Maytag Satellite

[michaelwalter]

Hi Guys

Last week I bought a New in box Maytag Satellite off Ebay UK. Cant wait till it makes it's trip over the ditch.

I've looked at a few of the reviews on you tube including one sales demo and it seems to float far better than the older connies, i take it thanks to the 2000w motor.

Can anyone confirm whether it clears the surface on floor boards as it's promoted that it wont scratch even the most delicate surfaces?

Cheers

Mike

 

[gottahaveahoove]

they ARE good.

a bit high pitched,  great tools (HOOVER'S best in years)  the "dish is plastic,  so IT won't get ripped or scratched. It shouldn't scratch the floors, either. You should like it.


 John

 

[sensotronic]

I like mine apart from the short hose and expensive
hard to get bags.

I may do an updated video of it in HD for my
Youtube channel.

 

[eurekaprince]

I once owned the retro 21st century Hoover version. Excellent suction and loved the turbo nozzle on carpets. But indeed, the hovercraft effect stops working when you try to pull it over door thresholds and from floors to carpets and back. I also did not like the tool-holder on the canister as the protruding tools could scratch walls and furniture when the canister floated into them....the peripheral bumper did not cushion the blow.

 

[petek]

The constant banging on my feet and legs because of the short hose was very annoying the one time I used mine.. so back in its box it went. Otherwise it's a decent vac,

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Well, Although I like it,

I am a 'purist' and love the older Connies. Nothing beats an "ultraflex " hose on them. I think "tufflex" was almost perfection as far as hoses go, but... it was never on a Constellation.
I agree about the odd placement of the tool storage, etc. It was nice to Connie return. I think they could/should have gone a bit further, (i.e: colors, etc).Also, MARKETING would have 'helped the cause' a lot. The horsehair brushes on the tools were stellar, a big surprise there.

John.

 

[michaelwalter]

Is it a Maytag Satellite or Constellation

Hi Guys

Just received my new Maytag by courier today after an anxious 14 day wait.

It arrived well packaged and double boxed although i can tell customs have had a good look over and the bag in the machine was removed as well as the filter and grill.

Dissapointed that the hose at the manufacturing plant in china was just squashed in and there are a few long term kinks in the hose although it's not noticable when the hose is stretched.

A couple of things have me stumped though and thought some of our members may know the answer:

(a) the machine i have is branded Maytag Constellation. From past postings here I thought it was only called constellation in the states with the Hoover branded machines.

(b) I cut the british plug off and added a NZ/OZ matching black plug. When inspecting the cable it is a 3 core flex, theres no mention on the machine or in the instruction book whether the machine is earthed or double insulated. I assume it's earthed by the cabling but unable to access a UK moulded plug to be sure.

Many thanks

Mike

 

[gottahaveahoove]

The beloved HOOVER made our

cherished "Constellation".  When Maytag owned HOOVER, for a while,  they called them "satellite".  Same machine......... Some improvements were made.  But,  there's nothing like a real HOOVER "Constellation".

 

[michaelwalter]

Just tried the connie out for the first time and mostly i like it.

If i had to use it daily or at the least weekly it would probably drive me nuts with the short hose and the banging in to the back of yr legs.

Mine hasn't got the high pitched wine as john mentions, reasonably quiet and smooth running for a 2000watt motor.

Overall i'm impressed but am unable to see the value in the bags for how much they cost, basically microfleece.

Mike

 

[eurekaprince]

I remember returning my first stainless steel Hoover Constellation to the store because of the same squashed hose problem! I went through several boxes in the display to find a box without a crushed hose!!! Just goes to show you the lack of quality control on the TTI assembly line that boxed these vacuums.... I wonder if the crushed hoses were the cause of TTI stopping production on these vacuums.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

I heard that was a HUGE problem too.

IF that were the case,  wouldn't you think that the "factory" would have done something about it rather than just "chuck the whole thing".


  We were all so thrilled to learn that Miss Connie Hoover was returning.  I was told.... colors, etc. That, among other stories were not true... never came to be. I have 2 white ones and 1 stainless steel ones.  I must say,  those horse hair brushes were the best thing in a while.  A surprise, actually.

 

[williamr1248]

Maytag Satelite

I had the SAME crushed hose problem with both the white and stainless machines.
I am with John on this one. Why didn't they stick with the well designed Hoover tools instead of using those cheap, generic, friction fit tools. The power brush was useless. I also did like the real horsehair brush inserts.
Who wants to buy a Hoover and have the same tools that you find on many of the other brands. I have seen that SAME floor tool on at least 4 different machines.

I loved the looks of the machine and the suction was fine but it blew dust all over the room from the exhaust so both of mine are gone.

Too bad they didn't have a Quadraflex power nozzle.

 

[eurekaprince]

It's funny...I actually loved the turbo nozzle packaged with the retro Constellation - it's the same one sold with some of the Numatic vacs in the UK...I think that Aero Brush is in red though. It glided beautifully across my medium pile carpet and the strong suction from the Constellation kept it from bogging down on anything. I actually was not so impressed with the so-called horse-hair dusting brush: it felt very coarse compared with the soft bristles you used to get on the dusting brushes packaged with Kenmore canisters. Real fine horse-hair bristles should be as soft as the softest painters brush or even some make-up and shaving brushes. The Hoover version felt like it was made from goats hair!!!!

 

[michaelwalter]

Hi guys

It does highlight the different likes / dislikes of machines and how difficult it is for engineers to try and create the perfect machine, perhaps they should interact on vacuumland first.

I gave the new constellation a good going over today, found the hose a gross let down and almost reverts it to a handheld cleaner. A nice flexible wire/vinyl hose that doesnt contract and of decent length would do wonders.

I admit the floor brush is very decent as I think the turbo nozzle and extension wand is but other tools appear off the rack.

The whole package is a mishmash that oozes quality (eg stainless steel body) and cheap (short hose). We have maytag appliances here in NZ (US built) and they have a phenominal reputation for reliability and being built like tanks.

It's a shame hoover/maytag didn't consult with this forum before putting the line to bed as there are so many appliance manufacturers that are introducing the 'retro' look of like the trusty kenwood chef never discontinued it in the first place!


Mike

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Can you imagine a retro

"Convertible"?

 

[michaelwalter]

Mission accomplished - modified maytag hose

Hi guys

Mission accomplished, the perfect maytag Connie hose

A black with silver reinforcing thread vinyl and wire hose with comfortable pistol grip handle.

Hose is Flexi and long enough to stop Connie rear ending the user or banging sideways as you sweep the carpet.

Problem solved!


Mike

 

[eurekaprince]

Haha!!! Good job, Mike!

You know, when I had it, I remember letting the Connie ride up onto a part of the cord to stop it from moving! That way I could stretch the hose quite far without having the canister constantly sail into my feet!

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Well Done there!!

Could you picture:  Connie matching an upright, again?  A quadraflex beater bar nozzle/  A windtunnel techno nozzle... w/ an LED light?  Better hose?


  Endless possibilities!

 

[jason60]

USA verses UK Constellations

Hi
I have just bought 2 new old stock boxed "Maytag satellites" and love them. Quality is surprisingly good and floatation is faultless on any surface. The hose is a little short and becomes shorter with the turbo nozzle attached at it restricts the flow. A "Connie" double stretch hose would be a perfect replacement.

I also have 10 of the original Hoover "constellations", 3 american 858 and the others British 862's. The double stretch hoses were on all British models but appear to be optional on the American ones.
There is noticeable difference between the British and American "connie" models, which is surprising when you consider they were both "Constellations" and would be expected to be the same.
Floatation: the american ones do not float as well as the British, I have 2 used 858's and 1 unused "new old stock" from 1968. The rubber that seals the lid to main body is poorly fitting as is the metal lid that screws to the body allowing air to leak. This fault is on all my 3 858's, is this just bad luck, i suspect not. The motors are noisier on the american versons. Also while I prefer the color combos on the american constellations, the paintwork is a poor finish, almost orange peel effect as apposed to a having a pleasing smooth sheen. I can only put this down to the "Canton" factorys quality control.
If these issues outlined were on the British 862s, they would have either been sent back to the shop/factory as "lemons" or simply not bought at all. I also suppose that as well as the individual that have a level of expectiation, this also must be the case with individual countries. The british in the 50s and 60s had less disposable income than the americans, which meant that every penny counted and we expected more for our money.

Regards

leon