Nano Lite
Hi:
I have a Nano Lite and think it's a great machine and very much a Hoover! I was looking for the GE dual-cyclone bagless at Wal-Mart, which was nowhere to be found at this particular location (though I did find it on my vacation in a different area), when I came across the Nano Lite. It was only $49 so I took a chance, and when I got it out of the box, I was surprised. It seems VERY well made like eluxo said for an inexpensive Wal-Mart machine, and a MUCH better alternative to the Oreck (and the other lightweight fare such as the Eureka Optima and DD Dynamite) as it actually cleans. That brushroll pulls it across the carpet, let me tell you! Surprisingly powerful for its size. I love mine. The modern variation of the Junior 115.
Of course the downside is the filter, but there's a handy orange slider-thingy on the back that you can clean the filter with and not touch the dirt. Pet hair does tend to stick which is an annoyance, but is easily removed either by hand or with another vacuum if enough slider movement doesn't loosen it. Even so, the entire bin/filter assembly is easily disassembled. I took mine apart and blew it out with the air compressor in less than 5 minutes.
The brushroll on/off is controlled by a 'belt shifter', which slides the belt back & forth between the brushroll and a free-wheeling bearing. When you put it in the bare floor position, the brushroll turns for about 2 seconds and then it stops.
Below is a pic of mine. By the way, Morgan, I believe the Hoover lightweight you mentioned is Tacony-made and identical to the Riccar Supralite, FYI. Again, much better alternative to the Oreck!
