Coming soon to a vac shop near you!

[vac-o-matic]

I just received a flyer from Essco, and low and behold on the front is a new metal-bodied tank with the brand name of "Perfect". It is indeed a re-make of the Electrolux Ultralux. It uses hepa type bags, has the same hose, power nozzle and combo tool of the Lux, it does appear the automatic control might be gone. The wheels are now rubberized but still have the hubcaps, and has the chrome trim on the top just like the Diamond Jubilee. Now for the biggest news on this reproduction, it pulls 125 on the waterlift gauge!! Wonder what motor they're using in that one? I called a fellow club member out east to pick his brain about this model and he said the patent on the Lux had expired and the people who own Perfect, who has already been manufacturing Lux replacement hoses and power nozzles, bought the patents lock, stock and barrel. He believes the company is is New Jersey. The colors are creme with dark gray trim, very smart looking machine! He said the MRSP on the machine for resale is 899.00, but of course the price to vac shops is considerably less. He also told me that it would indeed take the standard paper type C bags, and if those are used instead of the Hepa-cloth type, it pulls 145 on the gauge! Geez, what a powerhouse! This will be a great opportunity to own a new metal-bodied vacuum with awesome cleanability and a great improvement on an old design like we've seen with the new Hoover Constellation. My friend out east said he's ordered three of them to sell in his shop but hasn't received them yet, he's pretty excited about it.

 

[eluxca]

Great designs will eventually come back

That style had such a long run it's the shape that people associate with Electrolux. I can't wait to see one up close and personal. About the suction lift - I am not impressed. How in the world can you vacuum the drapes or a throw rug? A suction bleeder on the hose won't bring it down enough to be practical. Give me 80" of lift and great airflow any day.

There is a vac shop in Alberta, Cananda, that sells a reincarnation of the Viking tanks from the 80's. Evidentally the patents are up on that machine, too.

Thanks for bringing it to our attention!

John

 

[logan]

I can't wait to get one of these!

 

[hoovercelebrity]

That's funny!

I saw the cover of the above-mentioned catalog, last weekend at Terry's house. I just made it out like someone was re-building old machines. I didn't realize that they were brand-new!

Upon doing some research, here's the picture from ESSCO's website.

I, too, would be interested in owning one. My #1 problem with those machines (originally) seems to have been addressed; that is--the cloth hose was waaaay too short and the tank was waaaay too long. That the machine very cumbersome to work with, in my opinion. I have never liked using that style of Electrolux for that reason.

~Fred

 

[hoovercelebrity]

John-

I absolutely agree with you; sometimes too much airflow/suction can be too much. While 125" is impressive, that doesn't mean it's going to clean any better than a machine with 100" or even 80". A high-low switch (à la Filter Queen) would be a nice addition.

~Fred

 

[vac-o-matic]

Thanks Fred for posting the pic, I left the catalog at work. I'm looking forward to this machine, hopefully it won't be too loud with a bigger motor in it. It would've been nice to had a longer hose. A 2 speed switch would be nice too, but I guess we can't have everything. I'm still waiting for Hoover to come up with a power nozzle for the Constellation! It's just nice to see a machine in something other than all plastic being offered!

 

[lux1521]

It would also be interesting to know if the automatic control has been removed. I think that would be a big change vs. the original lux. Anyway, I think it's just not the same. With the Perfect name on there its a bit creepy.

The good thing about this is a larger number of replacement parts being made.

 

[andy]

I saw this at the VDTA show. Yes, the automatic control has been removed. It is made in China by Nationwide Manufacturing, who also makes a line of Sanitaire knockoffs.

I'm honestly not too excited about it. The MAP (minimum advertised price) is $899. If it were around $450, I would consider bringing it in. But for $899 the customer can get a much more effective and user friendly machine.

 

[logan]

Hmmm...

Of course I can't judge until after I see one in person, but after seeing the picture, I don't know how impressed I am with this vacuum. The front of the machine where the automatic control used to be looks bare or that it is missing something. I also wish the power nozzle had a dark gray bummper or something instead of that solid cream color. It just looks too cheap I guess just like the attachments which to me don't match (they are too dark). It would be nice to have a set of aluminum wands with it. Oh well, at least someone is trying to keep the Electrolux style alive I guess...I am not sure I will buy one now though.

 

[hoovercelebrity]

Good point, Andy...

But for $899 the customer can get a much more effective and user friendly machine.

I totally agree. Even a decently equipped Miele!
Or one could find a nice, clean, used UltraLux (still with its bag sensor shut-off thingy)--and have it completely rebuilt, new hose, brushroll, etc... for significantly less than $899.

It is made in China by Nationwide Manufacturing.

That was gonna be my next question. Feh!

I could see paying a bit more -- if it were made in America -- but a MAP of $899 is a bit high. Jeez. It probably costs the company about $40 or $50 to make one... talk about a markup!

~Fred

 

[eluxca]

Here is a link to the shop with the new Viking tanks: The Modern Vac
http://www.modernvac.com/mv.htm
John

 

[clarkecombi]

SWEET

Id like to have one of those canisters! Is there a place where you can order them?

 

[petek]

I was impressed up until I saw Made in China with such a high price.

 

[kirby519omega]

agreed

 

[hoover28]

lux knock off

looks good. I will try one in my vac shop, I am in a lux town so thay might sell good. dont like the made in china. like the hepa bags thay should fit the old lux's. the price is a bit high, but made of medel its got to be better than most plastic junk for big bucks. the air-teck vacuum is about the same price but made in the USA.



Chris

 

[electrikbroomgu]

Not so Perfect

I was initially excited until I saw made in China. The retail price should be half because of that. I have talked with an every increasing number of folks who are steering clear of any China junk so this may prove to be a tough sell at $899.00

 

[vinvac]

Rick,

Thanks for sharing this peice of vacuum news. I wondered how long it would take before soem of the od machinces were brought back to life. Personally, I think it looks a a great machine and the new bag looks awesome. Almost reminds me of the new Oreck Odor-Allergon bag, which is an awesome bag.

As far as the bag control, in my humble opinion, they did not always work that well and if the machine won't allow you to use it with out a bag in place, I see nothing wrong with the new design.

Too much air-flow is a non issue as well, because the hose appears to still have the bleeder valve on the handle and they are still using the Omni-flow power nozzel, which if memory serves me correctly as small air vent built into the base plate to help maintain air flow.

Lux may still be in business if they would have started using the vinyl hoses a little sooner and made the machine more user friendly.

Morgan

 

[petek]

For an $899 MSRP which means an actual lower selling price they could probably still build those in the USA and make a profit if enough people bought them

 

[kirbyvacuum]

LETS GO AMERICAN VACUUMS

Lets all stick to USA MADE VACUUMS. IF we dont their soon will be no more USA VACUUMS.Look at what has happened already . Air Way is gone Hoover use to be one of the best now as bad as the rest. We still have some wonderful USA vacuums made here.KEEP JOBS IN THE USA.