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

CarmineD wrote:

Such a whimsical response from you Carmine. I have never met nor communicated with any outside this forum.

You were so naive as to think that Dyson wanted to give you a free vac for you use and feed back.  Your opinion would be useless to Dyson. Many got a laugh at Dyson once again kicking your rear.

I already told you how I got my free Dyson.  I would feel guilty to take another that way.

Looks like a decent bagless cleaner for the money,Great price , has all the right parts [even though its bagless], Whats D have to combat this machine,another $500.00 piece of art work?

But, But, we have level 3 cyclonic cleaning action,And were nice guys [HONEST],

MOLE

CarmineD wrote:
It may have 7 height adjustments but it probably only out cleans on one of them.  What are the chances the consumer will pick the right one?  Once again, people have a tendency to always choose the lowest "most suck" setting and that isn't usually the most effective.  The Riccar SL4 has no height adjust yet CR rates it just as effective on carpet as the 4870. How does the height adjust factor into that?

Dusty

Hello Dusty:

Simple.  Don't need the rug height adjustment on the RICCAR [or the ORECK for that matter].  Save very long shag.  The RICCAR lightweight is just that so the brushroll is not weighed down into and onto the rug [even plush pile] like it is with the EUREKA Boss Smart Vacuum. 

The RICCAR's  [and ORECK] lighter weight and mass make it easier to push and pull over rugs and carpets than the full size EUREKA Boss Smart upright vacuum.  Another reason the rug height adjustment is needed [and almost always included] on full size US upright models.  

Consumer Reports, typically as part of the ranking and ratings of uprights and canisters specifically annotates the vacuum makes and models having rug height adjustments [as it does in the March 2008 edition].  Based on the March 2008 CR, the majority of vacuums reviewed have a rug height adjustment.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

You claim that the manual height adjustment makes the Boss clean better on plush carpet than Dyson.  That should put it on a level playing field with Oreck.  It will out clean the $800 Oreck.  Why would anyone but a weakling want the Oreck?

CarmineD wrote:
Then you're implying that the Oreck does not work well since it has a soft brushroll and no height adjustment.  Excellent!  Something we have known all along, AND the first intelligent statement you've made on here in ages.

Motorhead wrote:

No Motor Man, not quite:

You said that WRT the dyson brush bar and Dusty quoted you.  Did you forget already? 

I disagreed with both of you.   

Let me recap again just for you.  Topic:  EUREKA Boss Smart Vacuum upright outcleans dyson by 60 percent.  Question: Why?  Answer:  Soft dyson brush roll.  Wrong!  Try again. 

A soft brush roll is not the reason a dyson DC07 fails against the EUREKA Boss Smart Vacuum on plush carpets.  EUREKA is 60 percent better.  [A claim that dyson has never challenged and/or rebutted with its own findings]. 

The correct answer is:  The poor design and function of the brush bar on a dyson DC07 in conjunction with the lack of a rug height adjustment are the reasons the EUREKA outcleans it by 60 percent.

In fact, I say soft brush rolls are very desirable on many plush carpets IF it is in combination with a rug height adjustment [especially for full size uprights]. 

Dusty pointed out that RICCAR [and ORECK] does not have a rug adjustment and cleans quite well on carpets according to Consumer Reports [you're familiar with that publication but you call it something else].  In fact,  both RICCAR and ORECK lightweights clean and groom rugs/carpets as good, if not better than some full size uprights [like your fave brand and in particular the worse of all for pet hair pick up (read kapok test) DC07].

I agreed with Dusty.  But I took it a step further.  I say the reason is because these are lightweight vacuums.  Not full size heavy bulky upright vacuums.  RICCAR and ORECK lightweights are less than half the weigh and bulk of most full size uprights.  Consequently, they have less vacuum head weight [which houses the brush roll].  On plush carpets, these lightweight smaller uprights don't need a height adjustment [like full size heavy US uprights] to maneuver over and clean carpets well. 

Now, wouldn't you agree Motor man?

Carmine D.

HARDSELL wrote:

Hey HS MAn:

I'm not sure what it is you are saying.  I don't think you know.  But, let me clear up the misconceptions on your part. 

First, ORECKS can be bought for as little as $200 new.  I proved this to you and Motor man [who doubted me here] with advertised ORECK sales.  Granted ORECKS are not free [as with your favorite refurb brand]. 

Second, the EUREKA Boss Smart Vacuum is $150.  But, it's a porker.  Like Dusty said, it's cheaper than a gym membership.  The ORECK is trim and lean [no gym membership needed].  Both will clean and groom carpets equally well and are rated the same by Consumer Reports for rug/floor cleaning.  The choice between the two is really dependent on the likes and dislikes, wants and needs, of the user. 

Carmine D.

mole wrote:

Hey MOLE Man:

I hear the backround music playing:  Dum, dum, dum, dum......  Still not in Vegas stores, but I hear on the way.  Appears TTI and HOOVER have settled into a mutually beneficial business and professional relationship.

What are the filter costs and maintenance on this HOOVER Whispertone bagless?  Come with a turbo tool on board?  Cord winder? 

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

I know exactly what I am saying.  Not surprised that you can't comprehend.  There was no doubt that an Oreck could not be bought for $200 during a promotion.  Fact is the local Oreck stores refused to sell me a vacuum without the canister.  Orecks can also be bought for $800.  Are you saying that the $200 version performs just as well?

Remember, I owned a Boss and an XL21.  I know from experience that the Boss vacuums better.  Maybe your wife should have told you that a $150 Boss was better than a $200 Oreck.  Oh wait.  I remember now the Oreck is only needed by the feeble. 

No, Orecks are not free.  Dysons are free when Oreck has to buy you one like they did me.