Lux platinum, Riccar Impeccable and Miele
Mixman,
The Guardian Platinum is a fantastic vacuum, perhaps the best canister unit (body) made. As Tom pointed out it has super fit and finish and mind-blowing performance that also reminds me of the XXX. Light, twin HEPA, 28' cord and a super display you can actually use. The auto feature works great on the throw rugs in front of the flush and if used all the time, said to extend motor life to 1500 hours from the standard 1200. The new bags are great and the wheels perform well, unlike Miele, in virtually all carpet types. The latest version of the Lux Omniflo power nozzle with the HTM variety of Johnson power nozzle motor motor utilizes a different sprocket and belt that muffles much of the characteristic Lux sound of the earlier nozzles. When you figure in the high quality floor, dusting brush, crevice and Sidekick it is the total package unlike others in the market. I like the high quality urethane hose that is long and flexible along with the updated Tristar hose handle but hate the plastic wands. The upside is the wands are cheap to fix, light and reasonably durable. I ordered the Tristar dust brush and furniture tool due to the positive locks on each. I love the attachments on the top of the wand so I am not always digging into a compartment on the canister body. I also ordered an extra set of wands for the combo rug and floor tool so I have two separate assemblies for the power nozzle and hard floor. I give this machine high marks for the smooth Domel power, long warranty, convenience and a display that is both informative and easy to read at a distance. Some will say that the Omniflo is less aggressive at deep cleaning than the 236 Miele and others. With the green brush roller model HP 48011 it will rival the Miele 236 all day in ASTM testing and love the L-shape. Swiss Aroma scents can be ordered on Ebay from several sources in Europe that fit the scent holder on the side of the machine.
I also have a Riccar Impeccable and it too is a super unit. Like the Platinum it has more power than the Miele and unlike the other two, gets that through a double fan motor. Love the super long hose, quality of the in-house blow molded components and long cord like the Platinum. The Akzo Nobel paint on these units is beautiful. I am not a fan of the membrane switches on the handle as I prefer the single on/off switch and the gorgeous display on the Platinum canister itself. As for nozzle performance, the Riccar is superb, especially if you use Lux or Kirby suds on a regular basis and prefer it to the Miele 236. It is also fairly quiet. I don't particularly care for the double helix, 48497 roller with 11 degree pitch that comes standard on the Platinum's Omniflo to recover dry foam crystals either. I also have the Riccar compact/petite nozzle that is like the Miele 217 but actually cleans well. Sooo quiet and great in small areas like bedrooms and other tight quarters. Bag and filter quality are very good. It, like its sister the Moxie are great units for larger homes especially those shared with dogs and cats. The p/n elbow joints are better than both Lux and Miele. I find this machine to be a better quality unit than comparable Miele units. Dealers make a better margin on Miele so Mrs. Jones is pushed to Miele and the consumables like brush rollers are way more profitable. Downside it this is a full size chassis.
As for Miele, excellent units with annoying design elements like short hoses and cords coupled with high consumables cost. The attachments are lousy for a machine costing nearly $1K. The Marin does not feel like the Silver Moon I had and loved, it just has the 236 nozzle without the fluorescent light and transformer issues that plagued that nozzle on its introduction. The Vorex motor is not as durable as previous versions like the Ametek clone/Miele manufactured motor in mine. A friend of mine from my days at Lux sold a new Miele upright to an office building here to vacuum their lobby. Motor was replaced 6 times last year before they went to sebo. Their older Miele vacuum lasted for years without motor replacement. Miele is so easy to get parts and supplies for, quiet, powerful and also a really good vacuum that, like the other two, will last many years with proper care.
The Lux and Riccar power nozzles are super to work on, the Miele is a PITA. Riccar is assembled in the US with Ametek Mexico motors and I am told assembly of the Platinum is underway @ Lux Bristol. The German quality speaks for itself. You can't go wrong with any of these three units. YMMV
Brian
