Whelen 71685 vs Baja S2 Pro vs Aeroled Microsun landing lights

[Tombrackx]

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to decide upon which landing/recognition light I want on my project. As I only fly daytime VMC, it's more a question of traffic avoidance. I'm trying to keep it within a decent price range, so I'm having a hard time to decide which way to go. I'd like to build them into the wingtip.

Whelen 71685 (136$)
Baja S2 Pro (178$)
Aeroled microsun (350$)

Anyone has any experience with any of these, or has a decent alternative?

I know in some other experimental aircraft groups they use Flyled's spotlights, but with the exposed boards they don't seem very humidity proof.

Opinions highly appreciated!

Tom

[DesertFox4]

I installed the AeroLEDS MicroSun lights in both wingtips. Very bright and love the wig-wags. I also fly only daytime so these are used for recognition and I wanted the brightest available. Also installed AeroLEDs Pulsar Nav/Strobe lights on wingtips. The Pulsars are also the brightest I’ve seen available.

https://aeroleds.com/products/microsun/

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Kitfox Aircraft’s carbon fiber wingtips with AeroLEDs MicroSuns.

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AeroLEDs MicroSuns in wig-wag mode.

[efwd]

I have the same stuff. Love em. Ive flown them at night. I have mine mounted just like Desertfox4 and feel that they need to have some tilt toward the ground to get better light on the runway. And Taxiing with them mounted as they are is not that good. Im a tailwheel though so I know Steves probably do a good job during Taxi.

[DesertFox4]

Eddie, sounds like you need to adjust one or both of your lights for your tailwheel stance.😉

[efwd]

yeah, no longer a concern since Ive become a Sport Pilot. I just flew at night once or twice just before my medical expired this past September. Just wanted to do it one last time. I used to fly nearly exclusively at night when I was in my early 20s. Loved it.

[Tombrackx]

Thanks for the input guys. Those microled's look indeed incredibly strong. I just need to figure out if it's worth the money for daylight only flying.

[PapuaPilot]

There are other less expensive options for LED lights if you don't need them for night. I put a pair of Rigid Dually automotive off road lights in my plane that actually had the same or better specifications as the aviation ones. I have flown a few times at night and they do very well. I think I paid about $150 for the pair in 2015. Recently I have seen similar ones for about $30 each at the auto parts stores.