[geeks] Of course it sucks, Dyson vaccuum cleaner help, please.

[Phil Stracchino]

Geoffrey S. Mendelson wrote:
> We are looking at buying a new vaccuum cleaner. Over the years we have had
> a collection of small handheld units, that don't do well, used
> hoovers that didn't quite work (but were free) etc.
> 
> We would like to get a vaccuum cleaner that works well. It has to include
> a built in hose. Our floors are stone tile with a few small rugs.
> We have the usual assorment of dust, spider webs, etc to clean.
> 
> I would like to buy a really good vaccuum that will work for a long time.
> 
> I've always heard good things about Dyson's products.
> 
> Anyone have any thoughts?


We have a Dyson now (the DC07 model, in the white variant that they make
specifically for Costco).  It's excellent, and stunningly well thought
out.  Anything you would ever need to clean or potentially unclog during
normal operation can be disassembled in moments without tools.  (Well,
OK, you need a screwdriver or a coin for the three quarter-turn Dzus
fasteners which allow you to get the roller brush out to untangle hair
etc from it.  But look what we're saying here -- they're captive Dzus
fasteners, not screws which can be lost or crossthreaded, and the floor
head is DESIGNED to let you easily clean the roller brush.)  The
three-stage cyclone separator works so well there's barely a trace of
fines in the final HEPA filter (which is washable and replaceable, and
they even provide a spare so that when you DO need to wash it, you don't
have to wait for it to dry).  The new ball model (DC15?) is a brilliant
piece of design: you can steer the thing around obstructions with a
twist of your wrist - you twist, it banks and turns almost without effort.

I've used a couple of the knock-off bagless vacuums like Fantom and
Hoover.  They don't work as well, don't clean as well, and don't last.
I had a Fantom for a while; it wasn't until I got a look at a Dyson that
I realized Fantom had completely omitted the third-stage fines separator
to cut costs.  The wands broke, the power head broke (three times), the
crevice nozzle split, it was difficult to clean, the filter housing was
ill-fitting, the stand was artistic but worked poorly, parts were
expensive, etc, etc.


-- 
 Phil Stracchino       phil.stracchino at speakeasy.net
    Renaissance Man, Unix generalist, Perl hacker
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