I'm currently in Tampa Bay, Florida and happened to stop in a Best Buy.  I tried out the green Hoover Z with the L.E.D. lights (I forgot the model name).  It was easily one of the worst high priced vacuums in the lineup, and especially paled in comparison to the Dysons, Vax's, and also the Dirt Devil D2 that they are now selling as well.  
 
One of the worst things about the Hoover is the weight distribution.  After pushing and pulling this thing in the isle my arm started to strain.  I strongly believe that women WILL NOT like the Z.  
 
For a $500 vacuum, it surely was not quiet enough.  Even though the motor was quiet, the synchronized ratcheting noise from the self scraping hepa filter system was noticeably loud.  
 
I also had trouble closing the compartment that contained the wraped power cord.  Perhaps I didn't wrap the cord up tight enough, or didn't distribute it evenly when I was wrapping it, but it was a pain in the a** to get that compartment shut.  
 
Asside from the flaws mentioned overhead, the Hoover Z has one major downfall.....its suction.  It was terribly weak, and no pressure when I covered the attachment intake with my palm.  The Dyson DC15, Vax X5, and the Dirt Devil D2 all had considerably greater amounts of suction than the Z.  In my eyes, things will not be good for Hoover and their high priced Z, despite all of the glorious praise it may/may not recieve from consumer reports.
 
While I was there, I also had the chance to check out the new Dirt Devil D2.  For $160, the build quality isn't that bad, and the suction is adequate for typical household vacuuming.  I plugged it in and proceeded to clean the isle that was not touched by the Z, and like the Z, it is quite loud.  It seems that the lower you set the height selector, the louder it gets.  It seems that dirt gets evenly distributed in the dual chamber system.  After using it for 5 minutes, I removed the collection bin and inspected the pre-motor filter.  As expected, the foam was experiencing dust build up, as the pleated hepa filter had a slight layer of dust build up as well.  But for what you get for its price, it appears to be a decent choice for bargain shoppers, or anyone that just wants a basic vacuum.
 
While I was there, I also decided to try out the Vax X5.  Having seening the X5 on display at a department store on MacDill Air Force Base days earlier, I also tried it out in curiousity.  I particularly liked the scented bin filters, and the automatic cord winder.  What I would want on this thing, however, is a longer cord, a more aggresive brushroll, and maybe repositioning where that hose is connected, maybe at the base of the machine and not on the top of the collection bin.  It seems that it has the potential to tip over.  But from what I've seen, it seems like a good machine.  But I wonder how the Vax and Dirt Devil would perform with alot more dust, pet hair, and typical consumer negligence in the mix.  
 
Anyways, after actually using the Hoover Z, I wont hesitate to say that it will be a tough pill for consumers to swallow, especially for its price.

Thanks MrRogers for the reviews. It will help other prospective consumers in their decision making process. I also noted all the negatives you mention on the Hoover Z. Carmine seems to consistently think this POS machine will be around for quite some time. It has got to be one of the worse machines I've ever used and the weight distribution is WAY off. It's beyond me why anyone in their right mind would want to spend $500 for a vacuum with very poor suction beside risking the onset of carpal tunnel syndrome (CPS) from using it.  
 
The Dyson DC15 runs circles around it and all the other bagless machines you reviewed. No problem with the motor prefilter clogging either. Just pull it out every six months for cleaning, give the shroud a quick wipe and you're set to go. Try that with the Vax, DD or any other bagless on the market. The Z's pleated filter will certainly plug up within a short time and wear out from the metal clip constantly rubbing on each pleat as it slowly rotates. I mean it already has pi*s poor suction to start with. Then the consumer will be at the mercy of Hoover to have it replaced because Hoover designed it that way. LOL
 
I'm again predicting the Hoover Z is the most ridiculous vacuum made by Hoover and will certainly fail in short order if not already. There's no doubt about it. You think the DC11 was bad. LOL  Wait and see what happens to this pathetic beast. At least the DC11 had unsurpassed suction.

Quote from RAT   on 02/16/06 at 10:26pm:

 
RAT:
 
Consumer Reports is critical of the DC15 for the same reasons:  Hard to use, bulky and awkward.  I expect CR will comment on the weight and unusual form of the HOOVER Z also.  The offsetting comment to the weight and form will be the HOOVER Z's function as 2 vacuums in 1.  CR usually balances their reviews well.  
 
Obviously the HOOVER Z is not mainstream and not for everyone in the market for a new vacuum.  It's a specialty model.  Not an upright, not a canister: Both.  A model for a niche vacuum buying market.  
 
I think HOOVER's timing couldn't be better for this concept vacuum.  Canisters are making a come back with the popularity of hard wood floor coverings in the USA.  Somebody once said something about timing being everything?  HOOVER has a knack for timing as 100 years in the industry next year proves.  That's the kind of milestone that makes investors like Warren Buffett take notice.  Just as Kirby.
 
You asked about the popularity of the VAX scented filters at BEST BUY in a previous post.  They are very popular with women.  The 4 seasonal varieties are functional as well as "stylish."  BEST BUY staff demo the VAX (it's their exclusive brand) and the fragrance of the filters even with the high ceilings lingers for awhile afterwards.  This impresses store clientele in the market for a vacuum.  
 
On the subject of styles, which is not one of your favorites when it comes to vacuums, women and men like the VAX look over other contemporary high priced bagless.    
 
VAX and BEST BUY are a good match.  Good price and product match.  I expect the VAX vacuum line to be a permanent vacuum brand for BEST BUY after other brands are culled from the shelves.
 
Carmine D.
 

Quote from Carmine_Difazio   on 02/17/06 at 3:43am:

 
If I were an advisor to Hoover, I would tell them to kill the Hoover Z immediately.  Bruce is correct about the Hoover Z being a potential cause of carpel tunnel.  In its current form, is a major liability for Hoover.  Hoover has got to drop the weight and fix the weight distribution.  Instead of farting around with a really inefficient bagless design, they need to just stick with bags on premium models.  With each sale, throw in a 5 year supply of premium bags.  
 
Just by converting from bagless to bagged, Hoover could easily solve many of the Z's problems.  I believe the weight would drop, the top heaviness would be diminished, and it wouldn't be too difficult to drop the weight without that rotating filter and ridiculous filter cleaning system.  
 
Hoover would do well to take the Oreck strategy and try to make bagged machines more palatable, particularly for the premium vacs.   You sell the bags in bulk at a reasonable price, and you make them available at as many places as possible.  Hoover should limit its exposure to bagless vacuums to the less than $100 market.  Hoover should make it clear that premium vacuums use sanitary bags.  Cheap vacuums require you to become intimate with the dirt.  
 
 

RAT:
 
Sometimes, even in the vacuum cleaner industry, you have to shake things up alittle and do the unexpected and the unpredictable.  Let the dust settle and see what happens.  HOOVER is the trend setter in the industry.  From the inception of the vacuum industry HOOVER leads the future in form and function.  Only HOOVER can produce and market a forward looking concept vacuum like the HOOVER Z.  Sure there will changes for the better.  But you have to start with the concept and let it evolve.  
 
Carmine D.