Quote from Carmine_Difazio on 04/19/07 at 12:12pm:

 
Come on what is so tough about staying honest.  Your thoughts and criticisms on dyson were posted daily for years before this purchase.  To act surprised that your findings after being "sucked" into purchasing this machine were the exact same as opinions you had been claiming as facts for years and to imply you only started criticizing it after that purchase is at best disnengenuous at perhaps downright dishonest.   The Dyson hater thread doesn't offend me it actually cracked me up when I first saw it posted as a response to the other.  However, you are a bright guy who knows a ton about the industry who obviously wants to make dyson look bad, it says alot when you have to resort to making stuff up (as jokes of course).

I agree with the DC16 shortcomings of a 5 minute charge and high sticker price.  I posted that criticism on this Forum under the DC16 thread much to the chagrin of several dyson lovers who contradicted me.  It's not surprising that 9 months later consumers criticize the run time too (they got sucked in).  
 
At the price, $149, it is so laughable it is sad that dyson actually brought it to market.  Why?  I posted the reason before when dyson Chris mentioned that it was one of amazon's best sellers.  I'll repost here again.  Many consumers are very reluctant to plunk down $500 plus for a vacuum from a big box store.  So they tried out the DC16 at $149 (chump change) to see if it is worth it.   My sense is their disappointments with the DC16 performance will turn them off from the higher priced dyson models.  That's human nature.  You get one shot to win over an undecided  buyer's confidence with your brand name and product.  If you lose, you're out.  I guess the burned DC16 buyers can always use them as paper weights, conversational items, and door stops.
 
I recall when HSN did the DC16 TV sale.  It took no less than 5 new dyson DC16 hand held vacuums to promo and demo on TV.  Why?  Because of the short 5 minute run time.  In fact, one of the models didn't have enough of a charge to make it through the demo.  
 
I have heard the "too aggressive" criticism comments of the DC17 brushroll.  And at least one major US rug manufacturer voids its warranty if any dyson product is used on its wool carpets.  Did I mention I have Mohawk wool carpets in my new home?
 
Ironic that dyson was criticized for having too wimpy brushbars for years on the DC07 and DC14.  Then took the opposite tact and went to other extreme.  Why?  Amateurish vacuum engineers?
 
For such a high retail price ($569) the dyson DC17 Absolute Animal should offer several brush styles to meet consumers' needs and wants.  Or provide special order vacuums (with the desired brush roll style) and customer attachments.  Then dyson could justify its high retail vacuum prices and satisfy more vacuum buyers.
 
Carmine D.

Quote from old-timer on 04/19/07 at 3:46pm:

 
Hello OT:
 
You're thinking of Microban antimicrobial protection which inhibits the growth of odor and stain causing bacteria, mold and mildew inside the machine.  Currently used by BISSELL, ORECK, and HOOVER.  And in other applications like food carts and seats.  
 
Carmine D.
 

Talking about the dyson DC16 root 6 technology hand held:  
 
Anybody know why dyson doesn't provide the actual run time on a charge in it's DC16 product literature?  Am I the only person who thinks this is an important factual detail to include for a rechargeable vacuum's performance?  
 
How could dyson overlook it?  Just oversight and/or intentional?  I'll have to check the specs on the dyson Web site and see what it says.
 
I guess for $149 (chump change), what can you expect?  Maybe it's even less than 5 minutes?  Come to think of it, when I timed the HSN demo, it was just about 3 minutes when the dyson died.  
 
Then again, dyson started printing it's product literature in Spanish and English.  Since I don't know Spanish (yet) maybe it's the run time is there (in Spanish and not English) and I can't read it.  
 
Carmine D.

I suspect the run time is variable, and it may depend on temperature, battery life, and other conditions.  Personally, I would have preferred a corded electric powered hand held with the option to insert a battery for $150.