Thanks missingtheobvious, I did check out those old threads already about the "superior" solar lights. Those threads were helpful in that I did learn that the more light-emitting diodes (LED's) in a solar light fixture, the brighter it is, which makes sense. Also found out that the products that have rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries seem to work best. I did look into the solar lights at the two companies that were recommended on those threads, Frontgate and Grandin Road. They actually specify the wattage and number of LED's in their products on their websites. So far, most products from other companies that I've looked at on the net don't list the number of LED's in each fixture. Some web shopping still has room for improvement I think. Unfortunately, most of the products that I liked the look of from Frontgate and Grandin Road are a little out of our price range, as our budget for this project is less than $100. Something to save up for maybe for a future purchase. For now, I'm planning to take a look at an H.D. product in the store that I think may have at least two LED's in one fixture. The lights come in a set of two, and the set comes with four nickel-cadmium batteries, so it's possible that each lighting fixture has two LED's. Hard to tell just from the web, without looking at the box in the store. The product got good reviews on the website, and most of the reviewers were pleasantly surprised with how bright they are. Will post a photo if we end up purchasing the H.D. product and are happy with the brightness. Thanks again.

We have a streetlight on the corner of our lot. It is supposed to shine down the street but when they changed the pole 2 years ago the idiot that put up the light angled it toward our yard. There is plenty of light in our front yard but It has never deterred the night time feeders In fact I had a terrible time this year with earwigs in the bed that's closest to the light. I tend to agree with flora that the light is tipping the scales in favor of the lizards--Nice,easy insect pest control!!

DH is all about the lights, bout the lights, trust me we are a house of lights, our house can be seen a block or 2 away, we have low voltage Malibu all around the house and solar out in our gardens, DH has tried so many and found the best ones lately at of all places K-Mart and they were on sale, he found them online but went to the store, they are bright but not blue looking, and they last a good 8/9 hrs. they are plastic and we are in FL. so we'll see how long they hold up?

Errant - good point about keeping the solar panel free of snow, and I agree I bet there wouldn't be quite enough sun during the day to give the lights a good charge. I was thinking of putting a small Christmas tree in the pergola down in the orchard, which is way far from the nearest outlet. Battery strands don't last all that long in my experience altho I have two outdoor wreaths that run on batteries and which do a decent job of running on a timer for the duration of the Christmas season. tibbrix - I saw that Star Shower advertised on TV. Then soon after I saw workmen at a nearby nursing home setting what I'm sure was three or four of them spaced and aimed along the side of the whole building. I hope if you install them for your tree you can post some pics.