Dyson: Can they really live up to what they say?

[turbo500]

Kirby16, Oreck don't have very good suction at all. The brushroll is about the only thing it has going for it. It DOES pick up surface litter as demonstrated on shopping channels and infomercials etc, but it is VERY dependant on the brushroll and leaves a lot allergens, dust mites and dust mite excrement behind due to the lack of suction

 

[kirby16]

FALSE ADVERTISING!

Yeah, on the TV commercials, they talk about how great an orecks suction is. (Have you seen the one where the lady is sidewys an holding onto a telephone pole?)

 

[Sablekid]

I think the fact that Kirby (and Royal) has not changed the basic principles of the vacuum in YEARS of business should say something about them vs. others.

 

[kirbyotronic]

"And i forgot to mention one more test: Durability. THis test plays a HUGE rol in vacuums. The Kirby is made of high-grade aluminum. If you kock it into a wall, the wall needs repairing."

Well......actually, aluminum shatters. Have you ever seen a Kirby nozzle with one end of it completely busted off? I have, quite a few times.

 

[hoovercelebrity]

You know what?

It would be wonderful if this "Kirby16" -- who is from somewhere in Billings, Montana -- grew a pair and put a real name, an actual email address, and filled in their profile --BEFORE-- stirring up shit on this forum and trying to pick a fight (like you predict, Jack).

I mean, really.

**rolls eyes**

 

[kirby16]

Nevr knew that. Im gonna have to be more careful with my older kirbys. Could you post a pic of what that looks like?

 

[kirbyeureka95]

i didnt take the time to read the argument so i may repeat s

the brushroll pictured is from a dc07, not a new machine, and the new ones are much different, and the dyson bristles are alot stiffer than the ones on any of my kirbies ( i havent tried one of kirbies pet brushrolls)

 

[sleepdoc]

Variables

In any scientific field, "any fool" knows that experiments/"tests" control for variables. Those brush roll photos support no conclusion beside the brush rolls' being distinct. They function in entirely different systems. How that system functions overall is not determinable on the basis of one variable. "Any fool can see..." and its equivalents consistently are silencing assertions that attempt to persuade to conclusions that actually lack data.

I have large collections of Kirby and Dyson vacuums, and I like both makes. I think they have comparative strengths and weaknesses. I have observations, but those observations don't constitute conclusions, let alone mechanisms.

 

[powertank]

Kirby16, don't worry about it. Unless you smash vacuums into walls repeatedly for fun, the nozzle won't crack or bend. One time we got a Royal in from a mental health center and I thought it was a bit ironic as the front of the nozzle was bent inwards a good 1- 1 1/2 inches. They must have some seriously damaged walls!

For my .02, I would agree that the brushroll has a lot to do with it. My biggest beef with Dyson is their brushrolls- they have gotten better over time, but they still are very poorly made. Kirby brushrolls groom better, I think most unbiased people here would admit that.

Secondly, airflow has a lot to do with things. Kirbys move a lot more volume of air, but at a lower vacuum pressure, than Dysons do. In general, it is better to have a higher CFM fan in an upright than to pull more inches of water. That's why Kirbys tend to deep clean so well- the huge volume of air rushing in comes from the surrounding carpet.

Kirbys have nice large bags with a lot of surface area, so they don't lose suction as much as other bagged vacuums. Dysons use the best bagless technology around, they're easy to empty and their suction remains constant for the most part. In that regard both Kirbys and Dysons excell.

I guess you're just comparing overall cleaning effectiveness, but I think it's a little hard to compare them. They're apples and oranges, really, besides the fact that they are both upright vacuums.

 

[kirby16]

Due to HooverCeelebrity's offensive post, i will not be posting in the vacuumland forums ever again. Goodbye, everyone.

 

[williamr1248]

Dyson Can they really live up to what they say

I have had my Kirby for over 20 years and I do love the machine. I also have 2 Dysons. I agree with Patrick and Jack on this one. It depends on the whole system design not just one part. My first Dyoson Dc07 seemed heavy and I didn't like the brushroll on my particular carpets but I do love my DC23 and it does a very good job. I just love the fact that Dyson is doing innovative designs and bringing out new products. I would love to try one of the new ball designs.
I am surprised that they can sell them for as reasonable as they do.
One thing for sure, if there is something that does not work correctly on a Dyson,they will be changing and improving the design.
As far as the plastic issue,so far my Dysons seem to be very durable. I think the only gripe I have with my Kirby is the weight. In this house the Kirby is much easier to use the tools than my Dyson upright (but that is just in my particular application).
I do love my Dyson cansiter and the tools are very innovative and easy to use.

 

[joe22]

said it many times before

we have kirbys and royals from the 1940-50s still going strong and doing an excellent job doing what they were built to do, CLEANING.

it will take a while but an all plastic things, no matter how well designed will not be around in 50+ years except for thoes in collections that were bought and displayed...not used every day of their lives giving faithfull service with little upkeep except for a new belt now and then

 

[Sablekid]

Even though Kirby is a high priced vac...Royals are competetively priced with dyson (from what i remember)...why get plastic when you can get time tested durability? And Kirby/Royal often get used interchangably between residential and commercial use.

And I don't mean that with just vacuums either.

And also Kirby seems to hold its value, how do dysons compare?

But I guess it comes down to "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"...Kirbys basic concept hasnt really ever changed...not saying that all innovation is bad, but I think time holds better truth.

I may be biased...to tell the truth Ive never used a Dyson, but I dont plan on it either...ive always found "if it sounds too good to be true...probably is"....and not to sound too backwoods....if its not american made...i dont want it.


But really...doesnt this all come down to personal preference??? Its like comparing GM and Ford.

 

[sleepdoc]

^^ that might be true

But, no one has data to show that it's impossible that a Dyson could endure regular use for 50+ years. One can suspect that to be the eventuality but simply cannot demonstrate it without data.

Are you prepared to say that all plastic vacuums, "no matter how well designed will not be around in [40]+ years except..." rather than 50+? I ask because I believe that people are using their Dial-a-Matics since whenever they were introduced, which is somewhere around 40 years. My great uncle had a plastic Electrolux upright from around 1980 that was his daily driver from its new purchase until his death in 2009, and it survived in very good condition. (I grant that that that's basically 30, not 50, years, but who's to say it won't make it another 20?)

Of many predictions, lots of people have "said it many times before", but so what? Be as skeptical as you want to be, but I don't see how you can justify claiming to know the factual outcome of something that hasn't yet transpired.

 

[sleepdoc]

I don't understand the point of making posts to the effect that one has determined that some certain thing is decidedly better than something else on a board like this and then becoming incredulous when some other person expects a substantive explanation of the claim beyond his or her being a fool for not already knowing it and an even more egregious fool for failing to conclude the same on the basis of some arbitrary factor that, in isolation, does not constitute evidence.

I don't remember that it's ever failed to provoke a fight.

 

[jayelux]

Integrity

Well said, Sleepdoc. We all have opinions and need to be responsible for how we post them. I hope no feelings were irreparably harmed in the earlier discussions; we can all learn from this dialogue. We love vacuums, and we love to talk about them. When comments could influence another person's future purchases, we need to be clear and accurate. It is nice we can be informal in these discussions--but that is not an excuse from maintaining our integrity.

 

[powertank]

Sablekid, I don't mean to contradict you, but around here the Dysons hold their value better than the Kirbys. The Kirbys tend to lose 75% of their value within a year while the Dysons sell for close to new prices. Royals hold their value better than Kirbys as well. (again, around here at least).

I agree though, I'm not fond of Dysons (the newer models are way better though), and I can't bring myself to believe that they'll last more than 15 years based on their motors and the way the plastic is assembled. However, 15 years is not a bad lifespan compared to some of Eureka and Hoover's junk that barely lives 5 years.

 

[Sablekid]

No, I really didn't know...it just seemed to me like a Kirby would hold more value.

Although, In Michigan they seem to rank as the best...at least where Im from in michigan (more rural). Everyone always had great things to say when they saw my Kirbys...and always wanted one. Royal is almost non-existant there. I think the fact that we're very industrial and agricultural says a lot. Plastic will always be junk, and pure metal and simplicity are admired.

I think in my area Kirby is seen as a classic stand-by....and Dyson is another fad. (and not one person I know of loves their hoover or eureka) I think its a regional thing.

 

[Sablekid]

and to add to that

I dont think ANYone in my area likes the price tag of a Kirby....OR Dyson.

Again, this is a regional thing...not the gospel or opposition of anyones thoughts. More of an observance!

 

[powertank]

Well Boulder is like a state in and of itself. I'm surrounded by people who believe every bit of advertisement they hear, so of course all the new fads are what people are into.

Boulder is extremely affluent and everyone has a degree in something or other, and yet no one can think for themselves. It's amazing.

 

[Sablekid]

This is what I've seen of Oregon...or at least the Portland area...which is why im headed back to Michigan next month!

We're not stupid or hick like....we just don't have the "high education" that most of the big cities like to boast. We have our educated bunch...its just not seen as top priority.

Plus, a lot of us are on the lower middle class rank, and don't have the money for the "latest and greatest" so we actually have to LEARN about something before we buy it.

Oregon is a whole different land too...
For some reason that HATE Idahoans (which reminded me SO MUCH of Michigan...should have taken a hint)

HOWEVER
Thats a whole different topic though....back to kirby/dyson

Bottom line though....Its really just preference...they all do a good job in one way or another, I think we can agree on that much.

 

[aeoliandave]

Thank you for that Fred.
My radar immediately went off when I checked the profile (as I do with every unknown poster) behind this thread's initial post today, to find "Kirby16" had been a 'member' since all of...yesterday? Member Since 11/06/2010. That's right, guys and what a busy little dweeb he has been contributing insipid comments on a number of threads about Kirbys and Dysons.
Certainly, providing an email address: LALALALAL, indicates malice of forethought; a sincerely cautious person would have left it blank.

Sorry you got caught up in it, Jack, and you other fellers. :-(

Atrocious spelling and sentence structure is a damning give-a-way that one is somewhat of a texting tweener twit and in light of the peevishly abrupt withdrawal pending the 'growing of a pair' and some manners, one reaches the conclusion that the cowardly malefactor from Billings is simply the harbinger of yet another feeble assault wave from outside our ranks. Rest assured he is part of a pack, some may already be lurking among us and there will be more until the novelty wears off. We've been here before. What these mischief makers never realize is that it's not a matter of a wolf stealthily invading the henhouse but a chicken surrounded by curious roosters.

On a lighter note pertaining to the subject, today was Vacuum the upstairs Bedroom Day. Being one of Hector and Felix's favorite snoozing spots, the heated waterbed duvet accumulates an impressive weekly surface load of long & short black fur. Experience has taught me that a bagless vac with a motor-driven brushroll run back and forth all over the duvet cover does the best job of getting up 99% of it, which is easily collected and dumped from the bagless dirt jug. Depending on which suitable vacuum is next in line, today I used the Dyson DC07. With all tools on-board and readily at hand, the detachable wand & long hose is perfect for getting down into the mattress side channels and snapping up escaped down feathers from the pillowcases, crevice tool cleans all the junctions where vertical furniture bases meet horizontal floors, dusting brush keeps table & door tops and books and shelved vacuums gleaming, then the same machine does a terrific job in upright mode on the carpets and bare floor sections.
I could and have done the same thing with one of the Kirbys but it is much more labor-intensive and the weight can lead to nasty arm-ache.

Frankly, and without taking away any of the joy of wielding gorgeous vintage vacuum cleaners, because of the higher suction levels and aggressive brushroll designs of the better modern bagless vacuums I find I am using them more often for serious and efficient major house cleaning. I'm not wasting vintage bags and the evidence of cat hair and sandy grit in the bagless jugs just tells me there's more than enough debris down there in the carpets than any one vacuum could extract. Each of us have differing needs in our various geographic zones, our home circumstances and house conditions. When we find a vacuum that is demonstrably superior for the task at hand it naturally becomes a favorite 'daily driver' until it's time to mix it up again. That's what collectors do. Hopefully we don't carp and crap all over someone else's findings and choices.

Dave

 

[Sablekid]

..".there's more than enough debris down there in the carpets than any one vacuum could extract. Each of us have differing needs in our various geographic zones, our home circumstances and house conditions"


Excellently said!

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

Dave, I agree with what you said.... this was probably an immature kid (I know we have mature kids here too) just trying to start a fight.... Am I reading it wrong, or did he say that Dyson won his ease of use test, and then in the next sentence say that Kirby won it because it was self propelled? How can both win at the same thing, when the idea of winning would mean that one is better than the other? And I agree about using my modern machines more than the old ones.... With a cat, I just need the on board tools.

The question wasn't an appropriate one anyway.... Dyson NEVER claims to have the most suction. They claim that the suction doesn't fade. A while ago, a vacuum shop tested the Kirby Versus the Dyson, and stated that while the Dyson may not lose suction, the Kirby has more with a full bag than the Dyson even started out with! If you want to test Dyson's claims, you have to test whether or not it loses suction.

Jack, I'm about to put my 2nd clutch in my DC 14 because it's already gone bad and started clicking again... didn't even last 6 months. Please tell me Mr. Dyson has seen how awful that system is and completely abandoned them on all machines forever!

Here's a link to the comparison I'm talking about... it's been around for a while now and I think we even talked about it here when it first came out. I think the guy was pretty objective, but some of the tests were silly (crushing the heads... that is not normal wear and tear on a vacuum, so it's silly).

http://reviews.ebay.com/DYSON-OR-KIRBY-VACUUM-Which-is-the-best-vacuum_W0QQugidZ10000000003855053

 

[sleepdoc]

^

The problem with that "study" is that it doesn't include any disclosure that its publisher is a Kirby sales organization, so its credibility is undermined from the outset by conflict of interest that is unacknowledged. So, it's a persuasive, not informative, piece.

 

[kirbyeureka95]

i think another problem is that...

the dc14 straight up sucks. (in the everyday meaning of the word). the airmuscle and other, newer dyson uprights might face alot better chance.

 

[air-waycharlie]

Hello Fred S.........................

I have to laugh for you nailing that, "vacuum enthusiast", on some level. Although I do not provide information about myself for reasons well known to long time posters, I still enjoy reading and posting.

Fred S., back to what I wanted to post about: remember several or more years ago when a certain designated high ranking member was given a Dyson, serial number #000001, in the US at a certain event in NYC, and it was shipped to me? (That certain member has a fear of flying.) I had it for a few months and was so disenchanted with it's performance, (and my non-vacuum spouse named it, "Barbie's Dream Vacuum"), that I called you and asked if you would like it to play with and then it would become part of the club's collection.

I seem to remember you had fun putting it through a pace of tests and then something kind of simple broke and you had to send it back to Dyson, (in Chicago at the time, I think), to have it fixed as a warranty issue.

That left a lasting impression. It did not really do anything on the knap of my berber carpet. Yet, all my Kirby's do, from the 1967 Dual Sanitronic to the Sentria, the Miele Champagne, the Air-way MKII 88, Air-Way Centurion, Ultralux with P/N 6 and Filter Queen 31, (circa 1979). Interesting results to say the least.

And, I'm leaving out several other vacuums as well. How well we have seen posters come and go on this site and it's forerunners.

Thanks for looking out for all of us.

Charlie

 

[kirbysthebest]

I will stay out of the D v K debate

But want to say. it is difficult to compare a vacuum to another in a household setting. Many DTD salesmen try, but the old addage is "the vacuum that goes first loses".

I had a flame war with another "former" member regarding a Kirby and a Sanitaire. In that war I was accused of being a Kirby Natzi, a Kirby Creep, etc. . .(guilty). But my contention is there are too many variables to accurately measure in a home setting.

Traffic patterns
Weather conditions
Humidity
Animals shedding
outside activities
vacuuming techniques
are all variables that cannot be easily controlled.

I have never used a Dyson, but I want one. I am thinking a canister as I already have two Kirbys.

Good luck with the compairsons and may the best Kirby win.
(giggle)

Oh, I don't have my personal info on my profile either, because of the flame war last year.

 

[eurekaprince]

I think we all have our personal favourite brand. It may not have anything to do with logic or performance whatsoever. It's just love.

For the life of me, I can not figure out how I developed my absolute fascination with Eureka. I know it has something to do with growing up with one as a toddler....the colour, the smell of the tools and the hose, the clean carpets it left behind. What's even more bizarre, is that to this day, whenever I see the famous "curvey e" logo, this wave of calmness rushes over me. It's totally bizarre and unexplainable. I can't get the same effect from a Hoover logo, or even from Eureka's new "Toys r Us" graphic (yuch!! "eureka!"....oy vey). It has to be that curvey "e" from the 1960's and 1970's.

If someone had to offer me a brand new Dyson for free or a free NIB Kirby or a free New In Box Eureka Empress from 1968, guess which one I would take?

It's kind of like loyalty to a sports team. And when a Eureka got top ratings from Consumer Reports? Wow. For me it was like winning the Stanley Cup! And Eureka did it many times in the 1970's and 1980's.

Gimme an E! "E"!
Gimme a U! "U".....

 

[blakaeg]

I am in UK and I have used Dyson DC04 and DC24 uprights and various cylinder machines.

I used a Sebo Felix machine in my home 2 weeks ago and could not believe how much better this machine performs against a Dyson and is much quieter.

The Sebo really groomed the carpet and left nice track marks whereas the Dysons has never groomed my carpets like this. The Sebo has equally the same amount of suction so have to say that I am disappointed a little by Dyson brushbars and preferred the stiffer rollerbrush of the Sebo but still love the fact that I have no bags or filters to buy so will stick with my Dyson for now.

Always good to try something different.