| Maik |
My wife's 25 year old Electrolux vacuum is about to wrap up a long and dusty career. Rather than go out and buy a portable plastic piece of junk, I have decided to install a central vacuum in my basement. In that regard, I ask anyone who has used or installed one to provide me with some feedback with respect to the various brands available. Are there any DIY pitfalls that I should be wary of?
Thanks in advance for all responses. |
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| G. COLTON |
A single story house is not difficult. A two story house can be a problem. The biggest thing is to get a motor that is powerful enough. By the time you make the long trunk line and hose runs you can lose a lot of vacuum. I don't know your runs so cannot really recommend a horse ower but your local supplier can help on that. Take his recommendation and add 50 percent. Be sure that you get a system that has a powered beater bar/brush. Just pure vacuum will not get all of the dirt out of the carpet.
Good luck.
G |
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| mlkeller |
We have been using a NuTone system in our new house for about a year and are happy with it. Definitely agree with G on getting a power head with a brush...make sure there's a plug near each vacuum outlet so you can plug the cord in for it :)
...there is also a seller on EBay who sells NuTone parts, accesories, etc. at good prices - have picked up a few accesories from him for our system...I think the name is like NSCompany or something... |
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| shootist |
Vacuflo is another excellent brand, but it's not carried in big hardware stores like Nutone is.
Get one that's much bigger than recommended. Bigger won't hurt, but smaller will.
You also need a dedicated 110v (or 208v) line for the motor. I ran a 110v, and 15 years later wish I had put in a 220v 'cuz I want a bigger, badder one.
One noise tip- you can put two mufflers in series on the exhaust line to reduce the exhaust noise.
Getting to the second floor means you have to find a corner of a closet on the first floor that lines up with a wall or closet on the second floor. It's tricky. |
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| DaleB |
Jeezzz.. if you went 25 years on an Electrolux ( always got a kick of the names of the older ones, sounds like a motorcycle) why not just put out $400 on a new Dysan. Assuming they are everything they are cracked up to be.
Yeah, you got to lug them around but they aren't that heavy, and the 'labor' of vacuuming is the same regardless of where you plug the hose in. Seems like you could do a lot more neat house stuff for the cost of a central system..even hire Molly Maids for year? ...Just my 2c.. maybe less with inflation... :cool: |
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| renov8r |
I grew up in a house with a central vac. The old style hose was a p-i-t-a, like dragging an plumbing system with you around the house. I understand the newer systems have somewhat lighter hoses, but it is still more to store than than nice compact canister...
I suppose there is some slight possibility of keeping the indoor air somewhat free of dust if the main unit is the garage -- that seems like a hypothetical advantage at best.
It would be great if a central vac had better POWER than even a mid-grade canister, most don't.
I would never even consider a retro-fit, as others have said it will be a nightmare to install the rigid pipes to reach every room. You'll end greating more drywall dust cutting the openings than the system will ever save.
BTW -- I have heard that the business practices of the Dyson company are fairly anti-consumer. Although problems are not particularly common, when they do occur they often side with the SELLER, not the BUYER...
I have never seen any tests that say the Dyson really does a better job. In real tests of how much dirt a vacuum can such out of a carpet the Dyson does no better than average, though its design does mean that there are no bags to clog/reduce effectiveness. The reality is that really good filtration is directly at odds with really good dirt removal...
quote:
Originally posted by DaleB
Jeezzz.. if you went 25 years on an Electrolux ( always got a kick of the names of the older ones, sounds like a motorcycle) why not just put out $400 on a new Dysan. Assuming they are everything they are cracked up to be.
Yeah, you got to lug them around but they aren't that heavy, and the 'labor' of vacuuming is the same regardless of where you plug the hose in. Seems like you could do a lot more neat house stuff for the cost of a central system..even hire Molly Maids for year? ...Just my 2c.. maybe less with inflation... :cool:
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| Blackura |
| Consumer Reports has done several reports on vacuums and surprisingly, the Dyson doesn't do very well. |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by Blackura
Consumer Reports has done several reports on vacuums and surprisingly, the Dyson doesn't do very well.
So much for that! I know CR recently picked some Eureka model that rivaled their longtime champion, the Hoover Dirt Tunnel or some such thing...it was almost 1/2 the price?
We've been using a mid priced Panasonic 5247 CR also gave kudos to about 4 years ago. It still runs great, and until I hear other vacuums I forget how quiet it is. Does a nice job. I picked up bags for it once at a vacuum/sewing place and talked to the guy who repairs them. Told me the motors in the Panasonic are about the best you will find and are well sealed against dirt. He said they are not quite as powerful as the best Hoovers but are more reliable.
Honestly, I think they all suck!!! :2:
(exccept the broken ones...) |
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| mdxx3 |
We were shopping for a vacuum cleaner a few weeks ago. There was a Bosch model that I really liked because it has brushes coming off the sides to do edges. I'm guessing not too many vacuum cleaners can do edges well (I flipped each over to look underneath some miss the edge by an inch).
In the end we bought the Hoover Windtunnel Dual V something (the one with 2 counter-rotating rollers/brushes that can beat the carpet hair while going in both directions). They said it can do edge grooming and has HEPA filter, so... |
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| harmonr1 |
| I have a 10 y.o. NuTone that I installed myself in my single story house. I should point out that while this isn't my profession, I've spent many years installing concealed wiring, etc., so I have a lot of experience putting things in walls! I love the NuTone and it is really quite easy to install and to use. Definitely get a power head unit. I only needed three outlets in my 1,800 sq ft house. Usually one outlet in the hallway will do all the bedrooms. But if I were going to do it again, I'd probably just but a very good canister like a Dyson or other lightweight model. |
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| G. COLTON |
I keep seeing Dyson mentioned. What is it. Have never heard of it.
G |
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| nightguy |
| I know a lot of people with fancy systems in their house...security, home theater, snow melt, heated concrete, etc. and know of nobody that has a central vac. It sounds cool but I love my trusty Kenmore upright. We've had it about 5 years and it's seen it's share of duty with a lot of construction cleanup since I don't have a shop-vac. It does seem hungry for belts so I always keep a few extras on hand. I think it's also time for a new agitator. |
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| nightguy |
| Saw one of those when I was at Best Buy today. Feels like it will break in about 2 seconds and the dust bin looks disgusting. The purple pet version is over $500 ? Give me a break. I'd rather put the money into a new grill or smoker. |
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| G. COLTON |
I got to this statement "Dyson Root Cyclone™ technology uses 100,000G of centrifugal force in the cyclones to filter dust and remove dirt from the airflow efficiently." 100,000G of centrifugal force??? I wonder what their "G" stands for? Certainly not the conventional unit of gravity. Maybe it is grams. This add was pure @##$%^ from start to finish.
It sort of remends me of that Rainbow "water filter" vacuum that was going around a few years ago. Wow, did people get ripped off on that one. It was selling for well over $1,000. If you ever did a side by side test with any run of the mil vac it lost.
At least this one does not cost any more than good vacuums on the market.
G |
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| shootist |
quote:
Originally posted by nightguy
... know of nobody that has a central vac. It sounds cool but I love my trusty Kenmore upright. .
Central vacs have their exhaust outdoors, so the very fine dusts and germs and pollens are exhausted outside the house. (Big gunk is captured in the interior tank, which must be emptied every six months or so). Noise inside the house is very suppressed- you can watch TV while someone is vacuuming.
Central vacs should be a lot more powerful than a canister if the installation is done right- they move more air at a higher vacuum.
You're vacuuming with only a hose and a "wand" thing. No lugging the canister around or up and down stairs. Hose upstairs, hose downstairs, hose in basement maybe. |
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| zman |
I have a Hayden central vac and I love it. The motor and canister are in the garage so the noise level is a lot less, and the dust, if any, accumulates in the garage. It is nice being able to run anything but the beater brush attachment and the only noise is the air movement. The beater brush obviously makes more noise. The other thing I love is the "Vacpan" as it is called. It is put in the toekicks of the cabinets. Just flip a lever and it is like having a built in dustpan that sucks in the dirt that has been swept up next to it. It is great in kitchens and mudrooms.
I would not ever build a house again without putting one in.
My $0.02. |
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| anjan |
quote:
Originally posted by nightguy
Saw one of those when I was at Best Buy today. Feels like it will break in about 2 seconds and the dust bin looks disgusting. The purple pet version is over $500 ? Give me a break. I'd rather put the money into a new grill or smoker.
Matter of opinion. Many people will say $45k is a lot of $$ for a car. One might say that by buying a Hyundai SantaFe would save enough money to buy a, let's say, a home theater system.
Dyson is the best vacuum cleaner, period. Expensive, heck yeah! Its already dislodged Hoover as the top seller in Europe and pretty close to doing it here. Consumer organizations and magazines approvals are out there but if you want to see people's reaction to the machine, try this link |
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| mlkeller |
Two things I thought of - first, we have the floor dustpan like zman is talking about - love it! If you can retrofit it, definitely worth it...
...the other thing. The unit in my folk's house was retrofit (two stories), and they did something kind of neat - to reach the upper floor, they ran the pipe through the air ducts (gives them a straight run to the upper floor). Then just sealed where the vacuum entered and exited the vents...may be a useful tip... |
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| renov8r |
quote:
Originally posted by anjan
.... if you want to see people's reaction to the machine, try this link
As I said, and the thread confirms, NO TEST has EVER shown the Dyson to suck more dirt out of carpet than any other vaccum cleaner!
Many people not only question the durability of the Dyson's all-plastic construction, they have already broken parts/needed replacement. It seems that in the "homeland" Dyson has been pretty good about offering replacement parts. I have heard numerous stories that if ANYTHING breaks on a Dyson the standard line is "our warrranty does not cover abuse". The definition of abuse is left to the seller...
BTW -- I stand by my statement that MOST central vacs do not provide better suction than the best cannisters available. Although there are differences in head design/suction nozzles, the basics of "what makes a vacuum cleaner suck up dirt" can be reduced to how much air it moves. The CFM rating can be cheated a bit (like by running the vac in test mode with NO filters...) but it is the only real measure to judge.
having said that just look at the specs on theis well made (but under advertised) model: http://www.distinctivevacuums.com/wap.htm
Compare it the TOP_OF LINE DUAL MOTOR , 240V NuTone: http://www.nutone.com/PDF/Specifications/CV850spec.pdf
More importantly look what happens when you go even ONE STEP down in the NuTone lineup: http://www.nutone.com/PDF/Specifications/CV750spec.pdf
That thing STILL requires a dedicated 30 Amp circuit -- having all the piping to 'evacuate' means that you need a LOT MORE power than a cannister that is a few feet from the "action end". http://www.distinctivevacuums.com/mielemain.htm
BTW -- I think other brands are a better value than Miele, I just posted the chart becuase it has the CFM numbers all nice 'n neat...
All I'm saying is that if you evaluate vacuums without the marketing hype, or without regard for "luxury/convience", than the performance choice should be obvious -- no different from than road testing cars/SUVS. :D (and yes I know the controversy that stirs... ):rolleyes: |
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| nightguy |
So I visited epinions last night and found a ton of positive reviews here: http://www.epinions.com/pr-Dyson_DC...isplay_~reviews
Interesting though that most of the positive reviews (as one of the reviewers points out) have a unique style; kind of a PR, gimmicky sort of feel. Someone's got a huge conflict of interest. I mean aren't you more likely to write a review if you hate it ?
It reminds me of some radio research I've done. Sure a new song gets a lot of requests but going back and listening to the phone call for content, they're obviously from some formatted sheet provided by a fan club or record company.
People sure have a lot of time on their hands. |
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| XStatic |
I bought one of these 7 years ago and have been very happy with it.
It is a well made solid machine with a solid powder coat body and uses an industry standard Ametek motor. The vacuum design uses no bag so I exhausted outside. After 7 years I have not seen any lint or dust around the exhaust although I would still recommend an outdoor exhaust if possible.
http://www.galaxie-vac.com
For a DIY project I don't think these guys can be beat. The unit is well made and easily servicable.
On the down side of central vacs in general, I haven't found a reasonable price on a decent hose with a built in low voltage switch.
Suggestions? |
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| blkonblk |
We have Central vaccum in our home. Its manufactured by BUDD. Its really useful to clean the hardwood floors.
Thanks
- Satya |
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| XStatic |
quote:
Originally posted by G. COLTON
I got to this statement "Dyson Root Cyclone™ technology uses 100,000G of centrifugal force in the cyclones to filter dust and remove dirt from the airflow efficiently." 100,000G of centrifugal force??? I wonder what their "G" stands for? Certainly not the conventional unit of gravity. Maybe it is grams. This add was pure @##$%^ from start to finish.
It sort of remends me of that Rainbow "water filter" vacuum that was going around a few years ago. Wow, did people get ripped off on that one. It was selling for well over $1,000. If you ever did a side by side test with any run of the mil vac it lost.
At least this one does not cost any more than good vacuums on the market.
G
g = (2 pi n )^2 r
n=rev/s sec, r=radius (assume 10cm?)
Solve for revs, I get 500? |
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| Maik |
Well, based in part on this thread and our (mostly my wife's) exhaustive research, we had decided to scrap the central vac plan, and settle on a high end canister vac. The two manufacturers that seem to have the best products are Miele and Bosch.
Anyone have any experience with either of these two? |
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| nightguy |
quote:
Originally posted by Maik
Anyone have any experience with either of these two?
No, but I think I'd get tired of lugging a canister vac pretty quick. Do they have better suction ? |
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| renov8r |
quote:
Originally posted by Maik
Well, based in part on this thread and our (mostly my wife's) exhaustive research, we had decided to scrap the central vac plan, and settle on a high end canister vac. The two manufacturers that seem to have the best products are Miele and Bosch.
Anyone have any experience with either of these two?
I am not diametricly opposed to central vacs-- it is just for a retro-fit it does not seem like such a great plan. With new construction you can get the mega vacs and all the fancy 240 volt wiring or at least the neat extras (like the toe kick suck away door) and even finance the damned thing along with the house...
On to cannisters:
My sister has an ungodly expensive Miele with full HEPA (many do not) and I have to say it is very nice machine. She has some nasty allergies and is a neat freak so to her, its worth it. She thinks it's pretty too.
I saw a Bosch at the vacuum store (yes I actaully went to an actual store that specializes in vacuum cleaners even though that sounds like something from the Beaver Cleaver era...) and it seems pretty nice but it is still about $500 and is not as nice as Miele. I also really like the Simplicity vacuums, though I have heard very little about them. They appeared very well built. The saleswoman claims they are sort of an American version of Miele in terms of features, but still NOT cheap. Apparently the company is huge n sewing machines and commercia floor care http://www.tacony.com/history/ Who knew?
The shop I went to did not have the Sebo, but I have heard it also excellent and the saleslady said it is, but has very limited distribution.
Any of those are probably equally good, as long as you stock up on supplies.
BTW the reason that most cannisters are better than most uprights in todays homes has to do with how they handle non-carpet and how they move air. An upright is all but impossible to use on hardwood or tile. Even if there is switch to turn off the brush, there is nothing to sweep or 'seal against' the surface and lots of dirt gets scattered. Trying to use attachments ranges from a challenge to impossible. OTOH a cannister has multiple "heads" designed speffically for surface other than carpet. A cannister can exhaust the air relatively far away from the cleaning head. That means that less dirt is stirred up and the filter can actually work as a truly closed system. With many uprights it is a giant airstorm. The older uprights actually shoved the crud they picked up right through the motor! Talk about a mess.
A high quality cannister vacuum cleaner will have a super long cord that means you need not search for power outlets AND a really long "super stretch" hose so you need not move the actaully cannister part much at all. They will also have an electrically driven motor to brush and groom the carpet. Air driven 'power heads' tend to bog down and rob suction in all but the shortest pile rugs/carpets.
You should price bags as part of the purchase and I would think that you should extensively test the thing in store and get assurances that it meets your every need. |
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| Maik |
Well, after a significant amount of due dilligence, mostly performed by my wife, we (she) has just about narrowed it down to the Sebo canister. While I admit that her level of research far outstripped any that I might do, I can not complain as that same level of research led us to the MDX.
In any event, here is a picture of the bad boy, and thanks to all who helped with this descision. |
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| renov8r |
BUYER'S REMORSE
(course no matter how much research you do vacuuming will never be as much fun as driving... |
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| ilovetocamp |
We have a Beam central vac and would never own anything else.
It works better than any vac we've owned and I can still hear the tv when my wife is using it.
I have allergies to dust and there is a world of difference.
I also helped a friend install one in a 2 story house and if the basement isn't finished it's not hard at all. |
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| BigDog |
quote:
Originally posted by anjan
Dyson is the best vacuum cleaner, period. Expensive, heck yeah! Its already dislodged Hoover as the top seller in Europe and pretty close to doing it here. Consumer organizations and magazines approvals are out there but if you want to see people's reaction to the machine, try this link
I have a Dyson, had it almost 2 years now. I'd never heard of them, but they were highly recommended on a German Shepherd (German Shedder ;) ) webboard that has a lot of international members. Dyson has been available in the UK for a long time, but hasn't been here in the US that long.
I have to tell you I LOVE this vacuum. It sucks up stuff you never knew was there. I bought another one for work, and 3 different people borrowed it to try out at home, and ALL of them ended up buying one for themselves. Worth every penny. It replaced a Nilfisk HEPA cannister vac that replaced a Miele HEPA cannister vac, and it does a far superior job to either. I have asthma and am allergic to dust mites, household dust, and all my pets, so a good vacuum is very important.
Mrs. BigDog |
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| DaleB |
The more recent reviews and articles on vacuum cleaners is now centering on pet hair and allergies.
We have been more conscientious lately about clean air. Using the best 3M Filtrete in our HVAC.
Planning a purchase of a Hunter air cleaner for the bedroom.
Finally, a better vacuum that cleans the air as it cleans the floor. Was considering a Dyson at one point until I did a lot of research.
Now leaning to a Sebo or Riccar.
Sebo is German made, and excellent. Even if it looks like something a maid at Holiday Inn would drag around.
Other downside is no lights.
It is about the only upright that does an equally well job on flooring as it does on carpets.
And a very good bag system with good power tools.
The Riccar is the American Mercedes. Made in the USA, it has LED headlights, a dual motor system, one for floors, the other for the above floor accessories. An 8 year warranty with 8 free yearly check ups.
Not as proficient on flooring as the Sebo, but we have a broom from the Philippines that weighs only several ounces and gets debris out of the smallest crevices in seconds. Then vacuum it up.
Epinions has some great reviews on both vacuums. www.allergybuyersclub.com puts the Sebo way ahead of the Miele, Electrolux, Bosch, etc. They don't test the Riccar, but I have read rave reviews on other sites.
If you have more flooring than carpets, both come in canister models for that purpose.
These are 2 vacuums you can't buy on the internet, except for discount sites that are typically unauthorized, or selling rebuilt models with short warranties. And of course, ebay.
Something else we are researching are shampooers. IF anybody is interested, ebay has some Hoovers that are brand new or demos that this guy 'beefs up'.
I guess they have weakness in the water container, the plastic is very thin.
He strengthens the container with epoxy...and puts on his own 1 year warranty. Prices are about 50-60 bucks below street prices. |
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| SuperTech |
| What turned you off of the Dyson? I have one and think the thing is a miracle machine. Sure, they're a little stupid looking and it looks like something could easily break off of it...but as far as performance goes, I've never seen anything like it. |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by SuperTech
What turned you off of the Dyson? I have one and think the thing is a miracle machine. Sure, they're a little stupid looking and it looks like something could easily break off of it...but as far as performance goes, I've never seen anything like it.
I think they are a great little vacuum. But honestly, overpriced. For $300 they could sell a lot more and provide more competition.
If you do some research on the others you will find some distinct advantages. Robustness, customer service, and a long warranty are 3 reasons. Even though they may seem old fashioned because they still use bags. Bags are not expensive either. The motors are incredible as is the overall construction of the cleaners. Metal where plastic is typically used, thick flat belts that virtually last a lifetime, where thin or toothed belts are used on most all cleaners. Toothed belts can cause machines to stall and put additonal strain on the motor.
Another interesting thing, even though the Sebo and Riccar are shown costing upwards of $500-700, most retailers (only a few vacuum shops) sell them typically between $400-550. |
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| Maik |
we bought a Sebo canister about a year ago, and absolutely love it.
I am not sure where you can get one for $400-500, as ours was more like $900 for the top one. I highly recommend the unit. Not only a top performer in terms of cleaning, but the filter system is terrific, leaving the house smelling "clean".
I would not even consider a bagless unit. Their lack of a seal allows far too much crap to escape into the air. It also must be "fun" to empty the unit as well. I suspect that is why you generally do not see bagless on the high end units. |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by Maik
I am not sure where you can get one for $400-500, as ours was more like $900 for the top one. I highly recommend the unit.
We are considering an upright, this is one of the candidates. The Riccar is very similar is performance, except for flooring where the Sebo excels (does as well as it does on carpets).
I was told I could pick this one up locally for 100 less.
I agree with you on the bags. Bagless is a trend since the success of the Dyson IMO.
http://www.ristenbatt.com/order.mv?Product=X4+Extra
http://www.riccar.com/products/uprights/?prod=RAD |
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| SuperTech |
quote:
Originally posted by Maik
I would not even consider a bagless unit. Their lack of a seal allows far too much crap to escape into the air. It also must be "fun" to empty the unit as well. I suspect that is why you generally do not see bagless on the high end units.
Emtying the contents of a the cannister on a Dyson could not be a easier process. One flick of the thumb to unlatch it from the frame, carry the thing over the the garbage can, push a button and the flap at the bottom opens and dumps the contents out. Give it a shake and close the flap. I can't imagine changing a bag is less complicated of a process. |
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| nightguy |
Anbody have one of these new Hoover's ? Works like an upright with all the advantages of a cannister when you squash it down.
I need to replace a cheap Kenmore. So far, no luck finding an agitator at a price that doesn't approach the cost of the unit. |
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| BaldEagle |
| Just installed one of those dual motor, dual exhaust, 4HP, 220V suckers (NuTone) and the DW really likes it. So far we have 3 hoses, one upstairs, one downstairs, and one in the garage. A lot of hardwood floors and stairs make a central vac real desirable IMO. |
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| Warzau |
quote:
Originally posted by BaldEagle
Just installed one of those dual motor, dual exhaust, 4HP, 220V suckers (NuTone) and the DW really likes it. So far we have 3 hoses, one upstairs, one downstairs, and one in the garage. A lot of hardwood floors and stairs make a central vac real desirable IMO.
How much was the cost and did you do it yourself?
We currently have two Pany's one for upstairs and one for downstairs. Our girls are showing signs of allegies, even though we let them play outside in the dirt, etc,etc. We are getting a whole house filter installed tomorrow to help clean the air, we have new construction and still are amazed at the dirt that is still trapped in the HVAC filer a year later. But at the same time we need to replace both upright vacuums. Both old and falling apart and am getting tired of buying and replacing parts. |
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| BaldEagle |
quote:
Originally posted by Warzau
How much was the cost and did you do it yourself?
I installed it myself in the new home we are building. I was able to buy the unit, pipe and fittings wholesale so it only cost about $1000. I got a bid from a vacuum company and they wanted about $3000 for a similar set up installed. It was a little more work than I anticipated and I'm wondering if the 2 grand saved by doing it myself was worth it?
Did it before the insulation or drywall was installed but it still took me a week to complete just the rough-in. I had installed one years ago in an existing home with three outlets and did it in one day but the new house we are building is much larger. This time I installed 3 outlets in just the garages with 13 outlets for the total job including 2 vac-pans.
I spent one day just running the two exhaust pipes to the outside. Had to bore through a concrete stem wall. I've seen others installed without exhausting outside but in my opinion it's a better system when the exhaust is external. |
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| Warzau |
| Thanks, I've heard people putting in the system after home completion and it was a PITA. |
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| nightguy |
How long of a hose can you get ? My basement is unfinished so I could do my main level with minimal destruction. My second level is only about 850 sq. ft. Basically just 3 bedrooms and a small hallway so maybe I could run one outlet to the hall. The bedrooms aren't big either.
Just a thought. |
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| BaldEagle |
| 30-35 feet is standard. With an unfinished basement the install would not be real difficult. |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by nightguy
Anbody have one of these new Hoover's ? Works like an upright with all the advantages of a cannister when you squash it down.
I need to replace a cheap Kenmore. So far, no luck finding an agitator at a price that doesn't approach the cost of the unit.
I get mine on Monday!!!
www.etronics.com has them for $359 and about $30 for shipping. They are heavy, which is a downside.
http://www.etronics.com/product.asp...ode=hoou9145900
Incredible price though compared to every other I've seen including Sears where they go for $500!
They seem to have it all. The self-cleaning filter seems quite a feature.
Anyway, with a 2 year warranty thought I would take a chance.
Long warranty for an american vacuum it would seem, except for the Riccar.
But you do pay dearly for that. Although they have an excellent standard vac for $300. |
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| nightguy |
quote:
Originally posted by DaleB
Incredible price though compared to every other I've seen including Sears where they go for $500!
I think there's a pet model that's $500 retail. I remember seeing two models on an endcap at Best Buy. They were about to close so I didn't get a good look. I'd be interested in hearing how yours works. :) |
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| desertbriez |
| i've had a dyson for a couple of years and LOVE it! |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by nightguy
I think there's a pet model that's $500 retail. I remember seeing two models on an endcap at Best Buy. They were about to close so I didn't get a good look. I'd be interested in hearing how yours works. :)
There's a Z400 for about 100 bucks less. It does not seem as available. About the only difference is the number of attachments and length of the cord.
The 20' stretchable non-kinking hose is also a major plus. We shall see.... |
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| mdxx3 |
| DaleB, I saw your new vacuum cleaner on a TV ad earlier while watching Idol. They're calling it the world's first sports utility vacuum. :29: And the Z logo on it means it must be pretty fast too:) |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by mdxx3
DaleB, I saw your new vacuum cleaner on a TV ad earlier while watching Idol. They're calling it the world's first sports utility vacuum. :29: And the Z logo on it means it must be pretty fast too:)
I know, now I'm worried about the transmission.
:eek:
They have a noisy interactive demo on the Hoover website. Sounds like it has headers. |
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| mdxx3 |
quote:
Originally posted by DaleB
I know, now I'm worried about the transmission.
:eek:
They have a noisy interactive demo on the Hoover website. Sounds like it has headers.
But your new Z has a Borg Warner T5 or something transmission in there!! It'll will take any abuse and you should be very ok:D
Heh heh... this new Z even has LED headlights:) |
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| nightguy |
quote:
Originally posted by DaleB
There's a Z400 for about 100 bucks less. It does not seem as available. About the only difference is the number of attachments and length of the cord.
The 20' stretchable non-kinking hose is also a major plus. We shall see....
Sheesh, that is a good deal then. Something weird about the model numbers, they both have 900 in them but a different preceding number. $30 isn't bad for shipping either. |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by mdxx3
But your new Z has a Borg Warner T5 or something transmission in there!! It'll will take any abuse and you should be very ok:D
Heh heh... this new Z even has LED headlights:)
The top line Riccar vacuums have the same lights. In this case, Hoover has stolen a good idea.
I guess they were not thrilled about having a high voltage ignitor on board so they could run Xenon. |
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| nightguy |
quote:
Originally posted by DaleB
I get mine on Monday!!!
Soooooo......... How is it ? :) |
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| DaleB |
OK sorry for the delay! :)
I've used it several times. It does an amazing job on carpets, very impressive.
On hardfloors it's good too, but there is one problem, I will get into.
It comes with a power brush, great for upholstery, mattresses, etc.
A crevice tool, and a small brush nozzle.
Plus an additional extension and a wide brush attachment if you plan to use it as a canister, for hard flooring.
That is probably the way to do hard floors, because navigating this baby around the kitchen, especially if you have an island, etc. is cumbersome.
It is heavy, and the standard power head for carpets is great, as it slips nicely under most furniture, even under the double doors of our refrigerator. But it's just too much hassle to use in the kitchen.
We have a great broom made in the Philippines that has very fine and long bristles. We can sweep out any room with hard floors in no time, and collect the debris in one small mound to vacuum or sweep up.
Back to carpets, it actually feels heavier because of the drag created by the vacuum. The power brush really goes to work. Aparrently it's designed for very long life and is not user serviceable except to remove thread like debris from the bristles, etc.
It filled up the dust cup in very short order with loose fiber and dirt. Makes us realize what an inadequate job our Panasonic was doing. The carpet almost looks like you shampooed it when it's done!
It's very quiet for being powerful. Very easy to empty the dust cup.
The control pad half way up the handle is very convenient. Besides the power switch it has low, med. and high settings. Plus, a gentle setting for rugs.
We only have one floor, but I can imagine with the very l-o-n-g hose stairs would be a snap.
The hose and extension make crawling up the wall to get those cobwebs easy, as well as cleaning fan blades.
The metal hose/handle that couples into the top of the cleaner, has an expandable feature. About 5 notches, that allow you to adjust the handle for comfort, and your height.
The spinning filter always looks clean when you finish. It apparently taps it self clean while you vacuum.
There is an additional filter on the end of the motor that can be washed. It allows some ventilation for the motor, but very little dust goes through.
When you remove it's lid, you can see the end of the motor, and it's sheilded in hard plastic. Probaby part of the sound deadening.
The cord is 35' and not retractable. Looping it up is kind of a hassle.
PROS: Overall cleaning power, low noise level, versatility, long easy to use hose, long cord, little maintenance.
CONS: Heavy to manuever, non-retractable cord, pricey, unless you get it at etronics.com (I would not pay more).
A neighbor recently got a $300 Riccar, which I would highly recommend. It's quite light, auto height adjustment, and very quiet. A great one for 90% carpet work. Only drawback, not very versatile, and only a couple of basic hand tools. |
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| nightguy |
Very interesting ! Thanks, Dale.
I think you knew it was going to be heavy, so taking the lifting weight out of the equation, would you buy it again ? I have a big island in my kitchen so I'm a little concerned.
One of the reasons I don't want to get a Dyson is because there aren't parts on every corner like there is with Hoover (although the local shops don't carry a part for my steam cleaner) so with brands like Riccar, how hard is it to find parts ? |
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| DaleB |
I think I would buy it again for the price. I can't see paying more than $350 for any vacuum.
Hoover does not have a sterling reputation when it comes to reliability.
I'm hoping this one sets a new trend. Apparently that was the design goal for these models.
It does have a 2 year warranty. So we plan to use it a lot.
http://www.riccar.com/
They are in most major metro areas. 5 year warranties, and I think they even have free annual checks.
Supposedly, they rarely need parts, and bags are not expensive.
Their top-line machine has LED lights like the Hoover. Long before the Hoover had them.
The Hoover has a combination of bluish and white LEDs. I don't know who they are trying to impress.
I think they tried to jam features from others into this one vacuum. But overall it does a great job. |
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| anjan |
After spending a fortune on Hoover, Oreck, and Dirt Devil, we switched over to Dyson last week. Got the DC14 Total Clean package from Sams for $459 and its the best vaccum cleaners I've seen. Period.
Got dirt out like nobody's business. The Sam's Club and Costco versions come with like 7 attachments and its very easy to use with simple controls and lightweight. |
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| nightguy |
So apparently they're done making the Hoover Z already ?:hmmm: Guy at Best Buy said it was because they're so heavy.
At Sears we narrowed it down to a Kenmore 35922 (bag) and the Dyson DC 14 Animal. It was late and they had a 10% sale on all vacuums so we decided to take both home. We couldn't open both without losing 15% on whichever we returned. We ended up going with the Kenmore. ($279.99 - 10%) I think the wife would have chosen the Dyson if it wasn't so expensive and she wasn't quitting work. 10% off $550 would have been ok. It's the only bagless the salesgals would recommend with pets. But she actually liked the Kenmore better....maybe she got a bigger commission, who knows ?
The Kenmore is nice. It was rated #1 this time around in Consumer Reports. The bagless was #2. It raised up the carpet pile and pulled up a crazy amount of crap that had been missed with the old machine. It has this weird system that changes the cleaning power when there's more dirt...not sure I understand the need for that. But, the air actually smelled fresh after we vacuumed. It came with a HEPA bag, I hope we can get at least similar results with the cheap paper bags. Most importantly, it's a direct drive system so there's no belt. I got tired of smelling the burn and replacing it on the old machine.
It's not the raciest looking vacuum but here it is.... |
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| DaleB |
Same machine I had ordered, same Sears that had me drive 13 mi further because my local Sears did not have them in stock, only to find out they did not have them either.
Same machine I was charged for, and took Sears 6 weeks to finally credit me a refund.
I would not buy one if you paid me!!!!
Now, I'm done venting:
I was interested in that one initially, but the 'direct drive' had me a little concerned. At least with a belt the motor will not freeze up if something happens at the other end. I believe they are all variatons of Hooovers built to sears requirements.
I would have one if not for the Sears screw-up.
Generally, I have no complaints about Sears, as I've used them a lot over the years with little problem.
For now, we are very pleased with our Hoover SUV machine. It really does an amazing job on the carpets. Hopefully will continue to do so for a good length of time. Nothing seems to bog this baby down, and it uses a belt.
Worst thing is cleaning the roller brush (wife has long hair)...and it is not supposed to be user removable. (But it may be before too long!! :) |
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