Help me buy a good but inexpensive vacuum

[compactc9]

The reasons for the panasonic beeing able to pick up just about anything are that it uses a "clean air" system, which means that the drit the vacuum picks up goes directly to the bag, not thru the motor. Don't try picking up things like that with A Kirby or Sanitaire. The bottom plate and brushroll on the panasonic are also metal, so they can take more abuse that a all plastic vacuum. When I vacuum with a clean air vacuum, I usually just vacuum up whatever is on the floor.

For a good low cost vacuum, I would go for the Panasonic canister, or a Carpet Pro upright. I wouldn't get any Eureka or other cheap Wal-Mart type vacuum. Besides the fact that they break easily, I find them very frustrating to use with things like loud screaming motors, short hoses or annoying stretchy hoses, cheesy attachments, and the list just continues.

Also, I heard that Hoover is going to add a Constellation with a powernozzle, is this true?

 

[tolivac]

Warning-even if the vac has a clean air system-it is abuse to expect it to pick up hard items.Even though the stuff picked up won't go thru the fan-you can crack or break the floor nozzle housing-then you have an EXPENSIVE repair.I have seen many clean air vacuums waiting in vac shops waiting for repairs becuase someone tried it and broke the nozzle housing.The repairs were going to be at least half that of a new machine-I guess go ahead and do it to a machine you are going to junk.

 

[compactc9]

I have never seen that happen. But I usually don't pick thing that big up. The biggest thing i have picked up was a pack os 2 screws for haning blings, that was accedental, we needed those screws. That happened with the Windsor Versamatic. What usually ends up going thru the vacuum are things like pop can tabs (little brother), paper clips, and other things like that.

 

[tolivac]

Pop top tabs,paper clips are not a problem.Larger harder things like screws,coins,nails,and large pebbles can break clean air vac housings.The roller brush can throw these against the housing with lots of force-enough to break or crack it.

 

[compactc9]

What kinds (brands/models) of vacuums have you seen this hpped to. I would think most good quality vacuums wuld be built with be built with thick enough plastic to take it.

 

[tolivac]

The ones I have seen were Sharp,and Panasonic Tri-force models.Its possible that it could happen to any of them-esp if the item is allowed to clatter around underneath for awhile-A good thing to try if you must pick up a hard item-try to run over it with the side of the nozzle that has the suction hose on it-that way the object is picked up quickly without much clattering around in the rollerbrush.I have never seen a metal housing-nozzle vac get damaged this way from a hard object.The Bernina vacuums have a replaceable nozzle liner in case the hard object damage occurs-that way the vac technicain has to replace only the nozzle liner-not the whole base assembly.I beleive the "Cirrus" line of vacs is similar to the Bernina models.Don't know if those have the liner-I have two Bernina vacs in my collection that have the nozzle liner.also the Bernina vacs have a magnet at the bag intake to trap pins,tacks,etc before they go into the bag.You would be amazed how much magnetic debris the vac picks up-lots of the dirt is actually magnetic!weird.Its a good idea to check the magnet each time you use the vac-if large pins get on the magnet-could cause clogs if not removed.Its the only vac I have seen that has it-but the Bernina vacs are quite expensive-reatail for around $400 I beleive.They are nice machines.They also have a metal floor shoe and brush roll with replaceable brush strips.and you can disengage the beater bar roll when using the hose-and the brush roll stops when you put the handlebar upright while the motor is going-has a clutch to disengage the roll.

 

[hooverwheelaway]

Hey Reggie-

Re: Constellation with a power nozzle...

I have heard that rumor flying around from other vac club members, but have not heard anything about it from within the company. I was told that they wouldn't introduce it right away because they wanted to make sure the cleaner was a hit--selling well--before they added other features to it which may or may not include a powerhead, variable speed motor, or cord rewinder. But if I hear anything I'll gladly let everyone know.

We still haven't gotten the OK to order them yet, and I asked again yesterday... Still no word on when we will be able to. *sigh*

**Being very patient**

~Fred

 

[buffalo-joe]

Hoover Constellation............

I'm wondering if this will be what Hoover offers as their 100th anniversary model.

 

[buffalo-joe]

Temporary?

Jason,

For what you want and the fact that its temporary, I'd get a Panasonic or one of those cheaper Hoover bagged uprights. The Hoovers will be in Kmart or Wally Mart. The Panasonics would be at vac shops. They should be between $50 and $90, maybe less. The Eureka upright you linked to is a wonderful cleaner, but if you need tools, they are not tool friendly. I'm not sure Eureka offers tool kits with them anymore.

I fix vacs on the side and the Cheap Hoover and Panasonics seem to hold up for the money. The cheaper, plastic Eurekas seem to melt brushrolls and their tools are flimsey.

For temporary situations, don't go over $100. Save the rest and put the money towards what you really want and that's the Connie!

Joe

 

[vac-o-matic]

Upright or Canister??

Hi Jason, if you can get by without tools, I'd go for a Sanitaire, or the commercial Eureka from Sam's. They're a little loud but have a great brushroll, long cords, and really deep clean a carpet. Since you'll later have the Connie, it would be nice to have an upright for quick clean ups. If you need tools, I'd go with the Hoover bagged Tempo, they're a very decent machine, and available from vac suppliers for under 50.00, I'm not sure what they are in the stores. I'm sure your head is spinning by now with all the suggestions, but they're all good, just up to you to make the choice. Good luck!!

Rick

 

[hooverwheelaway]

Hey Jason...

If you would want a Bagged Hoover Tempo (Windtunnel in disguise)--model U5144-900, E-mail me and I can get you a deal on one... and ship it to you.

~Fred

 

[hooverwheelaway]

Oops..

The Tempo model is actually a U5140-900. We also have the regular Windtunnel (U5268-900), the Savvy that has one brushroll models U8181 and U8183(you can shut the brushroll off and go on a bare floor), and the Self Propelled Windtunnel (various models)... all for well under $200.

~Fred

 

[buffalo-joe]

Second the Tempo

Jason,

Go for that Tempo Fred's offering. That is a nice inexpensive machine. Sounds perfect for what you want. Only drawback is that its not retro looking, but the Connie will offer you that. The Tempo, with proper care, will last quite a while.

Joe

 

[skip]

hoover constellion

Jason here's the constellion with free shipping it's right at 200.00. Being this is the one you want

Skip...

Hoover S3341 Constellation Canister Vacuum Cleaner

www.allergybegone.com

 

[brettsomers]

L@@K

Loading…

cgi.ebay.com

 

[skip]

Hey David

Check out my Link that's the Hoover constellion JAson wants for 199.00 plus free shipping. Being this is the one he wants and He said a little over 200.00 is What They want to spend. There's plenty in stock.

Skip...

 

[brettsomers]

so what are you thinking, Jason?

skip, im not a Connie-maniac, so its hard for me to say. my gut says wait at least three months after the general release. maybe they will introduce new colors? maybe Jason has generous means and economy doesnt matter? hes gonna need a full-size powernozzle or upright if he wants to get his carpets really clean. i think he said his home has several rooms of carpet so i still recommend a full-size upright as back up.

 

[sudsmaster]

I like the look of the newer Bissell D2 Revolution vac. It's under $200 at Target.

Personally I have one of the original two-compartment Eureka bagless, and it works great. It takes a lot of abuse and keeps on going - nothing has broken on it in nearly 10 years. This is the type that has no filter in the dust cup, so it's fairly easy to empty. The Bissell D2 also has no dustcup filter, which IMHO is a big plus for a bagless system. The D2 also has a washable HEPA filter, which will save $$$ on filter replacement.

One of these days I'll probably get a D2 and report on its performance.

 

[brettsomers]

my experience has been that the Bissell bagless uprights are horrible! (gurus, little backup please!) and to quote David Oreck *Bagless really is a dirty word* changing a bag is easier than washing a filter. IMHO

 

[norgeman]

vacuum cleaners.

In my opion any of the direct air vacs are the way to go. That would be the older Hoover and Eureka vacs. The Eureka FandG series and the older Hoover convertables that use top fill bags also the orecks and the sanitaires are all direct air which means that the dirt passes through a impeller and is throne up into a dirt collections bag. In this system it maintains 100% sucion power no matter how full the bag gets.
Where as a clean air system vac where the dirt is sucked into a paper dirt bag and the dirt and things that you pick up never go through the impeller motor but remember that with a clean air system vac that as you use it it will loose suction power as the bag fills up no matter how much they tell you it won't loose suction power and then the motor has to work that much harder to maintain the level of suction power causing it to burnout that much sooner. But with a direct air vac you never loose suction power as the bag fills up. Because you are throwing the dirt into the bag instead of drawing the air through the collection bag and with a new bag after about ten minutes of good hard carpet cleaning you've sealed off the bag with fine dirt and dust loosing valuable suction power. In a direct air as I said you are throwing the dirt up into the bag and the brushroll area you maintain 100% suction power all the time. My pick would be the Sanitaire or Eureka or Hoover all of the older style and make sure that they are top fill. Thank you! Danf.