Quote from tcat on 05/08/07 at 7:01pm:

 
The HOOVER Tempo has a hardfloor height adjustment.  As well as other adjustments for carpets.  Excellent performer for the $59-$69 retail price and will work wonderfully as a full sized upright bagged vacuum (at only 16 pounds).  Consumer Reports rates it "VERY GOOD" on bare floors.  Used with 3M Filtrette cloth/paper style Y bags and you have a top of the line performer at a bargain basement price.
 
The HOOVER Slider is an excellent cordless stick vacuum with a 20-30 minute run time on an overnight charge.  The motor automatically shuts off when the handle is raised to the upright position to avoid wasting the run time.  Then, it automatically goes on when the handle is lowered in use.  It has a revolving brush which is excellent on area rugs, throw rugs, wall-to-wall rugs and ceramic tile.  It's perfect for a quick and easy clean up in between uses of the HOOVER Tempo.  It's bagless and easy to dump the bin (which is on the smallish side).  Retails for $25-$40 dollars.
 
I would suggest one addition to your floorcare arsenal: The HOOVER Floormate which can be purchased for $100-$150 depending on the model.  Excellent for ceramic floors.
 
For about $175-250 depending on your shopping and sales, you can have the HOOVER dream team for your home cleaning needs and requirements.    
 
To my knowledge, ALL 3 products come with ONE YEAR UNCONDITIONAL WARRANTY.  And all 3 have the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approvals.
 
If weight is an issue, and you want to try a lighter upright, then consider the Oreck XL.  It does not have a brush shut-off but goes easily and effortlessly from ceramic floors, to throw rugs and area rugs to high pile looped wool carpets.  Does an excellent job both cleaning and grooming carpets and has been approved by the Carpet and Rug Institute of America since its inception for use ON ALL CARPETS.  Large dirt bag capacity, lasts about a month of daily cleaning.  And only 8 pounds.  Comes with a 5 pound compact canister for above the floor cleaning.  And will cost you about $300 for the two.  The vacuums come with one year motor guarantees.  And the upright vacuum's housing is guaranteed for 10 years.  Based on industry data, the XL (which is the bottom of the line model) has a useful life of 18 years for household cleaning.
 
Carmine D.
 
 

THe EUREKA Boss Smart Vac is 20 pounds and $140 and a bit bulky.  Excellent performer and rated a CR BEST BUY consistently year after year.  BUT..................I'd buy the HOOVER Tempo (probably 2-3 for the price of the 4870).
 
Tassles are always a problem for any upright.  Vacuum the tassles from the top of the rug (where tassles are secured) to the bottom (where tassles are loose). Preferably on the hardfloor adjustment setting and/or with the HOOVER Slider.
 
I use my HOOVER Floormate on my ceramic (sealed) tile floors.  Generally every two weeks.  Just warm tap water.  No detergent.  Floor looks clean before too but the water always comes out black (desert living and an English yellow lab).  I also do my daughter's floors every 2 weeks.  Huge house.  2 infants.  American yellow lab.   HOOVER Floormate gets a workout and performs like a champ .
 
The Tempo and Slider have plastic wheels.  But they are light: 16 and 4 pounds.  Not sure about the 4870.  Might be rubber rears.  The Oreck has plastic wheels with rubber coated surfaces on the front and rear wheels.  I got a special deal as a Humane Society member: Only $149 plus $29 shipping.  My dear Wife loves it.  Our house cleaning requirements are similar to yours.  About 1500 sq. feet.  All ceramic tile except the 3 bedrooms are Mohawk medium pile looped wool.  We have throws and area rugs.  We use the HOOVER uprights, HOOVER Slider, and the Oreck XL.  Plus the HOOVER Floormate.  Bought the house new in May 2006.  Moved in August.  The floors and rugs are like brand new and will be for as long as we live here.  I vacuum daily, whether the house needs it or not.  
 
Good Luck.
 
Carmine D.
 

I'm going to order the Tempo and Slider, thanks!  I saw the Tempo at Frys and feels much better (lighter) than any of the others I've looked at.  The only thing I don't like about the Tempo is the short "stiff" hose.  The brochure says "extra reach hose availble", but on-line it says the only 20' hose they sell is a Windtunnel hose.  Are there generic hoses that will fit Hoover couplings?  If not I'd be inclinded to cut off the two ends of the one you get and splice a decent hose between (duct tape).

Another good source of information about vacuums, and other pretty much any item you could buy, is Epinions.com. There you can find what real people have to say about products they have purchased. Amazon.com also has some excellent reviews.

Thanks for helping me choose.  Went with the Tempo, happen to see it at Ace Hardware at a good price.  I'm happy with it except the hose length is definitely short.  An extension will be a good purchase.  It's much lighter than anything else I was trying, and does a great job.  To me not any noisier than any other vacuum.
 
I have a Black & Decker CHV1500 hand vac that I really like and use for quick scraps, but I think the Slider will help save my back!  The Slider almost cost as much as the Tempo...  guess that's just retail marketing.