Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Hardsell,

The interesting thing about the Shark ad is that they claim to be equal to the Dyson Ball in everything but price.  However, they compare themselves to the  the Hoover Windtunnel bagless.   Technically, they compare themselves to a Hoover Windtunnel bagless with 4 cups of flour crammed in the pleated filter.  They make a point to empty the canister very gently to ensure that they do not perturb the flour caked onto the filter. 

Personally, I would have liked to see them go head to head against the Dysons in the tests, but the Hoover is higher rated in the Consumer Reports ratings. 

The Bissell Dyson clone - the Healthy Home would is another good choice for consumers who want a no loss of suction bagless that cleans better than the Dyson.   While the Dyson may offer the original non water based no loss of suction filtration system,  most of the clones outperform the corresponding Dysons on carpeting according to Consumer Reports.  Given the state of the economy, many consumers don't mind a knockoff that is equivalent to the Dyson in no loss of suction, particularly given the huge discounts.   In my humble opinion, Dyson has a tendency to overengineer simple things to "justify" the high cost of his vacuums.  The complexity isn't always a plus.  Dyson makes a good bagless vacuum, but there's no justification for the huge price differential. 

Hardsell,

Just curious - do you think Hoover under TTI is better off than it was under Maytag?   How are you liking your Hoover platinum lightweight vacuum?

Remember how Carmine claimed that Gary cheated against Oreck and Dyson.  Why do you think Shark would not?  I would not take a free vac with pleated filter.  I used a Bissell HH agains the DC07 and my preference was the 07.  I believe little to nothing reported by CR as I have not achieved the same results in real world use as they report.  THIS IS NOT LIMITED TO VACUUMS.

I agree that knock offs very often best the originals.  I still think that the DC07 was an excellent vacuum.  It has been downhill for Dyson ever since IMO.  JD has let his ego stand in  the way of success.  I am not married to any brand and have no reservations with changing to what best serves my needs.  I have defended Dyson not because it is the best but simply I do not think it is as bad as those who never profited from it would have the world believe.  What has or does satisfy me will not do the same for all. I would advise everyone to try (regardless of commodity) for yourself and take what any other says with a grain of salt.

Other than the Platinum series I do not notice any improvements to Hoover.  Please remember this is coming from a user only.  Sometimes user views are as accurate as those blinded by what they sell (or sold) IMO.  I like the platinum very much.  I finally sold the Kirby.  Still have the Rainbow and Royal.   The platinum leaves the carpet looking more groomed than the others.  In three months the platinum bag has collected a lot of dust and debris.  Unscientifically it seems to be picking up more thatn the others. The lack of brush turn off is one of the biggest faults on the platinum.  Still it cleans hard surfaces without problem. However, I am concerned about the brush damaging my wood flooring.  Recently I gave it an inspection.  I removed the sole plate and found what I consider too much dirt, dust and carpet fuzz trapped under it.  I did this because I could see fuzz hung in the inlet behind the brush.  Time will tell if this will be a problem.  The canister that is included is powerful.  I use it to clean hard surfaces due to the brushes on the upright.  Like all others that I have used the wheels do leave tracks on the carpet.

Recently I saw the Oreck XL Signature at Target.  I then visited an Oreck center to ask the difference in it and what they sold.  I got the expected song and dance about why his was better.  Longer warranty. 1 year at store vs 3 at Target in same price range (can you figure this out).  Better brush (reduces or prohibits germ build up). How long before this coating wears off as bristles wear?  Better outer bag.  Again his was perforated where Target bag is same as his more expensive Oreck .  Store manager told me that Signature was not recommended for hard surfaces because the single speed would cause debris/dust to be scattered with no low speed. I said that I would use the hand held for that chore.  He commented that it was not durable for running that length of time and would likely burn out the motor.  I mentioned that the platinum did just fine on hard surfaces on high.  It was amusing to listen to him back up on his original statements.  I guess as an independent there is nothing wrong with his lies to upgrade a sale. 

I went directly to Target and bought a XL Signature.  My opinion has not changed from my experience with the XL21.  Oreck simply does not perform.  I have a very short pile rug over tile in one room.  The Oreck is almost impossible to push/pull on it.  It bounces and skips across my other carpet when pulling back.  It sounds as if it is scraping the finish off the wood floors.  The cord must weight 5 lbs.  The hand held has very very low suction power.  The XL bag could pass for new after 3 uses.  No cleaning power.

Remember how Carmine claimed that Gary cheated against Oreck and Dyson.  Why do you think Shark would not?  I would not take a free vac with pleated filter.  I used a Bissell HH agains the DC07 and my preference was the 07.  I believe little to nothing reported by CR as I have not achieved the same results in real world use as they report.  THIS IS NOT LIMITED TO VACUUMS.

I agree that knock offs very often best the originals.  I still think that the DC07 was an excellent vacuum.  It has been downhill for Dyson ever since IMO.  JD has let his ego stand in  the way of success.  I am not married to any brand and have no reservations with changing to what best serves my needs.  I have defended Dyson not because it is the best but simply I do not think it is as bad as those who never profited from it would have the world believe.  What has or does satisfy me will not do the same for all. I would advise everyone to try (regardless of commodity) for yourself and take what any other says with a grain of salt.

Other than the Platinum series I do not notice any improvements to Hoover.  Please remember this is coming from a user only.  Sometimes user views are as accurate as those blinded by what they sell (or sold) IMO.  I like the platinum very much.  I finally sold the Kirby.  Still have the Rainbow and Royal.   The platinum leaves the carpet looking more groomed than the others.  In three months the platinum bag has collected a lot of dust and debris.  Unscientifically it seems to be picking up more thatn the others. The lack of brush turn off is one of the biggest faults on the platinum.  Still it cleans hard surfaces without problem. However, I am concerned about the brush damaging my wood flooring.  Recently I gave it an inspection.  I removed the sole plate and found what I consider too much dirt, dust and carpet fuzz trapped under it.  I did this because I could see fuzz hung in the inlet behind the brush.  Time will tell if this will be a problem.  The canister that is included is powerful.  I use it to clean hard surfaces due to the brushes on the upright.  Like all others that I have used the wheels do leave tracks on the carpet.

Recently I saw the Oreck XL Signature at Target.  I then visited an Oreck center to ask the difference in it and what they sold.  I got the expected song and dance about why his was better.  Longer warranty. 1 year at store vs 3 at Target in same price range (can you figure this out).  Better brush (reduces or prohibits germ build up). How long before this coating wears off as bristles wear?  Better outer bag.  Again his was perforated where Target bag is same as his more expensive Oreck .  Store manager told me that Signature was not recommended for hard surfaces because the single speed would cause debris/dust to be scattered with no low speed. I said that I would use the hand held for that chore.  He commented that it was not durable for running that length of time and would likely burn out the motor.  I mentioned that the platinum did just fine on hard surfaces on high.  It was amusing to listen to him back up on his original statements.  I guess as an independent there is nothing wrong with his lies to upgrade a sale. 

I went directly to Target and bought a XL Signature.  My opinion has not changed from my experience with the XL21.  Oreck simply does not perform.  I have a very short pile rug over tile in one room.  The Oreck is almost impossible to push/pull on it.  It bounces and skips across my other carpet when pulling back.  It sounds as if it is scraping the finish off the wood floors.  The cord must weight 5 lbs.  The hand held has very very low suction power.  The XL bag could pass for new after 3 uses.  No cleaning power.

Thanks for your comments.   Oreck seems to be making some of the mistakes that Aerus/Lux made in going the big box store route (i.e. undercutting the Oreck stores).     Has there been a change in management at Oreck?   David Oreck is a very shrewd salesman.   I can't believe he would allow the company stores to have worse deals than Target. 

Aerus went BBS???? Isn't there an Asian controlled Big Money Holding Co syndicate running Oreck now? I'm pretty sure their responsible.

Thanks for your comments.   Oreck seems to be making some of the mistakes that Aerus/Lux made in going the big box store route (i.e. undercutting the Oreck stores).     Has there been a change in management at Oreck?   David Oreck is a very shrewd salesman.   I can't believe he would allow the company stores to have worse deals than Target. 

Given that you can achieve "no loss of suction" performance with this vacuum at 1/3 the price, it seems like a good choice.   Has anyone put one of these head to head against a Dyson Ball to compare performance?    Unfortunately, Consumer Reports did not test the Shark Navigator.   If I were in the market for a Dyson Ball,  I would give one of these a chance first.  Given the venues that will give you a 30 day or longer money back guarantee, it seems like a no lose opportunity. 

Apparently Dyson needs to charge higher prices in order to afford the high cost of robots to place in future Dyson stores.