Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

http://www.vaxmachair.co.uk/

Hi,

Per Vax's online sale price, 180 British Pounds appprox., it would value at about $286.00 in our money. However, rolling the dice in consideration of the Miele's spiel I got about pricing -- tariffs, shipping, and so on -- I'd guess if we get it and Vax is willing to tighten its belt we'll get it at an initial price of $299.00.

Don't know how it cleans but I do like the 1.5 liter dust capacity as it makes it appear you may expect some less frequent emptying. I may have missed it but I read no mention of its sound levels.

A link to a PDF of the Mach's user guide follows. The guide states the cleaner's weight as 4.9 kilos (about 10 pounds). The adjustable handle also serves as the cleaning wand but the guide advises you to hold onto the cleaner when using it. Red/green light on cleaning head let's you know if the brushroll is jammed. As far as I know there's no carpet height adjustment.


http://www.vax.co.uk/downloads/pdf/U91-MA%20Mach%20Air%20Series%20User%20Guide%20-%2009.07.09.pdf

Venson

A friend sent me to the above website after I said I was looking to buy a Dyson DC24.  The Mach Air looks, on paper, to be a better offering in terms of weight (less), size (more), capacity (more), suction power (more) and guarantee (more).  But as it is so new I don't know whether to risk it as there are no reviews out there yet. 

Any thoughts?

JIBBERS wrote:
Hi Jibber,

The most practical and common sense approach would be to wait for votes to be cast unless your present vacuum has just breathed it last and you have to make an immediate decision on a new machine. I would not suggest buying this machine without at least a chance to look it over. Even the most promising looking machines may prove to be less than we expect once in use.

Also, price is a big issue. If it were just a hundred dollar item or less and it appeared serviceable after a few quick kicks of the tires as it were I might not think much of picking one up if I felt I just had to have it. A hundred bucks isn't chicken feed but you feel less bothered if you make a wrong buy. However, this machine costs three times that and even me who'll buy anything twice would have to stop and think for a minute.

Personally, I am curious to see just how sturdy this vacuum turns out to be six-year warranty or no. The vacuum cleaner I like best is the one with the long warranty you never had to use.

Venson

Also no mention of cord length/winder. 

Carmine D.

Hi Carmine,

Cord length is six meters on this model (19.69 feet). Nothing to rave about.

Venson

Mmm some interesting details/facts/claims there. Apologies for not standing up with Vax's latest claims though. Looking at Vax's own "facts" dont seem to weigh up much. For example:

"...Dust-free filters ensure suction is never compromised for quicker, more efficient cleaning.."

Yet on the third page of the manual (link kindly provided by Venson) it categorically shows two filters that need washing. I thought this model has dust free filters so why is there a need to remove and wash? 1.5 litres dust capacity - the capacity of a conventional upright? I don't think so! Less of the bagged uprights out there that are twice if not more on bag capacity, for bagless comparisons, Dirt Devil's tiny little Dynammite has a 2.3 litre capacity. Who is kidding who, Vax?!

Give it time Jibbers, there will most probably be a Hoover U.S version or a Dirt Devil version. Clearly Vax are out to topple Dyson's baby upright but I've a strong feeling knowing Vax products like I do that it will be a lot noisier than Dyson and not as well thought out.

Of note is that VAX doesn't dictate a wash schedule save depends on use.  If I read correctly, the pre-motor is washable with a 24 hour dry time, but the post HEPA is not.  And no false claims like "lifetime."

Carmine D.

Venson wrote:

Thanks Venson.  Most lightweights skimp on cord length.  At less than 20 feet, perfect candidate for a winder.

Carmine D.

JIBBERS wrote:

Hello JIBBERS:

Short of an in home free no obligation trial [read ORECK] and not knowing the strengths and weaknesses of either [DC24 and/or VAX lightweight] you are left with one and only one viable option.  Find a retailer that sells both and inquire which is better.  Even then, we are all different in our likes and dislikes.  Money permitting buy both from the retailer with the understanding that you will keep the one you like best [if in fact you do] and return the one that you don't.  In the present hard times, I suspect the retailer will agree just to make a sale AND learn why you prefer one over the other.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:
Contrary to what some will have you believe Oreck is not the only store to allow 30 day free trial.  The DC24 is available in Best Buy and Sears stores.