Windtunnel
I purchased the top of the line WindTunnel Self-Propelled Turbo Power machine a few years ago and returned it 2 weeks later. While it was not terribly expensive, it was more than most plastic big box store vacuums. While it did clean well, it sounded like I was cleaning with a jet engine (so LOUD!). It seemed to be cheaply constructed using low rate plastic parts. The tools were absolutely horrid! So cheap and not designed with performance and function in mind (I only drive German cars, If you know what its like to drive one and all their attention to minor details, form, function, and performance, you will understand my gripe with Hoover's tools). The Power Drive system seems to be the same one used in the Dial-A-Matic my grandmother had when I was little from the early 70's, extremely jerky and diffucult to modulate. My Kirby Diamond Edition in power drive mode is effortless, so intuitive, it works as though you dont even know it is self propelled, its just that seamless. I would take a self propelled Kirby over a Hoover Power Drive any day! While I do think the Hoover is a good deep cleaner, its bristles are like rocks, I would never use it on an expensive Persian rug. I was even leary of using it on our berber carpet with fear that it may damage it by ripping the loops of carpet right out. Although these machines are propably the best of the current Hoover line up, give me a Kirby any day. Ultimately the machine went back to the store and I stayed with my Ultimate G Diamond Edition, I always have believed you get what you pay for, and when it comes to comparing Hoover to Kirby, it certainly is true. Just my two cents
