Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Has anyone seen the new Ergorapido from Electrolux? It apparently is replacing the cordless Pronto 2 in 1 stick vac.  I was just in Costco today purchasing a Nikon and ran across this new version. Couldn't resist buying one for $89.00.

There are several improvements including a 12 volt battery, an improved brush/roll and advanced filter system. The brush roll has much heavier brushes verse the combo rubber strip and wimpy soft brush of the old Pronto 2 in 1. The brush roll assembly now removes quicker with a snap of a single button. No coin slot to rotate like on the Pronto.

The filter assembly now  has a spring loaded plunger you grasp and pull up to help dislodge debris that gets caught between the nylon mesh and fine filter. I haven't had a chance to fully charge it yet but I can tell you it has substantially more suction and larger fan than the Pronto. Suction is double of the old model.. even without a full charge yet!  

The color is now a gun metal metallic. One nice touch is soft ergo non-slip rubber material on the rear of the handle. The vac still separates from the stick for use like a dust-buster... except the switch has been improved from the old momentary spring loaded type to a constant on switch. Nice touch! The dust bin also removes easily with rubberized grips that depress and unlock for improved removal. Since it now moves substantially more air, additional venting has been added to the rear of the power unit in addition to increasing the front venting as well. 

Almost forgot, it now has two accessory tools, i.e. a separate crevice and dusting brush that each independently snap into the end of the intake opening. The tools store right inside the charging dock. The two speed switch is now a rocker type instead of a slider. You'll also note the fan depth and intake opening are double that of the Pronto for improved suction and air flow.  Very nice unit!

So far I'm very impressed with this new updated model and the color change is refreshing over that nasty burnt orange I never liked.

Bruce

vacmanuk wrote:
Hi vacumanuk,

I may well be wrong but I think everyday Europeans still display a greater sense of thrift which is probably to their benefit. I can't speak for the entire continent, but in places I've been I do recall people being remarkably mindful of power usage and conservation. I had a good friend in Munich and, first visit, I noticed that in his building's entry and at each stairway landing there was a push-button switch on the wall that turned on the lights just long enough to let you reach the next landing and your apartment door. It is far more common here to have lights for this purpose continuously burning through the night.

Not denying its usefulness, the stick vac in my opinion was part of a wave of inexpensive luxuries that we could easily squeeze into our once "more is better" American world. As well, lots of money is made by making us discontent. Took a bit of time in the developing but after manufacturers and ad people got finished selling us full-sized cleaning wonders to set our homes gleaming they were rignt on us again. "What! Why take that big old heavy machine out of the closet just for a quick pick-up?" There went the broom and the dustpan.

This is the same with most things. The electric kettle to the replace the pot on the stove plus any number of countertop appliances proves the point. Thus, regular size vacuums are supplemented by handhelds and portables as full-size mixers are by hand mixers and regular blenders by electric and/or handheld versions you can take directly to the pot on your kitchen range. So many possibilities -- yet not so much money to cover our ease these days.

Venson

Venson, I was led to believe that the U.S never had electric kettles like we do in the UK, things like electric jugs etc I guess I should say that where Im from in Scotland we had a U.S Naval Base stationed here for many years and a lot of the Americans here had their own household appliances. I marvelled at the Hoover Convertible for example and Windtunnel series in the 80s, exact models that weren't exactly available in the UK. The UK has had some stick vacs, Miele's Alternative (which you'll know as the Miele S120/140/160/180 series) sold here briefly, a few AEG stick vacs (really too heavy to be of any real benefit but long lasting) and then there was Hoover's Junior/Athyss. There have been a few Electrolux models but some have been pitiful like the awful 120 watt Superbroom that never quite made it to be anything other than super rubbish.

vacmanuk wrote:
Hi vacmanuk,

No, they're not the biggest item in regard to household electrics here. Here the electric coffemaker is king. I think the old style electric percolator has been knocked out of the running by electric drip-type coffee makers, most of which require the on going expense of paper filters. I's still sticking to my good old Bodum coffee press though I do have an electric bean grinder.

Can you give us some insight as to the cost of electricity and cooking gas in the UK?

Venson

By the way . . . .

I rolled up to my local Costco today and found the silver version of the Ergorapido for $90.00.

Costco apparently is keepint the faith as they have a good number of the boxed item in stock. Not much elss has chanbed. The same $429.00 Dyson, two Bissells, and two Hoovers also remain on display.

Venson

&amp;lt;BR&amp;gt;&lt;BR&gt;<BR> Venson wrote: &amp;lt;BR&amp;gt;Hey Venson,You'll have to be specific here in what you need to know. We have a few private electrical specialists, even one national gas company can now supply electricity at reduced rate. Im one of very few for example who'se thifty parents bought a gas tumble dryer in the 1980s because back then Gas was cheaper to use than electricity; whatever you use for cooking still comes under general Gas power, so therefore one pipe of gas in a home will do for everything such as the hob, oven (if separate) or cooker, central heating system, hot water tank, radiators etc. Now with the recession it seems that Gas is now more expensive than electricity. As for the electric coffee makers/filter coffee makers, I adore the ones in the U.S that can grind beans and then filter the coffee. Here as a nation that drinks mainly tea, (depsite a Starbucks, Nero and others popping up on the high street not to mention the annoyingly expensive nonsense of Nescafe for people like my mother in capsule form/Nespresso and then Senseo capsules) our filter coffee machines don't use replaceable paper filters. Infact even the cheapest ones have a washable mesh filter bonded to the holder.