Hi,
Go UK go! I came across a Hoover UK press release from last Friday that announces the arrival of the Freejet (FJ120R2). It's a 12-volt rechargeable stick vac that weighs in at a little under six pounds and uses an NiMH battery to accomplish up to 20 minutes of run time. With approximately 10 to 15 minutes of run time being the being the rule as far as what's available on the rechargeable vac market, 20 minutes of operating time from a single battery pack is a significant step forward.
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20100205/ttc-hoover-goes-lightweight-e1d36ba.htmlhttp://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20100205/ttc-hoover-goes-lightweight-e1d36ba.html
Currently selling for £99.99, this cleaner has an attractive design and can, I believe, be knocked down for handheld use -- a dusting brush and crevice tool are inlcuded. The Freejet also has a power nozzle with agitator on-off switch.The ability to also easily break the machine down improve storage possibilities.
If the Freejet is a good performer, I wonder if the Platinum stick vac sold here, though it comes with two battery packs for longer run time, may be modified.
Here's link to the Hoover UK page for the Freejet:
http://www.hoover.co.uk/Product.aspx?Product=610
Best,
Venson
