Car Boot Sale Find (Sebo X1.1)

[sebo_fan]

I split the hose on my Felix Navy a few years ago and SEBO sent out a free hose - but it was the cream one! It looked quite nice with the Navy but it wasn't before long that I got really annoyed with the cream one and swapped it on my Dart 2 when I sold it on.

 

[madaboutsebo]

Oh no, that was good of SEBO to send a new one for free. Don't blame you.

I emailed SEBO the other week about the hose on my Felix as I think the hose on my Classic is made slightly different to the other hoses on other Felix models. It doesn't seem as long or as flexible or stretchy as others I've seen. They said I could order a replacement at £30 but I've not as I feel it will be the same as the one I've already got. I can see the difference to against the extension hose I've got. Still does the job as it is.

 

[sebo_fan]

Yep, the classic cream hose is the original one from SEBO's original line up - SEBO updated the hoses after 2010 with the introduction of other new models at the time whilst the Classic and Fun models were phased out. Eventually the Ice Blue version was also phased out.

I already purchased a silver one for my Felix two years ago to replace the original one that came with my Felix Navy - there's no visible difference until you stretch out both hoses and the newer hose does stretch out a bit more without compacting up so much.

 

[madaboutsebo]

I thought the hose was different on my Felix Classic thanks for confirming that sebo_fan. I was beginning to think it was just me that thought there was a difference to the later ones! I take 2010 when the new Felix models came out was when they changed the motor too?

I do like the silver and dark grey colours SEBO do. That's right you can't tell any visible difference until you stretch them out. Suppose I could always get a grey hose!

 

[sebo_fan]

Im not sure about the model update with the motor. That might have been the same year but not the same month when the hoses were replaced or changed.

Generic hoses for the Felix and Dart used to be the same but then SEBO went and changed the cuff on the Dart as the Dart doesn't have the safety fail safe auto stop latch where the bottom insert is located on the body.

Thus, when vacuuming normally, if the hose was taken out by accident on a Felix, the brush roll would stop automatically. Not on the Dart however - the brush roll keeps going.

 

[hi-loswitch98]

Is the Dart the commercial model of the Felix?

 

[sebo_fan]

Yes.

 

[madaboutsebo]

I just wondered if it was the same year or so.

I didn't know that about the Dart not having the safety switch like the Felix has to stop the brush roll spinning if the hose is removed while the main handle is released.

Been looking on the SEBO German site again today they have got some nice pictures on there of the model ranges they do some close ups too.

I see the UK website has been posting some recent posts under the news/press release one saying the nation is back in love with carpet again turning away from hard floors! Of course they mention the features of the Felix and X series.

 

[hi-loswitch98]

Carpets are popular again, yay!

 

[madaboutsebo]

I know great to hear! I've read reports&#92articles where they are saying carpets are better than hard floors for people that suffer with allergies, as it traps the dust and dirt. Where as hard floors don't so there is more airborne dust particles about.

 

[hi-loswitch98]

It always amazes me when you have an empty Dust Bin or Bag & Vacuum Hard Floors Alone - how much dust is actually in the container or bag. Looking at most floors you would never think so.

 

[madaboutsebo]

Thats true, sometimes floor look clean you vacuum them and then see actually they were not clean at all!

 

[sebo_fan]

There are quite a few differences between the Felix and the Dart.

When the Dart first came to the UK, it always had a fixed suction slider control - not variable suction control and no 3 point height adjustment on the handle that the Felix enjoys. In addition the ET-1 for the Dart had no brush roll on/off button but simply a light indicator to show wrong brush roll or brush obstruction.

As soon as the Kombi Deluxe floor head was designed, it was used on the Dart 4 which ironically featured variable suction control, but still no brush roll on/off button and no safety stop on the hose release -after all, the simpler things get, the better they are for a commercial stage of cleaning.

Im not sure where you have read reports that carpets are healthier than hard floors though.

I can't imagine that can be possible. Hard floors aren't porous enough to trap dust mites, though they may be susceptible to the bugs within pet hair and associated bacteria - but any hot mop going over a hard floor can sanitize it - even better with a dry steam mop - and continuous sweeping with a suction only floor head or parquet floor head.

Don't forget, SEBO also produce the excellent DISCO floor polisher for the Felix/Dart. It was developed to polish a hard floor without actually washing it. SEBO offer 4 different cleaning disks.

Extreme Makeover U.S often helps out families who have dust allergies. Carpets are not installed, but natural wood or tile is used.

Also an indoor air system that constantly purifies the air and keeps dust back is also installed. I welcome that in the UK home eventually, rather than rely on whatever comes next - antibacterial carpets? I shudder to think what extra maintenance would be required there.

 

[sebo_fan]

Forgot to add, hard floors make dust more apparent because it sits on the surface and gets into "tumbleweed" balls of dust that end up floating around - unless you clean all the time - which has to be done to keep on top of all the dust that gets accumulated in the home, not just from those who bring it in, but from added systems in the home like central heating systems.

 

[madaboutsebo]

Thanks sebo_fan for sharing and detailing the differences between the Felix and Dart, didn't realise there was so many differences between the domestic and commercial models. Must admit I've not studied in depth SEBO's Commercial models so much as I have their domestic as yet. Interesting to know and read of the differences. Like you say simpler things are the better they are for commercial cleaning. Less to go wrong or have issues with.

I will have to see if I can find the articles, it articles I've read in passing so I see if I can find them again and will post the links.

I like the look and function of the SEBO Disco Floor Polisher looks fab. Thought about getting one for my hall, kitchen as I've got high gloss tiles but not sure it would be cost effective to get one just for that small area!

That be good indoor air system to purify the indoor air. I would say hard floors are better for allergy sufferers, easy to keep clean if you keep on top of it and like you say hot mop or dry steam mop to sanitise it.

By the when when was the Dart and Felix launched was it early 90's?

 

[sebo_fan]

I think the Dart came to market in 2005. Felix came the year after to the UK - other markets got the Felix first dependent on market sales.

SEBO required a commercial vacuum cleaner (from what I understand) in some markets to replace the G1/G2 which was larger by bag capacity and some owners/companies required a more nimble and versatile upright.

However it also meant SEBO UK stopped selling the manual height adjustment version of the X1/known as G1/G2 and replaced it with the Dart. I wasn't that happy about that. I still think SEBO UK are missing a trick not selling the manual height adjuster version.

 

[sebo_fan]

I know that SEBO had a prototype Dart with the older SEBO ET-H from 2003 but because of patents etc and the ET-1 being produced to eventually replace the heavier ET-H, it took longer for SEBO to get the proper vac onto the market.

 

[madaboutsebo]

Thanks sebo_fan for the info on the Dart&#92Felix I did wonder if it was around that time. I was watching this recent video I found on the Felix and it mentioned it has been around 14 years which would mean it came out around 2000󡆑! See at about 4m52s in it mentions how SEBO was the first to come out with the swivel head and then mentions 14 years! Good tip on removing front brush strip on the deluxe parquet brush if you have large debris on a hard floor, tried it works a treat. Never thought to do that! See video below:



Shame they stopped selling the G1&#92G2 in favour of the Dart. Suppose they thought the Dart would sell better due to it being more nimble and versatile and sales of the G1&#92G2 would drop due to this. I agree they should still offer that range.

I'd of loved to have seen the prototype Dart with the older SEBO ET-H head!

 

[madaboutsebo]

Thats why I asked when the Dart&#92Felix was launched having watched that video!

 

[sebo_fan]

Well that's a dealer video - a lot of info in that video isn't wrong but it isn't accurate.

He mistakes the SEBO for Miele for a brief second and says that the SEBO brand are from Europe - oh if only all brands from Europe were the same lol. Germany would have been better, had he said that as buyers in the U.S would know that from Miele advertising/reputation etc.

However I do like the link he makes with the typical dirt that his shop/region in which he is based in and supplies that in this demo.

He also shows off edge cleaning - but only on one side of the Felix ET-1 - also the ET-1 IS designed for both hard floor and carpet - but he promotes the SEBO deluxe Parquet floor tool instead - but this is also sales speak.

True whilst he says "over 15 years," I think he means the fact that SEBO have been producing PN heads for over 15 years but the way in which he says this, it does sound like the Felix would have come out in 2000. A slight exaggeration on the timeline.

 

[madaboutsebo]

Great overview of the video! You would think he would have mentioned Germany as the vacuum is made there and is stamped on the ET-1 cleaning head!

I thought that about the ET-1 being used on hard floors. I must admit I use both depending on type of clean I'm doing, quick vacuum use the ET-1 head for all floors. I only use the deluxe parquet head when doing bigger cleans like main weekly cleaning.

That's why I asked when the Felix came out as I thought I was the year you mention. Unlike the video like you say it would have the Felix coming out around 2000.

Hopefully in the next few weeks going to test drive a SEBO X4 but trying to see where I can try an X1.1 out too!

 

[sebo_fan]

Well don't take my word as gospel, Jon.

I'm only sharing my experience from TRUE ownership from new and from the observations when I purchased the Dart, then Felix model. Shortly after the Felix, I bought my K3 Premium.