Poor Speed Queen "HomeStyle" Line

[sudsmaster]

I got my paper copy of the March 06 CR today in the mail. So now I can see the actual ratings.

It is a bit mystifying that Asko and Miele placed so low, purely on the basis of capacity. Oh well.

I also made a trip to the local Sears today, to see the Oasis. There was an empty spot where the washer once stood. The saleslady said they had gotten in 500 machines, and they all sold very quickly. But she hadn't heard back from any customers as to cleaning performance. I note that CR says they found the Oasis to clean "competently" although it arrived too late to be included in their complete testing.

I was also interested in how the GE FL fared. Although it scored very good on washing, energy efficiency, and noise, it suffered with regard to capacity and gentleness. I think it also got dinged for its supposedly long cycle time, but I think perhaps CR misread the display, mistaking 1 hour 5 minutes for 105 minutes?

I'm also concerned that CR probably uses the default "normal" or "regular" wash cycle on which to base all its testing. I think it would be better to do a more thorough evaluation, and see just what each machine can do, maximum, in terms of parameters such as washing efficiency and gentleness. I'd be willing to bet that the Miele and Asko would rate much higher in terms of washing efficiency if their high temp long cycle options were chosen. And so on. At best CR is a snapshot of a slice across the center of each machine's capabilities - but it probably doesn't give much of a clue as to which machines are capabable of far better results than the average machine.

 

[tolivac]

Saw the statement in their reviews-"the timer knob turns only one way"WOW-you guys at CU FINALLY noticed that after how MANY years of appliance tests and reviews???I will have a LOT LESS credibility in their reviews from now on-was a WASTE of money to renew to read something like that.

 

[sudsmaster]

Frigilux,

Is it true that Speed Queen is planning a revamp of their front loader line?

 

[varenovator]

I heard from the sales manager at one of our local chains that SQ will be rolling out a new line in 2007. It will feature a larger door to better compete with the rest of the FL's out there (the SQ rep had told him that their research/feedback from customers was that the small door opening creates the illusion of small capacity, and that there are some real ergonomic issues with it). It will be interesting to see if they can pull it off without falling into the same trap as other manufacturers (large door = more water in boot issues, major redesign = major flaws). One thing he thought they were not going to do is go to electronic controls; SQ at this point feels that they are a quality/customer satisfaction liability.

 

[the7]

At present, SQ TL and dryer use electro-mechanical timer/selectors which have timer-motors. The selector knob advances/moves by the timer motor.

However the present SQ FL uses electronic timer/selector where there is NO timer-motor. The selector knob is simply a switch for selecting different washing cycles and does not advance/move at all.

Don't think it is a good idea to for SQ to increase the door opening because this will involve major mechanical change. A larger door opening will incease the hazard of door leakage, boot and mold problem. There will be more stationary area of door to interfer with the tumbling/spinning laundry. Some water may be needed to be pumped out for "Add a garment" function because the water level may be above the larger opening.

There are one fixed "NORMAL solid" choice each for REGULAR, PP and Delicate cycles in the present electronic timer/selector.
The older model prior 2003 uses electro-mechanical timer/selector which has "HEAVY, NORMAL and LIGHT soil" for REGULAR cycle, and "NORMAL and LIGHT soil" each for PP and DELICATE cycles. The older model is more versatile than the present model.
In REGULAR cycle, the older model could choose 7 min (LIGHT solid) to 15 min (HEAVY soild) for wash phase while the present one has one fixed 9 min wash phase. What a shame?

IF SQ is going to introduce "improved versions" for FL, they should re-introduce the "electro-mechanical timer/selector" and a more versatile "electronic timer/selector" which includes "HEAVY, NORMAL and LIGHT soild" choices.
They should also include "internal heater" for the front control model as well the rear control model. There is not needed to increase the door opening.

My choice from the "improved version" SQ FL (if available) would be a front control model with electro-mechanical timer/selector plus internal heater.

 

[frigilux]

The7-- OK, that explains why CR mentioned the unidirectional control knob. Like most people here, we were under the impression they were complaining about a mechanical cycle timer which only turned one way. If it's only a cycle selector, then it is odd it only turns in one direction, as most other models I've toyed with turn in both directions. Either way, it's still a petty complaint.

Since the SQ TL has a mechanical timer, I believe most of us believed the FL had the same. Interesting. Thanks for the clarification!

 

[the7]

Typing errors.

Sorry for the typing errors in my post.
"solid" and "soild" should all mean "soil" or "soiled".

 

[launderess]

Spoke with that nice man from Alliance Laundry/SQ before the holidays and he stated the following changes would be coming to the SQ front loaders:

Larger door opening
More "user friendly" controls and IIRC addition of "rinse & spin" cycles along with perhaps some others.

When SQ first began the PR blitz/launch of their residential laundry line, had the chance to speak with this same gentleman and told him about THS and this forum. Also bent his ear to give him a "housewife" view of their front loader verus the competition. Had no idea the man would actually visit either site, but he did and does so every now and then to keep up on the buzz. All suggestions (mine and others) were brought up at product development meetings, the results we shall see in the 2007 model line.

As for the comment another poster made that SQ FL washers do not clean well for the money, that is a load of flannel. Of those whom have purchased the units, have not heard one complaint about laundry results.

With proper loading, chemicals, and the mechanical action supplied by the washer, long cycle times really are not needed. Yes, it would be nice to have a longer cycle than 9 minutes for normal, but nothing stops one from stoppping the washer and restarting it again to wash longer. Same thing many, many owners of mechanical top and front loading washing machines have done for ages.

L.

 

[DADoES]

My dad won't wash anything longer than 6 mins.

 

[the7]

2007 SQ - Back to 2003 SQ?

As I did mention, SQ FL prior 2003 uses electro-mechanical timer that has a LIGHT (7 min) to HEAVY (15 min) for the wash phase in REGULAR cycle. This old version also do have a "Rinse and Spin" cycle.

Hope that SQ would incorporate these good features (of prior 2003) back in their 2007 model. Also add heater in both front control as well as the rear control models.

 

[jimmyb]

SQ ATS90's control knobs

Just an added note on the CR ratings. They say that the control knobs go only in one direction. As for the cycle selector it will rotate a full 360 degrees in either direction. As explained by The7 above it does not move but is just a cycle selector knob.

I will agree a longer wash time would be a nice addition but again am overall very satisfied with my choice just under one year ago!

 

[frigilux]

OK, OK. Here's my last comment/question about the current SQ FL'er.

Do you think CR somehow rigged the washing rating of the SQ so that it would come out much worse than the other FL'ers? What other explanation is there?

 

[mrcleanjeans]

do their tests pass the tests?

As little faith as I put into CU'S ratings,I don't believe they rigged the tests.They washed white swatches,smeared with black soil that would make for a load much dirtier than today's
average washload.I'm absolutely certain that on averge soiled loads,the SQ would work fine.But I like the splashy old FLs with their higher water levels the best.

 

[norgeman]

Angus and Agiflow

I have used both machines and seen them in action and when it comes to rollover action the Norge will beet a Kenmore/Whirlpool any day. The friend of mine that had the two Kenmores and one Whirlpool we demonstrated our Norge/Montgomery Wards machine with a sock and it pulled it right down and she said that in her Kenmore it never went down just floated on top. Because of the way the agitator in a Norge or Norge product with the way it was designed with the angel wings at the top and sloping down smaller into the center of the agitator this helped to pull clothes down to the bottom of the washer. Trust me this is absolutely true.

http://[email protected]

 

[user 12105]

norgeman

Not saying i do not trust you...i also know from personal experience that a Norge/Fedders washer filled to a max load will barely roll anything. The WP super surgilator was one of the best oscillating agitators ever used. Sorry, but a Super surgilator will beat any burpilator hands down.