Lux Legacy and Platinum

[funeraldirector]

Hi,

Having lunch with an old friend today who just happened to upgrade a customer from an worn out Riccar into a new Lux Legacy. I was surprised to see a new cord material that was much more flexible and rubber-like than the previous Unicable cords they were using. Also noticed a different spring and feeling in the cord winder of the Legacy that was way smoother and felt more like quality than the previous one I had used. These are positive steps for sure. I wonder if Beech (sp?) Tool and Die still makes the winder assembly for Lux?

I also happened to notice a couple of new Lux Guardian Platinum units that were just delivered and both shipping cartons labeled "Assembled in USA." I was pleased to see that as well and am seeing more Made in USA decals on products they previously had manufactured overseas. Maybe things are changing in Bristol.

Brian

 

[compactc9guy]

Thats great ! keep The aerus electrolux in usa not overseas perfect make em like they use to

 

[electromatik]

We have heard so much conflicting information regarding the Bristol plant that I never knew what the facts were. I now consider the matter closed. The plant is still open and operational (or at least one of the U.S. plants is still open).


I would love to see Aerus take what they have learned from the Platinum and create a new unique design.

 

[djub85]

I'm curious about the cords... what's the newest Legacy cord you're comparing the new cord to? What color is the new cord vs the color of the old cord, etc.? I know that Aerus brought in new black, "ribbed" (not smooth) cords around 2013, but are you saying that they have an even newer cord now?

I'm floored to know that the Guardian Platinum is now being assembled in the USA. That's the only thing (other than finances, ha!) that kept me from wanting one. All of the EU models have transitioned to a new, more attractive white/silver color scheme. If Aerus starts selling white/silver machines made in USA, I'll have to buy one. I might even just go ahead and buy a black/silver one since it's made in the US. I'm just hoping the Platinum didn't kill off production of the Legacy or Classic. The plant is only so big!

I'm super excited that the bags moved back to US from China and that the Platinum is now made here, too. If we can just get the power nozzles and sidekicks made in USA again, we'll be all set.

And yes, I agree I wish Aerus would make their next new product all in-house. Here's my Aerus wish list:

1. Never stop selling the Legacy and Classic (heritage, baby!)
2. Add HEPA to at least the Legacy if not the Classic too (just steal the HEPA setup from the old Guardian Ultra that used the same body)
3. Design new, mostly metal telescoping wands
4. Create a new in-house vacuum with clear ties to heritage products (1205 machines, XXX, G, even the Legacy... something retro).

I think we're on the cusp of seeing fully battery electric vacuums. We already have some battery stuff from Dyson, but I feel like the next logical move is for all canisters to go battery, too. If there exist battery lawn mowers and cars, then surely battery canister vacuums are not far behind. I feel like that's something Aerus could potentially jump into with their next product. I'm more concerned about my listed top 4 wishes, but wouldn't it be cool to park your Aerus on a wireless charging pad and have it ready to run the next day with no need for a cord or plugging/unplugging?

 

[tolivac]

Not only battery canisters-but uprights,too.Imagine a cordless Kirby with the power of a plug in one!Could happen!Give it time!
Another for Lux--DITCH the bagless central vacuum and replace it with a HEPA Filtrete bagged one.

 

[air-waycharlie]

I have owned nearly every model of Lux from the E, to now the Platinum Guardian. IMO, the Platinum Guardian is arguably one of the best canisters made. A true cleaning machine with incredible filtration and really, really quiet. (About as loud as the G models.)

I do not mind the plastic wands or gas pump handle. The variable speed is a nice new feature, (finally), and it has a nice size bag capacity. The retractable cord must be 30 feet--the longest on Lux cannister that I know of.

I am so impressed with the Guardian Platinum line that my Lux Legacy upright is leaving on Monday to be replaced with the new black/white Guardian upright. It has the most powerful motor ever in a Lux upright. Other than that, the design is the same as past Lux uprights. I'm looking forward to playing with it!

 

[jp10558]

The problem with batteries in vacuums is that the vacuum cleaner companies don't really get batteries right now IMHO, and the tool companies don't get vacuums really. I'd love to see someone use a "standard" battery like the Dewalt Flexvolt or Milwaukee M18 Fuel or Bosch whatever. But for lawn mowers they use 2 and they last like 20 minutes. And the "big ones" are going to run you $300 or so just for the batteries. Then again, if you're vacuum is $2000+ you could probably fit that in somehow. I just don't know if they could say, use an 18V design and have a compatibility with the "major" tool battery brands - without spending a lot to partner with them somehow. And if they were tied to one brand, they turn off anyone who's using a different brand with their tools...

@air-waycharlie do you know how the sound compares to Sebo airbelt canisters?

 

[air-waycharlie]

The Sebo and Miele canisters are very quiet. The Platinum power nozzle sounds like all of it's forerunners making it louder than the machine itself. When the Platinum is set on, "Auto", for the power setting, it is extremely quiet.

Lux went through quite a few machines that were kind of loud but nothing like, let's say a Kirby. When I use my Sentria,(or any of the G series), I can't even hear the phone ring. The current Tri-Star CS model is fairly quiet except for the power nozzle which is made by Lux/Aerus. Lux/Aerus power nozzles have always been whiney since the inception of the Omniflow style. (Around the time of the PN-6 I think.) Prior to that they were much quieter in my opinion.

 

[tolivac]

The batterys on mowers the run time can be variable-depending on the thickness of the grass you are mowing and if the mower is in mulch mode.In mulch mode the battery will run down faster-the run time for my mowers can be half hour to almost an hour.I can agree on the Lux style powernozzle-the loud whine they make-the Volt is quieter and more effective!And the sound of stuff going thru the fan is satisfying-you KNOW its picked up!And the rattling down the wands and hose adds to the fun!

 

[funeraldirector]

Lux Platinum

DJub85,


I have not been around Lux much for more than a decade. The cord material from a couple of weeks ago was more rubber-like than the Legacy I had seen a year or so ago and kind of reminded me of the cord from the Silverado just ribbed in design. The spring in the winder was definitely different and both are a welcome improvement. The cords on the Lux commercial and others were just awful for a while with an unusually stiff plastic (read that to mean cheap) outer cover unlike Windsor/sebo, Miele and other machines. Made then by Unicable if memory serves me.


The Legacy and Classic, along with both uprights and the Centralux are legacy variants of a really tired product line that needs to go away and be replaced with better, more modern machines. The Platinum is leaps and bounds ahead of what Aerus has ever produced. It is not a Silverado in build quality yet it does everything extremely well and weighs just 14 pounds so it is both light and powerful. Yes while the Platinum a European-design, Lux USA has in some respects returned somewhat to its roots if you will. I too like the new S-115 Lux International just introduced but I'm not so much of a white colored vacuum fan. I love the faux braided hose and its conical style and retro loop design like on the super J. These are not wire reinforced gimp hoses like those made by former Lux subsidiary Lawrence Manufacturing but a Plastiflex type hose like the Riccar Impeccable with a braided cover woven over the outside.They are also nearly a foot longer than the current platinum hose assembly. It is neat that the S-115 has Bluetooth control for the vacuum motor. The european attachments like the floor and dusting brush are better than the German manufacturers here in the USA but not like Aerus, FQ or Rainbow in quality. The hoses, hose handles, wand and Sebo ET-1 are nice on these machines and give a significant performance boost over the tired Omni-Flo/Epic wand experience. The down side being four PCB boards in these hoses and they are a little stiff vs the urethane and crush proof hoses we have here.

Air-WayCharlie,

Totally agree on the Platinum vacuum assessment. A new wand, hose handle and Sebo power nozzle would totally hit one out of the park in terms of performance and convenience. Not sure why you can't get the scents here in the USA but they work really well in the platinum.


Brian

 

[electromatik]

@funeraldirector

I'm with you on the white vacuums. I hate that color. It always changes and gets ugly in time. Black doesn't do that. Lux actually had mostly white vacuums for ages and ages until just a couple years ago when they changed to black.

How sad that they still offer nothing for the scent cup. More of Urso's pathetic leadership-the man has no imagination at all.

 

[tolivac]

Black shows white paint scuffs from wall,trim and such.Black is not a perfect color,either.