This is just the first "hit" I had to show you what it is. Is it too chintzy or is this a good thing?

Here is a link that might be useful: one link to it

I have some of those, but a different brand. I think I bought them at Walmart in a 3-pack a couple years ago. Realizing that they're not the same brand - the ones that we have really don't put out much light at all. I have one in the master bathroom for the middle of the night trips when I don't want to turn on the regular bathroom light and be blinded (kind of like a night light). It's fine for that - but it really would NOT be sufficient for lighting up the counter. Since you say that 90% of what you want it for is really ambient lighting - not work light - that might be fine for you, but the 10% you need it for work light, I do not think it would be effective at all if it's basically the same as the ones that I have.
Why don't you just buy 1, and try it out to see if it would work for you? I understand about the undercabinet lighting thing being expensive. Our entire undercabinet deal (lights and plugmold) turned out to be WAY more expensive and detailed than we planned on. Good luck.

I bought some of these, or something similar anyway, but ended up returning them. The light was awful and insufficient. And if you want them just for effect, well, you'll go through an awful lot of batteries. If you're tapping them on to chop an onion and then tapping them off again, well, they might be okay. But if you're leaving them on for a period of time for cosmetic reasons, they'll die quickly. I'd rather stick flourescents under the cabinets and just plug them into my backsplash outlets than use these long term. I do have a tap light inside my appliance garage because I couldn't see wiring a light inside that small space. But my electric can opener is in there and it helps to have a little light when operating it.

HTH,
Robin

Thanks guys- I really value your input. I am going to work shortly but will keep it and try it tonite to get a better idea. I agree its not much light, but I want to see it at nite. What kind of lighting do you have that you find works for you and is NOT hot?
does anyone have these and like them?

I had the same idea and bought them hoping to use them as UC lights. The LED light is too dim and bluish colored.

I did end up using them in my under sink cabinets and deep base cabinets. They help you see the whole cabinet if you are looking for something.

I really don't have a suggestion or advice for you, but wanted to say that my UC lights are my favorite thing about my kitchen. It took DH some "rigging" to get them exactly how I wanted, but they are super. He even put them on a motion sensor so they come in when you walk in the kitchen. You can also turn them on all the time or off all the time (we use this for daylight times mostly). I love how the lights play up our beautiful tile backsplash.

See the picture below:

Christy

Yes, I guess you were all right about it- really not enough light. And my husband, who is usually the least observant about anything like this, when he saw the light said they were too weak and blue. Amazing. It was one of those if it seems to good to be true.
christie and others, do you have pucks? are they halogen ? please share.