Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

First upright from Miele

29 February 2008 This summer, Miele will launch its first range of upright vacuum cleaners – the S7.  It will consist of about six models, all of which feature ultra large dust bags and  “a unique swivel body, which makes it easy to manoeuvre in even the trickiest  of room layouts”. According to the company,  the decision was made following  numerous requests from customers that wanted to buy Miele  but would only use  an upright model. Text: courtesy ERTweekly.com Picture: courtesy Miele.co.uk, 2009 Edited 21st March 2009; reason: loss of original image.

Venson wrote:

HI Venson:

MIELE traditionally does not spend alot of money on advertising and marketing.  I suspect that MIELE Execs believe that money spent on marketing is wasted.

Too much marketing is based on conventional wisdom.  In reality, marketing drains money away that could go straight to the bottom line and/or be more profitably invested.  In tough economic times like these, especially, companies like MIELE can't afford that kind of misstep.

Carmine D.

I took a better look at the Miele S7's web site (and video's).  This site is easily the most stylish I have seen.  I originally thought the swivel was located like the Hoover UK's Slalom and like typical power heads/floor tools.  I was wrong.  Very innovative.  A+ for thinking outside of the box with the swivel on the body.  C - for being late to the "dance" (manuverability market).

Is Miele the first with carriage wheels that move partically upward into a cavity/bay?

Dusty,
If you get your hands on a S7, it would be nice to hear how the DC25 compared side by side to the manuverability of the S7 (strength to turn, awkwardness to use, etc.)  Thanks.

DIB

Even though I had used one a few weeks ago, I went to the NYC Showing to get a demo of all the models. I was very impressed as I was before. Seems easy enough to work on and do maintenance on. Quiet, Smooth, and Manuverable with Miele's Sealed Hepa Filtration. Price point is high but you do get quality materials, fit & finish. Each Vac is assembled by a dedicated worker, not passed around and MADE IN GERMANY. Cleans very well on both H/wood & Carpet. Recessing wheels keep the machine very tight to the floor for maximum suction. Some models will be in Box Stores in US unfortunately. Dealers who buy a LG amount will have them in store beginning of Dec rest maybe end of Dec early Jan. Simplicity Synergy has competition. Anxious to compare head to head. In the Power pt display there was a Syn in the background. Rotating system is VERY original. Designed to give better control than a ball or ball in socket. Also saw some of the New canister colors....WOW!!!! one model called Earth has probably one of the nicest finishes I have ever seen...IMHO.

DysonInventsBig wrote:

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I gave my Miele S7 grade before going through the many Miele videos in slow-motion and blown-up.  If Miele has delivered a break-thru technology and something so fantastic, then why all the fast edits in their promo videos (during turning)?  So I became suspicious, and I wanted to see for myself (slow-mo and blown up).  I give Miele...

  Grade:  A+ for building/thinking outside of the tired vacuum cleaner appliance box.
  Grade:  C for turning.
  Grade:  B for pivoting.
  Grade:  A+ for making the S7 look more maneuverable than it really is.

I enlarged a screen capture from Miele’s S7’s web site (file name: Miele S7.flv)  The photo clearly shows this vacuums turning abilities are inflated.  As you can see, this woman (photo below) has her wrist turned about 3 to 4 inches and her arm is pulling the  vacuums body over by 2 inches (about) all the while and most importantly the head of the vacuum remains pointed straight forward.  Compare this to a Dyson Slim or Ball and for every turn of the wrist the nozzle reacts and turns immediately and in concert to the wrist turning or a 1:1 ratio.  The Miele looks to have a 5-6:1 ratio (3 inches of wrist turning plus 2 inches of arm pulling/leaning to every 1 inch of nozzle turning).

In terms of function, Dyson owns his creation...  the “steerable category” via his “true steerable’s” (the “Slim” and the Ball line).

DIB

DysonInventsBig wrote:

Hi DIB,

I'm not going to knock the S7 until I've tried it. 

The wheels at the back of the S7 obviously serve not one but three purposes.  They stabilize the vacuum while in "storage mode" as well while above-the-floor tasks are being done and also aid in transport while moving the machine from room to room.  Once the handle's released and the rear wheels are moved forward, the  cleaner rides on them as well as the swivel casters up front -- not a bad arrangement  think.   Swivel wheels -- usually found at the rear of some uprights in past such as some Dirt Devil models are in no way new.  Though not used in a great numbers they were employed by at least a couple of brands way, way back in the day for the same purpose. 

However, what is interesting is that the feature never seemed to take off with  the public.  Modern major brand uprights like Hoover, Eureka and so many more have not bothered with swivel wheels and apparently there's been no big public complaint about the matter.  Had there been I'm pretty sure wheel set-ups would have been changed long ago.  By the way, which sells more -- the Dyson Ball or the more conventional non-ball Dysons that are also in the stores?

That said, to me the swivel thing is nice but not important to me.  As a general rule I still pick up or pull aside movable objects so that I can clean under them. instead of just around.  I'll contue to do that until I'm too old and decrepit to move the mountain and have to be led around.

Even without the extra agility features I'd still like this cleaner.  Top of the line have automatic setting for adjust power to suit the size of he job -- a thing I like -- and a general "silent" setting to get you through average day to day cleaning situations without have to the machine top speed.  That I also like as much as anything that lowers the noise factor while still providing good cleaning.  Miele also provides a fresh pre-filter with each pack of very nicely sized bags (and well they should when you think of the price) andfilter changes are easy overall.  I don't require much more than that.

Anyway . . .  for those interested . . .  I haved tagged on a link to the S7 user manual below.  To

http://www.miele.co.uk/Resources/OperatingInstructions/S%207.pdf

Best,

Venson

The preceding advertising was brought to you by the MIELE dealers group...............


MOLE

Venson wrote:

Hello Venson:

I second that motion and raise it!

Thanks for posting the User Guide, Venson.  I'll read it and familiarize myself with it before I see the demo at the local MIELE dealer.

While some flatter themselves by comparing the S7 to the dyson ball, they are way off base.  This model [the S7] is a direct hit by MIELE on the RICCAR and Simplicity uprights.  Why?  In part because the RICCAR/Simplicity brands have taken alot of the canister market's new sales away from MIELE in recent years.  MIELE is reciprocating in kind. 

Dyson is not even on the radar screen in this skirmish save the big box store sales venue which dyson uses too.  I suspect tho that the indy vacuum stores in the USA will embrace the S7 with more enthusiasm and support than they have for dysons.

Carmine D.

mole wrote:
AND I did it for free!

You should send MIELE  a bill for your trouble. I'm sure HANS would pay it.

I really dont understand their canadian deal with the tire warehouse??.Somebody knows someone.

I can see the advertising slogan now,come in for 4 tires and get a free oil change and a MIELE S-7.

MOLE

mole wrote:
Canadian Tire has long been one of Canada's largest retailers of housewares and have always seemed to get the "up and coming'" when it comes to vaccums.  As the Meile rep told our local dealer, Miele wants volume and the independents aren't giving the numbers they want. Sears is next on the horizon for Miele, rumor is spring 09 for that to happen.  The S7 finally appeared in our CT flyer last week and was selling for $499 with a "buy one box of bags and get another free" offer. That sound you hear is Canadian Miele dealers dialing Riccar and Sebo to see if they can carry their product.

Dusty