KIRBY AVALIR

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Power Switch...

I have a Kirby G3 and a Sentria I. The G3 is pretty good but the Sentria is a BEAST. Probably due to the stiffer brushroll in the Sentria. I have never had a vacuum cleaner come close to that Sentria when it comes to carpet cleaning. The new Kirby seen in the drawings will not be released until all the bugs are worked out and it can perform as well or better than the Sentria I or II, and that is probably why the Avalir was released instead.


 


I agree with Harley - The power switch not only needs to be located on the powerplant for ease of operation, it is necessary because when the machine converts to canister mode, the long handle is removed completely.
 
As collectors, some are missing the point

It's easy to be critical of a machine if you're shopping for a daily driver. If you're a die-hard collector, then it should be more about memorializing something that's greater than you are as an individual. It's much too easy for any of us to "arm chair vacuum critics", but the truth of the matter is that these machines are in production. Therefore, if you collect, you can either obtain one and maintain it as a piece of the Kirby legacy, or you can just get over it. There's no difference between the Omega and the Classic II or the Classic III. I'm totally ignorant about Kirbys but even I know that it was all about the subtle changes in color and fabric on the bag. The difference between Sentria and Avalir is not that different. I think it's a beautiful machine. Love it or leave it!
 
Why on earth would you have a power switch on the handle when all of the other controls are on the base controlled by your foot?

You walk up to the vac, unwrap the cord, plug it in, grab the handle, lower the head to the proper height, put the transmission in gear, hit the power and go.... All in one fluid motion with your dominant foot...

I watch people using our Riccars, you have to make a conscious effort to either release the handle, flip switch with your thumb or bend down and twist the height on the other side...

I know its an old design, but it works well. It is a fluid motion.. I don't think there is any other upright that the user can adjust or manipulate in the same fluid motion.

Now, the PITA is the nozzle with having to take it off and put the hose on etc. That is the antiquated design that needs to be changed or eliminate the nozzle removal and make a shoulder vac that is separate...

I just wished they'd add the rug/carpet switch back.. :(
 
I go along with the power switch on the motor of the Kirby Too.Keep in mind a lot of other vcuums are made this way-Canisters,Sanitaires,and so on.I do operate the Kirby switch with my hand,the switch on these can be fragile.Don't step on the button too hard with your foot.A hand is more gentle.Agree again-if the power switch was on the handle-would make it difficult or impossible for the Kirby to be used in the other modes you can convert the machine too.I don't see anything "antiquated" about the switch at all.Even older machines had their switches on the motor housing or the handle.
 
switch location

I have no problem with the Generation foot controls but if we look at vac history--
The ROYAL upright with switch on handle could convert to a hand held with small handle,smaller bag and switch on second cord.
The Raymond Loewy SINGER had cordwinder with cord coming out top handle with no bending over to reach for cord or hooks,cord rewind button on handle,release for 3 position handle on back of handle grip,on/off at hand grip,and a floating self adjusting brush on a vac that would go under most furniture and did not need power drive.
Little is new and much is forgotten!
 
"why isn't that Singer model available today?"

Cost-Price-Money-Marketing
I think this was a relatively trouble free vac with proper supplies and service that would have been nationwide with any Singer dealer.When it might need repair some of the parts were a modular design for easy service.Many products start out with all features and quality and over time are simplified and marketed at a lower price that requires lower manufacturing cost.Think of the 1952 GE Swivel Top at $99.00 and 10 attachments becoming the still great GE of the 60s at $39.00 and just basic atts.The R Lowey Singer upright was updated with new colors and bag designs in the 60s but still had the A frame handle and winder with cord at top for deluxe models.It's last days were at WalMart in gray at a low price.
 
Using any model kirby doesn't require the removal of the long handle. It is convient to do so in small areas like cleaning a car or airplane possibly a camper that doesn't require the use of the floor nozzle.

As for a previous poster about the tech drive not making the kirby easier to push. It is in fact easier to push. Doesn't help with carring it up or down a flight of stairs. And yes with the convertabily of the machine you do need the controls to be foot opperated.

I personally like the general design of the kirby hand hope it stays that way. Like others said if you don't like what is out there don't buy it. I can walk past all the Dysons, Shark Navigators and all the others in favor fo the kirby and not think twice about it.
 
The Rube Goldberg machine pictured above would still require changing attachaments which the way they are designed would take up even more room to store. Some of the the other "innovations" will be problematic and cause repairs that would other wise be unessary.

I'm a Kirby collector and probably would buy one at some point. Just not as my daily driver. I'm attached to my vintage 1987 Kirby model and will more than likely take it to my grave.

I have used commercial vacuums with the electric automated height adjustment and it just doesn't keep up with the pace. All the two motor machines are always getting clogged up with items few vacuums can handle. I know. I unclog them. I sent back to the suppler 4 commercial Bissel two motor uprights for that reason and also because they are just a pain to maintain. Just becouse it looks "cool" doesn't equate to performace, ease of use or reliablilty.

There will never be a piece of equipment designed of any kind that will be perfect for all.
 
Saw it in person!

Was at the Home and Garden show this past weekend and the local dealer had one.  He was also selling off his last 3 Sentria II he had at a "show price" of 999.  He then was taking appointments for in home demo of the Avalir that he said he would have by months end.  Would not quote a price on the Avalir.  


 


Two things I really liked was:


1. The new carrying handle at the bottom is a great work in physics as it has about a 10 degree concave to it so it is much better balanced to carry the machine up stairs!  


2. LED light is very, very bright


 
 
Put down a deposit on mine then prepaid for it.Now the dealer is going to call me at any time to bring my Avalir to me.He was saying I was going to be his first Avalir customer.
 
<blockquote>
"lower the head to the proper height, put the transmission in gear, hit the power and go...."


</blockquote>
 


Not to be nit-picky, but isn't it meant to be the other way around? Ie. hit the power, lower the head, put the transmission in gear and go?


 


I like the Kirby controls being all in one place. It makes so much sense, like with the Miele S7 with all the controls on the handle. It's tidy and efficient.


 


Plus, as others have mentioned, if the switch was in the handle, there would have to be wires with connection points to the base (like how a PN connects to a wand on a cylinder/canister) which would have to disconnect in order to convert the machine to a handheld or cylinder set up. But then once you remove the handle, you wouldn't be able to turn the machine on, so you'd have to include a remote hose and a handheld attachment with controls on it. This is all adding extra weight and cost to an already heavy and expensive machine, whilst also creating more things to potentially go wrong with it.
 
Chris you should get a jib as a not nurse cause you're the best not picker I know of haha :-p
 
I dont mind where a switch is on a vacuum cleaner, as long as it is easy to locate. However, it makes more sense to have a switch that sits closer to the motor as opposed to something running up and down a handle, wire and component wise.
 
<blockquote>
makes more sense to have a switch that sits closer to the motor


</blockquote>
Agreed. Especially with the set up of the Kirby where the handle is regularly removed to use the features of the cleaner as they were intended to be used.
 
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