In the US, some modelers make and fly really large scale plane models that definitely have increased VLOS, and using larger standard off the shelf hobbyist drones would be a way of legally increasing your VLOS. But even though attaching LEDs...
I would prefer the mini and if I had done more research I would have found I can put strobes on it. As much as I hate taking tests I continue to slowly edge towards attempting to get the part 107. As a recreational pilot it would resolve my...
I also put a few of these batteries out of service when I saw the bottom bulging a bit and it felt a little harder to get the battery secure in the drone. They are cheap enough (at the time at least) that it was just not worth the risk of them...
I would check all of your batteries if you find the drone. They are known to pop out and cause this exact scenario. It doesn't take much swelling for them to lose contact. I have a few that are relegated to non-flying duty.