@rocksetta, to better represent range, your circle boundaries should overlap at their centres. This represents the node-to-node maximum distance:
This “matrix” configuration follows the optimal 4-neighbour arrangement for redundancy. By filling in the intesticial spaces will allow each node to have a 70% max distance neighbour, increasing mesh connectivity with very few extra nodes:
This is what I meant by careful mesh design.
I believe current testing methods for range need to be standardized. Also, Mesh connectivity and Cloud connectivity need to be tested separately. I have observed uninterrupted mesh connectivity while a device was trying to the Cloud. Their interdependence in a mesh design is still not crystal clear to me. As mesh stability improves, this “balance” should be explored.