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Message started by Vacuumfreeeke on 05/24/07 at 5:08pm

Title: which would you choose?
Post by Vacuumfreeeke on 05/24/07 at 5:08pm

Hi there. This kind of came up on another forum and I am curious as to what you think... if you could only choose (let's say they were the only vacuums made or something, I know they're both pretty bad) between a Hoover Elite and a Eureka Bravo which one would you choose and why?

Title: Re: which would you choose?
Post by guess_who on 05/24/07 at 6:58pm

Hey VF,

Is this a test for shoppers? I hope I pass.

If we're talking about walking into a big-box store with no chance of choice by way of brand spectrum or limited personal finance, the bagless Hoover Elite with cord reel, versus the bagged Eureka (fan-in-dirt-stream) Bravo that I know of, the Hoover Elite would win out. Why?

Because I'd anticipate better above-the-cleaning potential with the clean-stream Elite, thus expanding worth of the expense no matter how small. Though I most often don't find reason to like a bagless upright vacuum I'd generally choose a clean-stream type no matter the dust collection system, even considering Kirby, because with thoughtful use I expect less damage potential. (Minimal chance of fan breakage or impaired balance.) If the Elite proved only fair to good in carpet cleaning, I'd merely use it more keeping in mind frequent clean-up and replacement of filters.

When "shopping cheap" I look for product that I believe I can at least nurse along for a while, in reasonable fashion and still get adequate service, without benefit of the particulars that quality of construction or design or iron-clad warranty coverage help bring into the mix.

Have a great holiday . . .

Venson

Title: Re: which would you choose?
Post by Vacuumfreeeke on 05/24/07 at 8:08pm

Hey there... No... I was talking about the early to mid nineties Elites and Bravos, neither of which are made anymore. Found these pics on Craigs List... they aren't mine, but they are the machines I'm talking about. Our Bravo was maroon with a black hose though... and that Hoover is basically an Elite... called Preferred because the hose was mounted on the side... most had them like the Eurekas, but the hose went in front of the handle instead of on a hook behind it. Someone on another forum was compaining about how terrible cheap vacuums are to work on... this was my response:

terrible
I think the Elite series was the beginning of the end for Hoover. I hate them. They are loud, and the switch is in a terrible place. I disagree with the person who said they liked them better than Bravos... we had a maroon Bravo when I was growing up and for a cheap vacuum it was pretty good. The foot switch was much easier and more fun to tap than that stupid slider half way down the middle of the shaft on Hoover. There were four screws to remove the top of the housing and then you put the belt on very easily. The was even a belt veiw window. And the I liked the bag better too. It was a soft body (though they had similar models that were hard case, called Powerline I believe) with a zipper all the way downt he front.... the Hoovers were mostly hard cases...the ones that werent had a slider at the top and the access to the bag chamber was somewhat limited. Eurekas are usually quieter than Hoovers as a rule and the Bravo compared to the Elite was no exception. Also, it was more stable because the back wheels were on the outside instead of recessed a bit. And, the hand grip was contoured instead of straight and therefore much more comfortable. I liked the attachments better too. But... Elites are CHEAP so they should be hard to assemble and maintain to punish people who think it's okay to buy cheap vacuums... and they should never be fixed... they are certainly disposable.

and another thing
I think the Bravos look better than the Elites too... more curves and style... the Elites were very straight lined and boring. My aunt had a blue hard case Elite and my other aunt had a teal Runabout... both terrible. We bought our Bravo on Easter Sunday at Kmart when I was probably in 6th grade... I also liked the ridges on the power switch... I loved the big switch! It replaced a dirt devil (not worthy of capitalization) that was flying a part with every use... dirt devils aren't even worthy enough to be called vacuums. They are loud terrible ugly toys. The dirt devil had both back wheels come of, was going to belts with every use, cord clip and attachment holders broke off, and man was it loud. My family was very cheap and I was surprised that they even spent 60 dollars on the Bravo, glad I'm nothing like them. Charles... I do know what you mean. When I sold for Sears, I drove to an old mans house (against store policy... I did it to be nice, I was 19 and he called and begged for someone to come change his belt)... name was Mr. Merburger! He had a Hoover Deminsion... I took the appropriate belt from work over to his house afte8r my shift... and it tooke me a freaking hour to put that belt on for him! I vacuumed his whole house after I was done. He was so happy he started crying that someone took the time to be so nice... he wrote me a check for 50 dollars which I tried to refuse but he insisted and I needed the money. Was a great experience, and we talked for a couple of hours after the vacuum stuff was finished! Those were the days!
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p263/Aleroluver/0_umdI920eQTdEyBzaHtHWf6NY2imf.jpg

Title: Re: which would you choose?
Post by Carmine_Difazio on 05/25/07 at 6:47am

The HOOVER Elite is a model name used by HOOVER for many styles of upright vacuums starting with the top fill Convertibles (in the 80's) and now up through the Bagless Rewind. Some models had tools on board some were strictly upright cleaners.

Bravo was a model name used by Eureka for a short while (in comparison to HOOVER's Elite).

I see alot more HOOVER Elites still in use today than Eureka Bravos. That could be because more were made and sold under the Elite model name. Or because they are better made and people keep them rather than tossing.

My choice between the two...........HOOVER Elite natch. Bravo is a close second.

Also, HOOVER still makes and sells commercial grade lightweight uprights that are almost identical to the HOOVER Elite uprights of the 90's. These are very popular users among the professional house cleaning services today.

Carmine D.

Title: Re: which would you choose?
Post by old-timer on 05/27/07 at 12:03pm

Hi V.F. This is a matter of customer preference,most people that are shopping in this price range more than likely only looking for something that runs and as long as it picks up the surface dirt and debris it's good enough.

When the bag fills on either machine the person will more than likely not bother looking for bags but go to the yard sale and buy another vacuum ;D.

These 2 units that your talking about are in the same league. Sort of like chryslers K cars. basic transportatation,and for rental car companies.........

O.T.

Title: Re: which would you choose?
Post by jessyfeldm on 05/27/07 at 7:53pm

Hey Bobby thats my old Bravo! What a POS it was! So I guess I'd have to go with the Elite.

Don't ask me what I'm driving now. Still looking.

Title: Re: which would you choose?
Post by Vacuumfreeeke on 05/28/07 at 7:30pm

If ya didn't like the Bravo, you'd hate the Elite. Neither of those vacs are sold retail anymore, and I know that no one that actually cares about vacuums would own either. I was just comparing the features of each and saying which I thought was better and why. Do you know the Bravo motor cost the same price as the Bravo vacuum did when it was new? How silly!