Quote from RAT on 04/01/07 at 11:23pm:
Here's your equal opportunity place to criticize Dyson's products. No Dyson lovers allowed. What are the weaknesses of these new Dyson products?
Dyson DC21 Stowaway canister:
Weaknesses:
Weight 23.05 lbs. On the heavy side for a Stowaway. Comparable to the 24 lbs. DC11.
Suction power 220 airwatts vice the DC11 with 300 air watts. Price the same $499?
Bin capacity .44 gallons. Dirt capacity on the small side.
The slant position of the bin and shroud allows the dirt to "smother" the shroud openings. This can be problematic especially if the bin overfills (which is very likely since it has a small capacity). Filters will have to overwork causing clogging and then the suction to fall off and the motor to overheat. There is a reason for cyclonic bagless vacuums to have straight up and down bins and shrouds with max fill lines and warnings for frequent bin dumping. Form and style shouldn't compromise function.
Cord length 16.4 Feet Very short for a canister. (Tiger21 was right on the cord length).
Much too pricey at $499 for a big box retail canister.
Clumsy on board attachment storage with hose and power nozzle (just like the DC11).
Power nozzle too heavy, awkward, and bulky for side hang storage on board (just like the DC11). Will fall off (just like the DC11) and break.
Power nozzle requires numerous back and forth passes over the same area to pick up lint and pet hair on rugs (just like the DC11). Probably due in part to the pivoting neck and "ball" wheel design. The combination causes the power nozzle to flip flop and waffle over the carpets without thoroughly cleaning.
A short list, more to come.
Carmine D.