Hello Venson:
 
Yes, the flexible hose has been a staple in the vacuum industry for many decades.  I prefer the latest trend to "by-pass" the flexible hosing in favor of tubing.  Why?  In addition to the usual shortcomings with hoses (break, come loose, can't take the stress of the swiveling, crack), they are more prone to clog.  Why?  Flexible hosing is wired ribbed.  It contracts and expands with the suction of the vacuum as it is picking up.  To illustrate, put your hand over the attachment hose and watch what happens as you stop the suction.  The same is true with the flex hose on the tools.  And the wire ribbing, as it expands and contracts, is more prone to blockage, especially with sharp stiff items like hair pins, paper clips and tree needles.  These are transparent to users until dirt and dust forms a ball and stops up the suction almost completely.  Then it's time to take apart to clean and clear, using caution not to damage the flexible hose in the process.  Boo! Hiss.  Antiquated.  Always a prime source of repairs.
 
The above shortcomings are overcome by the design used more recently by primarily HOOVER USA and Europe: Tubing and channeling.  Smooth hard dirt path surfaces are less likely to clog than ribbed hosing.  And the high suction (2000 watts) of the HOOVER Freemotion would make the flex hose behave like an accordion.  More prone to blockage if used.  IMHO.
 
Carmine D.