Looking to replace non-functional halogen landscape lights installed by prior homeowner with LEDs. Low voltage line is already in place and hot. I'm estimating a 1/2 dozen or so mis-matched styles, most of which are Malibus from HD. Nearly all of the sockets are corroded, so I don't have a lot of confidence in replacing with the same "off-the-big-box-shelf" brand(s). Primarily pathway/perimeter lights and 2 oak trees.

Any recommendations? Recent experience with Malibu or any other brand? I'm hopeful I can find something reasonably priced that still provides water/weatherproof functionality for more than a couple of years?

Thanks.

These are the brands we install
Fx: http://www.fxl.com/
Vista: http://www.vistapro.com/landscape.aspx
Kichler: http://www.kichler.com/

I just installed some Malibu LED lights to replace the old Malibu halogens. The squeeze connectors that come with them suck so I just cut those off, wired them into the line and covered with heat shrink. Kind of a pain, but I have more faith in the connection this way.

Hugger - Good thought re: ditching the connectors, thanks.

Ftworthag - What kind of cost am I looking at with those brands? Are they available to me (retail)? Any added performance/reliability vs. Malibu (HD), Portfolio (Lowes), etc.?

If you go with a basic LED uplight you are looking at around $91. You can always go w/ a non LED like a halogen or xenon and save some money but the bulb won't last as long as the LED or use less power like the LED. Fx has a 3 yr warranty on fixtures and then if you have fx fixtures & controller then there is a 10yr extended warranty. We have several LED installs that have been in for 3-5yrs and we have not had any issues what so ever. These brands blow Malibu out of the freaking water. You can see a difference between a quality low voltage landscape lighting setup and a low quality.

Kichler has a 15 year warranty and local inventory to meet your needs.

ftworthag02, I have a decent set up in my yard with approximately 10 of the small 20w lights on some bushes and 4 50w lights on the trees. The controller is 600w and the lights have been partitioned fro 300w/each leg. This was all here when I moved in so I'm no expert on the design/system.

My question is over time, the lights become dirty from the sprinkler system in the beds and/or mulch/dirt. Is there a pro tip for avoiding me having to go out with a bottle of windex each months and scrub the lenses?

TIA

measure how much wattage your transformer can handle. second, screw the box store lights (Malibu, etc); just read reviews, you'll be replacing them soon. I used all volt equipment (google it) for transformer and lights. it's more money upfront, but it's lasted and looks great

here's the volt link: http://www.landscapelightingworld.com

i like VOLT

Installed ten VOLT led lights this weekend. They look great and were easier to install than I thought.

Not to derail, but: FWag02, is there an easy way to get in touch with you?

absolutely, john at fivestarlandscapeco dot com