Vacuum Cleaners Discussions |
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Motorhead
 
Joined: Nov 2, 2007
Points: 409
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Hoover Whisper upright at Wal-Mart
Original Message Jul 7, 2008 5:05 am |
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Has anyone seen this yet? It just hit the shelves a couple of weeks ago at Wal-Mart (not even on the Hoover or WM website at this point), I picked one up around that time after speaking to Tom G. (who was the first one to tell me about it) but had neglected to post about it on here until now. I finished posting a review in the Reviews section, needless to say I am very impressed with the machine now that I have been using it for a couple of weeks and highly encourage everyone to at least head to Wal-Mart and check it out. For those of you who haven't seen it, TTI/Hoover has finally jumped on the multi-cyclone bandwagon after experimenting with dual-cyclone for a couple of years with the Mach series, and only recently getting *that* right with a redesigned shroud for the Mach 3. This Whisper is completely different, it's a copy of a Root Cyclone Dyson and a damn good one at that. At $120 I am blown away by the type of machine it is, very substantial and not cheap-feeling by any means. It's a completely new design, and appears to contain elements of the Mach series, the failed "One" cleaner in the UK, and, oddly enough, the LG/Kenmore Premalite. At first glance it appears to be a dual-cyclone machine, until you either look at the side of the box or separate the two halves of the cyclone assembly. Indeed, there are 6 high-efficiency cyclones hidden above the bin, and they look just like a Dyson's. You will also notice the cyclonic "arrows" on the Hoover logo in front, for added emphasis  Carpet performance is good, it handles very nicely (positive weight) and the double-chevron brushroll helps pull the machine along; the bristles are soft but still effective. What sets it apart from the Dyson though is above-floor cleaning convenience. You push a button and the handle wand releases, you do not even have to let go of the handle; you're using the SAME ergonomic handle you just vacuumed the carpet with. The wand is long as well, and does not need to be inverted for use. There are only 2 attachments, and the wand isn't adjustable, but the brush/upholstery tool is, I presume to reach tight spaces. I suppose if worse comes to worse other standard 1 1/4" attachments could work, it appears to be the same though I have not tried it. I'll check that out further and post the findings. The motor is soft-starting (like the Hoover Z), and the brushroll (driven by a separate motor) automatically starts and stops when the handle is lowered or raised, if the brushroll switch is on. There are also 2 indicator lights showing when the brushroll is on, and when the suction is blocked.
This machine is basically a Dyson DC07 or DC14...at a third of the price. Being a Dyson fan I hate to say it, but Dyson may be facing some competition with this machine as far as regular uprights are concerned, once it is more widely available and more people find out about it. It's no match for the DC17 in terms of performance, obviously, but I can't see any reason why the 7 or 14 would be more desirable, as strange as that sounds. If it was inexpensive and worked well but cheaply made, then it's obvious the Dyson would be the clear winner (as it usually is), but that's the thing...this machine does not seem to be cheaply made at all. Definitely no WindTunnel here and I can't see why it wouldn't last a reasonable length of time. On the other hand, while possibly not-so-good news for Dyson this could be some positive news for Hoover, perhaps the first of many machines to come? It will be interesting to see what the future holds.
-MH
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Motorhead
Joined: Nov 2, 2007
Points: 409
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Re: Hoover Whisper upright at Wal-Mart
Reply #22 Jul 9, 2008 3:32 pm |
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Hey Dust Man: Well said. I note the major big box retailers don't use the claim: Never loses suction" in their ads for dysons. I suspect the reason you cited [ASA gave it a pass] is the reason ORECK is pursuing legal action. Possibly, the reason retailers are silent on the claim in print. Pending legal action. In a court of law, judges, juries and lawyers impute more weight to the exact meanings and reliance on the advertised words and claims. The problem with the old dyson claim: "Never Clogs" is that many dyson buyers relied on this false claim as the sole justification to pay $500 plus for purchase. When users learned their dysons did clog they returned them to the retailers and squawked! Hence the ASA action. That's the crux of the dyson matter. That too can weigh in on the reason retailers don't use the dyson claim: Never loses suction. How does the saying go: Never say never? Ops there goes another dyson refurb. Dyson is going down for the count on this claim too. Dyson will join the infamous ranks of makers like halo who overstate their product claims. Carmine D. Dyson has always contended that if the owner will follow the printed directions, the filters will not clog and the machine will not lose suction. If you follow the printed directions on an Oreck, Hoover, or Eureka with a bag, by the time the dust reaches the full bag mark, the machine will have lost a significant amount of power and the bag will have clogged. What I'm saying, very simply, is that if the customer follows the directions the Dyson will have 100% suction, 100% of the time. Now, with other multi-cyclone vacuums on the market (like the Hoover, Dirt Devil Spinnergy, Bissell HealthyHome, Infinity, etc.), if the customer follows the directions, those machines will not lose suction or clog either. For your information, the Infinity claims right on the vacuum cleaner "Never Loses Suction" and "Lifetime Clean Air". The Hoover Whisper claims, right on the box, "Non-Stop Suction". The Dirt Devil Spinnergy claims, right on the box, "Multiple Cyclones Separate Particles at a Higher Velocity Creating Guaranteed Sustained Suction For Every Room You Clean". The Dirt Devil Spinnergy box also goes on to say "Multi-Stage Cyclonic Technology Prevents Clogging of Filter". The fact is, they have ALL jumped on the Dyson bandwagon. Dyson is not the only one to make that claim anymore, therefore, it will be harder to dispute in the future. As all vacuum manufacturers begin to use Dyson's technology, it will in fact be the only thing that exists. Bags will be as obsolete as you are, and their days are just as numbered -MH
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CarmineD
Joined: Dec 31, 2007
Points: 5894
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Re: Hoover Whisper upright at Wal-Mart
Reply #23 Jul 9, 2008 5:26 pm |
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Hey Motor Man: That's the reason these suction claims are going to get scrutinized closely in the future. Just as the ASA did with the dyson claim. Again, disagree. Do you see a pattern here? Bagged vacuums are still here after 6 years of dysons. And will be here long after dyson is gone. Bagless is a fad and fading fast, especially for high prices paid in the past on dysons. HOOVER Whispertone: $120. HEALTHY HOME $250. Dyson $500. Dah! Sayonora on the old steel guitar. Carmine D.
This message was modified Jul 9, 2008 by CarmineD
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dusty
Joined: Feb 8, 2008
Points: 264
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Re: Hoover Whisper upright at Wal-Mart
Reply #24 Jul 9, 2008 11:54 pm |
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Hey Motor Man: That's the reason these suction claims are going to get scrutinized closely in the future. Just as the ASA did with the dyson claim. Again, disagree. Do you see a pattern here? Bagged vacuums are still here after 6 years of dysons. And will be here long after dyson is gone. Bagless is a fad and fading fast, especially for high prices paid in the past on dysons. HOOVER Whispertone: $120. HEALTHY HOME $250. Dyson $500. Dah! Sayonora on the old steel guitar. Carmine D. If bagless is a fad it's interesting then that if you check the Hoover, Dirt Devil, and Eureka websites you will find that there are 65 (give or take a few) bagless uprights available versus only 19 (once again, give or take) bagged models. The cheapest units? Bagged. The most heavily promoted? Bagless. Our rep from one of these companies explains to us that the box stores don't want to deal with the hassle of bags, they just want to move product. Bagless is their choice and that's good because the end result is that people are either sick of cheap bagless vacs and step up to a Dyson or they're sick of bagless all together and step up to a Riccar or Sebo or other high end product. Dusty
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DysonInventsBig
Location: USA
Joined: Jul 31, 2007
Points: 1454
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Re: Hoover Whisper upright at Wal-Mart
Reply #25 Jul 10, 2008 5:53 am |
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If bagless is a fad it's interesting then that if you check the Hoover, Dirt Devil, and Eureka websites you will find that there are 65 (give or take a few) bagless uprights available versus only 19 (once again, give or take) bagged models. The cheapest units? Bagged. The most heavily promoted? Bagless. Our rep from one of these companies explains to us that the box stores don't want to deal with the hassle of bags, they just want to move product. Our rep from one of these companies explains to us that the box stores don't want to deal with the hassle of bags, they just want to move product. Bagless is their choice and that's good because the end result is that people are either sick of cheap bagless vacs and step up to a Dyson or they're sick of bagless all together and step up to a Riccar or Sebo or other high end product.
Dusty Dusty, The once backyard inventor influences an entire industry and retail too, incredible! It was interesting hearing you tell how Dyson’s premium priced vacuums helped customers get accustomed and/or except the idea of paying more for technology and/or quality, which helps sell other premium brands too. I love the Dyson story and it’s far reaching impact. DIB
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CarmineD
Joined: Dec 31, 2007
Points: 5894
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Re: Hoover Whisper upright at Wal-Mart
Reply #26 Jul 10, 2008 6:19 am |
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Hey Dust Man: You make a point worth debate. Let me rephrase. Big box stores don't want the hassle of carrying bags for bagged vacuums so prefer bagless vacuums. [Tho these same stores' carry an aisle full of bagless filters]. Why? Obviously, the vacuum manufacturers you sited, HOOVER, DIRT DEVIL, EUREKA, and dyson use the big box stores as their major sales venue for their vacuums. So what do they do? They produce bagless vacuums for the big box stores. Look at that sales venue: Big box stores are synonymous with disposables. Cheap. Undiscerning vacuum buyers are getting bagless vacuums forced on them by the big box stores and the vacuum makers that cater to them. But for how long? You can fool all the people, some of the time. You can fool some of the people all of the time. But you can't fool all the people all of the time. BTW, the best selling vacuum at BEST BUY stores is the EUREKA Boss Smart vacuum bagged upright for $149. Never on sale. Rarely advertised. Has been numero uno for sales for years, before and after dyson launch. Carmine D.
This message was modified Jul 10, 2008 by CarmineD
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CarmineD
Joined: Dec 31, 2007
Points: 5894
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Re: Hoover Whisper upright at Wal-Mart
Reply #27 Jul 10, 2008 6:54 am |
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Bagless is their choice and that's good because the end result is that people are either sick of cheap bagless vacs and step up to a Dyson or they're sick of bagless all together and step up to a Riccar or Sebo or other high end product.
Dusty
Hey Dust Man:
Another good point worth debate. My take: Dyson sales were brisk in the UK and USA because bagless vacuum buyers [read big box store shoppers] bought into the dyson myth: Never Clogs and they were willing to plunk down $500. Fast forward 15 years in the UK and 6 plus years in the USA and dyson has a history and a track record. Refurbs galore and a drubbing by the ASA dispelling the dyson myth. Result: Vacuum consumers avoid the big box retail stores and seek out better bagged vacuums at the indy-s. Carmine D.
This message was modified Jul 10, 2008 by CarmineD
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dusty
Joined: Feb 8, 2008
Points: 264
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Re: Hoover Whisper upright at Wal-Mart
Reply #28 Jul 10, 2008 9:39 am |
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Hey Dust Man: You make a point worth debate. Let me rephrase. Big box stores don't want the hassle of carrying bags for bagged vacuums so prefer bagless vacuums. [Tho these same stores' carry an aisle full of bagless filters]. Why? Obviously, the vacuum manufacturers you sited, HOOVER, DIRT DEVIL, EUREKA, and dyson use the big box stores as their major sales venue for their vacuums. So what do they do? They produce bagless vacuums for the big box stores. Look at that sales venue: Big box stores are synonymous with disposables. Cheap. Undiscerning vacuum buyers are getting bagless vacuums forced on them by the big box stores and the vacuum makers that cater to them. But for how long? You can fool all the people, some of the time. You can fool some of the people all of the time. But you can't fool all the people all of the time. BTW, the best selling vacuum at BEST BUY stores is the EUREKA Boss Smart vacuum bagged upright for $149. Never on sale. Rarely advertised. Has been numero uno for sales for years, before and after dyson launch. Carmine D. I personally don't see a big return to the day of the bagged vacuum. As companies strive to "go green" they will develop better bagless technology and push the fact that you don't have to buy throw away bags or filters thus helping good ole mother nature. You can already see it happening with the Bissell Healthy Home and the Hoover Whisper. Better bagless, no cartridges to replace, lifetime filters. I read on here that Miele has a bagless patent, don't be suprised to see that on lthe market at some point either. There was a time when all vacuums had dump bags but when paper came out people loved the convieniance of being able to just throw away the bag. Times have changed, now people want to reduce, reuse, and recycle. As far as the Eureka Boss Smart goes, it just shows the power of being rated a "best buy" by Consumer Reports. It was our best selling Eureka too at least until it didn't show up in the last issue. Now it doesn't even get a second look. Dusty
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HARDSELL
Joined: Aug 22, 2007
Points: 1293
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Re: Hoover Whisper upright at Wal-Mart
Reply #30 Jul 10, 2008 11:27 am |
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And almost all of these vacuums have a height adjustments. Using previous logic should we not then assume that bagless vacuums are the new "American standard"? Dusty
dusty,
Do most have a means of turning off the brush roll? Carmine mentiond this as a con in the review of his Oreck. He failed to mention this on the thread that was recently locked. If this was standard on Oreck and all Hoovers I am sure he would consider it an American vac standard. I see this as enhancing performance rather than the useless light. I once strapped a ligh ton my DC07. No increase in performance.
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