Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Hoover (TTI) introduced a new vac a few months ago called the Linx.
And Electrolux has had the Pronto around a while (Costco's version uses a 12 volt battery .vs. 9.6 volt version in most retail outlets)

As it was getting tiring lugging the Miele/Bosch/Sebo up and down the stairs of my townhouse, I picked these up for various cleaning duties.

The Linx claims to be a Windtunnel design and actually did a pretty decent job on rugs and bare floors. 
It's relatively light weight, uses a simple Cyclone that so far seems to handle fine dust without immediately clogging its secondary filter.

The Pronto is either stick or handheld.  It uses a dust cone which is a pain to clean (pull a tab out and release, whack whack whack until no more dust comes out of the screened enclosure).

Both these vacs run for around 15 minutes per charge.  Linx uses exchangable Lithium Ion pack that pulse-charges in 3 hours, Pronto an enclosed NiCad taking all night to trickle-charge.

....and while I have seen the Dyson handheld, it really didn't fit this as it has no floor capability, uses up battery really fast (new versions supposedly do better), and has a shrieking motor (the Linx and Pronto,
while noisy, are bearable).

The Dirt Devil Kruz is an 8 pound bagless cordless rechargeable with an MSRP of $99 that competes in the lightweight stick.  On sale it sells for less.  Straight suction with brush strips in a triangular floor nozzle and glider wheels similar to the lightweight uprights.  A fan of quick pick ups on floors.  Women enjoy using, I've note.  Not recommended on rugs.  Generally gets about 15-20 minutes on a charge.  Sleek looking.  2 year guaranty.

An old model in this stick bagless cordless category too with an MSRP of $40 but available for less is the HOOVER slider.  Less than 3 pounds.  About 15-20 minutes.  Revolving brush works well on carpets and pet hair.  One year guaranty.

As with most of the rechargeables, over time the need to charge and overcharge reduces run time.  After 2 years of regualr use, the HOOVER's run time is about half. 

Not sure HOOVER/TTI will intro a Slider with its AccuCharge battery technology.  If it does an d keeps the price at the $50-$75 MSRP, it would be a excellent tool to all household cleaning repertoires.

Carmine D. 

Dirt Devil makes a cordless stick vac with a powered brushroll, and I have seen a version by Hoover in WalMart. Anyone familiar with it? Any comments?

Trebor:

Haven't seen it.  I'll check it out next time at W*M!  Thanks for the heads-up.

Carmine D.

I'm pretty sure that Linx is just the type of battery that it uses, and that the machine is actually called the Hoover Platinum stick vac.... anyone want to correct me if I'm wrong...?

By the way.... I have the Dirt Devil stick vac that can be found at Wal-mart... I found it in the trash at my apartment complex.  Once I got all the hair from around the brushroll, charged it, and washed the filters I used it.  I was pretty impressed for someone who isn't a Dirt Devil fan...  it worked quite well on my thin carpet and kitchen floor.  I can also use it to get cat hair off the ottomon or bed.  The battery only lasts 7 minutes and takes forever to recharge, and the filter does clog if you try to suck up anything like flour or baby powder.  However, for cleaing around the front door and litter box, it just can't be beat, I'm pretty sure it's only like 30 dollars new !  I use it every day almost.

Vacuumfreeeke wrote: Yes, you are right - the vac's box labels it as Hoover Platinum stick vac.
Most of the older stick vacs used NiCad batteries and trickle chargers. NiCad batteries simply don't last unless they are charged with pulse chargers (Dirt Devil's the only Mfr I've found so far using pulse chargers on some of its newer hand vacs).

BTW the Hoover Platinum Stick vac uses a cogged belt to drive its brush. :-)

Here's the Dirt Devil/TTI stick:

The HOOVER Platinum Linx Stick vac with an MSRP for $179 is used by several retailers as a promo for new appliance sales.  Buy $1000 worth of kitchen/household appliances, and receive free.  BEST BUY has used it recently.  I believe other retailers too.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:
Must not be selling too well at the retail level.

Makes no difference inb this case HS.  Somebody had to buy to gift them away!  Still a sale.

Carmine D.