I have heard of Brand Lighting. Plus, they have an actual showroom. In my experience, online retailers with actual showrooms have more passion about the lighting products they sell than an online retailer that sells from a warehouse, only. And, to me, passion translates into customer service from owners down to showroom sales professionals. I've been to two lighting showrooms, one in Illinois and one in California. I haven't been to Miami, lately, or I'd stop in at Brand Lighting. You can usually find out if a site has a showroom by looking on the About Us page. Here is a link that might be useful: Image of Brand Lighting's showroom

I just went back to check the display in our local store that carries both Kichler and Seagull. They have a display setup with undercabinet lights over a dark granite countertop. It shows lights mounted near the front vs near the back for comparison. They also compare strip/linear lights vs a white enclosed box similar to what I have seen for many fluorescent and xenon lights. Even with the lights off, the white box reflected too much in the granite, and it was blinding when the lights were on. In addition to mounting the strip along the front edge to the cabinet, they added a small L-shaped channel of aluminum to cover the lights--all light is directed toward the backsplash. You could not see any reflection at all. I believe this would be a simple addition to any brand of linear/strip lighting. Because Jon reminded me that some people have had complaints about Kichler linear system, we eliminated that brand. Pegasus sounds good and I will use that website for information, but we probably will go with Seagull because it is readily available locally and the store seems very familiar with the product. Jon, thanks for the reminder about the gauge of the wire. I don't think about such things, but I will be sure the electrician pays attention to matching his wire to our system.

Okay...I called one of the suppliers of a MR11 "xenon" bulb and they told me the bulb still acts like a Halogen and that the color temperature will still be bright "white." I'm confused because I thought Xenons were supposed to be basically like incandescent. They referred me to use a brand new bulb that is an "LED MR11 bi-pin" bulb, which is offered in "warm white" color. It is designed to take the place of a halogen lamp, and has a cluster of LEDs in the middle. Of course this is $29per bulb, so I'm not sure what to do, but may order one and see how it works. I don't mind the price if the color temperature looks good, as I know LEDs will last for years without replacement. Any further thoughts?

Jess, I had done a fair amount of reading about the undercabinet lighting a while back but my brain being what it is lately, I cannot remember the specifics. I did just do a search on the lighting forum for undercabinet and then one for puck and brought up many posts. I am glad you didn't have any more grief with your halogens- they scare me and I would not use them period (Even though I do remember they give off great light)--- I think that flourescents seem to be the favorite with little downside other than perhaps the cosmetics - but then again, who needs a house burning down. I did look at some LED and they were just not very bright. THings might have changed some, but that is my recollection. Keep us posted and good luck.