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.

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.