Landing Light

[N9660M]

The landing light in my 1967 M20F just burned out, and I'm considering replacing it with a HID system. 

Does anyone have recommendations on the best system (Boom Beam, XeVision, PreciseFlight, etc...) and/or know of an FBO in the North Carolina area that has experience installing them?

Thanks,

Jim

[Mooney_Allegro]

I have a 1998 M20J Allegro and have replaced all 4 landing/taxi lights with the Precise Flight HID's.  I LOVE THEM!  They blind people on the interstate when I turn base coming into KLZU at night.  They lightup the runway like a Boeing does.  I also added the Precise Flight Pulselight system too, which pulses only the landing lights.  The instructions say to pulse the recog lights and landing lights, but I didn't want the recog lights to pulse because they are expensive to replace and don't come in HID.  I purchased the HID system including the Pulselight for $1910 and the labor for installation from a Mooney Service Center was $1979.06.  It took them 22 hours of labor at $82/hour.   Unfortunately when I got the plane back, the MSC had installed the lights incorrectly and needed another 4 hours of work to get it right.  They claimed the installation diagram wasn't clear.  The light housing needed to be modified so each light would be positioned properly.  The ceramic rod needs to be on the bottom on the bulb, and another slot had to be drilled to fit right, otherwise you will get a small amount of shadowing when the light is on.  Also, make sure you turn on the lights for at least 30 seconds before you pulse them for longevity of the bulb.  Steve Crenshaw, Joe Wanko, Charlie Babb and Doug Creach were great for their customer support at Precise Flight.  I can tell you one thing...the MSC did NOT like doing this install.  It was a big headache for them, and I doubt they will do another one.  I also spent a lot of time speaking to the wonderful people at Precise Flight for help with the install.  I love the lights though and would have them installed again in a heartbeat. The factory lights were good, but the HID's are much better and you won't be replacing them if at all. 

Dave

1998 M20J Allegro

[Mooney_Allegro]

Followup to my last post.  I had a 1979 Piper Warrior II and had the LoPresti Boom Beams installed.  1 in the nose, and 1 on each wingtip.  The Boom Beam was great, but they use a plastic lens, which fades yellow over time.  Precise Flight uses a glass lens cover, which will not fade, so I would recommend the Precise Flight, and I think they are cheaper when I priced the two. 

Dave

1998 Mooney M20J Allegro

[RobertoTohme]

Dave, this was a very informative post!  The one thing left I didn't like about my Eagle was the taxi/landing lights, but with your input I now have my MSC here in El Paso looking into it for an asap installation... 

[KSMooniac]

I installed a XeVision HID landing light into my '77 J (in the cowl only) at annual last January and am quite happy with it.  The light dropped into the factory location, and the ballast installed on the firewall with 3 bolts.  The switch wires were easily connected to the existing wires via the factory knife connectors too.  Very simple and effective.

[N57039]

Like Scott I have a XeVisoin HID in my 1984 J. XeVision needs a 337, but their website has a number of these posted for your IA to copy and submit. I leave mine on the whole flight to help others see me in the air. On night landings it's a whole lot brighter than the factory bulb.

[Chris White ex-N205KD]

We put in the XeVision 50W HID in our 205 two years ago.  Including installation, I think we had about $1100 into it. 

I would HIGHLY recommend making sure your FSDO will approve your installation before you buy if you go with the XeVision, as it will require a 337.  We did not, and ultimately we ended up showing up at the supervisors door with stacks of approvals from other regions {and lots of "pretty please?" :-(  } in order to get the OK.  He really didn't want to say OK, for whatever reason, but we wouldn't accept a no.  The BoomBeam will not need this hoop to jump through, but it is not as bright.  Other regions have gladly approved the XeVision.

All that having been said, the XeVision 50W bulb is THREE-QUARTER MILLION candlepower.  Aviation Consumer discribed its brightness as "stupifying".  It is.

<<<<  You can see it on our avatar to the left.

 

[fantom]

Quick question about the HID installation on your '98 Allegro, Dave.

You're not saying you have glass lens covers on your wing mounted taxi/landing lights are you? They are curved plastic, and do age. I recently replaced both sides on my '94 MSE, just because the old ones were starting to discolor and crack.

I'm interested in HID landing lights, but I'm not sold on the pulsing option, although I have seen how slick they look. I just don't understand just what plastic was discoloring on your plane (probably your old Warrior) and if you did something to avoid the same problem on your Mooney.

Thanks for any clarrification.....no pun intended.  

 

 

[rbridges]

has anyone installed this recently?  is it prett simple, and how much did it end up costing?