eurekastar
Well-known member
Has anyone used the newer Kirby stretch hose that can extend to twelve feet? Does it seem durable and is it worth the purchase if one is looking for a longer hose? Thanks!
Kirby Stretch Hose
- Thread starter eurekastar
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vacman117
Well-known member
It would be pretty stupid in my opinion. When you would use the crevice tool or zip brush, the hose would tighten up, and not allow you to extend it without great force and the cleaner jolting forward..Same as any other stretch hose probably
Have one-you have to wrestle with it to use the hose-easier to bring the machine to the job and use the regular hose.
Personally,
I don't like stretch hoses or telescoping wands...
Part of the reason I don't use my new Hoover Connie is the stretch hose and tele wands. (that and it blows cat hair every where).
Most of the new uprights with onboard tools are horrible...why they can't just give you a regular hose, forget the stretchy things and let you vacuum in peace...
Morgan
I don't like stretch hoses or telescoping wands...
Part of the reason I don't use my new Hoover Connie is the stretch hose and tele wands. (that and it blows cat hair every where).
Most of the new uprights with onboard tools are horrible...why they can't just give you a regular hose, forget the stretchy things and let you vacuum in peace...
Morgan
eurekastar
Well-known member
Thanks for all the insight! I was thinking of getting one, because I find it a pain to have to move the vacuum to the opposite side of the car when I'm cleaning it up. Or maybe I'm just too lazy! LOL! But based on everyone's feedback, I think I'll pass. Thanks again!
rolls_rapide
Well-known member
Ah, but...
Won't the Kirby have a much lower suction power than the Hoover Constellation?
This would mean that the hose would have less chance of contracting implosively.
Won't the Kirby have a much lower suction power than the Hoover Constellation?
This would mean that the hose would have less chance of contracting implosively.
eurekastar
Well-known member
Good point! I'm still thinking about getting one. If I do, I'll let you all know how it works.
practical experience
hi Bill,
I have used them all three:
- standard hose as it comes in the box
- double length hose, same material
- stretch hose
here is what I have found:
The standard hose does a good overall job, yet it is a bit too short to my taste, you have to move around the Kirby too often.
The double length hose is exactly what I need most often, Kirby in the middle of the room, reaching all corners and above-the-head spaces with ease. Drawback: the turbo nozzle (aka zip brush as it is called in the US) has a noticeable drop of speed, yet ok, it works (you only hear the whining a bit lower than normal).
Stretch hose: it DOES contract from the suction, but the main pull comes from the spiral: as you pull, the Kirby will follow, esp. when the drive is in neutral.
For cars however it works really fine, as long as the hose has spots to wrap around or to cling to (seats, door seals, headrests etc.)
pull it as you can, having the Kirby close to the door opening and facing "inwards" (so it can't come following up any closer) - this will do fine all over the place for the upholstery nozzle, crevice tool and the like, but not so much with the zip brush (same drop of speed when in full length, but ok when short).
One thing to consider: the stretch hose does not appear as sturdy as the normal gray hose, the stretch hose has that typical "Dyson plastic gadget" feel to it - taking into account that the G4, 5, 6, 7 and Sentria hoses are not really THAT sturdy either, both (stretch and normal) are very much the same but both are NO comparison to the really good old Heritage hoses with double layers and their flexible, easy flowing "go" that they had.
Buy the stretch hose for your car if you can get a nice price that won't hurt too much. Or even though, you might resell it again if you don't like it. At least here it is rare enough to find, so might get buyers with ease.
hi Bill,
I have used them all three:
- standard hose as it comes in the box
- double length hose, same material
- stretch hose
here is what I have found:
The standard hose does a good overall job, yet it is a bit too short to my taste, you have to move around the Kirby too often.
The double length hose is exactly what I need most often, Kirby in the middle of the room, reaching all corners and above-the-head spaces with ease. Drawback: the turbo nozzle (aka zip brush as it is called in the US) has a noticeable drop of speed, yet ok, it works (you only hear the whining a bit lower than normal).
Stretch hose: it DOES contract from the suction, but the main pull comes from the spiral: as you pull, the Kirby will follow, esp. when the drive is in neutral.
For cars however it works really fine, as long as the hose has spots to wrap around or to cling to (seats, door seals, headrests etc.)
pull it as you can, having the Kirby close to the door opening and facing "inwards" (so it can't come following up any closer) - this will do fine all over the place for the upholstery nozzle, crevice tool and the like, but not so much with the zip brush (same drop of speed when in full length, but ok when short).
One thing to consider: the stretch hose does not appear as sturdy as the normal gray hose, the stretch hose has that typical "Dyson plastic gadget" feel to it - taking into account that the G4, 5, 6, 7 and Sentria hoses are not really THAT sturdy either, both (stretch and normal) are very much the same but both are NO comparison to the really good old Heritage hoses with double layers and their flexible, easy flowing "go" that they had.
Buy the stretch hose for your car if you can get a nice price that won't hurt too much. Or even though, you might resell it again if you don't like it. At least here it is rare enough to find, so might get buyers with ease.
eurekastar
Well-known member
That's primarily what I would use it for -- the car. I did find one for about $30, so I'll be curious to see how well it works. The hose I've used on a couple of Hoover Uprights weren't easy to use because they do collapse on themselves. But it will be fun to try this one out! Thanks!
eurekastar
Well-known member
Well, I went ahead and purchased a new Kirby stretch hose for $35. You can see that in its fully retracted size, it seems rather small. Unlike Hoover upright hoses, it is actually quite easy to use.
eurekastar
Well-known member
As you'd expect, power is reduced as the hose is stretched. Sorry about the dark photo. Cheap camera! LOL!
eurekastar
Well-known member
But there's also an unexpected benefit. Because the stretch hose is not as long as the regular hose, it provides more power when not fully extended. That provides some additional power to the zipp brush when cleaning upholstery.
eurekastar
Well-known member
I used it today in the bedroom and was able to leave the vacuum in the center of the room and dust all around without moving it. That works well for dusting since full suction and airflow isn't needed to pickup dust and dog hair. I haven't used it in the car yet. We'll see how it works there later today!
Pretty nice
Seeing this, I'm sorry that I let my Kirby Distributor talk me out of this when I went to buy one for my Diamond a couple years ago. It was for the same primary reason - car. And they talked me into buying the extra long hose (I forget how long, but it is huge). It is very awkward to use and VERY hard to store. All in all a wasted purchase. This looks much better than they made it sound.
Seeing this, I'm sorry that I let my Kirby Distributor talk me out of this when I went to buy one for my Diamond a couple years ago. It was for the same primary reason - car. And they talked me into buying the extra long hose (I forget how long, but it is huge). It is very awkward to use and VERY hard to store. All in all a wasted purchase. This looks much better than they made it sound.
Bill, Chris & Kirby stretch hoses...
Hello & gm,
All three (3) of the hoses have their purposes & draw-backs.
European-style standard hose -- 7'
European-style extended hose -- 12'
Stretch-style extended hose -- 12'
I have commercial customers who clean homes/business' & love the stretch hoses. However, they have to be replaced on a periodic basis as the 'durability' in not the same as the "Euro-style", & they know this, as I informed them of this before they purchased them. For above-the-floor cleaning (ie: ceiling fans) they are great, as well as for other areas.
Durability is much better with the "Euro-style" hoses however. I prefer the 12' hose for cleaning of vehicles & areas where we have vaulted ceilings; & the 7' hose for most of the regular cleaning.
I hope this info is of assistance.
Cheers & hagd all,
Bill
Ps: Welcome Chris (see link below) (B4, were you: samotronic???)
http://www.vacuumland.org/TD/THREADS/SANDBOX/8926.htm
Hello & gm,
All three (3) of the hoses have their purposes & draw-backs.
European-style standard hose -- 7'
European-style extended hose -- 12'
Stretch-style extended hose -- 12'
I have commercial customers who clean homes/business' & love the stretch hoses. However, they have to be replaced on a periodic basis as the 'durability' in not the same as the "Euro-style", & they know this, as I informed them of this before they purchased them. For above-the-floor cleaning (ie: ceiling fans) they are great, as well as for other areas.
Durability is much better with the "Euro-style" hoses however. I prefer the 12' hose for cleaning of vehicles & areas where we have vaulted ceilings; & the 7' hose for most of the regular cleaning.
I hope this info is of assistance.
Cheers & hagd all,
Bill
Ps: Welcome Chris (see link below) (B4, were you: samotronic???)
http://www.vacuumland.org/TD/THREADS/SANDBOX/8926.htm
turbo500
Well-known member
Hi folks,
I just acquired a G6 2000 edition and it only had the stretch hose with it. What's the deal with this, is a genuine optional Kirby tool or an after market non-gen part?
Thanks,
Chris
I just acquired a G6 2000 edition and it only had the stretch hose with it. What's the deal with this, is a genuine optional Kirby tool or an after market non-gen part?
Thanks,
Chris
