Bagless Versions of Panasonic's MC-UG522

[sebo_fan]

There are now two bagless versions of the bagged Panasonic MC-UG522 upright I bought not so long ago. Both appear to have the brush roll on/off pedal as well as being equipped with pet hair turbo brushes. White model (MC-UL424) has 1200 watts, black model (MC-UL426) has 1400 watts. They appear to be a lot lighter than previous Panasonic uprights. I might get one - they'd be a heck of a lot lighter than pushing a Hoover Dustmanager around!





http://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-Upright-Bagless-Vacuum-Litre/dp/B00BU4S9M6/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t

 

[tylerawells]

Not really on-topic but

Dust Manager has got to be among the most uninspiring, bland, basic product names I have ever heard of. The Panasonics look nice, we have 4 different versions here in the states and 2 that have 360-Swivel.

 

[madabouthoovers]

They do look nice, and it appears from reading the instructions on Pana website, that the black model has a twin motor setup, but the white model uses a single motor with manual belt lifter feature to control the brush roll on/off.


 


The black model is also heavier than the white one at 7.6kg compared to 6.8kg.


The black one also gives you a hard floor tool and bonus extension wand and bonus hose extension, so it seems that the black one is more feature packed, and has the brushroll motor which automatically shuts off in the upright position like the Mach Air models.


 


Naturally the black one is more expensive - but both only have a small capacity for the dirt, and must have the exhaust filter replaced every year, as they are not washable - so I can see that being an added expense but Pana website shop sells these for £1.46? (they use the same HEPA exhaust filter as the bagged model) and the accessory shop doesn't list these 2 vacs yet, although the single motor model uses the same belt, brushroll and filter as the bagged model.


 


The problem will come if you need a belt or brushroll for the twin motor model as these are not listed on the accessory website.

 

[sebo_fan]

Oops, no not quite Steve...

I can see where you might believe Panasonic's stats. I don't - their UK pages are awful - the information is seldom correct, even if it is true that the black model does have twin motors, they suggest the white model has 1000 watts, which isn't quite correct as it is rated at 1200 watts. It was the same when I bought my bagged upright - it didn't get listed on the site and when I emailed Panasonic UK they said that they didn't "officially sell the red bagged upright."

Anyway if you have look at the scans of the user manual I've just uploaded, you'll see both white and black models BOTH have a brush bar on/off pedal. They are just located differently on the heel of the vacuum. Also the primary filter is washable, though the user manual states that it should be done every month. I don't see many doing that!

The black model is shown first and then the white model.

 

[sebo_fan]

I also suspect that whilst some of the additional tools you get with the black model might not all be able to be stored on board, that some can and thus add the weight to the black model compared to the white as well as benefiting from a slightly larger motor. Both uprights use a single drive belt, but the black model does appear to benefit from a reset button on the front of the hood.

 

[madabouthoovers]

I wasn't disputing that they both had a brushbar on/off switch. Its just that on the black model its an electric switch controlling a separate brushroll motor, and on the white model its a mechanical lever that  merely engages a pulley against the belt to disengage it from the main suction motor spindle. I looked at the Panasonic UK website and downloaded the 35 odd page PDF instruction manual for this range, and its clear to see from these instructions on changing the belts etc that they are fundamentally very different in the design of the floorheads. That's why the black model has a brushroll motor reset switch but the white one doesn't. As the black model has 2 motors it is only obvious that it will be heavier.


I also never said anything about the primary filter did I? I said the EXHAUST filter is non washable. And this information I also obtained directly from the downloaded PDF instructions


 


Page 31/32 shows the underside and short belt leading to the separate brushroll motor. page 29/30 shows the longer belt going to the main suction motor spindle.


Page 28 tells you that the Exhaust filter is NOT washable and you must pay Panasonic every year for a new one.


 



http://tda.panasonic-europe-service.../data/ALL/MCUL424/OI/901949/C01ZDVJ00E00b.pdf

 

[sebo_fan]

Sorry but I got confused by your initial posting response when you say the brush roll will stop in the upright position like the Mach Air. The exhaust filter is a paper cartridge HEPA unit - same as the one in the red bagged upright I have. It doesn't really have to be replaced "every year" though, depends on how much dust the vacuum will go through.

BTW I do recall that when I was on of the first owners of the early Vax Mach Air uprights that filter replacements were not available until several months later. Watch this space, as they say, in regards to replacement parts such as belts and filters.

What helps the bagged upright is that Panasonic had already brought the "Kenmore" bagged upright only vacuum, the MCUG614 which uses the same, new synthetic dust bags and the same non washable HEPA cartridge seen on page 14 of the PDF handbook.

 

[jfalberti]

I've been seeing ads on TV

for the white model, and they state that it is a Wal-Mart exclusive, whatever that means.  If it's available from Amazon, then how can it be exclusive?

 

[sebo_fan]

Still, the U.S are better off with the bagged upright, the original MCUG327. It benefits already with the brush roll on/off function and a pet hair turbo brush that our UK model both lacks.

 

[madabouthoovers]

NOW AT £89.99

The white version is now on sale in Argos - only 89.99
Not much feedback on it though, and 1 poor review.

Gotta be worth a punt for 90 quid?

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4069755.htm

 

[turbo500]

The white version is now on sale in Argos

Now that is a good price, especially as these comes with 6 year guaruntee's. If they're still at this price when I get paid at the end of November, I might have to pick one up.

 

[sebo_fan]

Chris, I think you're better off getting the bagged one - 4 litres dust capacity compared to 1.7 on the bagless.