Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Wonder if there are any signs of a new vacuum coming out from Dyson?  I here there is some new product due to launch end of 2007 and early 2008!  Not sure what!

It's about time they launched the Dyson Digital Motor into other vacuums (not just the DC12 in Japan!).  More and more vacuums in the UK are copying the dual and root cyclone technology as well!

The DC14 has had a re-launch into the new colours in the UK:

          Standard    All Floors   Allergy    Animal

If correct, 8 upcoming new vacuum cleaner launches by Dyson is excessive, even by their standards. Here’s some of my predictions…

1) DC12 / (Baby?)
Dyson’s tiny canister has done well in the Japan - even at a high price, as the Japanese demand for small, hi-tech, UK-designed goods has proven consistent. It’s very likely it’ll be launched in the western markets soon, especially if they’ve evolved the Dyson Digital Motor to bring the component cost down. DC12 was even shown (then pulled) on UK electrical websites at the start of the year. I personally don’t have a Dyson cleaner at the moment, I’m waiting for this one – it would suit my (apartment) needs to a tee!

2) DC17 (Level 3 Root Cyclone)
Currently only sold in the US market, presumably as a desire to achieve maximum scores with the independent consumer tests. It’s quite likely it’ll be available in other markets at some point soon, if the new separation technology has been well proven so far.

3) Dyson ‘Robot’ cleaner
I’d like to think that with 8 machines rumoured to launch, this would be at least one of them. The patent filings for the mains cable tracking method sounds plausible. It they did go with this, they would likely also add a battery-powered version too, for folks that have money to burn on Lition-ion cells.

4) Dyson ‘KnuckleDuster’
KnuckleDuster is a new trademark that Dyson have applied for earlier this year:-

http://www.ipo.gov.uk/tm/t-journal/t-tmj/journals/6680/domestic/2447617.html

My guess would be that it’s either a cleaning tool accessory or more likely a follow up to the DC16 handheld cleaner. Dyson have likely recognised the importance of having a new, lower priced item each year for the x-mas gift buying session.

5) Dyson ‘SonicHead’
A few patents filed for this technology which uses ultra-sonic waves instead of a brush bar to dislodge the carpet pile.

6) Commercial Dyson (ConstantMAX)
The ConstantMax commercial cleaner has been discontinued for a while now. The commercial cleaning sector is a huge market currently exploited by their competitors. You can’t help but think that they’d want to stir this up at some point in the future.

Hi M00seUK

Good predictions!  8 new vacuums sounds excessive but then again Dyson is a growing company globally.  I take it the 8 are acroos different markets! Plus other projects in the pipeline like the return at some point of the washing machine!  They have launch 5 or 6 not long ago...DC16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and DC21, although 8 in one go is excessive!  I'm hoping the DDM will feature in a few of them, and hopfully like you say the DC12 will comer over here, well a newer version of it!   The commercial market is an area I can't understand why Dyson has not launched a replacement for the DC04 ConstantMax, but then again the DDM could feature in a future Commercial product after the newer versions are complete using smaller electronics!  The ‘KnuckleDuster’ sounds interesting!  Will the Level 3 Root Cyclone feature in any of these new models or is there a new Dyson cyclonic system in the pipeline due to on going projects into cyclonic technology! 

With vacuums becoming smaller and lighter (which seems to be the craze in some markets!) Dyson needs to look at making his uprights more flexible and adaptable with the DC18 Slim going towards thoughs area's.

DC18

In one sense, the digital motor could be good for a commercial cleaner, as it would potentially give the machine a longer life. However, in a lot of commercial environments, strong suctions power isn’t a major factor. Initial purchase cost is. Say you’re a facility manager with a  £500 cleaning equipment budget. Do you buy 4 cleaners at £100 each (and £100 on replacement bags) or 2 high price cleaners at £200 each? With the first choice you can afford to have a few machines spare. There’s also the problem of theft, if you’re using a recognisable high ticket consumer item within a workplace.

The Dyson motor, by all accounts, produces more noise than a standard motor. As a result, the DC12 has two power settings. But using the DDM might reduce some of the criticism of the Dyson uprights, in that they’re heavier than most.

Probably the newer versions of the DDM, noise issues have been addressed.  The noise levels could just be the airflow/airforce!  Thats another area I think Dyson could improve on, noise levels!  Although I'm a big fan of Dyson Vacuums they have to be one of the most noisey vacuums I have used!

Having just joined this forum there are a few things Id like to say regarding Dyson, Sebo and other Dyson copiers.

Ive owned three Dysons in my lifetime; DC01, DC02, DC03. Dyson may have been there with "firsts" and "innovations," but I had to spend an excess of £500 on one Dyson model to be repaired and that was outwith the 2 year guarantee on one of my models. The DC03 brush control was by far the worst upright Ive owned second to an Oreck XL. For starters the brush control is a waste of money. Dyson at the time stated that lifetime meant nothing to pay for in the future. However the Brush Control on most Dyson uprights involve a permanent drive belt which has to be replaced if it breaks by an engineer - or if you are lucky, know the model fully to re-assemble it  but the user manual gives no advice other than to phone engineers and that means a £55 call out charge. The DC02 had the worst filters which kept clogging and after a final repair of £125 gave service in a home which has no pets and copes only with average family households consisting of two children and two parents. The 02 model didnt last however after its motor packed up after a year.

Unlike any other company on the market with the possible exception of Vax's new Zero products, no other company can produce a cyclonic bagless vacuum which has constant suction even after the bin is full and we all know by who. "Dyson copiers," however did not exist until Vax made their Zero range; any other company product uses a mesh or paper filter which traps the dirt, gives us all that same swirly pattern of dirt when it revolves around the bin, but the moment the filter clogs with dirt is the moment the suction is cut. In this respect this is why I respect Dyson for his constant suction/cyclonic application. HOWEVER, UNTIL Dyson produce a whole range of uprights which can:

1) Slide under low furniture without having to whip out the hose.

2) Have a better designed way of removing the floor brush to clean out without disturbing the drive belt.

3) Do away with drive belts altogether.

4) Aren't the most expensive to buy and are quiet in use

5) Are made to a good standard with a good quality track record of high standard componentry...

I shall stick to my uncle's old Sebo X1. It's not classy looking, it takes a big bag and seals the dirt, has filters which actually protect the motor and the bags are cheap to buy as well as being in mass supply. The Sebo uprights don't use a drive belt which have to be replaced either and that's one consumable i dont miss buying for my Dyson uprights. Sure the Dc03 was great at being able to be hung off a door, but the motor hinge got in the way whilst trying to vacuum carpet under low coffee tables. The X range can also be dismantled down into three viable parts which all click lock together so transporting it is easier. I know this because he gave us his 12 year old X1 from being in storage before emigrating to the States and currently has a North American/voltage spec Sebo X4.

So whilst Dyson produces the Slim model (and Ive tried it but Im put off with the bagless idea since it is dirty regardless of the low trapdoor down release system - the shrouds do have to be cleaned once in a while!) and the Bulky Ball upright which use a permanent motor system/permanent drive belt Dyson can do damage all he likes with Sebo being taken to court. The shoe is on the other foot now where Dyson is concerned; once upon a time Dyson was taking Hoover to court over cosmetic/design and application claims; if Dyson wants to be the best, he has to build the best into his designs rather than use a few technological advances over older models in his range.

I thought Dyson had moved away from the belt on his DC15 and DC18 (and motorhead DC21) by using a separate motor and geared drive system on both thoughs model cleaning heads.  They also have easy to remove brush bars from either end!  I have to say I'd prefer the DC03 which was slim and could lie flat to the floor,  no other Dyson Upright has done that since.  Although the DC03 had no power compared to the DC18 Slim which is an excellent machine for its size to weight ratio!  The power out perfroms the DC03!

During a recent visit to the local COSTCO store in LV, I saw a truck load of new dyson DC14 Animals on pallets.  Not with the vacuums in the designated aisle, but almost center stage of the store.  I didn't count them but must have been 4-5 times [perhaps more] the normal inventory COSTCO stocks for its vacuums.  Price was $399.  I suspect these will still be around during the Holiday Season and discounted.  One was removed from the box and on display.  It appeared to have a broken wand/handle. 

This make/model is not on the COSTCO Web SIte which shows only the DC18, which was not available in the store.

According to the dyson Web Site, the MSRP on this DC14 Animal is $549.  At $399, the discount is $150, or 27 plus percent off the MSRP.

This dyson model hit the USA in the spring of 2003, roughly more than 5 years ago.  This dyson ranks 17th in a field of 36 uprights in the October 2008 Consumer Reports:  The second highest ranking dyson upright according to CR in this go around [behind the DC17 ranked 9th]. 

Carmine D.

Do you think it's possible that this $399 price will be discounted further? We have this arrangement in the UK where sale discounted prices have to be sold at the previous ticket price for the 30 days previous.

Possibly the DC14 is being positioned as the new entry level Dyson. Personally, I'd buy this model over the DC07 any day. I'm 6ft 2in and find the handle too high to be practical and at 240v, the suction *too* great.

'Wonder if Dyson has any new product launches before the end of the year? A DC28 upright is rumoured to be working towards production, which suggests DC26 and DC27 have been pegged also. I'd have thought there's been plenty of scope for possible redesigns of the DC16 in the two years since launch, so maybe DC26 will be a logical choice?

Still no robot vac, bah! I'd love to know if that has been mothballed or in continual development. Still waiting for the advances in battery tech to filter through I guess. 

Hello M00seUK:

IMHO, $399 is becoming the maximum retail price of preference for big box stores for dyson vacuums regardless of dyson model.  I recently posted on another thread that SAM's Stores was offering the DC17 for a regular price of $399.  This is a discount of $150 from the MSRP of $549.  Similar to the DC14 Animal at COSTCO.

From the $399, retail stores will offer sales/discounts/buyer incentives IMHO, especially during the Holiday Season of 2008, already predicted to be dismal.  Why?  It's been a terrible "back to school" sales market among the retailers.  The "back to school sales" figures are generally a precursor of the Holiday Season sales. 

As an example, TARGET stores this week has the DC07 pink for $399.  Plus the buyer gets a $100 Gift Card with purchase.  If a buyer opens a TARGET credit card account too, an additional 10 percent is taken off the purchase.

FWIW: This is the first time in eons that the side banner on the front page of this web site [5 ads] did not include dyson.  Miele takes two spots, Lux Aerus has one [surprise, surprise], HOOVER and Dirt Devil each with one too.  Dyson nothing.  At least for now.  Coincidence?   

Carmine D.