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

Vacuumfreeeke wrote:
Hi Vacuumfreeeke,

If it's the Whisper you're referring to then you will probably have to go to your nearest Wal-Mart since it's on neither the Hoover nor the Wal-Mart website yet.  The same thing occurred with the Nano Lite when it was brought out last summer and if I recall took a few months to appear online.

Of course the positive side to that is once you do check it out in person, you'll be very tempted to pick one up, and if you do, you'll be using it as your everyday cleaner (as I am).  As I mentioned earlier it's basically a Dyson DC07 or DC14 for $120, with some added advantages.

-MH

HARDSELL wrote:
Great story HS.  Certainly proves all there is to prove about the Oreck's performance, or lack thereof.  Now we all know why they use kapok instead of baking soda.  On the Oreck website the XL21 is touted as the "quietest, most powerful vacuum Oreck has ever developed"...wait, what was that again?  The quietest, most powerful vacuum Oreck has ever developed.  Oops! 

To me the XL21 is neither quiet nor powerful, but I guess when compared to other noisy carpet sweepers this one just happens to be slightly less noisy and slightly less of a carpet sweeper, leaning more towards "electric broom".  Awfulwreck indeed!

-MH

Motorhead wrote:

MH,

I had my first look at the Whisper today.  I thought it looked very similar to the Eureka Boss except for  the clear bin as opposed to the bag cover.    

Some of my initial thoughts based on observation without using.

The blue looks like it might sell well in the gay community. 

The chrome plastic looks like something from a toy. The wheels look cheap also.

The plastic does not feel like it is durable.  The bin looks small.

No brush cut off (unless the handle is in upright position).  Not a good way to vacuum.

I liked the hose.  It stretches easily without sling shotting the vacuum across the room.

I will likely try one in the near future.

HARDSELL wrote:
Hi HS,

The grey button on the right side (where the on/off switch is on the left) is the brush shut-off switch (the machine actually has a separate brush motor and no clutch like the Mach series).  With the switch in the "on" position, the brushroll will shut off automatically when the handle is raised, but the brushroll can also be turned off (via the switch) to clean bare floors.

-MH

Motorhead wrote:

Thanks MH. As you can tell I was just looking at it cosmetically. Did not give a thorough exam.

I am anxious to give one a spin.

CarmineD wrote:
At the moment the 4870 is about the only thing Eureka has going for it.  I'm kind of surprised Eureka don't push it more than they do.  I noticed in the CR that it lists this model as having limited retail availability in the US.  Anyone heard if this model is being dropped?

On another note, while we're doing comparisons.  The Riccar Superlite is advertised as cleaning 40% better than the Oreck.  You ever wonder what your leaving behind in the carpet, Carmine? :-)

Dusty

dusty wrote:
I agree.  The 4870 is a good machine for anyone wanting a sealed HEPA bagged cleaner on a budget.  I haven't seen any indication of Eureka dropping that model since it does seem to be a good seller, which for Eureka nowadays says a lot.  However, it has been around for about 5-6 years IIRC with the only changes being in the color of the machine, so who knows what the future holds for it.  

In the next few weeks Eureka should be coming out with a new Wal-Mart model, the AirXxtreme which is a dual-cyclone upright.  Besides the dual-cyclone Whirlwind canister (6510A) it's the first cyclonic model they have brought out in a while.  It's still amusing, though, that while other manufacturers are introducing multi-cyclone models, that Eureka is just now jumping back on the dual-cyclone bandwagon.  Then again, Eureka was never known for being ahead of the game. 

I hear cries of "me too, me too!" in the distance. 

-MH

Motorhead wrote:
All of this from a company that promotes "innovation, not imitation" on it's product literature. Is the Wal-Mart vac the same as the new Eureka Envirovac?  The cyclonic filter system in that thing looks like they stole it from a Europro upright.  I don't mind the bagged version of the Air Extreme but the bagless fails in the same spot most of the other Eureka bagless fail..foam filter clogs quickly and suction drops off.  Give them another 5 years, somebody at the company will notice multi-cyclones and finally institute it into the line.

Dusty

dusty wrote:

Hey Dust Man & Motor:

It's not so much the soft brush roll as the rug height adjustment.  On many plush carpets soft brush rolls work very well if combined with a rug height adjustment.  The EUREKA Boss Smart Vac 4870.  has a 7 position rug height adjustment with a brush roll on/off switch.  That's what makes the big diff with a dyson DC07 and the 60 percent better cleaning by the EUREKA.

Carmine D.

dusty wrote:

Hey Dusty:

No chance of dropping.  COSTCO just added the EUREKA Boss Smart vacuum to its sales venue.  Wal*Mart has always carried it.  BEST BUY stores too, as I mentioned it's top seller for most stores.  Even a small scale retailer like Fry's Electronics carry the EUREKA Boss Smart vacuum.  In fact selling on sale this week for $120, a $30 savings.  Just to mention a few of the big box stores.  That's pretty pervasive.

Second question:  No, never give it a second thought.  Why?  I vacuum everyday with the ORECK.  It takes surface dirt and dust 5 days to get embedded deep down into the carpet fibers and backing.  It doesn't get that chance in my home. 

Having said that, I mentioned earlier when there was talk about a new RICCAR/SIMPLICITY lightweight, that I planned to purchase as soon as they become available in LV.  I still do. 

Carmine D.