Quote from earthworm on 02/01/07 at 1:50am:

 
SEBO Felix is an option to ORECK (in the same price range you mentioned) and weighs about 12 pounds.  And has the added benefit of attachment use, if you are so inclined.  If you do a search on the Forum, you will likely find several threads and references to the SEBO Felix.  BTW, estate sales are excellent venues for used Orecks at a fraction of the new ORECK price.  Most can be had for as little as $25-$50.    
 
Electrolux recently intro'ed the Intensity.  It's a bagged upright at 16 pounds with a folding handle and cord winder and no attachments on board.  It is an alternative to a full sized vacuum without compromising the performance and appears to be an excellent alternative to ORECK.  It claims 50 percent more suction than today's leading bagless upright brands.  Also discussed on the Forum and currently for sale at LOWE's stores for $299 and soon at BEST BUY.  
 
Also the Miele Art series (lightweight uprights) which are now several years old.  These are strictly straight suction with no revolving brush.  Lightweight and excellent for barefloors and rugs and/or carpets suited for straight suction cleaning.  Also discussed here on the Forum.  
 
RICCAR the twin brand of Simplicity by Tacony makes the Supralite RSL1 and RSL3 (comparable to the Simplicity Freedom) with MSRP $279-$379.  And also makes the HOOVER Ultra Lightweight brands with an MSRP of $279.  Also wieghs about 8-10 pounds.  
 
BTW, HOOVER makes a bagless rechargeable stick vacuum with a revolving brush called the Slider that retails for $25-$40.  It is strictly for quick pick ups on floors and rugs.  I reviewed it on the Forum under the section on Reviews (see above).  It weighs 3.5 pounds and is an excellent performer.  Better than all the rechargeable stick vacuums on the market today (IMHO) like Dirt Devil Power Sweeper, DD Sweeper Vac and Euro-Pro Shark sweepers and swivel sweepers.  If you do a search on the Forum, you can see pictures and discussions on the HOOVER Slider.
 
Carmine D.

Earthworm,
  Misinformation is bad for all. Electrolux A.B. of Sweden owns Eureka. They were bought by them about 1971. The reason they bought them was because in 1967  they sold Electrolux vacuum company in the U.S. and Canada to Consolidated Foods (Sara Lee). They left the American vacuum business and wanted back in.
  Several years ago Electrolux A.B. went to Electrolux-U.S.A. and discussed  and bought their trademark back. The company that people knew as Electrolux U.S.A. is now under the Aerus name. The cleaners go by LUX. Still the same product and quality people know and want.

Quote from earthworm on 02/01/07 at 1:50am:

 
The Bissell, you were probably referring to, was most likely the EASYVAC.  It should not be considered, since it is mainly a "quick pick-up" vacuum.
 
There is competition to the ORECK upright.  Tacony's Simplicity and Riccar brand have their "8 lbs." uprights that do very well at carpet cleaning.  They are well made machines.
 
While I do not know why you were turned off by the dealer of the Simplicity, you can go to a Riccar dealer and find the upright called the Supralite.  It is the same thing as the Simplicity Freedom except different hood.  You can also find it under the HOOVER name.  You can find them at HOOVER Service centers.
 
There is yet more vacuum cleaners similar to ORECK uprights.  Royal has one that does pretty good at carpet cleaning.  It is pretty sturdy.  It is also made for Aerus. I thought that this "8 lbs." upright was about 2 lbs. heavier than the Riccar and Simplicity.
 
The only problem w/these uprights is that they do not have attachments.  You would have to use another vacuum cleaner for those above the floor chores.
 
You could take a look at SEBO and their uprights.  Their Felix is not as heavy as their other uprights, but is heavier that the previous machines I mentioned.  They also have attachments if you need them.

Thanx for all the replys, I have learned a lot.... There seems to be more competition and choice in the vacuum field than I had ever imagined..
 
Now, if this new Electrolux Intensity is made in Sweden - this means little, of course...see the last sentence.
And their web-site is not going to proclaim "made in China"...
The manufacturers web-sites are interesting , but they tend to tell people what they want them to know....
Where a product is designed is more important than where it is built.

Quote from Mike_W. on 02/01/07 at 12:00pm:

 
Hello Mike W:
 
Didn't this acquisition in 2003 lead to Electrolux AB Sweden being the largest seller of new household appliances in the world?  A claim it currently states, I believe?
 
Carmine D.