Found a local pool guy who says he will install it for about $150 (I buy the light myself, that's just his labor). Also he doesn't suggest switching from 12v, and does suggest moving the transformer to a location closer to the light. He's installed the hayward lights but not the latest version of the pentair which I'm leaning toward (should I be concerned? I'm thinking if he knows what he's doing then a light is a light).

Also I found in the users manual you switch the colors by flipping the light switch on and off a particular number of times. A little bit of a hassle, but worth it to save hundreds on a control box I guess.

Still looking for opinions on the various lights, any input would be appreciated. My daughter's 13th birthday is coming up and she's dying for me to throw her a pool party so I need to get it done in about the next 10 days.