Hi, I just set up 4 different LED models and compared them to traditional incandescent and CFLs -- see my other recent thread. We preferred the kit to the regular bulb and baffle. The sealed front was nice. Look into the startup time... The Home Depot 620 lumen model had a 1 second delay when starting up, so we ruled that one out. It was also the least light output and cost a lot for that low output. We felt they were all very pleasant light. The only one we didn't like was the CFL. 2700k was indeed a bit warmer and 3000k was a bit whiter. We liked the slightly whiter color in all cases. More glare? No, not at all. IC / Non IC means the (cans) are rated for insulation contact or they are not. If they are going in an insulated joist they have to be IC, otherwise it doesn't matter. Overall we liked the Menards kit best, it was made by Feit Electric and had a flat translucent plate across the front instead of a bulb-like reflector like the HD models. We didn't try the Lowes model, cuz we found one we liked and didn't feel we had to research further -- altho I'm keeping them all till our dimmers come in to see how well they dim. This was all just personal preference. Get a couple and try them, then take back the ones you decide against. -mike

Thanks David for the suggestion. The light looks like it will fit, but we haven't been able to find housing that will fit our dimensions. Do you have any suggestions on this? Thanks so much on this.

Thanks very much David for replying and suggesting Cree CR6 as a trim/engine & LED exclusive dimmer from Lutron. I have re-read the above listed dimmer i.e. Leviton 6674. It has a toggler which lets a user select incandescent or LED. Since my house was built in 1960 - that's why electrician's are suggesting remodel? One of the electrician is the same one who did recessed lighting for my two neighbors. I do have attic access and it is accessible too with not much difficulty. Thanks for listing other materials which I will need for this project. I can get everything locally just I wanted to use best quality of material for the important parts in this project as I would not like to have frequent problems (flickering, replacing trim/engine, durability etc.) and upfront cost which I'm paying is the same. Thanks once again.

Thanks David. I was referring to using a BR30 bulb (which is design to reflect the light downward rather than a standard omnidirectional bulb). What is the advantage of the kit over a BR30 bulb? Does laying the LEDs out on the area under the diffuser make them last longer, provide more light, etc? With the rebate they were only $10 so I bought 9 kits (1 as a spare) but I didn't want to open them up until I understood why they were better than just replacing the bulb. Since the retrofit bulbs have their own trim, my concern is what happens if one goes out in two years and that model isn't made any more? We have 4 Cree can retrofits in the kitchen and one went out after a year or so but they were still available. I would think a mismatch wouldn't be as noticeable if you just swapped to LED BR30 bulbs and kept the original can and trim. Either way you have to worry about mismatched color temps etc. But different trim seems like it would stand out. Then again, my husband nailed a scrap piece of sheetrock over a hole he made when he slipped and put his foot through the kitchen ceiling on his way back from fixing a frozen pipe that ruptured. It was there for over 6 mos and no one ever noticed it!