We have Xenon, they get hot. Each bulb is 10 watts. But, they are hot if you touch them, which we are not in the habit of doing. Probably the same with the strip lighting.

Ask if they can be put a dimmer switch--it's really nice and worth it.

I have mini flourescents in the old kitchen and just had similar ones installed in the new kitchen yesterday. In the thirty years we've had them in the old room, I never replaced any bulbs, even though they are used almost daily.
With the light rail in the new kitchen, they are invisible.

I have Xenon. They do get warm, and heat up the bottom shelf of the cabinet. I have learned not to keep candy or bread on that shelf. Other than that, I love them -- great task lighting, and nice dimming feature.

The dimming is a great advantage. I'm pretty sure flourescents are not dimmable, which is unfortunate because then I would have him grab those..

He said something about Xenon halogens (or that's what it sounded like). Does this sound right?

beekeeperswife: Do you think that two 5 watt bulbs instead of one 10-watt bulb would make any difference with heat..or light projection? Or does it equal out? (My kids just bought a house with Seagull low voltage linear lights that really look great! Theirs has the tracks with two 5-watt sockets). We're thinking of installing something like this. Just wondering what you think?

I have the Seagull Linear Lighting with 10w Xenon bulbs. IMO, light is like storage  you can never have too much. So getting the 10w bulbs and putting the string on a dimmer works perfect for me  plenty of task lighting when I want it, and soothing mood lighting in the evenings.

These do get hot though - I was surprised by how hot they get since they are not enclosed and air can move freely around them. The heat is not a problem for me, but I can see where it might be for others.

Tyiy  I donÂt understand what you mean  is the one you are talking about like the picture below? If the 5 watt sockets are spread apart, then it would probably make a difference in both heat and light. But remember, if you get the 10 watt and put them on a dimmer  you have the power to adjust to your needs.

I think jeri read my mind. There are multiple bulbs on the run of wire. Ours are placed about 6" apart to get an even look. I'm not sure if there is a 5 watt bulb, but I wouldn't want my brightest setting to be any less than what I have now.

It' not so bright that it's dangerous, you just don't want to touch the bulbs.

The 5 watt bulbs are actually placed sorta end-to-end, in the same socket...then each socket is spaced about 6" apart on the tracks or wire.

Jeri: yes it looks like your picture except there's two 5-watt bulbs instead of one 10-watt bulb per "socket".

I like what you're both saying about having the OPTION of going bright with a 10watt but dimmed way down lower for ambiance. Great point!

Thanks so much for your opinions! We're close to deciding on this, just wondering now where is the best place for lowest prices?! Any online store suggestions?!

THANKS again!

Tyiy  We did buy online but it was over 3 years ago and I donÂt remember where we got it from now. In all this time, not one bulb has burned out! :-)