With the halogen you get the Sensasource feature which means that the fan motor will switch from low to high when it senses an increase in temperature up to some threshold. I really like this feature and I think that's the only difference, plus the fact that the halogens really do an amazing job of lighting up the cooking surface.

Thanks for the input.

...wait a minute...you actually got an appliance to work for you? Aren't you the bad luck guy? :D

I like the new cfls, and will use a LOT of them at the new house. Only a handful of incandescents in the whole house.

But I prefer halogen for clarity and sparkle. Worth a few extra watts for my cooking zone.

I prefer the halogens for the hood, also

Funny you should mention that. 3 service calls, a switched out motor and light socket, and a visit from the regional service manager later; it works.

The baffles didn't open all the way and in the end, were repaired with a utility knife in my basement.

Yes, I certainly am the bad luck guy.

Oh yeah, and I'm also awaiting delivery of a new blower box as mine is rusted and bubbling paint. And yes, I've only had the hood since July. If you get one, my advice for cleaning is to ignore the manual and do not put the box in the dishwasher. Mine went in exactly 3 times.

O dear...sometimes I think there's really nothing wrong with my old appliances....

Hi, guys. In my opinion, if you use fluorescent lights on your range hood (or other appliances), you should should have the same type of lighting around the entire room. If your room lights or under-cabinet lights are halogen, it would be wise to use the same type of lighting on your range hood.
I do all kinds of cabinet and appliance installations, which go along with them, and I'd say that halogens create a much more modern / sophisticated look, especially if we're talking about fluorescent lights in a Vent-A-Hood or Wolf version. Regardless of the type of lights, those manufacturers don't want to go to the 21st century, as Europeans do. You put the best halogen lights on an ugly, bulky box, and you still end up with an ugly, bulky box. With nice lights, though...
For those who are *addicted* to fluorescent lights, here's an idea from Futuro: http://www.futurofuturo.com/island_mounted_Luxor_108.html, or for those who want to have both (fluorescent AND halogen) - Miele: http://www.miele.com/usa/cooking/hoods/get-hoods.asp?cat=3&subcat=13&whichHood=7

Thanks for the suggestions, Robert. I currently have a totally fluorescent kitchen (old school tubes no less) and I don't mind it--it goes just right with the yellowed cabinets and pink counters. I'll be doing fluorescent again for general lighting when I remodel because it is required by code in my area, but I don't think that applies to the range hood. In any event, if one applies oneself, one can find the entire spectrum out there available in fluorescents--just not the ones under the hood!

I am looking at boxy bulky hoods because I can't find a sleek 21st century European model that will cover my modest ventilation needs. Performance matters a bit more than looks here...but I haven't found any European models that can be installed with cabinetry without looking silly. (Seems strange, too, since European kitchens tend to be smaller than US kitchens--one would expect more efficient use of wall space.)

Fori, OT, but I think more Europeans buy what they need the day they need it. My friends do anyway. Whereas Americans (except maybe NYC) tend to stock up.

On topic re lighting, remember that the color of the light matters, especially while you're cooking. Fluorescent light usually leans toward one of the three basic colors (magenta, cyan, yellow). Halogens tend to be pretty white when new but fade to warm amber.

I currently have halogens in the hood, and a low voltage halogen track for accent. Incandescents in the main and island [reveal bulbs] fixtures, and a couple small incan strips for under cab lighting, and florescents over the sink.

I kind of like it: I don't really notice the difference in color when all are on, and using different combinations changes the look of the room.

We have CFL/fluorescent everywhere else, but the VAH has halogen. Similar to what keitel mentioned, I thought that getting low/hi speed on the one fan was only available with halogen. I may be wrong.

Thanks all.

To be honest, I'm not too concerned about the color of the light--I'll get something nice for the main fixtures and the one over the range just needs to have good illumination. And then the other features mentioned above. I'll test my VAH salesman's knowledge there.

I don't like having guests in my tiny kitchen while I'm cooking so if the hood light makes me look like a zombie, it's OK. :)

...if the hood light makes me look like a zombie, it's OK

LOL! I was more worried that it might make the food look blue. But I'm way oversensitive to light and color. :)

The flourescents are certainly cooler than the halogens. They also make a spottier illumination than the flourecsent.