Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

http://www.appliancist.com/vacuum_cleaners/electrolux-silence-amplified-musical-vacuum-cleaner-ipod-vacuum.html Electrolux have launched a cylinder vacuum cleaner with an Ipod Dock!! Frankly I like the noise of my vacuum. Perhaps this model has a loud motor?! Also: http://www.appliancist.com/vacuum_cleaners/ This model and quite a few "new" European models due to be launched in various parts of Europe soon such as the new "Ease" uprights from Electrolux, only betitled because they are bagless cyclonic uprights fitted with an auto rewinding cable. What will Electrolux think up next? We had auto cord rewinding uprights in the UK back in the 1970s!

Well, when my video about the Felix is being done, it will be shown with the extension hose and a few optional accessories I find better to use for my cleaning needs. Good luck with whatever you choose - just remember the original all white X1 Automatic has an 850 watt model, the rarer grey/black floor head model has 1000 watts. The latter one at 1000 watts is better value on power but again if need to use a mini turbo brush, the more modern X1.1 and X4 are a better bet. Like you, I'd also like to see a variable suction dial and a brush on/off function with the X series. I've mentioned it, I've emailed the company but they're happy with the X range and may well be renamed "Classic" in later years if they do try out a newer more modern upright vac. When you see the D series against the Miele S5 cylinder/canister, Sebo will get there in the end to produce something a bit more modern, but it's all a question of when...

Look forward to seeing your Felix video. Thanks and thanks again for the tips on the SEBO X series probably go for the X1.1 or the X4! That would be nice to see the X series updated to have variable suction dial and to turn the brush bar onoff, may be they will in time. Unless they see the Felix as a modern version of the X! May be they have an X replacement in the pipe line but like you say a question of when! Or may be they do not! It good to speak to another SEBO fan there doesn't seem many of us, like I said to SEBO UK the brand is so unrated and need to be promoted more IMO! Be interesting to see what SEBO will do if this european law comes in with regards to limiting motor wattage!

By the way the 'new' motors in the Felix you mentioned do you know when they launch? Are they planning a new Felix Line up or just fitting the new motor to the current range do you know?

The current 2012 models on sale now definately have the upgraded motor - earlier 2011 models may well have them too. Apparently they are a little quieter, but more importantly don't produce much air thrust.

vacmanuk wrote:
Just been alerted to day that the only way of identifying the new models is if you remove the filter at the bottom of the bin and shine a torch into the motor vent - older Felix motors use Ametek Italia motors - the newer ones dont have anything written on them other than B/S/H written to the side. UK bound models may have new serial numbers that begin with "X" or "Y".

Panasonic have at last updated some of their bagged upright vacuums, but this model uses a 3.5 litre dust bag and is priced close to the SEBO Felix:

Panasonic MC-UG614:
5.9Kg
Swivel head and 2 motor system.
7 metre cord
Tool kit
Mini turbo brush
hard floor to carpet adjuster/on/off.
3.5 litre capacity bag, 1900 watt, 250 air watts (Claimed).

I demo'd one in the John Lewis where they are selling and it's a good-ish model. Has variable suction on the handle just like the Felix. Difficult to get around furniture due to its 14" floor head though.

We have had this vacuum, under the Kenmore name, for over a year and a half now.  I see they did not even bother to change the color for the UK.  This is a very good vacuum cleaner.  I like the full-sized power nozzle.  No one can call it a wimpy power nozzle.  It cleans both carpeting and floors very well.  When the machine first came out, I thought they should have put an attachment port where the "cleanout" port was.  Well, it looks like someone listened to me, but only on the UK machines. 

Putting a fold down handle on it, would not have hurt either

Sears is offering this vacuum at a very good price.  Before the Glide was even available, it started at about $200.00.  But  like I said back then, " prices will drop as the product has been around for a while."

For what it is, it is a very good vacuum cleaner.  It is not loud by no means, but I could say that it is louder than a HOOVER Windtunnel Air. But then look at the differences, in size, of the motors, in the nozzles.   It would be fine for someone who lives in a small place like a loft or studio apartment, who does somewhat limited vacuuming.  It could be used as an "in between vacuuming" vacuum, when all you want to do is run the machine over the carpeting in the middle of the week or more. 

I like the design, Mike but what I don't like are the separate attachments. Clearly it would have added weight had Panasonic fitted them to the back of the model. For the UK price putting it into direct line with the Sebo Felix, I was also surprised to find the Panasonic doesn't have a long cord attached to it. It wouldn't have added weight had Panasonic fitted a slide in, slide out stabiliser at least - there is one but you have to manually fit it each time you want to use the hose, another fitting that has to be manually added.

Think I would still prefer my SEBO Felix over the Panasonic! DC18

DC18 wrote:
Our tumble dryer went on the blink recently so the Felix came into its own for sucking out all the dirt and giving me one quarter space left in the paper dust bag. I've since removed the paper dust bag and started using one of the synthetic dust bags just to see what it's like. As you know, the Felix dust bags have sealable caps that you can actually reopen, so I'll use the paper bag next time when it comes to cleaning out other people's home to finish it off. Already the new synthetic bag has been used for containing sucked up pet hair - the filtration aspects are better - and one of the biggest shocks is that when I increase the suction slider for the motor on the handle, the bag doesn't register "half full" like the paper bag. Nothing at all registers for the moment!