Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

MOLE

M00seUK et al:

Webster has the following definitions for "bash"  as a transient verb: 1. To strike with a crushing blow. 2. a. To physically assault; beat up. b. To abuse verbally. 

And as a noun: 3. A crushing blow. 4. a lively social event.  And finally basher-noun.

A checklist of product features comparing one product brand to another [or to its own for that matter] does not meet the above definitions of "bashing'.  It presents the facts in an easy to read comparative format.  Some would say smart comparative advertising.  Oreck does the same for its own vacuum products.  So does dyson.  So do all other brands.  Does this mean they are "bashing" their own products?  Pointing out the differences in an easy to read format?  If you think so, fine don't buy it.  To me, it's smart and effective advertising. 

"You'll discover that while a dyson may be pretty, a new Oreck Ultra is pretty smart." 

Carmine D.

So when you vacuum under the beds and furniture you can see and remove any objects that should not be vacuumed up.

Carmine D.

I answered this question for DC18.  If you are vacuuming under furniture and beds, the light is useful to draw your attention to objects that should be removed before vacuuming. 

Carmine D.

Hi Mole:

That's one feature that Oreck missed in its comparison to the dyson.  Oreck has a full machine wrap around rubber furniture guard.  Dyson does not.  Thanks for pointing that one out to us.

In case there is a question why a furniture guard is needed except for appearance, I would recommend banging the dyson against a baseboard, furniture leg, and door and see what happens.  Then do the same with an Oreck.  Then note the difference:  On the vacuum and the furniture, door, and/or wall.

Carmine D.

Again the DC14 is not a comparsion to a Oreck.  What Oreck is trying to get at is their vacuum is lighter compared to a full size vacuum!  Job done!  No need to mention a specific brand/model!  Why not use Hoover etc... let me guess Dyson is 'different' so let use them so it stands out more!  If it was someone else no one would think twice to look at the statement/advert!

As for the bumper, earlier Dyson modesl (DC01, DC03, DC04) had a rubber bumper strip!  This was replaced on later models with the large debris inlet at the front so the rubber bumper was dropped.  I have to say I don't think there is any models in the UK that offer a soft bumper on their Upright machines anymore.  Even a bumper can leave marks behind depends what it is made of.  People should be more careful when vacuuming and not 'bash' about when doing it!  I've seen it all to often, people wilfully bashing the machines (uprights and canister heads) into skirting boards and furniture!

DC18

If I was vacuuming under a bed or furniture with a vacuum that had a headlight I would have to be bending down or my back to push the machine under for one and to see if there was anything under there I didn't want the vacuum to pick up!  I prefer to do a proper job and move the bed or furniture and clean under it throughly! 

DC18

Good point.  That's the reason vacuum makers use furniture guards [read bumpers] on their products.

BTW, I understand COSTCO marked down their exclusive dyson DC14 Complete from $469 to $399.  I wonder if they are discontinuing its sale.  Based on the comments about the DC14 from dyson admirers on this thread, I can understand if they are.

Carmine D.

I do too, but not daily.  I don't have the time and energy.  It's hard work.  Maybe weekly/monthly.  For daily vacuuming of dust and dog hair under the beds and furniture, Oreck is simply amazing.  Quick and easy.  Almost effortless.  Although, I see iRobot has a new 5th Generation robotic model 555 for $279.  I might give that a try.  What ever happened to the dyson robot?  Did it ever make it to market?

Carmine D. 

Dyson compares its own products on its web site.  Why? To allow consumers to see the differences in the features and specifications quickly and easilty in order to make an intelligent purchase.  Have you used that feature on the dyson web site?  I have.  It is a very effective tool.  Retailers do it all the time for products too.  I wonder if they view this technique as 'bashing?"

Carmine D.

Might I humbly submit that Oreck, though not a favorite of mine, does not require a lot of power as did a hundred other excellent vacuums that cleaned well in past days and if employed would clean well now.  Our revered Hoovers of yore used motors that drew as little as 200 watts or so. Why?  Because of design!  However, it appears that the hint of power works as well on appliance buyers as it does on folks out looking for new cars.

Oreck's little fan is literally right down there on the on the floor with the brushroll and the air path to it is short and sweet.  You don't need 1200 watts for it to work well since its admittedly minimal suction is concentrated.  Matter of fact, if it produced higher suction it might well prove hard to push due to its relatively simple form.  As well, the brushroll is designed to offer action aplenty on rugs -- another essential.  That's same idea worked in stick vacs fitted with power nozzles by Bissell, Regina and Hoover back in the 70s.

However, when you make a simple scenario more complex you have to do other things to compensate for what you begin to lose simply because you have made things less simple.  When you're out to wow the world with cyclones and magically dispearing hoses, the first course of action would of course be to chuck a high-powered motor into the deal to make up for all the air leakage possibilities along the extended path between the floor and the fan that may well minimize suction delivery and to also use "power" to compensate for design flaws in brushrolls, etc.  What was European Electroux out to do with the Intensity vacuum it introduced a year or so ago?  No big innovation, just a little machine, big motor, short uncomplicated air path. What you get is a lot of concentrated suction.  Throw in a revolving brush and everbody goes, "Oh my!"

Not meaning to digress but here's an instance regarding power.  Despite the nuisance, old-fashioned friction fit wands used to be how do think we manage with the cheap common button lock vacuum wands and numerous swivel joints many brands have now were it not for motors with pull.  Very few companies save FQ, Hoover and GE, worked at solving the problem.  What's the problem?

Suction delivery.  There's a tremendous amount of possibility that begins at a vacuum's fan, especially a high-powered vacuum's fan, that gets lost, a little here, a little there, because of unnoticed design flaws, minute breaks in seals and friction (a reason you can't put a hose over 12 feet or so on the average household canister).  Like decible ratings, this is another area where manufactures usually do not dare to tread.  In the write-up you read that vacuum "X" has a 1200 watt motor.  What you don't know and I don't think the manufacturer knows either is, percentage-wise, how much benefit of that does the user get.  This is not in particular an endictment against Dyson or any other brand but it should be remembered that more is not always better and that you can do a heck of a lot with a little sometimes.  Oreck -- little bitty fan, short airpath and big old bag -- proves that.

Venson