Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

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

dusty wrote:

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

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.

dusty wrote:

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.

CarmineD wrote:
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

CarmineD wrote:
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 wrote:

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.

I see this as enhancing performance rather than the useless light.  I once strapped a ligh ton my DC07.  No increase in performance.

Perhaps you just needed new batteries.  I'm certain that would make a difference :-)

Dusty

dusty wrote:
That companies have a HEART and WANT to go GREEN for the betterment of Earth & Mankind is laughable....that we buy into it, is pathetic. It's a marketing tool no more no less and if it actually does work, merely a bonus. Try working in an advertising for a day any you will get quite an education. The American public is not as intelligent as we give them credit for (note the success of Shark and euro pro, LOL). Companies dictate what they want. That the will of the free market dictates, is an OLD axiom. Give them cow patties and thats the only choice..they buy it. Then Companies conclude "The market place DEMANDS cow paties lets give em more!

I'm not proud of becoming a cynic but the Market demands I be...LOL

dusty wrote:

Hey Dusty:

For disposable vacuums: use and throwaway, yes they are. 

Carmine D.

dusty wrote:

Hey Dust Man:

I thought it was because the EUREKA Boss Smart Vac upright has a huge sticker on it that says it cleans 60 times better than a dyson. 

BTW, in the yearly CR editions for best buy in appliances and the new subscriber mail outs, the EUREKA Boss Smart vac still gets the recommendation as Best Buy for vacuums.  Often with a picture of a yellow dyson with the CR verbage: More money doesn't buy you better performance in vacuums.  That's from CR's hand not mine.

Carmine D.