Good afternoon everybody! I was hoping for some help.  I am a little torn between buy an Oreck Edge and a Kirby Sentria.  I have wanted a Kirby for a very long time, and I know how heavy it is (which seems to be the major critism everybody makes) as I used one growing up.  I believe the Kirby will keep my carpets very clean and that it will last a long time.  I would buy used/refurbished and therefore there would be no (or a very minor) warrenty.

However, today I decided to stop by an Oreck store and was very impressed with the Oreck Edge, which is the only Oreck that would work on my deep pile carpeting.  I am not convinced that it would do as well of a job and since it's a newer "edition" it doesn't appear yet on with a Seal of Approval on the Carpet and Rug Institute webpage (although many other Orecks do).  A Seal of Approval would be very important to me because I feel like they don't have a vested interest in what I buy.  (Consumer Reports doesn't seem to rate the higher end vacuums, which is disapointing).

Has anybody had experience with a deep cut-pile carpeting and what vacuum would work best? (I also glanced at a Riccar, but didn't fall in love). Anything you can do to sway me one was or the other would be helpful.  Please don't tell me the Kirby is heavy, I doubt the current version can be any heavier than the 1970s version I grew up pushing with no self propelling feature.

What do you get with a tune-up?

Oreck professionals at the Oreck Clean Home Center nearest you will:

• Replace the belt – Your vacuum’s belt should be changed every 6 to 12 months. This helps to keep the brush turning at maximum speed, which allows for greater agitation (cleaning) of your carpets.
• Replace the worn or damaged seals – This keeps the dust that is being picked up inside the vacuum. Allows the motor to remain cleaner and also allows for better dust containment.
• Replace the inner bag – Putting a fresh inner bag in your vacuum removes the old dust or dirt and musty odor.
• Clean the roller brush – Cleaning the roller brush removes the hair, string and lint build-up so that the brush bearings move freely and keep the brush moving at its maximum speed. This allows for better agitation and dirt removal, which results in cleaner floors.
• Check roller brush bearings – This allows the brush bearings to move freely and keeps the brush rotating properly and at its maximum speed.
• Polish the commutator – This helps increase the RPMs of the motor and allows for better agitation and airflow.
• Check all electrical connections – You’ll have comfort knowing that the vacuum is safe and that a loose connection will not stop you from tackling those dirty carpets and bare floors.
• Clean housing and base plate inside and out – This removes old dirt, makes the vacuum more sanitary, and keeps it looking nice for years to come.
• Clean outer bag and bag dock – As dust escapes from the inner bag, it is trapped by the outer bag. Removing this dirt, dust, pet dander etc. helps to keep the pores of the bag breathing and also helps to remove the musty odor.

How to get your free tune-ups

Step 1: Visit our store locator to search for an Oreck Store nearest you or call 1-800-289-5888. There are over 400 Oreck Stores nationwide.

Step 2: Once you have located your local Oreck Store, simply take your upright in and they will give you a tune-up at no additional charge*. Each tune-up is a $40 value.

In deference to my good friend MOLE WRT the value of ORECK and price:

If we assume as my good friend MOLE says that ORECK is a good $199 vacuum then adding the 10 free annual tune ups for $40 each would raise the ante to $599.  Then throw in the Edge canister handheld free.  You're still ahead.  Do you need an annual tuneup?  Maybe. Maybe not.  Can't hurt if you want to keep your vacuum for the long term.  As I imagine you do.  Am I recommending the ORECK.  Yes, over the Kirby Sentria.  Yes, over the HOOVER bagged lightweight Platinum.  Over the EUREKA Sanitare?  Depends on your cleaning needs.  Maybe yes maybe no.  Over the ProTeam.  No.  Definitely ProTeam over the ORECK Edge for the money.  

Carmine D.

Buy the Platinum and save the high cost of the Oreck.  You will have enough left to buy another IF the Hoover fails within 10 years.

The Platinum does not need an annual tune up.  BTW did I mention that it also cleans whereas the Oreck sweeps the dirt back into the carpet?

HARDSELL wrote:

Hello HARDSELL:

You have consistently impugned ORECK uprights for deep cleaning.  A false argument as I've stated many times in the past.  Because so often deep cleaning is as much a function of user technique as the technical product features.  You say that the HOOVER Platinum bagged lighweight is better than ORECK XL for deep cleaning.  I say, based on my experience, it is as good if not a tad bit better then ORECK XL due to the patented windtunnel technology.  But, sir, you will have to explain to me and others in a cogent and factual way why a vacuum, the HOOVER Platinum bagged lightweight, that is a TTI/HOOVER knock off copy of the ORECK, with similar amps [for motor and suction] and more importantly ame design and function for carpet cleaning [including nozzle, height and motor speeds, can do so much better a job in deep cleaning carpets than the model it copies.  You haven't done that yet.  Here's your chance. 

Carmine D.

PS: On another note, it's nice to finally see and hear you recommend HOOVER's for their price, performance and quality over some of the other brands you bought used and sold.    I might add too that you and Consumer Reports are on the same page too WRT to the the HOOVER lightweight bagged.  Also a milestone for you after you impugned the veracity of CR for its vacuum testings and ratings. 

CarmineD wrote:

You have stated more than once that Oreck is not a deep cleaner.  It should be used daily to prevent imbedded dirt.  Most have more to do and no desire to vacuum daily.

Why do cars of the same weight and horsepower rating not perform the same?  I doubt if .01% of vacuum users care about why one vac is better.  Ergonomics, quality, price, and CLEANING ability seem to be all tht is important to them. I do not study the mechanics but I will ask.  1.  Is the dirt tunnel (tube) larger in the Hoover?  2. Does the Hoover exhaust better creating better suction?  3. Is the Hoover brush and belt better?  I know the belt is.  Motor speed is irrevelant if it does not have torque.

CR was in no way an influence in my purchasing decision.  Hoover ain't Hoover these days.  They were poor performers before being sold.  You seem to support the bottom tier performers.

HARDSELL wrote:

You can't answer HS?  We're talking vacuums here, not cars.  Let's talk vacuums.  And in particular: The 2 vacuums in question: ORECK XL and HOOVER lightweight bagged.  Why is one [HOOVER} so much better than the other [ORECK] for carpet cleaning?

What I said was:  ORECK XL was not as good a deep down rug cleaner as a full sized HOOVER WT upright.  I said it was a good second place. 

Carmine D.

PS:  Here are my exact words excerpted from a review of the ORECK XL posted here from several years ago.  If you like go to the reviews tab here and verify.

"Almost as good as the HOOVER Windtunnel for cleaning and grooming but not quite
Alot lighter and easier to use than all full sized uprights including the HOOVER WT"

FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!  Wait, am I back in middle school?  And here I thought I was acting all grown up by posting on a vacuum discussion board (as in signs you've firmly an adult).

Anyhoo, I am fairly certain the Kirby is my machine.  I would still like to know from MOLE about what type of repairs he sees in for Kirby, but barring that information I don't need any additional information about the Oreck or, god forbid I entertain the notion of buying another one, a Hoover.

Thank you all for the helpful information!

10lees wrote:

Stating facts is not fighting.  Correcting one's mistatements about my own quotes here is setting the record straight for all like you who come here and read and ask advice. 

Carmine D.

10lees wrote:

Kirbys have not made any dramatic changes [other than the tech drive on the generation 3] Dating back to 1992 or 3, The kirby is a great open area rug cleaning machine,I tell people that if you have no furniture and are one floor its a great machine.

The machine with all the goodies  is too hard for the average person to use. The usual problems with the generation series are since its a FAN FIRST design that all the dirt and debris go up thru the moving parts,brush,belt fan, fan pullie .

The all metal  pitch is very irrelevent, Is there really any need for die cast aluminum in household applications?. Kirbys are sold  in one on one demonstrations,by authorized kirby distributors,been that way since 1906. Think about this why did Kirby go from a aluminum fan to lexan fan,it was called the bolt eater fan.

The resale value on kirbys are rediculous,MAYBE a good G5,G6, diamond edition, may bring 250.00 with all the toys.

They must get rid of that silly bag tube.............

mole

mole wrote:

Hello my friend:

I would add to answer your question about abandoning the aluminum fans:  The little old lady, who was the only Kirby employee one who could balance them properly, died. 

Carmine D.

How does the current Kirby model compare to the 1974-75 Traditional model?  Has it always been a 'fan first' design?  I heard the Kirbys always pulled NOT through the motor which is a selling point.