I need to replace a landing light on my 1999 MX7-180. Its a GE bulb but I cant see the number because its worn. Does GE-4509 sound right? Thats 13v/100W. And anyone replacing with WHELEN PARMETHEUS™ PLUS LED REPLACEMENT 14V LANDING LIGHT - PAR 36 - P36P1L $250.00/Each. Seems like a good move, costly but seems worth it. Thanks!

BeeKeeper,

I switched to the LED Parmetheus lights and have not looked back. Besides the lower current draw, I find they illuminate our grass strip much better than the incandescent bulbs. Additionally they are much more eye catching for collision avoidance. Not sure what your set-up is, but I have a light in each wing. I put a taxi light in the left wing and a landing light in the right. If I had it to do over I would put a landing light in both and just adjust the aim. The taxi light just seems to disperse too much. Just my opinion and preference.

FWIW both lights are still going strong after 4 years.

Cheers
Tim

Howdy,

Don’t hesitate, go LED, it’s night vs day, some of the best $ spent, all about safety!

Easy swap out too.

Tom

I switched my GE Q4509 landing light to a Whelen Parmetheus LED light in 2014 and haven't regretted it for a minute. It's brighter, draws a lot less current, and is more reliable. I only have a landing light in the left wing. It's not the greatest for taxiing since it illuminates a narrower, brighter, circular spot intended for landing. The taxi version spreads the light out in a dimmer, rectangular pattern aimed down in front of the nose using a spreader lens. I don't think a landing light aimed lower would be good for taxiing since the spot would be too small at a close distance. The newest version of the Parmetheus G3 PAR36 taxi light is much brighter than the older versions. They make a DUO version that does both but the taxi light isn't as bright as the G3 PAR36. There's a Parmetheus G3 PAR64 landing light coming soon that has a 1,000,000 candela output. I assume that they will have a taxi light version. Those would be my choice for landing and taxi lights.

For the first 16 years that I owned my MX-7-180, I used the GE Q4509 landing light. It failed on me twice at night while landing. The Parmetheus has never failed on me.

Excellent! Thanks very much for all your answers. Appreciate all the suggested options too. Going to switch out to the LEDs.

Screw the big names. Look at Aero-Lites. They are more affordable and just as bright as the big names such as Whelen, if not brighter. This is their brightest model but they have PAR36’s down to $89 each as well. Have spot (landing) and flood (taxi) models. I’ve installed 6 and never had any issues.

https://www.aero-lites.com/product-page/ultra-x-spot

+1 for aero lites. They are not pma, have no stc, but they are damn bright, and the signal seems clean. I had one go bad after under an hour of use. That was a little eyebrow raising, but they sent a new one pronto. No issues now for about 4 years. I have them both on whenever I'm moving.

Well, since somebody else brought up non-pma.

https://flyleds.com/products/#!/Seven-S ... category=0

These suckers are bright 9,000 lumens each. They throw plenty of ground illumination for taxiing, extended/31s. Frequently spotted an extra minute or so before you see the oncoming LEDs. They also have a simple wigwag switch about the size of a book of matches that works with your factory switch. 450 hours running them anytime the prop spins, no problems, some assembly required.

They fit in the m4 wing, I would assume the other wings as well.

Another happy Aero-Lite customer, my Maule is the second airplane ive used them on since 2017. Perfect fit and exceptionally bright, with no radio interference. Great bang for the buck!

You can buy those LED landing lights on fleebay cheap.. They work great.

I had tried the Aero-Lites par36-SSL (2,100 lumen). They worked better than the old incandescent, it seemed like they caught other pilots eyes a little better than the incandescent. I had spot on both wings which made night taxiing really difficult. My strip has no lighting at all. Night landed a couple times, they were ok. I see they now have ultra out at 5,100 lumens.

I still wouldn’t switch back from that seven star. It was like going from low beams to a big light bar, not comparable.

Good to know because the real cheap ones can cause radio problems. My Maule is full IFR and all garmin with G5s.

I have LEDs all around except for landing. Don't do that much night and the 4509 is just fine. It's a matter of where you want to put your money. And to answer your question, sounds like the right number.

I have dual GE Q4509s that have lasted 15 years at about 70 hours per year plus a spare on the shelf. So I had good luck with the Q4509 if someone wants to stay on a budget.

Problem with threads like these is I get all fired up to go LED but can’t stand the thought of 3 good bulbs sitting on the shelf! I’m like Andy, don’t fly much at night. I sure do like the visibility of the LED for traffic though!

Kirk

Hi Kirk,

I feel the pain knowing a good workable part shouldn’t be wasted. I’m that way too! But, after seeing the difference in illumination, both incoming and outgoing, my safety hat says to spend the money. I figure that’s one fuel tank less of flying, but higher chances of flying more in the future.

It also relieves a big draw on the alternator/battery.

Each his own justifications, for or not, but it is a good opportunity when the time comes.

Tom