Has Kirby Significantly Improved Since the G3?

[bagintheback]

I think I've contacted the Kirby fever. <span style="font-size: 12pt;">After a few hours of searching eBay, I'm considering buying a G6.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I did have a Heritage II and a Tradition at one time, but the brush rolls were very disappointing. I'm pretty set on a G series. </span>


 


<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The latest Kirby I've used personally was the G3. It was impressive no doubt, but it didn't blow me away. I found the techdrive to be a bit jumpy, and the brush roll wasn't thrilling. However, I've heard that even by the G4 the techdrive was improved, and G5+ models can be upgraded to redesigned brush rolls. How significant of an improvement could I expect from a later model? </span>


 


 

 

[scooby214]

The newer Tech Drives are much smoother than what's found on most G3s. My G4 has a very smooth Tech Drive. It never feels jumpy.

 

[ctvacman]

As you've mentioned the G5 and up can be fitted with the new style brush roll. After the G3 they improved the fan giving it more airflow as well, I do notice that but it's not huge. One things for sure the G3 is slightly quieter on carpet mode than the other gen series.

 

[miskini]

Nathaniel

I was looking on Craigslist flagstaff, and there's a couple of nice diamond edition for $125.
You probably can get them cheaper. You can't go wrong with the diamond.

 

[human]

The tech drive on my G6 is smooth as silk and the suction is nothing short of incredible. I highly recommend G-series Kirbys. Of course, my Heritage I is pretty much of a beast, too.

 

[danielsand]

I never used G3, but I use G4, and Diamond daily. Diamond Tech Drive is definitely smoother than G4. I don't see the difference in suction between these two. Diamond just "feels" better for some reason. The pet hair brush in Diamond is wonderful. Noticeable improvement over regular brush in G4.

 

[pr-21]

The smoothest Tech Drive....

I have a G5, G6. Ultimate G with a diamond power plant, and a Sentria II. The smoothest tech drive I have is in my G5, which I bought off Ebay and sent directly to Kirby for a rebuild. I didn't use it before the rebuild, so I don't know how it sounded, but every time I use it, I am amazed at the smoothness of it's tech drive.

I like the tech drive power assist regardless of the noise it makes. I also have a Kirby Classic, Kirby 505 and Kirby D80, that do not obviously have tech drive. In my opinion, the Kirby Classic, which was the first wider nozzle, needed tech drive, depending on the type carpet you had at the time. Shag carpet was a real bear to push and pull the cleaner on....


PR-21

 

[danielsand]

I also use Heritage 2 a lot, and it's performance amazes me. It's only marginally harder to push (which I have no problem with) than the ones with Tech Drive. I would like to have a "pet hair brush" in that one. Loaded with Allergen cloth bag, it works as good as G4, and looks WAY better than G series cleaners (colors, and "retro" styling).

A lot of people complain about the weight of the Kirbys, but to me the heft is very assuring. I like heavily built things, which I associate with "quality" (I know it's not directly related, but to me weight equals "built like a tank", or something like that).

Three of my five Kirbys, I got for free (that's probably the "best deal"!), but Heritage I bought for $20, and spent about $40 on it. It's a GREAT vacuum for sixty bucks. WAY better than ANYTHING you can pick up for twice that amount in the store.

There are some reports of Tech Drives going bad (electronics), and "delicate" switches going bad on Diamond Edition, but with Heritage there is no worries. It's VERY simple to work on (much easier/quicker to disassemble than G series machines), has the great suction, and can be had "for a song". What else can anyone ask for?

 

[blackheart]

Have they been improved

Yes they have. As mentioned above the fan was changed from lexan (i think) to amodel which is supposed to be stronger and more shatter resistant.

The mini emptor was changed at the G6 and it does provide a little improvement in the airflow of the machine, when i switched our G3 to the new style emptor (G6-early sentria) it provided a boost of about .5 on the baird meter, at the end of the hose, vs the old one so about a 5 cfm difference.

The G3 was also said to have problems with it's tech drive i've been told all models since have been a lot less troublesome.

Then we have the brushrolls and magnets (for the brushroll indicator light) on the G3 and G4 the magnet was on the side opposite of the emptor which meants you have a larger gap between the brushes and the edge of the nozzle. I don't know about most people but i do not like this as i do not want to put the emptor against/by the wall i've seen a few of them that were broken and i'm guessing that it's due to this. So with the G5 on up they put the magnet on the same side as the emptor that way the "clear" side has better edge cleaning. They also produce a stiffer brush for the G5 on up.

 

[bagintheback]

Thanks everyone. You've provided excellent information. I'm going to keep an eye out for any good deals on a G6 or Ultimate G. 


 


Miskini: I hadn't thought about looking on Craigslist, so thank you for suggesting that. It looks like the Ultimate G you are referring to is down in the Phoenix valley. That's a bit of a drive from Flagstaff. Maybe one will pop up locally. 

 

[treetopguy2028]

Model variations and a search for legacy of the Heritage

My mom's penchant for Kirby vacs has rubbed off on me. This thread has some excellent history of design trends by Kirby. I bid on a Heritage on "e" and might just get it. If this craze keeps up I'll have to build a workshop for vacuum cleaners. We a having freezing rain so we stay home rather than risk a vehicle accident or accidental slip and fall ending up in an ambulance.

 

[sleepdoc]

Kirby vacuums are addictive, I agree. I really like the new F bags with the locking tabs. You can put that bag adaptor onto any fill-tube except the Tradition, and it's worth it.