Simplicity Freedom is an excellent lightweight upright.  And about $80 off MSRP at $199.  And if I'm not mistaken it comes with a TWO year warranty not one like Oreck.  Also has a light (I believe) and the Oreck XL Classic does not.  And the Simplicity is rated at 5.5 amps vice 4 for Oreck.  Rated Number 7 by Consumer Reports in the latest round of upright competition even against it's larger and heavier competition.  
 
RICCAR/Simplicity makes the same lightweight upright for HOOVER under the model name Ultralightweight with an MSRP of $279.
 
I would recommend the Simplicity lightweight over the HOOVER.  Why?  Parts availability and prices will be better.
 
Carmine D.

Quote from just-passing-throu on 05/29/07 at 11:30am:

 
I have talked about these machines countless times in the past.  The Riccar Supralite/Simplicity Freedom/HOOVER Ultra Liteweight upright and more, are very good upright vacuum cleaners.
 
They have alot of power to pick up the deep down dirt.  They utilize stiffer bristles to aid in dirt pick-up.
 
This series of "8lb." uprights are very comfortable to use.  They do not weigh alot and are very easy to push/pull.
 
Its bags are very large and you have a choice of which grade of filtration to choose.
 
This is a great vacuum cleaner if you just want to vacuum up what is on the carpet, since there are no attachments.  The looped handle is very comfortable.  The whole machine will be easier to use for people who have limited hand movement.  The upright is better than the regular ORECK "8lb." uprights.  The Riccar/Simplicity will be easier to push compared to the ORECK.  
 
Personally,  I prefer the appearance of the present Supralites over the Freedoms. Under the hood, they are both the same though.