Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Hoover seems to be expanding it's  Dyson clones, and phasing out the filter in the dustbin models.  In addition to getting the Dyson like dirt collection system with washable filters, you get the Hoover Windtunnel and industry gold standard brush roll.  the price is considerably cheaper than a comparable Dyson model.      Not sure about all versions, but the pet version offers a carbon filter.   The EZ belt change system sounds like a needed improvement over the old plastic tabs that broke after several belt changes.  At Best Buy, this vacuum is offered as one of their appliance package deals if you need a new washer, dryer, and vacuum with a package discount.

Will be interesting to see how this vacuum does in CR tests. 

Any comments from any users of this vacuum?    I haven't had a chance to test one out in person yet.

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http://www.hoover.com/productcategory.aspx?use=95&ds=false

From Best buy site:  http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Hoover+-+T4+Pet+WindTunnel+HEPA+Bagless+Upright+Vacuum+-+Billowy+Blue/9497797.p?id=1218114705492&skuId=9497797

Product Features

• 12 amps of power
  Thoroughly clean your carpets.
• Dual Stage Cyclonic Filtration
  Bagless system to empty easily after you vacuum.
• Washable lifetime HEPA filter
  Can be washed clean to help preserve a healthy living environment.
• Carbon filter
  Reduces musty pet odors.
• 13-1/2" cleaning path
  Covers a large area with each pass.
• 27' cord
  Rewinds for neat storage.
• Folding handle
  Creates a space-saving design.
• Multilevel height adjustment
  Lets you change the height level for bare floors and different carpet lengths.
• Pet tools
  Feature rubber blades to ensure safe cleaning on upholstery.
• Wand attachment
  Helps you clean fixtures that are out of reach.
• EZ belt change system and brush roll access
  Along with a system check indicator for easy vacuum maintenance.
• Headlight
  Helps you vacuum at night or in dark areas.

Severus wrote:

Hi Severus,

I actually saw one of these in Best Buy yesterday but didn't get a chance to try it out.  It's displayed on an uncarpeted aisle and I did not have time to track down a sales person who'd have had to haul it to the back of the store where there is an actually carpeted area.  (How much do I love BestBuy?  Guess!)

Anyway, I'm glad for your mention as it prompted me to go to the Hoover site.  This machine is advertised as being light, high-powered and having a 27-foot cord -- nice.  My only problem is is that are not one but five versions of this vacuum.  Prices range from approximately 160 bucks to 100.  Not bad.

My main peeve would be --  why so many?  The top of the line is for all intent and purpose cheap in price at $160.00.  The $100.00 on would d have sufficed.  This is not an indictment just in regard to Hoover.  I visited the Eureka website ( http://www.eureka.com )  day before yesterday and they're doing the same thing -- a hundred different spins on the same machines.  Makes for a large product roster but causes all kinds of confusion for potentail customers.

T Series web page:

http://www.hoover.com/productcategory.aspx?use=95&ds=true

Owners manual:

http://www.hoover.com/pdfs/manuals/UH70210.pdf

Best,

Venson

Venson wrote:

Hello Venson:

Perhaps the variety of these bagless WT T series models for different retailers.  Rather than one for all, one for each.  Assortment of colors too for those who like particular colors.  Very impressive vacuum for the money.  See what Consumer Reports says perhaps as early as next month's edition.  I can't blame HOOVER UK for passing on the dyson bagless technology and instead waiting for the technology to be in the public arena.  It's allowed knock offs like HOOVER and others [Shark Navigator comes to mind] to produce and sell for very affordable prices in the big box retail stores:  Dyson's venue of sales choice from 2002 in USA.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

Hi Carmine,

That could well be true but what about online sales?  They are being sold there for teh prices I mentioned and shipping is free.  Sales take depending upon where you live may be an issue  but if I wanted one I'd make the purchase one-two-three.  For the online selling scenario I think the "over offering" could well cause confusion.  You'd have to pore over the details of each to decide which would be the better not just regarding the matter of price.

You can sell me just about anything as long as you make it easy. However, as you mentioned, BestBuy and my local Costco only have one model on display.

Venson

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/home/2009/12/new-consumer-reports-vacuum-testing-lab-debuts-with-easy-to-push-miele-and-hoover-vacuums.html

CR comments on this vac.

Severus wrote:

Thanks Severus.  I wonder if they'd have had an even better better opinion if they'd tested the slightly more expensive but affordale Hoover T model with the longer cord and a brushroll shut-off.  It's like shooting yourself in the foot..  This is why I feel that Hoover offered too many choices.

Venson

Venson,

I blame CR for picking a more basic model.  They do the same thing with the Miele canisters - picking only models with the tiny power nozzle. 

Severus wrote:

True.

This model line up seems to have many components similar to Vax's New Mach Air upright, I wouldn't be surprised if Vax will be rolling out something similar in the UK since Hoover U.S and Vax are now under TTi.

Severus wrote: Venson wrote:
The Venson Severus conversations are hilarious!  Surely playing a game of ping-pong would prove impossible, that is unless you’re able to play both players at the speed of light.

Any word on the class action lawsuit[s] against Oreck?


Dyson Invents Big

DysonInventsBig wrote:

Yeah, yeah DIB.  Just call me Norman Bates.

Venson

DysonInventsBig wrote:

Dustmite,

Are you off your meds again?  One would think that Dyson would provide you with a decent health care plan including mental health coverage given the premium prices they charge...

SEVERUS:

Thanks for the link to CR commentary.  Like you and Venson I have to wonder why CR chose the model it did for testing and/or not add a comment that for a slightly more price these features, if important to you, are offered in other same brand models.  Of course, consumers will figure this out for themselves and buy according.   

The green model CR chose is the one available in BEST BUY and COSTCO stores so that may be the reason CR selected it for testing: Availabilty.  It appears from the HOOVER site that one or more of the new models are not available/sold out.  Venson, consumers must be thinking the same as you.  Free shipping with the price: Buy!

Carmine D.

Picked up the local newspaper prior to watching the President and noted Fry's has the WT T series model upright for sale for $79.  Model UH70105.  It has a 27 foot cord and brush roll shut off.

Here's the link: 

http://www.frys.com/product/6063548?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

Hi Carmine,

Per the Hoover website, this model has a 27-foot cord but a brushroll shut-off is not mentioned.  CR has at least erred in this unless the website spec are actually incorrect.

http://www.hoover.com/product.aspx?model=UH70120&ds=true

Venson

Venson wrote:

Hi Venson:

You're right.  I noticed my mistake after rereading the specs and went back in and edited/corrected but apparently it didn't take when I posted.  The specs say brush roll access, not shut off.  Thanks for noting the correction.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:
Consumer Reports needs to get the story right and be accurate.  they do have a reputation to uphold.    I think that CR is attempting to modernize and improve with their new 1500 sf facility for testing vacuums, but they need to get the details right.  they are also taking a big chance in allowing users to provide reviews on their web site.  Turning reviews over to amateurs is a big career risk - given that consumers don't really do any true head to head testing. 

Just watching the supposed head to head testing on youtube, it becomes obvious very quickly that consumers have bought into the trick of door to door vacuum salespersons - that if a second vacuum picks up dirt that the first one didn't pick up, that it's better.  Given that it takes many vacuum passes to overcome inertia and work the dirt up through the carpeting, it is not a valid comparison method.  With this testing, you don't know whether the first vacuum would have picked up more of the remaining dirt than the second vacuum. Give each vacuum the same opportunity to perform if you want a valid test.   Given that people see the dirt in the bagless machines, but don't see the dirt in the other machines, they are fooled easily. 

While I don't like everything that CR does, I think the carpeting cleaning tests are very good.    The bare floor tests are only useful if you don't plan to use the bare floor tools that come with better vacuums. 

Severus wrote:

SEVERUS:

You're on to something.  Consumer Reports will need expert vacuum industry advice to counter many of the weaknesses and fallacies of consumers' vacuum opinions.  Maybe I should dust off my resume and submit to CR and wait for a call.

Carmine D.

BTW can I just point out a couple of things?

1. Even though we don't have these latest Hoover models in the UK, the latest Vax Mach series are similar based on the TTi ownership deals. Now, as far as I'm concerned based on my DC04, the filter on that only needs changing once a year and can be washed & dried before installing back in.
2. Having only just downloaded Hoover's user manual for the top of the range UH70210/"Windtunnel T Series Pet Rewind Bagless Upright," and look to page 9 it states that the filter on this vacuum would need to be cleaned every 2 months. Not much of a Dyson rival then despite the cheaper cost
   

vacmanuk wrote:
Most of the Dysons sold in the US state that the filter should be cleaned something like every 3 months.   Compared to the old designs that required cleaning the filter after each use, cleaning the filter every 2 months or so doesn't seem all that bad to me - if you can stand bagless. 

Severus wrote:

As is dumping the dirt bin daily.  If you don't mind daily dirt bin dumping, filter cleaning every 2-3 months is no bother.  The issue IMHO is at what price?  At what price does it become a nuisance to clean filters and dump bins?  $50? $100? $250?  $500?  That's the question people buying bagless have to answer. 

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:
I would not take one of the Hoovers with screen/pleated filter for free.  The filter needs cleaning between vacuuming rooms.

HARDSELL wrote:

Neither would I for the same reasons.  See we do agree on some things.  There's still hope for you.  Look up.

Carmine D.

Regardless of paper clogging/whatever, this is why a bagged vacuum is so much cleaner.

vacmanuk wrote:

Amen.........agree with that.

Carmine D.