New Whelen LED Lighting for Experimental Aircraft

Jeff Argersinger · #1 12-09-2009, 01:45 PM

After reviewing many of the existing strobe, and LED offerings for the experimental and LSA markets, the existing products were either inexpensive and not bright enough, or, too expensive for experimental lighting performance. In order to meet the demands of an affordable, and visible lighting system, Whelen proudly introduces the MICROBURST? line of LED lighting for experimental and light sport aircraft. Small, lightweight, low current draw and no EMI/RFI emissions. Available in the legendary Whelen Comet Flash?.
A unique opportunity for affordable LED lighting. All inclusive three light system to fit your RV?s only $499.

http://www.whelen.com/pb/Aviation/Pr...urst_Flyer.pdf

The MICROBURST? line will be sold factory direct.
Ordering form to be posted soon for deliveries starting in February 2010.

RVbySDI · #2 12-09-2009, 02:30 PM

You mention that other LED lights were either not putting out enough light or were too expensive. Your price is more reasonable than others but you do not mention what light output specs your lights have. Do you have any light output specifications on these new LED nav/strobes? Your specs have weight, dimensions, amp draws, but not any information on light output to use to compare with those that are "not bright enough". Can you provide that information?

Your link states they can only be ordered from your website but I do not see anything on your website except a link to the document you linked to in your post. I am at a position in my build to where I am ready to order nav/strobes for my project. Can you tell me when we might be able to see the order form on your website?

rleffler · #3 12-09-2009, 02:40 PM

I'm with Steve here. Over a 50% price difference when compared to competition is a red flag. I'm not implying that there are any issues with the new product, but it does bring the skeptic out in us builders.

I'm not only interested in the technical specs of the light emmisions (intensity and pattern) but electrical noise issues as well. We need to determine if we can make an apples to apples comparison.

If Whelen was up to the challenge, they would provide a set to Dan Langhout so that he could directly compare them to both AeroLEDs and Aveo that he previosuly tested.

dmaib · #4 12-09-2009, 06:35 PM

This sounds great Jeff. Do I understand that a Microburst 1 and a Microburst II would replace my Whelen system that I bought from Van's and would be legal night flying lights? I see that the Microburst I will fit in my Whelen mount on the rudder. Will the wingtip lights fit right on my current Whelen wingtip mounts?

nturner · #5 12-09-2009, 06:44 PM

Its $1 more expensive to buy the whole kit (MicroBurst II with Taillight Kit) than buying them separately (Microburst II and Microburst I).

RudiGreyling · #6 12-09-2009, 11:01 PM

Ditto, we need a comparison to the 2 others, and I really hope they live up to expectation!

Regards
Rudi

DanH · #7 12-10-2009, 07:10 AM

Whelen introduces a new LED-based system at a low price (a miracle), factory direct (which means accepting some grief from middlemen), specifically for ex-av (that's us).....and ya'll start whining?

Somebody will buy and report soon enough. In the meantime, perhaps we should be encouraging this sort of activity from old line aviation manufacturers.

C-GRVT · #8 12-10-2009, 07:26 AM

brilliant (pun intended).
I look forward to seeing the ordering form posted. I'm pleased to see Whelen responding to the needs of the experimental community.
Bill Brooks
691 Island Park Drive
Ottawa, ON
Canada
RV-6A finishing kit

Dan Langhout · #9 12-10-2009, 07:27 AM

I think it's great that Whelen has recognized the experimental market. The price point certainly got my attention! Whelen, of all folks, certainly understands the technical requirements of the FARs and Jeff in particular has participated in some of the discussions on this topic here on this forum. We should give them the benefit of the doubt that they are bringing out a technically compliant product for us.

That said - I do wish they would post some angle vs. intensity curves (as they have done here for other products) or specifically mention some optical performance numbers.

Dave Cole · #10 12-10-2009, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanH

Whelen introduces a new LED-based system at a low price (a miracle), factory direct (which means accepting some grief from middlemen), specifically for ex-av (that's us).....and ya'll start whining?

Somebody will buy and report soon enough. In the meantime, perhaps we should be encouraging this sort of activity from old line aviation manufacturers.

Amen, Dan

With additional characters as requried.