Hyla has arrived

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williamr1248

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 27, 2007
Messages
1,486
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USA
I got a new Hyla. Here are my thoughts on the new machine when comparing it to my Rainbow: This is not scientific, just my thoughts after using both machines.

(1) The Hyla has a very nice electric hose but it is short.
(2) I prefer the Rainbow wand and hose set up with just ONE set of electric wands and much longer electric hose
(3) No contest with the power nozzle. The new Rainbow has more concentrated air flow and easier to push.It also noticed the Hyla tends to collect hair. The Hyla has a cogged belt which is good but on my particular rugs and carpets the Rainbow wins in power and features and grooming.
(4) You cannot use the Hyla power nozzle on the hose end to clean the stairs. The Rainbow will attach to the hose end or either one or both wands.
(5) I did notice when cleaning throw rugs the Hyla power nozzle tends to grab at the end and stall which would cause it to cut off. With the Rainbow-you have both a quick release trigger and a suction relief on the hose handle.
(6) The Hyla has some interesting tools but they are friction fit where the Rainbow has metal hose ends and button connections.
(7) Hyla uses a water bucket, which is easy to empty. It uses twice the amount of water but the downside is that it is heavier to carry and move around.
(8) I did not like the combination rug/floor tool with the Hyla. You can order a better floor brush from Hyla with real horsehair brushes.
(9)The set up for wet floor cleaning is much easier with the Rainbow System as is the shampoo system. I don't think the Hyla has a retating brush with it's shampoo system. I did not get that option
(10)The Hyla has a nice place to store the cord on top of the machine but I prefer the way I can just loop the Rainbow cord and drop it on the holder.
(11) They both have very good air flow but the Rainbow seems to have more suction at the end of the hose.
(12) Hyla has an interesting remote control that fits on the end of the elctric hose and can be used to turn the machine off and on when using the air cleaning mode.
(13) Hyla comes with a beautiful instruction book with real pictures.
All in all, the Hyla is a very nice machine. I do agree with Dan that the Rainbow would seem to have better build quality but that is hard to tell when they are new.
The Hyla dealer was well informed and very pleasant with the transaction.
Both very nice machines and no dusty smell or bags and filters to buy.

williamr1248++3-8-2012-14-27-14.jpg
 
Hyla has arrived

Hyla has a separator that does not require any cleaning and cannot be removed.
This is because it uses the Geyser concept. It has the lighted water basin like the Rainbow too.
The water tub locks onto the dolly and the tools attach to the corners of the dolly.

williamr1248++3-8-2012-14-49-6.jpg
 
Hyla has arrived

interesting sofa tool with 2 different buttom plates. One with brush and air vents and the other used to clean drapes without pulling the fabric.

williamr1248++3-8-2012-15-10-17.jpg
 
Hyla has arrived

Brad,
I think the whole system wolud be priced about like a Rainbow. I only got the basic machine and power nozzle. I did not get the wet system, shampoo system, storage rack or small electric hand tool. They have many optional tools.

This machinehas tremendous air flow like the Rainbow and I enjoy the led lights in the water tub.
The drapery tool and dusting brush are very nice.
 
I like my Hyla and have sold many rebuilt ones over the years. The main complaint I have is the hose being way to short. My favorite thing about it is the water pan. I love that it's bigger and very easy to clean out.
 
GST vs. NST...

Nice machine! From your observations it seems you probably prefer the Rainbow?

Do you know what the differences between your GST and the previous generation NST are? They both appear to use the same Weasel Werks PN. I could be wrong. The GST looks like a very nice machine!
 
Hyla has arrived

Phil,
Since you have had experience with Hyla's, what are the secrets to keeping one in good shape? I had never seen or heard of one.

I do love the lighted off/on switch and the lighted basin and power nozzle.

Khoi.
I like them both but the Rainbow is easier to use and that new Rainbow power nozzle is so effective and much easier to use. I would say the Rainbow is more user friendly and it does seem to have more suction and is quieter. Rainbow also has a much longer warranty and has a long proven record.
Both very nice machines. I really like the dusting and sofa brush on the Hyla and also the deordorizer but oh that short electric hose!
The Hyla is just fun to watch it churn the water and the Hyla dealer was very interested that I understood how to operate the machine.

williamr1248++3-8-2012-18-36-15.jpg
 
Hyla has arrived

Khoi,
If you look at the underside of the machines on the You Tubes you can see quite a bit of difference in the underside where the separator is located between the NST and the GST.
You can see they changed from 2 side latches to the new system of using the one hand and the handle bail of the water basin to LOCK the motor to the water basin and I see changes in some of the attachments.

The Hyla has a 2 speed motor and the motor speed is changed by inserting the hose in the intake. With the hose off,it stays in air cleaning mode and a lower speed.
 
Be careful with the water pan latches. I have had to replace those before and parts for Hyla are not cheap. They say never clean the separator, well I do after a long time of use ( like months ) They do get dirty I don't care what they say. It comes apart in many peices just make sure it goes back the same way. I have had to replace a rubber seal that goes around the motor unit because the lady never cleaned it off when she washed out the pan. Nothing to it really, they seem to have last. I have some customers tell me they would never go back to Rainbow because they love Hyla etc. Well one is as good as the other I think. The Rainbow does have better bells and whistles.
I think I will get my Hyla out this weekend and use her. It's been a while lol
 
I'd love to try out one of these machines. I have always wondered about the self cleaning separator and how it can stay clean! I had a sneaking suspicion that it needed to be cleaned after a while. You just confirmed it for me. Still a really cool machine. At lease you can take it off and clean it if you have to.
 
Hyla has arrived

Thanks Phillip for the tips. I will sure keep them in mind.
Now this machine has no latches. You use the handle on the water bucket to lock the motor to the water pan.
I also agree with you about the bells and whisles. I think the big differences are in the short electric hose and the performance of the new Rainbow power nozzle,plus the fact that more water makes the Hyla heavier to move around.
Both are beautiful cleaners and no leaking dust,bags to buy or nasty smell.

Thanks again
 
Rainbow PN...

Hi, William.

Yes, the Hyla is cool. Lol, I have given my NST a quick run to make sure it works, but have had no real time to give it a real test. I like the Art Deco styling of the NST a lot. The GST seems more modern, but very cool none-the-less. I like the LED lights inside, but I wish they were green or a warm white to better compliment the color of the vacuum body.

Have you every thought about using the lighted Rainbow or Hyla while tripping on psychadelics? It will give a new meaning to "Rainbow" or "High"-la ;D. Complete with light show and all!

Can you tell us more about the Rainbow PN? Maybe post a pic or two? I wonder, is it a third party manufacturer, like the way Hyla uses the Wessel Werks, or is the a proprietary design unique to Rainbow? It seems to work very well for you. I'm very curious about it.

Thanks!
 

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