I've noticed that I have difficulty seeing my Zoom at a distance. I've only flown twice, once in cloudless skies with bright sun and today in mostly cloudy conditions. Also, I'm only flying in beginner mode so the distance at which I have to determine which way my aircraft is pointing has been limited to date. I've also determined that I can see my flight controls much better using an iPad Air instead of iPhone 7+. Does anyone have experience with using lighting on their drones to improve visibility?
M2Z visibility
- Thread starter Jimck9
- Start date
I use the ARC II lights from Firehouse. They can be seen for miles and are literally blinding in intensity. They come in sets of 2, but by phone I arranged for 2 white, a red, and a green for my MPP. I have the ARC I on my Spark and they will blind you also. Both are visible in daylight for miles.
drone dji strobe lights spot lights
The best universal attachment method I have found is from Firehouse also. I purchased them cheaper at Aerial Pixel. The front and rear mount are sold separately and using these kept me from having use simple adhesives on the lights and offered easy removal and more protection for the units.
Aerial-Pixel - Vinyl Graphics, Vinyl Decals, Apparel, 3D Printing
They can fit about any DJI drone... and no I’m not affiliated with either, just a happy consumer.
drone dji strobe lights spot lights
The best universal attachment method I have found is from Firehouse also. I purchased them cheaper at Aerial Pixel. The front and rear mount are sold separately and using these kept me from having use simple adhesives on the lights and offered easy removal and more protection for the units.
Aerial-Pixel - Vinyl Graphics, Vinyl Decals, Apparel, 3D Printing
They can fit about any DJI drone... and no I’m not affiliated with either, just a happy consumer.
Oh... I also bought the USB multicharger from Firehouse as it can simultaneously charge 4 of the strobes. It is of note that Firehouse ARC II have a written FAA approval document. Anyway, the link to the multicharger is
Strobe Light Multi Charger
It just speeds things up.
Strobe Light Multi Charger
It just speeds things up.
As long as it’s ARC 2 that’s the key. They have 4 leds per light. I actually ordered this one:
dji mavic 2 pro strobe light
But I called them to split one set into red and green. ARC2 is the key. I also ordered different mount as referenced above... point here is don’t get stuck with a sticky baking, get a plastic snap on mount and stay ARC 2. Due t them reworking their website I called them to be sure of what I was ordering. There are other good lights, but only these have written FAA part 107 approval. Happy flying
dji mavic 2 pro strobe light
But I called them to split one set into red and green. ARC2 is the key. I also ordered different mount as referenced above... point here is don’t get stuck with a sticky baking, get a plastic snap on mount and stay ARC 2. Due t them reworking their website I called them to be sure of what I was ordering. There are other good lights, but only these have written FAA part 107 approval. Happy flying
mavic 999
Well-Known Member
STROBON Cree® Standalone
£14.90 UK
You won't see drone but you will see this , available in 4 colours and rechargeable.
£14.90 UK
You won't see drone but you will see this , available in 4 colours and rechargeable.
FlyGuy8675309
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Note that the long-range visibility applies to twilight and after-dark only. During daylight (even overcast) you won't being doing much to help yourself.
With all due respect I differ. Up to 2500’ distance the white is easily seen in the AZ sun for me
mavic 999
Well-Known Member
Can very clearly be seen in daylight.I have one on my Phantom and its very visible.
NetDep
Well-Known Member
Getting some good advice here but one thing I have done is set my landing lights (the LED lights on the bottom) to come when I hit a button on the controller - this is a "custom" function and described in the manual and a good video about them here....
The strobes are a good idea but I flick the landing lights on and off to orient me to my drone sometimes and find it helpful. Also, I just got the LumeCube setup for the M2Pro and will be trying it out but the landing lights are fine for most situations for me.
Fly safe and have fun!!
mavic 999
Well-Known Member
In 2 seconds i found for you 7 videos on you tube showing mavic 1 +2 mounts for twin lumecubes.
I have an original MP and I use two Strobon Cree white single lights attached with Velcro to my extended rear landing gear. I will agree that while they do add visibility in the daylight hours, they are substantially better at night. I also use Lume Cubes at night and even at 50% power they can be seen as far as you would ever want to or can fly.
Lume Cube sells mounts for Mavic 1 and 2 as well as Phantoms 3 and 4. They all mount to the legs. Work great.
Kokopelli633
Well-Known Member
In bright Daylight strobes help but they have limits, I use a strobeon but also apply some scotchcal day-glo orange tape on the front legs very helpful for orientation, it's light, has no power requirements and is cheap
Turn11
Well-Known Member
I use 2 of the Strobon Cree white strobes facing forward. I bought them from @msinger . He also makes mounting hardware, They are rated FAA distance (3 Miles) .
I have been out a way, look down at the RC and can't see the AC. Do a little pirouette and spot the strobes.
I have been out a way, look down at the RC and can't see the AC. Do a little pirouette and spot the strobes.
dronerdave
Well-Known Member
Been using Firehouse 4-strobe lights for about a year. Just used Velcro and a mount from IMP Concepts that is supposed to be for the Lume Cube lights. The mount clips over the battery. I have red and green on the mount sides and use white strobes on the bottom of the quad and on the back landing gear. White is by far the easiest color to see at distance in full sun. I have been able to see those to about 3000' out but after that, the problem is once you look down it is more difficult to recapture the aircraft with the naked eye. In low light I've seen it out to about a mile and at dusk it looks like a full size aircraft in the distance.
Not sure if IMP is still making these. You can't fold the legs with it on but the mount removes easily enough IMO.
DJI Mavic Pro Top Accessory Lume Cube Adapter CLIP
Not sure if IMP is still making these. You can't fold the legs with it on but the mount removes easily enough IMO.
DJI Mavic Pro Top Accessory Lume Cube Adapter CLIP
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