Well i have seen them in person - side by side and also we need to deal with one important aspect of what is never really asked by users. How they perform in different applications, off angle, as grill lights vs. side of vehicle lighting etc..
Whelen is very good at using the latest tech in the latest products and then incorporating that new tech as running changes into the previously released products.
We will call it best of breed when it comes to the latest items - Engineers do this because they love to use the latest and best solution to the issue they are presented with.
The new light based on its size, profile, and potential use cases is as bright or brighter in most cases than the ION - but as many need to understand here - the profile and size of the light needs to be matched properly to the intended application.
Example: I would not put Microns on a huge tiller truck, unless they are properly placed by application, and are supplemental lighting. Larger vehicles should get larger lightheads in 90% of cases. Where as the Micron on a motorcycle would be a great fit and something we have needed for some time.
Whelen makes so many lightheads for a reason - they all have their place on different applications.