They're great!
As a central vac owner, vacuum collector, and as someone who worked in the Central Vac industry for three years, I'd like to offer my opinion...
Working at a shop, where the central vac portion was the main part of the business, I have been able to really get a pretty good (not extremely biased) opinion on different central vac brands. Granted, some changes may have occurred over the last three years (it's been three years since I've been there--but am still in the vacuum cleaner business).
Where I worked, we sold Beam Central Vacs (cleaning systems as they called them). We also had samples of, say, 6 or so examples of "the competition" on the floor in order to help sell the Beam (again, the competition may have changed in the past three years).
In my honest opinion, out of many of the other brands on the market, I felt that Beam was the best choice--hands down (I still feel that way~my mother is getting a Beam installed on Dec. 12). I really don't like selling things I don't personally believe in, I don't think it's ethically right... ((Take for example, Hoover's first few stabs at the V2 Windtunnel... I wouldn't dare sell them, I knew they'd be back for service)).
Anyway, Beam has a one piece tank construction, the dirt cup is made out of lexan (lighter than metal) so when you add pounds of dirt it makes it easier to empty (lighter to carry). With a beam, you can put a garbage bag in the dirt bin, as a liner--and not worry about it getting sucked up into the machine, blocking off the suction and burning out the motor--then when you empty it, just replace the liner. The warranty at the time was lifetime on everything except the attachments and the carbon brushes in the motor--I do believe that has changed. They are made in Webster City, IA--we're all currently hot to trot over "Made in the USA"... They don't need to be exhausted to the outside. The filter is a Permanent, self-cleaning filter. I could go on...
As far as the hose hook-up goes: Personally, I have the low-voltage inlets, and I make a second connection when I use a powerhead. It's very easy to do, and less expensive to install. The "direct connect" inlets need to be wired by an electrician (at least where I live), and wired into the house's circuitry. Also, (I think they've been improved over the years) the pins on the end of a "direct connect" hose (or the inlet tiself) may need to be replaced if they become loose and start to arc--and that can come from not pulling the hose straight out of the inlet, but "wiggling" it loose, and loosening the pins.
As far as costs go--you really won't have any--unless you beat your vacuum regularly or wear your attachments down from too much use. Our powerhead has 9 years under its belt, ans is still going strong, with just a belt and bulb here and there.
Regardless of what brand is chosen, a central vac is a great thing to have, period. If you use it to do all of your dusting, the dust is removed from the living area (because it's sucked into the machine either in the basement or garage) opposed to pushing it around with a dust rag. And it adds value to a home, just as central air or a sprinkler system would. It also can create the illusion that one's house is cleaner.
I mostly use my central vac for dusting, cleaning out the cars, vacuuming the basment and vacuuming the garage. I'm a stubborn Hoover Convertible sort-of guy, when it comes to vacuuming carpets. But, I do switch things up every so often, and pull the central vac out. It is very easy to use, quiet (all you hear is the powerhead), and powerful!
Hope this helps **stepping off of soapbox**
Fred
