JimB:
 
I have to give you credit for one attribute that I enjoy about reading your posts especially on dyson related matters.  They make me laugh and laugh.  Sometimes I reread them just for that purpose.  At my age, and any age for that matter, every day one laughs is a good day.  Thank you.  
 
Continue to post on the Forum with your opinions about your favorite brand bagless vacuum.  So I can continue to be amused in the process.  I really really look forward to your posts about dyson, your main topic of posting on the Forum.  
 
Be well and take good care of your favorite vacuum brand's reputation and sales.  Dyson needs people like you to sell it.  And people who think like you to buy it.  
 
Carmine D.

Quote from JD on 04/10/07 at 4:58am:

 
You're welcome.  
 
Carmine D.

Quote from Carmine_Difazio on 04/05/07 at 8:50pm:

The price didnt concern me. I cant comment on the "umph" in rug cleaning mode, but the diameter of the wand, and the size of the dusting tools certainly made it seem like it probably does not produce a lot of airwatts. Of course, a vacuum like the Oreck produces very few airwatts, too, and I dont believe it offers any tools at all, so in that respect the Dyson, even with few airwatts, still is OK.
 
As far as the weight, it isnt nearly as light as the true "lightweight" vacuums, but in this case the ball and balance work well to make the vacuum very maneuverable. I think that that in real use the vacuum would handle as if it were lighter than in really is. By contrast, poor ergonomics, such as the narrow metal handle on my Air-way canister make that vacuum seem much heavier than it really is. Really the perceived weight is more important that the actual weight.  
 
Old-timer, I note that you made the comment that the Dyson plastic is brittle. I have seen a lot of brittle plastic, such as the plastic on the Hoover Floormates, but the quality and resiliancy of Dyson plastic has always impressed me. Have you had a lot of problem with Dyson plastic breaking? The only part I had break was the clip that held the pre-motor filter on.

Based on my preview of the DC18 Slim (dyson lite), Oreck has nothing to be concerned about.  But dyson does.  If its pinning its future hopes on the sales of the DC18 dyson-lite and DC21 Stowaway canister, dyson is in deep do do in the USA.
 
I saw nothing about the DC18 Slim that would make me change my original impressions.  Including it being top heavy for its weight and profile.  It is unstable in the upright (off) position just as I thought.  It's as tall as the full size dyson uprights and has a nozzle head too small for the vacuum's high center of gravity.  Either the middle/top of the vacuum has to get smaller or the nozzle head has to get larger.  Most preferred from my perspective:  Both.  The middle/top should be reduced in size and power head made wider and longer.  The current configuration on the DC18 is only slightly better than the DC15.
 
Can't use the the full size dyson vacuum tools, they won't fit the DC18 dyson-lite.  No turbo tool, let alone on board!  The wands are narrow as is the dirt path hose.  The dirt path hose is a bad design and will fail over time.  Too flimsy to handle the bulk and weight of the top of the vacuum.  Brush roll consists of short stiff sparse hairs.  Not full tufts (like the Oreck) for grooming as well as cleaning.  
 
Still weighty and bulky on the wrists to use.  And the smallish rug/floor nozzle flips and flops as it runs across the rug and floor during use.  Certainly not a $469 performer.  If the price stays at $469, dyson will be pulling it off the market too.  IMHO  Lower the price to $399 and pray.
 
Carmine D.

Quote from JD on 04/13/07 at 6:51am:

 
 
Hello JD:
 
On the USA DC18 dyson lite, the DC07 and 14 tools do not fit.  The DC18 wand is too narrow.  But the standard industry size tools like Eureka do fit.  
 
The dirt path hose on the DC18 dyson lite is center tucked into the power head on the bottom and the vacuum housing on the top.  Shorter length too than the DC15.  The hose points where it attaches to the PN and vacuum are stress points.  The shorter hose length restricts hose movement under stress, unlike the open longer hose that is side mounted on the DC15 for the dirt path.  The DC18 dph is smaller in width than the DC15 dph too.  
 
With up and down handle movement and side to side back and forth motions with swiveling and wheeling, the angles and positioning of the vacuum subjects the dp hose to stress (at the 2 points of attachment).  Stress results in hose stretching, straining and pulling.  This results in hose wear and tear after mininal use.  Poor design function.
 
Some may compare this set up design to the HOOVER FM.  Half correct.  THe HOOVER FM goes up and down only.  The dyson DC18 lite goes up and down and side to side, swiveling and wheeling.  Twice if not more of the stress and twice and more of the wear and tear.  And the HOOVER FM is more stable.  Not tipsy topsy and flippity floppy like the dyson DC18 lite.  
 
Also note how how HOT the motor compartment gets after short time.  The motor appears to run hotter than normal uprights.  Not good if this is the norm for the model.
 
Carmine D.