HOOVER OPH714 D

[optima]

Hello Everybody. This is my very first post on automaticwasher.org. I have been visiting this excellent site for quite a while now & i have finally got around to joining the group. I have worked in electrical retail for almost 15 years now. I work in a small but very busy independent shop that used to be a norweb shop. We sell all the major whitegoods. I do the ordering,selling & the deliveries & the fun part picking up the customers old appliances. You would not believe some of the classic washers we pick up. Just a few weeks back we delivered a washer to a customer & I could not believe my eyes when he wanted the old one taking away a Hoover OPH714D. I asked him what was wrong with it he said it wasnt pumping out. Well here it is now in my kitchen working perfectly & the problem a blocked pump sorted it out in minutes.

 

[ozzie908]

Nice one its always good to save a machine from a crushing and its always good to get a freebie...!

If only I had access to some of the machines that are discarded these days its so sad to see them in a skip.

Austin

 

[optima]

Now for plus & negative points. (The plus points) It does a very good wash on the 29 minute quick wash i like the long drum rotations. I like the real time lcd display. The wash time button you tell the machine how long you want it to wash for. Very deep rinse water levels. Low level fab con rinse makes the most of the conditioner. Fast 1000rpm interim spins. (Negatives) No 50deg temperature option. Dont like & dont want the prewash before the 90deg programme. If you want to do a prewash it should be as a option button. Quick wash 800 max spin i would like the option to increase this. Fast iron button a waste of time its quite simply rinse hold. A bit to fussy on spin balancing. Final 1400 spin takes far to long. No slow drum rotation at the end of the final spin. All in all i quite like the machine.

 

[ozzie908]

What you describe is just what my view was on the Nextra I used to own only difference was it had a 1500 spin but like you say sometimes it just would not balance.

Austin

 

[haxisfan]

Low spec Hoover

My Hoover Nextra is quite different as to some of the options you mentioned: it'd annoy me a lot if it didn't let me choose all the temperatures from 0 to 90 degrees!

As for the spin cycle, I'm annoyed for the opposite reason... I cannot get a long spin only mode in my version, as it's limited to a short spin (less than 3 minutes at a max speed of 800rpm), however I usually make sure that I select a programme with a long spin sequence (fortunately I can have as many cycles as I want through the selector and the option combinations). I hated to see what they did to the 'prewash' function, which on mine is selectable through a button, but on the other hand newer models had a stain blaster option which mine hasn't.

I know some 2nd generation Hoover Nextras (2006) were similar to your Optima... but they were the entry level washers from Hoover. I can't stop loving my Nextra though, that's how I managed to forgive her for not letting me have a long spin only cycle

 

[nrones]

Welcome!

Hello, I am a real Candy fan, and I think their products are excellent. You will probobly see that in particular in some of next threads or if you see what I already wrote.

What do you generally think of Candy/Hoover appliances?and your experiences
What machine was replaced with this optima?

I have a Candy GrandOPlus, you can see all the vids with her on my YouTube channel, but there isn"t a particular thread about it (link)

nrones

CHECK OUT MY BLOG - www.nrones.wordpress.com Welcome to nr.one.s - The washing channel! Many washing machines on the market look the same with their features. People trust detergent efficency and quality, by it's name and price. Not sure weather your machine works properly? Videos for you are...

www.youtube.com

 

[optima]

The machine i had before this was a hoover H160E SIX Model. That machine was a top spec machine just before i think they brought out the nextra range. I used to love the fast wash button it would knock 50 minutes off the wash time the only problem was that when it got to the desired wash temp it would go straight to empty then on to the first rinse instead of washing for a few more minutes at the correct temp. I would only use the fast wash button if i was in a hurry because i thought it was a waste to heat the water then to pump it out. It was also a hot & cold fill machine which was good because you could press the no heat button & it would fill with hot only or hot & cold water depending on the programme selected without using the machines own heater. That SIX , NEXTRA & CANDY SMART range of machines were the best & last to come out of the Merthyr tydfil factory before it was shut down.

 

[nrones]

nice

Where is your optima from?
Mine Candy is from Russia

And as you said you work in retail washer shop, can you tell me what machines are the most sold, and "on what place" Candy/Hoover stands if we rank by buying?

I am glad someone else appeared with positive oppineons about Candy/Hoover company! it"s just more and more of us
Still no matter how my old Candy EXCLUSIVE (Charme range, early 90s) was the best machine I EVER used

thanks alot indeed,
Dex

 

[optima]

They is one more thing i hope you will all help me out on. the rating plates do not say where they are made at. Apart from the larger capacity machines which say they are made in Italy. I think candy own a washer factory in China so i guess they are made there. I do know that Hoover-Candy dryers are now made in Poland.

 

[nrones]

Sorry, you replied quicker than me

I think your optima is from Italy. Candy actually has 3 factories in Italy (2 washer and one fridge -Candy, Zerowatt, Iberna). As far as I know if you don"t see where it comes from, it is coming from Zerowatt-italy then, Since all others say where are they from (China, Russia).
But as far as I heared from Candy, ALL dryers produced from them are comming from the newest 2010 plant greenfeield invested in Turkey. As I know other fridges and freezers are produced in Chezch republic, and also I"ve never heared of Candy factory in Poland - in Poland is Indesit plant.
Also, factory in China is focused on machines going to asia and africa, they are extreamly rare in Europe.

Hope this helped
Dex

 

[optima]

Dex, Our top selling washers are still Hotpoint WML540 & WMF540 i dont rate them much. Mind you i am very impressed with the Indesit IPW prime range of washers far better build quality very much like the Aqualtis range & they still have 1 very last uk part in them the soap dispenser still the same as the Hotpoint WMA models that were made in the UK. We also sell quite alot of the basic 1000 spin BEKO machines they have been as yet very reliable. The most unreliable machine at the moment is Amica considering they have got a 2 year guarantee you would be lucky if they are lasting for 2 months without a service call. I Sold a candy GO148 GRANDO on saturday straight forward 8kg basic machine they have been quite reliable.

 

[haxisfan]

@optima

We obviously have different experiences which shape different opinions. I absolutely love the fast wash feature and I like the fact that the machine does not keep your top selected temperature for long... this is handy for non fast colour garments which are more susceptible to run colour at a higher temp or for mix clothes with even higher temps.

Just as an example, I experienced colour run with a temp of 50 in other washers, but not in Nextra with the fast wash option. The clothes will still benefit of wash action and temperature... e.g. when the machine has reached 45 degrees, it's still going to wash for further 5 minutes while it heats up to 50 (this will still give a main wash time of 30 minutes altogether, which seems adequate for dark garments).

There are still other fix length short cycles like the A59' which will carry on washing after having reached the temperature chosen so probably they're more suitable for sturdier laundry. All Nextras ('04 and '06 models except for the 3D ones which had a time manager instead) had them for any temp between cold and 60 degrees, and the main wash would always last approx 40' whatever the temp... the heater in these cycles would be activated almost immediately rather than after 10-12' like the standard cycles. I'm not sure about your Optima... I can't quite see the programmes in the pic.

I hope I didn't give you a headache

See ya

 

[nrones]

Thanks for such a great reply!

Real professional! Here in Serbia we have 5 year free parts and labour guarantee, and Candy is rated as a "quality brand".
I hope my answer about factories helped you too
Where are you from btw?
Do you have msn, facebook, or ICQ I would love to communicate with you

cheers,
Dex

 

[optima]

Dex you are correct candy dryers are made in Turkey. The thing i dont understand is why the HOOVER-CANDY dryers & refrigeration & some big capacity washers tell you where they are manufactured but the smaller drum models dont also i have noticed most of them have haier motors in them which makes me think China but for some reason Candy dont want us to know that & my optima does not say where it was made. Haxisfan my optima does wash in cold water for the first 10 to 15 minutes.

 

[fl1012]

The Optima in the photo actually looks quite nice. I've usually only seen the basic ones & don't like them because without the LED display the design of the facia looks very bare. The LED display improves things alot i feel. Quality concerns me, given the seemingly poor performance from Vision HD's & Grand O's, but if i was buying on appearance alone of that particular model, i wouldn't be put-off.

I would've also considered a Hoover Nextra as i think these look good and are no worse for longevity to many other machines made at the time. I thought the Candy Smart was related to the Nextra in some way but i never knew the Smarts were also UK built. My view is that alot of Hoover/Candys poor reputation stems from the Grand O's/Vision HD's. Prior to that my personal view is they wern't a great deal different to a few other makes.

My Auntie has a Candy Activa Smart (1400/6kg), which i've not seen running but seems ok-ish. Unfortunately it has smelt of burning on a few occasions & as it's only 18 months old i can't say it's proven itself, but if it's based on the Nextra then hopefully it'll go the distance. It's a great shame Hoover/Candy no longer manufacture in the UK but i blame much of that on our Government of the time who did far too little to support our Manufacturing industry.

Optima - It's pleasing to see Beko sell well, im quite fond of them, but it does puzzle me how many people keep coming back for more Hotpoint. One of our neighbours has the WML540 & it's just had a complete bearing/drum change at 18months old. Surely there's gotta come a time when they've failed so many people that they actually run out of willing buyers?!

Do you stock Gorenje? These seem one to watch. I was especially taken by the 2 yr warranty on such a reasonable price machine.

Liam.

 

[nrones]

2 different worlds? xD

I so feel wired when you guys, specially from UK, talk like that... because Gorenje in Serbia is like a Hotpoint in the UK. Gorenje is manufacturer from Slovenia, but soon going to open 3rd factory in Serbia. But that"s not reason why it"s so common here..before 90s Slovenia and Serbia and some other countries were one country - Yugoslavia - so gorenje was a "domestic choice, to support manufacturing", and as much as my grandmother said there wasn"t much choice there only sometimes Candy"s that were very expencive.. so now after decades passed, country isn"t the same, but washing-machine tradition is! So just imagine - wherever you see a Hotpoint in UK, here you"ll see Gorenje if you were here

As I said Gorenje and Candy are 2 most sold brands when it comes to washing here. And both G and C are having 5 year full parts and labor guarantee... while the absolute minimum for guarantee (ordered by law) is 2 years - so it was also wired for you to love 2 year gtee xD

If you have any questions about them you can ask me, or Ingemar (called "gorenje" on here) - just to know about him, he said ME "what Candy is for you, Gorenje is for me" - so you can just think how damn well familiar he is with them

cheers,
Dex

 

[solsburian]

@fl1012

About Merthyr: One criticism there was with Candy was that all components for the machines made there were sourced from ether Italy or Spain, rather then from local suppliers, potentially adding extra cost. We have a Nissan car factory near us and they use the Just In Time principle for parts, and many components are sourced from local companies (they also get some subsidies though). Perhaps Merthyr could have been more cost effective if they did that.

 

[optima]

Liam, The new basic optimas without LCD displays are very disappointing especially the very long wash times on the cotton programmes. The only quick cotton wash is the (a)class in 59 minutes programme that is ok but it has a fixed temp @ 60deg to hot for most things. The only way of reducing the temp is by pressing the cold wash option button ok in the summer but in the winter i dont think so. Candy should have put a variable temp button & also a time saver button on this machine. The thing i like about my OPH714D is that i can select by the wash time button how long i want it to wash for depending on how dirty the washing is.

 

[haxisfan]

I'm disappointed too :-(

The A59' cycle is just a wonderful wash cycle suitable for almost anything and can replace any other standard cycle provided that one can alter certain parametres such as water temperature and spin speed. It's diabolical from Hoover to spoil such a great programme with those temperature limitations (60 degrees or cold)... fortunately it only happens on some entry level models... also from Candy and Zerowatt.

For those who don't know this wash programme similarly to any standard cycle starts with slow tumbles for 2-3 minutes (depending on the size of the load) followed by approx 37 minutes of fast tumbles with short pauses, then it spins at 400rpm after the main wash and it performs 2 high o mid-high level water rinses (the water levels usually change: so far I've noticed that it always gets a higher water level when the load contains dark items) with interim spin at 400rpm... the final spin sequence is identical to those of cotton cycle so it's carried out at the max speed with the max length.

Should anyone be interested, I included 2 links of the A59 cycle below, one with dark clothes and the other with lights.

Bye