Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Hey HS:

With age comes wisdom.  Sadly, you're the exception!  ORECK's simplicity is an attribute.  Allows belts and bags [both of which are readily available and very inexpensive] to be changed quickly and easily by users.  Of course in order to work properly, the user must turn the ORECK on and move it across the rugs/floors.  You don't swing it like a golf club!

HOOVER says its belt is lifetime, an edge over ORECK.  I said already HOOVER's HEPA bag copies ORECK with the self-sealing opening during replacement/dumping.  As does HOOVER's 2 for 1 promotion with the cann vacuum.  Both equal.  HOOVER has WT technology.  Edge to HOOVER.  HOOVER has a 40 ft cord.  Edge to HOOVER.

DC24 gets fair to middlin ratings from CR in part because the vacuum industry, even dyson, hasn't produced a lightweight vacuum with on-board tools that works well in both rug and tool cleaning modes.  It will probably be knocked out now with both HOOVER and ORECK competing. Unless a buyer specifically likes an upright and wants OBT.

The HOOVER/TTI cordless WT Stick for $179 may defy the industry up to now.  Have to see it up close and personal before judging whether it accomplishes this feat: A lightweight that does both cleaning well and is cordless too for $179. 

Carmine D.

I like the quietness and the manual height adjustment.  Also like the switched brush control. I have been using a Royal and a Kirby for almost 2 years.  My first use of the Whisper resulted in vacuuming up a lot of fine dust and carpet lint/fuzz. This is declining with each use. I have noticed that if there is something like string or sock lint on the carpet it often takes more than one pass to remove it.  Same thing is true on tile or wood floors.  When using the crevice tool the suction blockage indicator red light remains on almost constantly and any debris in the bin stops spinning.  In fact the spinning practically stops at less than 1/4 full. It is very easy to maneuver around.  Edge and corner cleaning is very good.  In fact it seems to have more suction in this use than on the open floor. When emptying you have to manually pull the heavier piles of carpet lint out.  I am concerned about the pre filter.  It gets dirty way too soon IMO.  I have already vacuumed it out with my Royal.  Recommended washing is every 3 months.  I think it will be required more often for top performance. I never had this problem with the DC07.  The hose is easier to use than Dyson's. A longer electrical cord would be nice.  Carpets look better groomed than with the Royal or Kirby.  Also feel better (nop feels fluffier) when walking bare foot. 

The Whisper is a good value (if the pre filter does not become an issue).  Like all others, it is not perfect,  It is the best Dyson copy yet.  Certainly better than the Fusion at a cheaper price.

Hello HS:

Thanks for the review.  For $98, a vacuum buyer doesn't want perfection.  For $400-$600, a vacuum buyer expects perfection and gets very disappointed when the expectations aren't met.  For $900 plus, a vacuum buyer expects and demands perfection and gets it.  Venson's comments about the MIELE S7 Tango.

Venson wrote:

Carmine D.

I was never disappointed with my Dyson.  Venson likes his Miele.  Score is even.  I would be more disappointed with a $900 or more vac that had no better cleaning performance than the DC07.  Have you noticed that I am not thrillled with a $2000 Kirby?

Whose fault?  Did the Kirby sales person hold a gun to your head and take your money?  Or do you make a habit of buying things you don't really like.  Score one for Venson and his MIELE S7 Tango!  He knows what he likes and then buys it.  You buy it then determine if you like it!

Carmine D.

The Hoover 'Z'!? Carmine, you didn't really say ,as was attributed to you, that the Hoover Z would be the undoing of Dyson? When I first looked at it, I thought the design engineers and the marketing people had shared a bad batch of crack! It LOOKED heavy as an upright. Perception is reality. And the user is no more likley to compress the handle down into the quasimodo lookalike for attachment use than a Kirby user is to install the portable handle to use the hose. I tagged it as loser from the get-go.

KIrbys are demoed in the home so the customer wii see how well it gets their dirt out of their carpet. There is a 3 day recision clause, and if it was purchased with a major credit card there is a 30-day window for cancellation. If the Kirby is properly adjusted to the carpet, and the belt and bag are in working order, the performance should range from very good to excellent. The Royal, too is a very good upright.

Carmine, I have looked at the Orecks on a few ocassions, and while adequate, I just don't think they warrant the price. A sebo upright offers onboard (and better) tools(including an articulating dusting brush) better filtration, a true auto-height adjustment (X series) NO belt replacements, ever (or they are covered) lights that indicate bag/filter or brushroll replacement, lockouts which prevent usage without bag or filter in place plus instant no-tools cord/switch/handle replacement should it ever be required. The unit can be totally disassembled w/o tools and reassembled in under 3min. There is a clog cleanout underneath and the brushroll can be removed without tools or even turning the unit over. What's the Oreck got that Sebo X or Felix series doesn't?

Hello Trebor: 

You missed much of the discussions about dyson and HOOVER and its Z during your sabbatical, so I synopsized in context [not pretext] for 6 plus years and messaged you.  I posted here but it was too long.

WRT ORECK, my dear Wife always liked it.  It was demoed by my friend [see my off line message] in his store [who loaned us the DC07].  She liked it instantly.  In April 2007, after hearing ORECK bashed over and over again here constantly, ORECK in concert with the US Humane Society, offered the XL Classic to me [and others] for $150.  Since it had been years since my familiarization with ORECK-s, I bought one.  I used it, [still do] like it and bought 3 more [same price] as gifts to family members.  We're all pleased with them.  For many years I recommended to persons here thinking about ORECK to shop them at estate sales.  They can be bought, in like new condition, for $25-$50.  BTW, I met Dave back in the day when he was breaking into the business.  I've always liked and respected him, tho I never sold new ORECKs in my store.  Just parts, repairs and used.

Dyson's DC07 is discontinued and if still around on sale for clearance prices.  Gone, finito.  The HOOVER Z, despite its lackluster sales reception, is still available on HOOVER's Web Site.  The Z has a future, DC07 a past.  With HOOVER, I'm reluctant to pronounce last rites on any of its products.  The HOOVER electric floor washer from the late 50's early 60's died, was buried, and resurrected in 2002 as the HOOVER Floormate.  I sold the former [floorwasher] in my store, and use the latter [floormate] in my home now.  It's one of the best floorcare products on the market today for the price.   

SEBO makes excellent vacuums IMHO.  Top shelf.  Worth the price.  SEBO is the brand of choice for the White House.  Felix is a top notch lightweight IMHO.  I have always said these and the RICCAR/SIMPLICITY lightweights are a notch above ORECK.

Carmine D.