Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

The 'Freedom' and 'Slalom' uprights, and the 'Xarion' cylinder cleaner. All employ 'Airvolution' technology.

You'll have to wander about the Argos site yourselves, as I can't be bothered battling with the silly formatting of pictures on this forum, and the website linking didn't work either.

Hi Trilobite,

Thanks for the heads-up.  I like the styling too.  My main concern is that I can't access anything other than spec sheets for the Xarion, Freedom and Slalom and it is hard to determine if these have pleated filters inside the bin or rely on actual cylonics to initially separaet dirt from the air stream.

Per the specs the Slalom is 8.37 (around 17 pounds) kilos out of the box.  The Freedom (8.98 kilos) is close to 19 pounds and the Xrion is about 12 and a half pounds (6.3 kilos).  I hate math and you should check my calculations on this to be sure I'm not wrong.

The Slalom appears to pivot up and side to side as well.  If it provides consitantly good suction, it might well be a low price competitor versus Dyson which promotes maneuverabilty as one of its main features.

All three of these models, per the website, provide a version for households with pets or allergy sufferers.  Neither version of the Xarion canister has a power nozzle option.  I know this not uncommon for European canister vacuums but considering that pet hair removal is the issue I'd imagine they would as I noticed Miele is now beginning to offer "power-team" canisters on it European site.

As an aside, I also noted that Miele UK is pushing, pardon the pun, the SBDH 285-3 "Allergotec" straight-suction nozzle.  Nothing new other than this is the first time I've seen the like used this way -- it's a sensor activated display that goes from red to green on the area you're cleaning is "clean". 

In any event, it would be nice to see some of the Hoover models head this way.

Best,

Venson

The Slalom on Youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDL85A06yAU

Dusty

DysonInventsBig wrote:

Venson:

As far as I am aware, they do not employ pleated filters as the primary filtration system. Instead, they use a standard low-efficiency cyclone, followed by higher efficiency '12 V-cell separators'. The air is then filtered by primary filters situated in the top of the cyclonic array.

Not having seen the the machines in the flesh, I'm presuming that the technology is similar to Vax / Dirt Devil / Hoover USA implementations. Hopefully trying to avoid infringing anyone's patents in the process!

Trilobite wrote:

Thanks Trilobite.  I'm glad to be reassured we're talking new technology instead of the same old stuff.  The information per the online spec sheets didn't quite explain it all and user guide PDFs aren't yet on the site.  Nonetheless, It's an interesting machine.. The patent infringement thing is a big issue I suppose.  Machines with real promise like the LG/Kenmore Iridioum, Samsung's Silencio and Euro-Pro's Infinity all had to find a different look for the same thing.

Best,

Venson

dusty wrote:

Fantastic!  I watched the video and this machine appears as unique in design as anything I've seen in a long time.  You usually only see multi-pivoting in stick vacs.  Attachment use also appeared to be very, very uncomplicated and convenient.  At last it seems someone somewhere is looking to make money off giving people actual smart and practical invention. 

As well, I am anxious to see if this will influence any of the major American manufacturers of low and moderately priced machines -- Eureka, etc..  Maybe this manner of more facile mobility and maneuvering will become the new front from which other slightly more inventive uprights will begin to come.

Venson

So Venson,I take it that you like the machine.......................................

MOLE

mole wrote:

Hi Mole,

Kind of.  It at least is a slightly different approach.  I wouldn't wonder if it's development doesn't have something to do with the Miele S7 which claims to have the same ability to pivot and swivel.  As I mentioned before, I think Dyson's Ball has now set forth maneuverability as a selling pitch and other companies will jump on that band wagon same as they did when "baglessness" got to be flavor of the day in the vacuum market. 

Of course, you and I both know that a good idea is one thing and turning it out as effective, quality product is another.  It ain't what you do -- it's the way that you do it that tells the story every time.

Venson

Hey guys, take a closer look…

 

Has Hoover UK (vacuum cleaners) somehow been rehabilitated and can now invent their own problem solving products?

The Slalom at a glance…

Filtration:  Washable HEPA (per their site)

Maneuverability:  The Sebo Felix has already been doing this swivel/elbow w/ limited maneuverability for sometime; power nozzles on canisters also have this same swivel/elbow w/ limited maneuverability.

Twisting turning:  Where’s the right angle (to the body) handle grip?  A average size and strength woman must have a gorilla grip like hand to squeeze the handle so it does not slip while attempting to twist n turn this vacuum.

Weight in use (language used t Hoover site):  Slalmon – 18.45lbs.  Dyson DC15 – 19lbs.

 

The Slalom is a problem solving disaster.  Dyson is way, way ahead of the industry and does it much better…  Buy a Dyson DC15 vs. Hoover Slalom or buy a DC24 or DC25 for a lighter and highly steerable vacuum (more than Sebo and Hoover UK).

 

Hoover (vacuum) UK have a proven track record as *schemers not inventors.        DIB 

 

*Remember the free flights w/ purchase fiasco?  Stealing Dyson’s Dual Cyclone and then lying/misleading about it at trial – Mr. Dyson testified in detail how he invented the dual cyclone.  Yet not one Hoover UK engineer or designer testified at trial to the Triple Vortex’s originality, the judge was not impressed. 

DysonInventsBig wrote:

Hi D.I.B.,

All the votes aren't in yet.  We're speaking of new to the market machines. The public will decide and pricing as well as claims will strongly influence purchase decisions.  Please also make note that I was not comparing upright maneuverability to that of canister power nozzles between which there is much difference. 

As for stealing, I have heard that song for so long and truly have come to feel it's about time to flip the record.  There's nothing new under the sun.  There are any number of vacuum cleaner innovations that have been borrowed from but not necessarily stolen over time to produce a product meant to provide cleaning possibilities that are either equally as good as the competition's.  It's hard to define "larceny" when each case has a different face on it.  Any number of companies would be legally pleading their causes daily if this sort of thing was eay to prove.  Dyson nor anyone else has the time or money to run crying into court every time another manufacturer seemingly borrows but does not actually duplicate  what it may claim to have originated.  This applies to bagged vacuum makers as well who have over the years often embellished on an idea in the hope a similar result. 

Think back to Eureka and the "Disturbulator" -- my best example this monent.  Hoover, reigning king at the time had its "beats as it sweeps as it cleans"  all metal agitor with brushes and beater bars.  To have outright copied this at the time probably would have led to some sort of letigious squabble but somebody at Eureka put on his thinking cap and decided that a couple rows of short dense bristles would offer the "beating" action while another set of softer bristles would suffice for the "sweeping" action.  Eureka uprights cleaned just about as well as Hoover's did through use of it and stayed  in the running.

That said. does Rainbow have a case against Delphin or Hoover against the Air-Rider?  In both cases the same ideas are employed.  There's merely a slightly different look to things

As for Felix, the Felix is not a good example in this case as it is more a high-powered stick vac and, as well, it's center of gravity is different that of full-sized uprights that have their motors situated low to the floor.  Also, don't forget that Miele and Emer also offer similar spins on the idea.  Matter of fact Miele's variable speed 1,000 watt S168 stick can be fitted with either of the company's high-end power nozzles for enhanced rug care.

I maintain there is no ultimate machine when it comes to vacuums. To each his own.  Buyers decisions will continue be based on what they rightly or erroneously feel is a good deal which means Dyson, Hoover and the myriad other brands out there aren't going anywhere any time soon.  And, believe it or not, many a happy camper will be made whether or not you or I think they could be better satisfied.

Venson