Hoover or Lux

[chestermikeuk]

We`ve been discussing the merits of these two cleaners over on Hooverland and I think they deserve a mention...In 1968 Electrolux UK brought out the Electrolux Z100, cylinder cleaner, 550w motor power, woven hose, wand & Flip-Over floor, a year later Hoover introduced their "latest" re-invented machine The Hoover Conquest 507, rated 675 motor watts....it was also put forward for a major design award....apparently the word on the street was that the judges where so horrified that it looked so similar to the Lux and nothing like the design of previous Hoover cleaners that it didnt get the award....there was such a "Holy Hu-Ha" about it that Hoover pulled out of and boycotted a major expo soon after, I`ve always wanted to compare these and now we can...

Take a look and see what you think!! Heres the Electrolux Z100

 

[chestermikeuk]

The Hoover Conquest

Model 507 produced 1969

 

[chestermikeuk]

Lux Z100 & Conquest 507

 

[chestermikeuk]

Side View

With sleds n wheels

 

[chestermikeuk]

Lux v Hoover

With relevant tools.. let me know what you think !!! mike

 

[ian88]

Look virtually identical to me, lmao.

Surprisingly immature reaction from Hoover though ;p maybe they should have stuck to Uprights.

 

[kirbymodel2c]

Lux

I've always thought Electrolux did better clinders than Hoover.

I Do really like the Electrolux Z100.

JB

 

[arh1953]

I like the Hoover design better. I wish they had put something out like that here, but I guess they were well covered with canisters and tank like Handi-Vacs in that era.

 

[vac-o-matic]

Hey Mike! Blue is not my favorite color, however, in this case, it's the Hoover for me, hands down, what a smart looking machine, and love the tools! Wonder why we didn't see those over here instead of the "suitcase" designs? Beautiful examples of both, thanks for sharing!

Rick

 

[electroluxxxx]

I am going to have to say the favorite Electrolux

 

[myhooverco]

Geee...Ummmm...I guessssss....I just don't know which one I should choose...let me think....HOOVER! I hope to find one of these canisters. I really like everything about it. Thank you for posting the photo of the bottom. I have always wondered about the wheel arrangement on this machine. Hoover really was not known for their canisters, but I think I might like this machine. I am guessing that they are fairly rare on your side of the pond??? Great photos...thanks for posting them.

--Tom

 

[gottahaveahoove]

I agree with

Tom. HOOVER. And, those wands and toold were beautifully made. YOUR tools are a bit different from ours, however. Tom, glad you're over your Oreck "phase". lol, John

 

[z30soulbrother]

blow port

hi mike,
where is the conquest blow port?

si

 

[chestermikeuk]

Conquest Blower Port

The air exhaust is situated on the top like the Lux, only it has a slider porthole where you simply plug the hose in, the air filter is under the grille, for the Z90 you remove the grille & filter and plug the hose into the top...

Here it is open

 

[chestermikeuk]

Hoover Conquest

Blower port closed

 

[ian88]

Seems a bit over-engineered to me ;]

 

[watsonw]

For me its Lux; overall design, build quality, performance & durabilty.

 

[z30soulbrother]

cheers mike

cheers mike for that .... interesting

si

 

[ian88]

Oh but the Hoover does have cord rewind, a flipover tool, blower port and slim, lightweight construction.

Whoops.

 

[vintagehoover]

To choose between...

"Two Households, both alike in dignity ..."

I'd say Hoover every time! I don't know why, other than personal loyalty. I know Electroluxes are well-made, reliable and solid cleaners. In particular, I LOVE how quiet they are. I'd just always choose Hoover.

 

[z30soulbrother]

lux/hoover

hi guys
one of the most popular feature electrolux tools of yesteryear was the sprayjar which came as standard here in the uk, up to circa 1970. did hoover do one?

 

[74simon]

OK, I'm going to be provocative here...

I've commented on this at Hooverland, but looking over the pictures again, I have to say that I really do prefer the 'look' of the Hoover over the Electrolux!

I just think the Lux (and others of it ilk) were a bit, well, dowdy compared to a lot of the Hoovers! *Ducks*

Luxes always seemed to be in pretty neutral muted colours, and I think the shape of Hoover cylinders tended to be rather crisper and sheer than the curvy Luxes, certainly the Conquest looks more modern to my eyes, despite the basic shapes' 1950s roots.

I know Luxes are good machines though, and the funny thing is that I think it was quite the opposite for uprights - the 152/60/70 and 500 Series Electrolux uprights blew the contemporary Hoovers out of the water, especially in terms of genuine practical innovation! Although one must understand that I've got a sworn allegiance to Perivale ;-)

Dunno if you're aware Mike, but the exhibition that got cancelled was to be held at the Design Centre, London, and was intended to promote the then-new Hoover 'Matchbox' automatics. The exhibition was meant to take place in April 1970 ISTR, but was delayed due to 'teething problems' with the new washers, which weren't launched until September in the end. But one can't deny which cleaner was on the Hoover designer's minds when they concocted the Conquest...

I especially love the flash of the Conquest - Mandarin Blue is the definitive Hoover colour scheme to me, and I like the unnecessary bits of bright trim, the mad blower port and that handle design, which always puts me in mind of a Ford Capri or something!

 

[danemodsandy]

I Have to Ask:

At the risk of offending Hoover owners (which I do NOT mean to do), I have a question:

How do you cope with that blasted wand-locking system? Our household includes a Hoover Runabout (my partner's machine), and I find myself carrying the TriStar upstairs rather than dealing with those fiddly latches on everything. The idea was to have a machine on each floor, but every time I break down and use the Hoover, I find myself wanting to jump up and down on it, so I carry the TriStar or a Lux to the top floor. The Hoover even has a lock on the hose end, rather difficult to snap into place, and it has to be dealt with every time I want to change tools. To change from the power nozzle to the dusting brush, for instance, here's the drill:

1) Unplug power nozzle at the hose end.
2) Unlock power nozzle wands from the hose end.
3) Insert dusting brush into hose end.
4) Operate lock to lock dusting brush into hose end.

Yeesh!

Is this just a matter of what one is accustomed to, or what? It makes me bonkers, but then I never used a Hoover until rather recently.

 

[kirbymodel2c]

True!!

One of the reasons I'm not a big fan of the old hoover cylinders.
I always thought they made better older uprights.

jb

 

[arh1953]

Well I'M offended!

Just kidding. I kind of like the latches, and for some bizzarre reason, I like the plastic wands with the twist on ends. I also like my push button GE wands. I now have four Hoover canisters with power heads and have only shown off one. Got to get busy!

 

[anthony]

the conquest

my parents bought one of these in 1970 it worked very well but the first thing to go on it was the handle it wasnt up to the job next thing was the lugs on the hose end that fits into the cleaner and of course the turbo brush was little more than useless the handle eventualy broke off completely so my dad fitted the strap from a haversack it went on for years wish i still had it .i can remember my dad unpacking it and thinking wow thats diffrent it was good but not as good as the Electrolux