those wanting mainly to help keep and eye on your drone, bottom mount is the way to go. JMO/YMMV
For the most part now, I use the Firehouse Arc V strobes, usually mounting the main on the bottom, a red/green on the front arms (for visual orientation) and often one on the top. To be honest, the one that really counts is the one on the bottom. That's the one you'll be able to see from any position.
Daylight overcast (no sunny tests yet): I've done two different distance tests during the daylight hours. I'm not sure how the cloud/sun conditions aided or hindered my ability to see my strobed drones. But in the two tests I've done I was able to clearly see my drone 1200' away and another time 1600' before it disappeared in the distance. More commentary later.
Night flights: Seeing the strobes at night allows a MUCH longer distance keeping a drone in sight. Just the other night I flew out 10,000 before I really couldn't see it any more. I had done a previous flight and had taken it out 8,000 ft and it was still clearly in sight, but didn't go further because the missions wasn't about seeing how far I could see the strobe and brought it home because of battery life, not VLOS.
The FAA approved strobes have to be visible for 3nm and Firehouse claims that the Arc V rated at 1000 lumens can achive that (as Lume Cube's 500 lumen claims as well). I have to believe that the strobes are bright enough to be seen at 3 miles, but their size is what make them disappear before 3 miles. But still, 10,000 feet is nothing to sneeze at to be able to actually see your drone unaided.
I haven't done any testing with only a top-mounted strobe, but from a VLOS standpoint I would have to believe that the drone itself at elevation would eclipse most or all of the strobe and make it harder for the pilot to spot. At night, minimally I use both top and bottom to make sure that both aircraft and I have the best vantage point to see my drones in flight. But for those wanting mainly to help keep and eye on your drone, bottom mount is the way to go. JMO/YMMV