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Posted By: pmbuko Vacuum shopping - 06/18/12 11:37 PM
In the past month, a vital metal cam on my just out-of-warranty Dyson broke -- so now it won't switch between the wand and brush ends -- and the brush has stopped working. It's time to buy a new vacuum. We like not having to deal with bags, so we want our next vacuum to also be a bagless upright vac.

Has anyone recently bought a vacuum and have anything good or bad to say about it? I'm currently leaning toward this Panasonic, based on reviews and price.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003AM7120/?tag=thewire06-20
Posted By: dakkon Re: Canister vacuum shopping - 06/18/12 11:59 PM
How much would the part cost to buy a new cam? If it's fixable, why not fix it?

That's the only bit of advice i can give on this topic. We use a bag style vacuum. If you decide you want to talk about that, i have a little knowledge about them.
Posted By: pmbuko Re: Canister vacuum shopping - 06/19/12 12:55 AM
The closest place to me that will fix a Dyson vacuum is about an hour away. Last time we had to take it in for repairs there was a 10-day turnaround. With a dog, cat, and kids in the house, that's too long to be without a vacuum.

After further research, I think this Hoover -- which looks like it's pretty much a clone of the Dyson that I have (DC18 Dyson Slim) -- is at the top of my list.
Posted By: Gary Vose Sr Re: Canister vacuum shopping - 06/19/12 01:33 AM
Peter, check this one out. http://www.sharkclean.com/products/shark...fer3C199S3101#1


I not in the market for one now, but if I was, I would give it a try.
Posted By: JohnK Re: Canister vacuum shopping - 06/19/12 01:51 AM
Peter, the March issue of Consumer Reports tested vacuum cleaners(probably worthwhile to copy the three page article at the library). In the bagless upright category this Hoover ranked first(of 35)and was given a "Best Buy" rating. It was noted that there was no brush on/off control, but bare floor performance was still in the "Excellent" category.

The Panasonic 915 was ranked 17th("Good" rather than the Hoover's "Very Good"for carpets). The Hoover 70400 was ranked 31st. "Good" on carpets and, notably for you, also just Good on pet hair, while the 70120(and the Panasonic)both ranked "Excellent" on pet hair.
Posted By: dakkon Re: Canister vacuum shopping - 06/19/12 02:42 AM
Why not repair it yourself? or at least try... If you end up Breaking it, you would only be out a couple bucks...


I am a pretty big DIYer, i try to do everything myself.. From re-building the head on one of my cars, to fixing random appliances around the house.


I will share what i learned about vacuum's. There is a Vacuum shop that i go to, to get the bags for my vacuum. I asked the guy about the Dysons and other bagless machines. He said, that they do not clean as good as a quality bagged machine. He continued to say, he bought back 15,000$ worth of Dysons that he sold, due to poor quality of the machine.


Good luck on your search.. I understand the need for a good vacuum, i have 2 german shepherds, and have to vacuum 2X a week minimum, to keep the dog hair to a minium...
Posted By: pmbuko Re: Canister vacuum shopping - 06/19/12 03:19 AM
Thanks, John. I knew you'd come through with the Consumer Reports info. smile
Posted By: pmbuko Re: Canister vacuum shopping - 06/19/12 03:25 AM
dakkon,

I wish I had the time to get the parts and repair the vacuum myself. It might be worth it to do that later after I have the new one and then sell the one I like less. But for now, I just need a working vacuum within a couple days.
Posted By: dakkon Re: Canister vacuum shopping - 06/19/12 03:40 AM
ok man. Just trying to be helpful.

Good luck with your purchase.
Posted By: pmbuko Re: Canister vacuum shopping - 06/19/12 03:55 AM
Gary, thanks for the recommendation. I already have the Shark steam-mop. We use it regularly on our laminate floors and it works well. I've heard bad things about Shark's warranty service, but I do know that Costco carries their vacuums. Since Costco has a fantastic return policy, I might buy one from there.
Posted By: JohnK Re: Canister vacuum shopping - 06/19/12 04:30 AM
CR tested three Shark models. Models NV350-356 were only "Fair" on pet hair. Model NV22L was "Excellent" at that.
Posted By: fredk Re: Canister vacuum shopping - 06/19/12 06:06 AM
All I can say is I'm gonna cry when my hoover dies. 25 years and it still sucks (like new).
Posted By: BlueJays1 Re: Canister vacuum shopping - 06/19/12 11:06 AM
Originally Posted By: dakkon
Why not repair it yourself? or at least try... If you end up Breaking it, you would only be out a couple bucks...


I am a pretty big DIYer, i try to do everything myself.. From re-building the head on one of my cars, to fixing random appliances around the house.


I will share what i learned about vacuum's. There is a Vacuum shop that i go to, to get the bags for my vacuum. I asked the guy about the Dysons and other bagless machines. He said, that they do not clean as good as a quality bagged machine. He continued to say, he bought back 15,000$ worth of Dysons that he sold, due to poor quality of the machine.


Good luck on your search.. I understand the need for a good vacuum, i have 2 german shepherds, and have to vacuum 2X a week minimum, to keep the dog hair to a minium...



He is spot on on his assessment. Also keep in mind that this is from a sellers perspective. He is NOT trying to sell you what will net him the highest margins (which Dysons certainly are). Support his business!

I have also found Dysons are more marketing hype than anything else and the build quality is not good enough to pay that premium.

I currently have a Kenmore from sears that's 2 or 3 years old. It has been an excellent machine and I think it only cost around $120.
Posted By: chesseroo Re: Vacuum shopping - 06/19/12 08:46 PM
Another thumbs up for Kenmore canister. After 10 years ours is still doing well, although that flood back in 2002 got fine materials into the engine and it runs alot louder than it did when it was new.
But it's still running.

We also have central vac but the accessories are terrible (no power brush for the carpets) so it gets relegated to hard surface floor duty only. Even then the wide floor attachment is so wide that it doesn't have much suction near the edges. I had to trim the bristles on it as well since there were no 'openings' to actually suck in the particles. It used to just broom stuff around the room like a Swiffer until i lifted the attachment off the floor to suck up the pile.
A terrible design (Eureka brand).

On a related topic, anyone have any experience with carpets cleaners?
We have used Bissells for some time, seem to have the occasional issues with suction, replacing gaskets and so forth, but we've had 2 in 8 years now with the first lasting 5 years and paying itself off many times.
Now we're contemplating this:
http://www.bissell.com/Big-Green-Deep-Cleaning-Machine/

Apparently Lowes and Rona now rents them out.
This market was traditionally held by Rugdoctor machines which were in every grocery store and Home Depot:
http://www.rugdoctor.com/
Posted By: BlueJays1 Re: Vacuum shopping - 06/20/12 02:02 AM
I like the Bissell carpet cleaners. It paid for itself after a few uses. The one we have has attachments for cleaning hard surfaces like ceramic tile. So it gets a lot of use.

This is the machine that really makes your carpets look nice, especially good at getting rid of any stains and picks up all the dirt and especially hair that a vacuum doesn't get. A must have to complement the vacuum.
Posted By: INANE Re: Vacuum shopping - 06/20/12 03:41 AM
We recently got a Shark and so far we're happy with it.
Posted By: BobKay Re: Vacuum shopping - 06/20/12 02:36 PM
I agree with Bluey about Dyson. We found a $400 LG (Consumer Rep liked it) on line for $260, ship incl.

I wouldn't ever pay $400 for a vacuum cleaner, and neither should anyone else.

Driving by the local Jr. High last Saturday, I noticed their handmade fundraising sign: "$8 CAR WASH and VACUME. Go, North Junior High! You Go!
Posted By: CatBrat Re: Vacuum shopping - 06/20/12 02:39 PM
What's the best little canister vacuum for going around the house and sucking up cat hair?

I have an upright with a hose attachment with mostly hardwood floors. Kinda sucks for picking up cat hair. What I need is something that sucks for picking up cat hair. Also to easily vacuum furniture. Right now, the best way to get cat hair off of furniture seems to be with a damp rag or paper towel.

I realize that exterminating the cat would be some people's preferred method, but that seems a little extreme. I'd miss the hairballs that get coughed up in the (according to the cat) best places.
Posted By: BobKay Re: Vacuum shopping - 06/20/12 02:49 PM
Brian, next time you can stop at a Pet Supply warehouse store, check it out. They have a whole section of products for just that need. A lot of them actually work,

When I had multiple dogs, my favorite for furniture was a B & D handheld electric with a powered beater bar. They don't make it anymore, but the design of a handheld-elec-w/pw'd-brush is great, if anyone out ther makes one.

Otherwise, you need a canister whose wand has an attached cable that runs power to beater bar. W/o it, the beater is pwd by suction, which sucks because it doesn't. Unfortunately, unless you find a deal, good canisters don't come cheap.
Posted By: CatBrat Re: Vacuum shopping - 06/20/12 03:25 PM
My first choice, without any reviewing, is this Dyson for animal hair
Posted By: medic8r Re: Vacuum shopping - 06/20/12 03:39 PM
The Dyson Animal is superb. We have the DC25 Animal - an upright/floor vac, not a cannister, granted - and it has done well for 3 years now.
Posted By: MarkSJohnson Re: Vacuum shopping - 06/20/12 05:48 PM
Originally Posted By: BobKay
handheld electric with a powered beater bar.

Yeah, but what did you get for the pet hair?

Bazinga!
Posted By: pmbuko Re: Vacuum shopping - 06/20/12 05:55 PM
Time for an update. I contacted Dyson and they identified a local Sears that services Dyson vacuums. They charge $65 + parts for repairs, so we decided to go ahead and fix the vacuum. We also used one of our many Bed Bath & Beyond 20% off coupons (the ones that come every month in our mail) to buy the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Pro.

This vacuum has amazing suction and the rug roller beats the rugs like nobody's business. It feels solidly constructed while remaining light. When I vacuumed the 10'x7'(-ish) area rug in the living room -- which was pretty clean visually -- I was amazed at all the hair and dirt it pulled out. We have carpeted stairs and I used to vacuum them by lifting the Dyson onto each step and wrestling it back and forth, all the way up. With the lift-away feature, I can lift off the motor and dust collector unit, attach the smaller roller head to the wand, and then easily vacuum each step.

One other great feature of this vacuum is the suction strength adjustment. The suction is so strong that smaller area rugs and runners get yanked around too easily. You can turn a dial to lessen the vacuum strength and make it easier to vacuum lighter items.

So, double thumbs up on my first experience.
Posted By: BrenR Re: Vacuum shopping - 06/20/12 08:06 PM
Originally Posted By: BobKay
Brian, next time you can stop at a Pet Supply warehouse store, check it out. They have a whole section of products for just that need. A lot of them actually work.


Strychnine?

Bren R.
Posted By: Gary Vose Sr Re: Vacuum shopping - 06/20/12 08:13 PM
Originally Posted By: pmbuko
Time for an update. I contacted Dyson and they identified a local Sears that services Dyson vacuums. They charge $65 + parts for repairs, so we decided to go ahead and fix the vacuum. We also used one of our many Bed Bath & Beyond 20% off coupons (the ones that come every month in our mail) to buy the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Pro.

This vacuum has amazing suction and the rug roller beats the rugs like nobody's business. It feels solidly constructed while remaining light. When I vacuumed the 10'x7'(-ish) area rug in the living room -- which was pretty clean visually -- I was amazed at all the hair and dirt it pulled out. We have carpeted stairs and I used to vacuum them by lifting the Dyson onto each step and wrestling it back and forth, all the way up. With the lift-away feature, I can lift off the motor and dust collector unit, attach the smaller roller head to the wand, and then easily vacuum each step.

One other great feature of this vacuum is the suction strength adjustment. The suction is so strong that smaller area rugs and runners get yanked around too easily. You can turn a dial to lessen the vacuum strength and make it easier to vacuum lighter items.

So, double thumbs up on my first experience.



Peter, I'm glad you're you thrilled with your new purchase. Now you can go out and get six more pets, so you can be thrilled 3x a week, instead of just once laugh
Posted By: tomtuttle Re: Vacuum shopping - 06/20/12 09:13 PM
We've had good luck with Dysons. Before it was dispatched as the "garage/car vacuum", our older "Animal" got rejuvenated several time with parts from England via Ebay. My wife is crafty.

We have a DC28 now.

I'm just baffled that this thread hasn't collapsed from the weight of its own metrosexuality, yet.
Posted By: chesseroo Re: Vacuum shopping - 06/20/12 09:21 PM
Originally Posted By: tomtuttle

I'm just baffled that this thread hasn't collapsed from the weight of its own metrosexuality, yet.

I was wondering that myself but damn, when the info needs to be disseminated, it comes out in droves!
When is the last time we had a good discussion on vacuums in these forums?
Maybe, never?

Lord knows the online reviews can often be biased and fraught with trolls from the companies adding their own beneficial reviews to skew the stars so i prefer some real world feedback from the lads!
Posted By: BobKay Re: Vacuum shopping - 06/20/12 10:44 PM
Thanks for your participation in this thread. To show our appreciation, everyone who contributed gets a free year's subscription to Men's Health. Enjoy.
Posted By: JohnK Re: Vacuum shopping - 06/21/12 01:25 AM
Brian, for a "little canister" for cat hair, you might try this one .
Posted By: Gr8_White_North Re: Vacuum shopping - 06/21/12 02:47 AM
Originally Posted By: BobKay
I agree with Bluey about Dyson. We found a $400 LG (Consumer Rep liked it) on line for $260, ship incl.

I wouldn't ever pay $400 for a vacuum cleaner, and neither should anyone else.

Driving by the local Jr. High last Saturday, I noticed their handmade fundraising sign: "$8 CAR WASH and VACUME. Go, North Junior High! You Go!



they did not spell vacumm like that,jesus your schools are ripping you off LMFAO
Posted By: pmbuko Re: Vacuum shopping - 06/21/12 04:12 AM
Just shave the cat regularly. Problem solved.
Posted By: dakkon Re: Vacuum shopping - 06/21/12 04:26 AM
Originally Posted By: CatBrat
What's the best little canister vacuum for going around the house and sucking up cat hair?


http://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-8912-Gal...waukee+shop+vac
Brian, this is similar to the vacuum that i use to pick up dog hair around the house. We have 2 German Shepherds that shed quite a bit during the 100degree summers that we get down here in Dallas. Our house has tile/hardwood everywhere accept for the bedrooms, which are carpet. I went to a local vacuum store with the hose fitting and got a 50ft hose, so i can vacuum the entire house without moving the canister.. The specific vacuum i have has a 10amp motor, and has more than enough power to have a good amount of suction even with the 50ft hose attached.


BTW, i found my vacuum on Craigslist for 50$... about a mont after i bought it, it needed a new motor, at a cost of 200$.. But still 250$ for this beast is a heck of a deal in my opinion.. And, the last motor lasted 15 years... The bearings were going bad, this is why i needed to replace the entire motor and not just replace the brushes.

Maybe you can find a similar deal on craisglist in your area?
Posted By: BobKay Re: Vacuum shopping - 06/21/12 01:06 PM
Originally Posted By: JohnK
Brian, for a "little canister" for cat hair, you might try this one .


Brian! That's the design I was mentioning. Thanks, John.

Handheld with a beater bar--and it's cheap!

Now I want one, again.
Posted By: MarkSJohnson Re: Vacuum shopping - 06/21/12 01:30 PM
My Dyson has a small beater-bar attachment that's great with the stairs.
Posted By: CatBrat Re: Vacuum shopping - 06/21/12 01:36 PM
Originally Posted By: JohnK
Brian, for a "little canister" for cat hair, you might try this one .


I've already got this Dirt Devil, but I find it a pain to use. They look like similar models. I need something with a longer hose/nozzle to get to places, like under and behind the computer desk, under the bed, and bedroom furniture, etc.
Posted By: Murph Re: Vacuum shopping - 06/21/12 01:52 PM
Originally Posted By: CatBrat

I've already got this Dirt Devil, but I find it a pain to use. They look like similar models. I need something with a longer hose/nozzle to get to places, like under and behind the computer desk, under the bed, and bedroom furniture, etc.


Sounds like you need one of these. It's like a Roomba but doesn't require batteries.


Posted By: CatBrat Re: Vacuum shopping - 06/21/12 02:06 PM
Originally Posted By: Murph
Originally Posted By: CatBrat

I've already got this Dirt Devil, but I find it a pain to use. They look like similar models. I need something with a longer hose/nozzle to get to places, like under and behind the computer desk, under the bed, and bedroom furniture, etc.


Sounds like you need one of these. It's like a Roomba but doesn't require batteries.



Yeah. But.

Does it like cat hair?
Posted By: pmbuko Re: Vacuum shopping - 06/21/12 02:40 PM
Yes, so long as you glue an ant to each hair.
Posted By: Gary Vose Sr Re: Vacuum shopping - 06/21/12 03:02 PM
Originally Posted By: CatBrat
Originally Posted By: Murph
Originally Posted By: CatBrat

I've already got this Dirt Devil, but I find it a pain to use. They look like similar models. I need something with a longer hose/nozzle to get to places, like under and behind the computer desk, under the bed, and bedroom furniture, etc.


Sounds like you need one of these. It's like a Roomba but doesn't require batteries.



Yeah. But.

Does it like cat hair?




It also comes with an automatic self emptying canister as well. smirk
Posted By: CatBrat Re: Vacuum shopping - 06/21/12 03:14 PM
Originally Posted By: Gary Vose Sr
Originally Posted By: CatBrat
Originally Posted By: Murph
Originally Posted By: CatBrat

I've already got this Dirt Devil, but I find it a pain to use. They look like similar models. I need something with a longer hose/nozzle to get to places, like under and behind the computer desk, under the bed, and bedroom furniture, etc.


Sounds like you need one of these. It's like a Roomba but doesn't require batteries.



Yeah. But.

Does it like cat hair?




It also comes with an automatic self emptying canister as well. smirk


Cool! I think I'll get one!
Posted By: JohnK Re: Vacuum shopping - 06/22/12 02:42 AM
Brian, that Dirt Devil may appear similar, but the most significant difference is that despite the description claiming a "motorized" brush, that isn't really the case. The brush can "revolve" as a result of the vacuum effect, but it's not directly driven by a separate motor, as is the Eureka model. As a result when it meets significant resistance(e.g., a carpet or sofa)it stops revolving. The actual powered brush is significantly better at picking up cat hair, etc., as Bob cautioned in his earlier reply.
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