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

DIB

Just a few vacuums sold then!! I'm sure with these 3 new models a few more will be sold.  The DC24, DC25 and DC22 will do well in the UK.  Price point sare very good as well, the DC24 and DC25 not being anywhere near the original DC15 Ball.  Plus they are around the usual price points which is good!   Even though they are smaller and slim they are still built the same quality or course as the bigger models!  Which James Dyson proved to the interviewer! 

I'm interested to see all 3 models but in particular the DC24 and DC25 with especially the new nozzle on them!  From the first pictures the brush density on the brush bar looks the same as the DC15/DC18!  That aside the whole nozzle setup is completely new so will be interesting to see!

DC18

DysonInventsBig wrote:

Since dyson vacuums have been sold worldwide since 1984, that amounts to about 1 Million vacuums a year.  The annual number of new vacuums sold in the USA is about 20 Million, according to Consumer Reports.  And this number has been fairly consistent for the last 5 years counting.

To put the numbers in another perspective, Dirt Devil which has been selling its plastic body "bagged" (paper optional) handcleaners for about the same period of time, has sold over 25 million to date, according to Dirt Devil.  Just handcleaners.   In 2006, Dirt Devil was the leading seller of new vacuums in the USA for the period January 1-June 30, 2006, according to NPD.   NOT including its handcleaners.  Just vacuums, uprights and/or canisters.

Carmine D.

DysonInventsBig wrote:

Yay, was good to listen to an interview for once - thanks for the link. James was saying that they're nearly there on their robot cleaner (although that's been the company line for quite some time!). Also in the news this week was the announcement of a break-through in Li-ion technologies :-

http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/01/17/586070.aspx

Regardless of the manufacturer, if they truly can improve batteries by this level, it will make high performance, affordable robot cleaners a reality.

Yeah the Robot vacuum was mention.  From what James Dyson said he wants to do is engineer a robotic vacuum that gives the same cleaning performance as his full size vacuums.  This alone will need a lot of battery power.  Interesting link - thanks M00seUK, on new battery technology.  Hope the Dyson Robotic vacuum will emerge sometime soon!

DC18

DC18 wrote:

'Mentioned in this forum before... Dyson (and others) have patents on robot cleaners that can handle mains-powered cables in the course of their 'run'. Not as fun or as practical as using a battery, but would allow for a deep clean at a low cost.

DysonInventsBig wrote:

DC18,

I'm glad you liked my info.  I indeed enjoyed reading and listening to the interview you posted, especially when James thru his vacuum to prove it was built tuff.  I was good to hear how respectful the interviewer was to James.  I read a press relase today that said Dyson has sold 24 million vacuums to date.        DIB

CarmineD wrote:

You’re unimpressed with James’ numbers no matter how it’s presented.  I am.        DIB

DysonInventsBig wrote:

It's simple to understand: It takes more to impress me.  

If the press release [which you didn't share] said dyson sold 24 million new vacuums in the UK alone in 23 years, I would not be impressed.   Why?  The latter, if it were true and we know it is not, would even be an unimpressive number of new vacuum sales in the UK, considering the UK is dyson's country of origin.  Has dyson impressed buyers in the UK with any of his products' sales?  Vacuums? Washers?  Airblades?  I don't think so.  Quite the contrary.  Sales in his own country of his products are unimpressive.  IMHO.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:
I have to disagree there.  The Hoover 60-series is classic...it's old enough to be classic.  Even the Convertible series could be considered classic.  The Windtunnel, however, is 12 years old and is outdated (I'd say just plain tired), CR ratings notwithstanding.  TTI will eventually see that it's not selling like it should and slowly drop the design, one by one.  It will be interesting to see what particular model will go first, it's only a matter of time.  No one wants grainy plastic vacuums when they can get something sleek and MODERN, the Uplander comparison bodes well.  Like I said, I never thought it was that great, when Eureka was starting to dabble in bagless and Fantom had been on the scene for a few years Hoover simply re-introduced a clean-air upright.  The first thing I thought when it came out was "about time Hoover did that!"  I'll give them this, they did get the clean-air design right that time.  Took them long enough, though, but at least the WT's handle doesn't wobble and the bags don't look upside down when they're installed.  There are just better machines out there both in construction and performance, even Hoover's OWN offerings!  They have the "sleek look" going on their new models and those seem to have done well.  I've used the Mach series bagless before.  Not an exact copy of the cyclonic design, so there are a few shortcomings, but I didn't think they were bad cleaners overall.  They also felt sturdy with their telescopic metal handle; I know for a fact the WindTunnel doesn't feel like a sturdy machine.  Again, something about that grainy plastic!

I never said CR was prejudiced against Dyson, I know they don't care for bagless in general...that was obvious to me years ago when they tested the Fantom and it still holds true.  They hated bagless then, they hate it now (although their tolerance has improved somewhat over the years).  However, I find it quite odd when the DC17 is #10, and both Kenmore and Hoover FILTERED bagless cleaners are in the top 5.  Something isn't right there.  There's just no possible way those could maintain performance long enough to get those scores!  Especially with all of the fine test dirt, etc.

-MH

The HOOVER WT, whether you like the looks or not, is the premier rug cleaning and grooming upright vacuum on the market FOR ALL TIME [IMHO].  It is the gold standard of carpet cleaning.  Its retail cost is $150 (bagged).  Supreme model. 

For uprights and rug cleaning, the HOOVER Tempo (bagged) for $60 outperforms ALL upright dysons on the market today including the DC17 which sells for $549.  The TEMPO weighs 16 pounds and the DC17 weighs 21.

When a $60 upright vacuum, albeit with a 10 year old form and function, consistently is better rated for rug cleaning than the latest and greatest innovative vacuums selling for 10 times as much, IT IS A classic vacuum.  Not because of age.  Because of the performance and price. 

Carmine D.

Hi,

My feeling re CR and bagless vacuums is that the issue of "tidy" emptying is still solved.  Mind you, this can be no different than what was going on with vacuums with permanent bags way back in the day that led to the welcoming of disposable dust bags.  CR was and reamined highly critical of disposable dust bags with wide mouths or that for whatever reason, by way of manner of removal, etc., promoted notable exposure to dust.  MH, I know your going to tell me that that problem is minimized by frequent emptying, and I thoroughly agree, but again I say the average consumer is out to merely buy another tool to facilitate care of the home.  In light of that, the issue is and has always been -- what's simple, what's easy.  There are those that may find stopping to empty their cleaner several times during cleaning day or having to fuss around with plastic bags to dump full containers into a bit bothersome.

Where I personally might not be overly bothered by the keeping of a Rainbow or even the simpler washing of filters now and then there are lots of people who can't be bothered with it.  The realities of maintenance are usually skirted when a sale is in the process and a lot of buyers of bagless machines are left to think that it will be business as usual the same way it was the bagged vacuums they'd been familiar with.

I don't think CR is particularly biased re bagless just, in this at least, aware of the consumer's desire for not only what's affordable but also easy.

My greatest fear for Hoover is that to TTI it may just be a name to sell.  When the name is finally run down, they will either find some alleged new innovation with a new name or buy up another old name and ride on it ontil they run it into the ground as well.  The Hoover we knew was an organization that appeared to bear a semblance of pride in the product it put forth and sales came.  It took risks on ideas. The market today is not interested in risk but in making money which means you sell anything you've got any way you can sell it.  Not a bright picture for consumers.

Best,

Venson