CU Jan 2005 issue vacuum cleaner reviews

[tolivac]

Its out-any comments-again Hoover Windtunnels score highest in the uprights.Kenmore canisters were liked for canister machines.

 

[westytoploader]

My views on CR

Hmmmm...hasn't arrived yet. Still won't make me buy a plastic vacuum though. I might write a letter telling them that they should re-introduce durability testing and give manufacturers (mainly vacuums and automatic washers...where the problems are) a wake-up call to put quality back into their machines!

I've had my own subscription to CR since I was 10 (and read every single report), and I thought their reviews were much better (and more fun to read) back in '97. IMHO ever since Rhoda Karpatkin left CR has pretty much gone downhill. Even the smallest things; the cover design and layout, for example: CR had a nice contemporary design until 2000 that I had absolutely no problem with, and the fact that the Product Updates were at the front! If they do away with the humorous "Selling IT" page at the back then that will be the end of my subcription. Now don't get me wrong, there are a few interesting sections, such as "Claim Check" and "Now & Then".

In the future, durability testing is a MUST!

--Austin

 

[tolivac]

Wheres the reveiews on TriStar?Filter Queen?WaterMatic?how bout Royal Everlast,Classic and Powercast?Cu seems afraid to try DEALER and other DTD machines.they test the plastic specials.Their vac testing has gone DOWNHILL. And NO durability tests.I too like the "selling it" section.At this piont-best part of the book.After reading their tests-won't buy the plastic vacs either.I have a Kirby trade magazine that has several letters from Kirby customers questioning CU tests.These folks were former Windtunnel owners.Esp the Windtunnel Bagless machines.The pleated filter in it clogs up quicker than a bag.I am with you-a wake up call to the appliance builders is in order-same with some of their new dopey designs that don't work.Stick to what does-esp with washers.If you want good vac reviews-go to "Whats the best vacuum.com"They also have a forum.

 

[maytagbear]

Test choices

Consumers Union decides which brands/models to test on market share. They have a large demographics/statistics staff that does lots of research.

I am inclined to agree with whomever- Austin(?) about the magazine changing and not for the better since Jim Guest took over.

There are whole categories of products that haven't been tested in decades, like photographic lab equipment, and there seems to be fewer and fewer reports about food.

Consumer Reports seems to be increasingly about expensive electronics, and not as much about the things real people buy every day..the small things that add up to large money over a year.

If you have access to a university or other research library, it is interesting and very informative to look at some really OLD issues--like the late 40s to mid 50s. For all the grousing some do, appliances and many other products really are much safer now.

Just as much as I wish some appliace company executives would read our virtual community, I wish some CU staffers would, as well.

"Selling It" is a hoot, and I always go there first, even before "Front Lines" (Why the heck couldn't they have kept it as "Once Over"?

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[tolivac]

I used to read CU when I was a kid-would have been from the early 60'sOur family subscribed to it-I also thought they used to test various types of sporting equipment as well-like golf,tennis,fishing,bowling and hunting.Remember seeing some tests on .22cal rifles.I have noticed they are testing more new AV products-esp the expensive ones.Some of their reveiwes on those I think are questionable.I would like to "rewind" back to the 50's and see some of their reports from then.I like some of the reveiews on wringer washers on the CU archives on this site-are very interesting and clever-esp on the wringer washers.Yes its true-some products are safer-but how safe can you make it-without making the item too much hassle to use.-like CU's "Deadman" switches on lawnmowers.I see many of those defeated by users-I'm a good boy-haven't defeated mine-The motor on my lawnmower is easy to restart.On some it wasn't.

 

[westytoploader]

I had a 2002 GE Bagless upright and no matter how often I cleaned the pleated filter, it clogged like this (snaps fingers). Essentially a miniature version of a Shop-Vac filter/tank assembly, except there was less capacity, which made it more prone to clogging. In fact, I use my Shop-Vacs in the house occasionally and their filters are easier to clean than the GE's!

The last Filter Queen report I saw was in 1979, but they could have tested them later than that year. I've never seen them test TriStars, and I last saw a metal-body Royal in 1992.

Gas-powered mowers have gotten a little better; I have a new-model Toro and it starts in 1 pull. I still wouldn't mind having a vintage one though, as they were cool to look at. Electric mowers have gone downhill, however; in 1987 CR tested a Snapper electric mower and it roared through the tall grass better than some gas versions! You won't see that today...can you imagine a cheap Black & Decker doing that???

--Austin

 

[tolivac]

Austin:I too have a Shop Vac in my Home-use it to clean out some of the "trade in"vacs.I also use a National Model"M" as well. the model M does better.I do use the large paper bags in my shop vac and use the pleated HEPA type filter as an exhaust filter as it was intended to be.Pleated filters really should be used with a bag or some other filtrer device ahead of it.I use the yellow "dry-wall" bags.Even with those some very fine dust gets onto the pleated filter.Hasn't clogged yet.I vaguely rewmember CU testing Royal machines in the 90's.didn't agree with their review as well.Found royals to be top performers.
You have the new Toro-thats the mower I have-love it.Its motor truely does start on one pull(two or three if its been sitting over the winter)and mulches the grass and debris perfectly.Even the long tough "pine straw" we get out here.I used to have a cordless B&D electric mower-and that machine cut thru tall grass like a small bush-hog!!even better than a 6Hp gas mower.But the hitch-the electric one only ran for about 15min before it needed recharging.Used it to cut a rough tall area behind a freinds house.Cut half of the area before it needed recharging.The cordless mower motors seem to have even more torque than the plug in electrics.Sadly the machine went-the plastic deck(wished it were steel)wore out as I used it here.The pine straw-pine cones,and sandy soil just eroded it away.Had to take it to the dump.The neighbors were fascinated with it when I used it after I first moved to GreenVille NC.they had never seen a cordless electric mower.I really did like it better than the gas one.Was SO QUIET-made a pleasent whirring sound.And it made mowing the yard as easy as vacuuming the living room floor.I haven't seen any more cordless mowers.Sears used to have a really nice STEEL deck machine-saw it after getting the BD one.Bought the BD one at Home Depot in Manassas VA.The BD folks put on a really impressive demenstration at the store.They were mowing tall patches of grass with it to show its power.Some of the gas mowers stalled in the grass they were cutting.That type of mower also appeals to city folks with small lawns and close spaced homes-used it at the townhome I bought there.I do like the Toro-but miss that cordless electric.

 

[tolivac]

Vintage Toro mower

At one of the radio stations I worked at they had an old Toro "Whirlwind"mower to mow the tower feild(it was 5 acres!!)They used to hire a kid to do it.The whole feild with that little Toro mower.I did it too-but not the whole thing.They hired a bush hogger to do it.Than the station traded out for a small Jacobsen tractor. I used that-got LOTS of overtime doing their feild.The Toro mower had an interesting "S" shaped blade.You had to keep it sharp to work-otherwise it pushed and swirled the grass intead of cutting it.A big advantage-if it hit a rock ar something-didn't throw it across the feild.A good safety thing there.I used the little Toro with the tractor as a "trim" mower. Sadly one day(I changed the oil in the engine)I was mowing in some very tall weeds-and SNAPPP Its crankshaft went.Engine was totaled.I ordered a "Grainger" mowere instead-couldn't "trade out" a Toro.I also liked the appearence of those old Toro Mowers-esp the "Bull"logo on the front of the motor cover.It seems these are harder to find than old washers and appliances.

 

[bethann]

Another shop-vac user here! I had lots if different types of vacs. Including the piece of crap Phantom, and I do mean piece of crap! ( Dumpster ) I use the drywall bags also. There is only one room in the house that has carpet and it's the bathroom. Having a big dog and a long haired cat it's the way to go! Last year I purchased one of the Hoover floormates. I would never use it for dry pick up! But it's OK for in-between touch ups. Best thing is knee pads and elbow grease!
I am also a Toro user, no problems there either. When I was a kid we use to have a lawn mower called a Flymo. Coolest thing ever! If you have never seen one it floated. One hard push and across the yard it went! I was great for the ditch, you could walk with it sideways.

 

[doityrselfguy]

Kenmore Progressive

I have the Kenmore Progressive canister/power nozzle, and am very happy with it. I use the 3M filtrete bags and the emissions seem really clean. At some point, the review states that motorized upholstery attachments are no better than manual attachments - with which I majorly disagree (my cat would too). It's very handy.

Pete

 

[tolivac]

At a mower repair shop I saw a tech there fix and try a Flymo mower-was very interesting.He started it-and spun in a complete circle-made a neat cut circle in the grass.Now we know how they cut the patterns in the lawns!They are still made-trying to think of the maker.Maybe under John Deere-its now JD green.and the same "hovercraft" deck.Would love to see Toro build a cordless electric mower thogh-and have it with removable battery packs so you could be charging one and using the other.That would be good for folks with large lawns.I helpted a tech at one vac store-it was an older Phantom "thunder" vac-the user used it for picking up dog hair-and long hair at that-all of the clog check points were clogged-wouldn't happen in a bagged machine.Was nasty-we sure wanted to throw it in the stores dumpster that had a "Vert-i-pack" compactor.Threw some vacs in it and yes you heard the crackling platic crucnhing sound.Ones that couldn't be fixed-Dirt Devils mainly.I haven't used my Shop-Vac for wet pickup yet-Its a 22Gal size-has a SS drum.I would imagine the SV's would be good for picking up the long dog and cat hair.Those long peices of hair will tear up ANY roller brush equipped machine.

 

[scott55405]

Pete, we have a Kenmore upright on one level of our house that I really like as well. I bought it for my roommate for Christmas before we were roommates, to replace a deplorable Dirt Devil he had and wasn't getting rid of fast enough to suit me, LOL. I don't think you can go too wrong with Sears vacs. I use the 3M bags as well with excellent results, and replace the inexpensive filter annually.

I know CU used to do Kirby a fair bit, and I think even Rainbow once or twice. Usually their big complaint on this type of machine is the cost, and they are right about that. I like some of these machines but never buy them new.

I use a 3.5 amp Royal in our basement family room which I love. Cleans great, it is light and small enough to get around some tight corners down there. Kirby Legend on the upper level, and primarily a Miele for bare floors and above the floor cleaning. These are the primary machines that are used, I also have a collection of vintage cleaners that I use from occasionally.

 

[coldspot66]

I do love my Kenmore Progressive upright that CR has highly rated. It has direct drive, so no belts. Also the brush rotates forward so it is easy to push. It seems like it has power drive, but it doesn't. Clean exhaust and powerful suction make this the BEST vacuum I've ever owned!! I also think it is manufactured by Whirlpool.

 

[doityrselfguy]

scott55405:

Is the Dirt Devil you use in your basement the upright with the 9-inch path? Dirt Devil discontinued those, but I always thought they were cool - sort of retro. What I like about my Kenmore Progressive canister is that it's a high-end model, with the best of the old tried-and-true technology (superb suction, a good carpet nozzle, several attachments, clean emissions and a clean design). I also have a Eureka straight-suction canister I bought in '91, and a Dirt Devil deluxe hand vac that I use on the stairs.

Pete

 

[tolivac]

The beltless KN upright vacs may have been built by Panasonic.Panasonic has built many of KN vacuums these days.I beleive the WP vac manufacturing facility was bought up by Panasonic.Remember those old KN WP built canisters-were pretty solid machines.Used them at a radio station-they did a lot of "trade outs" for Sears.Used one to vacuum out their transmitters.And those vacuum departments at Sears-pretty much a vacuum cleaner store by itself.

 

[tolivac]

Was the 9" wide DD machine a Broom Vac?-I had one of those years ago-was a powerful little machine-but I killed it when it tried to pick up a nickel-tore up its fan.You could use the machine with paper bags or use the cloth bag alone as a dump bag.I did like it though.also had an adjustable length handle.The machine was the usual bright red DD color.

 

[GESwivel]

Your Kenmore Progressive beltless upright was made by Matsushita(Panasonic). Whirlpool left the floorcare business in 1994 when they sold their remaining interest to Matsushita(Panasonic).

The Kenmores, made by Panasonic, are very good vacuum cleaners that clean really well. They are pretty good for the price.

 

[agiflow]

WP made a vacuum?

I never knew Whirlpool made vacuum cleaners,...wow,learn something new everyday

 

[scott55405]

Our Sears (made by Panasonic) upright is not a direct drive, but my sister has the Panasonic version of the direct drive and really likes it. Her first Panasonic lasted nearly 20 years.

Anytime I run into someone who is dumbfounded by cleaners, I send them right to Sears. I think for the average person they have a wonderful selection, good quality and good prices, and it's just like the good old days where you can see everything and try it out.

Pete, it is not a Dirt Devil that I use in the basement. It is a regular aluminum Royal with a blue bag and cord (looks kind of like an older Kirby) I love it!