Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

http://gizmodo.com/345918/dyson-dc24-vac-sir-james-brings-his-ball-back

Two models, one small, one large :-

DC24
http://www.dyson.co.uk/store/product.asp?product=DC24-ALLFLOORS

DC25
http://www.dyson.co.uk/store/product.asp?product=DC25-ALLFLOORS

Well, I am in the process of moving into a new place that happens to have soft delicate carpeting that my current DC17 would simply destroy.  So this weekend I had to get a new vacuum.  I was considering the upcoming DC23 canister, however, the inability to attach tools directly to the hose, coupled with the use of a less aggressive motorhead from the DC18, as well as the steep price tag and lack of DDM has led me to the DC25.  There are several things that should be noted about the DC25.  First, the brushroll is simply heads and shoulders above anything else dyson has used in any upright.  Its bristles are aggressive enough to deep clean without tearing your carpet up.  When vacuuming carpet, you can definitely feel the aggressive nature of the brushroll with a slight vibration that resonates all the way up the handle.  This is something that I have not felt on other models such as the DC07, DC14, DC15, DC17, and DC18.  The brushroll, coupled with the redesigned motorhead, creates a tight seal between the carpet and the soleplate.  To further test this finding, I took out a bathroom rug and used my DC17 and DC25 on it.  The 17 was able make a few passes while tearing many fibers out of the rug.  However, the 25 could not roll on the rug without bunching it up because the tight seal between the rug and sole plate would not permit it to roll smoothly on the rug.  In addition, some may think that the DC18 and DC25 will perform the same because of their similarly sized brush rolls; they don't.  The DC18 doesn't have that tight suction feel in the motorhead as the DC25, nor do you feel a slight vibration in the handle generated from the brushroll as you would with the 25. 

In addition to much improved agitation, the tool system has also been redesigned.  Gone are the old attachments that you have to twist on cleaning wand/hose to insure a tight fit for use.  Instead, a new "snap-on" system has been implemented so that tools simply snap into place, either on the cleaning wand or hose, withouth having to tightly twist them on.  Pressing a small button located on the receptor end releases the attachment.  A small lamintated foam seal within the receptor ends of the cleaning wand and hose insure a tight seal between it and the attachments.  This may seem like a welcome change for the better, however, those with tools like the U-bend brush, or the dusting brush will need to have smaller connector adapters (the same size used for the DC16 hand held).  Those other attachments such as the hard floor tool and the turbo brush are useless with this machine, unless there is some sort of adapter made available soon for use with the DC24/DC25.

The redesigned tools (upholstery brush, combination crevice/dusting brush tool) no longer have the "high-velocity" holes in them, with allows for much more air flow to pass through them.  This has definitely improved performance, especially with the dusting brush, that creates a very tight seal between it and the surface it comes in contact with. 

A new air valve system has been implemented to allow airflow to pass through the cleaning wand/hose only when the wand and handle are released and pulled off the machine.  Because of this, the air is constantly flowing through the motorhead, even when upright, and now longer do you hear noisy air flow coming though the top of the handle. 

As far as size and weight is concerned, the DC25 is very small in comparison to the DC15 and DC17, as well as other full size models.  It is noticably light weight, like the DC18 Slim, the model of which the small cleaning bin is sourced from.  I believe dyson wanted to go the compact/lightweight direction with the new Ball models because many felt the DC15 looked too big, bulky, and complicated.  When comparing the DC15 Animal to the DC25 on the showroom floor, the DC15 definitely looks less ergonomic than the DC25, which has a far more simplistic look.

Overall, I think the DC25 is a great machine that should bode well for the company.  It is compact, lightweight, easy to steer, but it is very powerful as well.  In regards to ergonomics, I find the DC25 easier to use in comparison to every other dyson model currently available.  The new brushroll/motorhead should definitely score well with Consumer Reports, and I am eager to see what's in store for the next comparison.  The DC15 may not have been as great of a machine as it could have been, however, I strongly feel that the DC25 is "the greater dyson."               

Interesting review\info of the DC25 iMacDaddy.  I agree with you when I tested the DC25 (UK) in a shop you could feel and tell the brush bar was totally different to any other Dyson model on the DC25.  Shame this is not like this on the DC24, but suppose with it's smaller size you can't expect everything!  Not sure I like the stair tool, it's the simular to the DC18's but square!  The nozzle does not fitt fully on the surface, either the front part is up or the back depending how your using it! 

DC18

iMacDaddy,

Thanks for your review.  I like your tag…  “The DC25 is the greater Dyson.”  The DC15 gets beat up at review sites on occasion (certainly not always) and here by some over its weight, I have one and I like it, but can agree that it is feels somewhat heavy for turning.  Our housekeeper is a tiny thing and does not have the strength to turn the DC15 but has told me another client owns DC18 and she can turn it and loves it.       

It's got to be a great feeling for James Dyson, seeing that he is the only manufacturer with turning uprights.  It looks like knock-off manufacturers or otherwise should not be able to reverse engineer these ball vacuums (at least for a while anyways).        DIB

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...oops, I forgot to type not in my above text.    added  4/26/08

iMacDaddy wrote:

When I read this section of your post, it made me want to experiment with my DC15, as in my opinion, the DC15 doesn't seem to perform any better on carpet than any other cleaner. Indeed, Which? Magazine was a little disappointed with its test results.

I decided to try  to improve the suction at the soleplate by a simple modification: blocking that ridiculous "large particle" opening.

I took a sheet of robust kitchen paper, and simply folded it tightly into the approximate size of the opening, then inserted it into the opening on the underside of the bumper.

Switching on, the cleaner now hugs the carpet much better. The pile seems to stand more upright and I am convinced that the machine is removing more dirt from the carpets, as there appears to be evidence in the bin, of ancient 'Zorb' Carpet Powder that has not been used in two years! Also, there appears to be evidence of more grit in the bin than is usual. The downside is that the machine now hugs vinyl floorcoverings and lightweight rugs somewhat more intimately, making for resistant manoeuvring.

Has any one else tried this?

Trilobite wrote:

Trilobite,

Yes, I have.  In theory, by plugging up this hole you just made your vacuum suck better than the DC17.  And it’s highly maneuverable unlike the 17, and softer tuffs too.  A fix for your lighter rugs, etc. getting sucked to much…  A quick and dirty way would be to use duct tape to cover the debris channel opening > then open it (peal tape back) up somewhat when doing lighter carpets.  Or cover this opening with duct tape and peal it back just enough (creating an air leak) so to set suction just right on the light carpets and leave it this way for the other carpets too.  Keep an eye on the pre-filter, it may dirty faster.        DIB

Thanks DIB.

I also noticed that with the modification, the edge cleaning seems to be a bit better, as suction is forced to enter at the sides of the soleplate. (I really miss the older UK Hoovers, with their flared bristles brushed edge cleaning).

Now, I wonder if it is possible to add beater bars to the brushroll?

Saw the new Dyson Ball commercial today during Oprah...

Hi Trilobite

I will give it a go with my DC15 and let you know!  Explains why the DC18 Slim head without the large debris pickup hole hugs the floor better than the DC15!

DC18

DC18 wrote:

I wondered whether the DC18 had that opening on it; now I know, ta. Dyson's engineers have a funny way of going about things, by introducing features on a particular model, for them to disappear on the next, and reappear further down the line.

They really need to address the 'up to the edge' cleaning ability of the DC15, both side on and straight on. It may be fine on vinyl flooring, but on carpet it is a pain in the neck. The brushes never get as close as the Hoovers did.

Looks like we missed it boy's and girl's.

HSN Dyson DC25