Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

How long until someone exposes the rubbish and lies of [vacuum cleaner] *clubbers and *dealers who use YouTube as their platform? 


DIB

*Not all, just many (are dirty).

PS:  Note ASA uses agitator, a HOOVER term, in referring to brush roll cleaning.

Carmine D.

WRT myths, a longstanding industry tale was that suction alone could clean rugs.  Some whose fave brand talked one time about not losing suction made this point too when they praised 270 Air Watts and kow towed the wimpy brush.

Clearly the ASA ruling squashes the suction myth for cleaning carpets.  Ironic?  Yes, but also a good ASA ruling.

Carmine D.

'CarmineD wrote:

'Agitator', with a capital 'A', was certainly a Hoover term orginally, but now it's used interchangably with the terms 'brush roll' and 'brush bar' by many manufacturers; see for example the catalog listing for the Panasonic Icon models below, which references their 'beltless direct drive agitator'. Hoover abandoned the term, at least in the UK, in the early 1980s with the introduction of the Turbopower/Turbomaster uprights, which used the all-new 'Activator', which was a modern progression on the original Agitator design. Hoover UK sadly no longer use any form of beater on their upright brush bars.

CarmineD wrote:

I don't have the Consumer Reports findings on the Electrolux Intensity, but here's Which? Magazine's verdict:

Test criteria	Rating
Cleaning
Carpet
Laminate floors
Floorboards
Walls and corners
Performance
Allergen retention
Pet hair
Noise
Ease of use
General use
Emptying
Cleaning stairs
Manoeuvrability

I personally have an Electrolux Intensity, and I can confirm it does do a passable job on carpets. However, the RRP of £286 is laughable for a cleaner with such miniscule bags and no on-board tools. The cord is much, much too short, and it's incredibly heavy to push the bulky motor-unit/nozzle from the rear of the machine, especially when the front is glued to the carpet by the much vaunted suction! Also, it's main party-trick is it's ability to fold up small for storage. However, since you have to purchase an additional canister cleaner for 'above floor' cleaning, you lose the space you save by buying this expensive compact in the first place! It also weighs at least as much as a full-size upright. Save your money and go for a decent all-rounder.

Model2,

I am always thankful hearing and seeing vacuum related information from the UK.  Thanks!

I’d like to reciprocate.  Below is a snapshot from 9/2007 CR Canada (for you too Carmine)...

DIB

< click to enlarge

DIB - glad to help! Thanks for posting that CR excerpt; I'm interested to see that the two top-scoring uprights are the Kenmore Progressives with 'Direct Drive'  - the beltless agitator is exactly the same design used by the Panasonic Icon in the catalogue page I posted above!! The Icon was a fantastic machine; I have 3 of them!  

Thank you. I pulled out my archived CR for October 2007 and see the Electrolux Intensity review.  Memory isn't what it was.  My vague recollection of the model is it's excellent rug cleaning ability and electronic finger tip controls and very smallish bag.  Tho as the ASA said, even with a bag in need of replacement it had 50 percent more suction power than a DC14 and other comparable vacuum brands and models.  A testament to the better paper bag quality on the market in today's industry.

Carmine D.

Model2 wrote:

Panasonic Icons are bagged upright vacuums [not bagless].  WRT the term "agitator", nice to see that HOOVER's legacy is still alive and well in the industry.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

Panasonic made the Icon in 3 bagged models, and 3 bagless. I have two bagged examples (the same models pictured), and a mid-ranged bagless. I wasn't commenting on their performance in comparison to anything else discussed in this thread, I was just saying they were a fantastic machine. I'm pleased to see their Direct Drive agitator is still in use on the market; it's just a shame they were discontinued in the UK in 2001.

WRT Hoover's legacy, every upright vacuum out there can trace its family tree back to the Model O!

Model2 wrote:
Direct drive uprights have been made under the Kenmore brand for some time and have continually rated well in our main consumer magazine.  I however do not have any info as to their record in regard to repair.

Venson