[Gadget470]

I sent a question to the official forum, it got removed and I was replied to via e-mail. I think it would have been better for teams to have read the reply so here it is:

Your Question:

Kickoff: Must have an unobstructed view, and be mounted Bottom-Down.
Update 5: Top 4" must have an unobstructed view, 99% of the time.
Update 12: Mounted bottom-down, "quite visible" most of the time, protect
the light.
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On this message board official responses have said no to clear protection,
yes not open-frame solid protection.
Is open-frame clear protection allowed? How much space needs to be open on
each side for the light to be "visible" from all sides.

Reply:

From Day 1, we intended that the Rotating Light be clearly visible to the
driver/operators, referees, judges and spectators. We wanted some sort of
standard so we asked that the light be visible from all sides and be
mounted the same (bottom down) on all machines. We knew that, in past
years, teams had used the light to illuminate their robot by burying it
inside. Many teams showed up at queueing with the wrong color lens
installed and took extra time to do a replacement because of light
position. As questions arose on the forum, we tried to not change the rule
but still allow some degree of flexibility. The biggest issue was getting
the light under the midfield bar. We allowed teams to dip, trip or slip
the light temporarily out of view. This lead to requests for other
concessions. We decided that the reflector in the light was in the top 4
inched of the globe. We conceded to 4 inches of minimal exposure and
upright installation. Still other requests were made to further conceal
the light. Many teams want to enclose it in lexan and have their robot
glow red or blue. This goes on and on. Update #12 pretty much says that
we want to see the light function as it should, be visible by all that want
to see it, be protected from damage and be easily accessed for
change-out. Your light should be positioned so that there is no doubt to
anyone watching a match which alliance your robot is on. The refs need to
know to be able to "disable" in an unsafe situation. The judges need to
know to award performance points and the spectators need to know because
many do not understand the game and want to at least find your robot in a
crowd, under a pile of boxes or wandering around on the wrong side of the
field.

36F