Meet the fleet!

[jasonl]

Well, they're not vintage but they're really good vacs if you ask me.

2006 Kenmore Progressive vac and 2006 Hoover new Constellation in pearl white.

Both are excellent machines and fun to play with. The Kenmore has pushbutton controls on the handle and theres this "dirt sensor" light that lights up when it finds dirt which is cool. The Hoover is of course a remake of the classic Connie with a 12amp motor. It does float and has the classic toggle on/off switch.

The Kenmore is easier to use but the Hoover just rocks for retro-nostalgia.

 

[convertible68]

Very cool machines Jason, will be looking forward to seeing them in person, and comparing the new and vintage Connies side-by-side!

We had one of the first Progressive uprights when I was about 10. Powerful, well-built machine, except for that dreaded belt lifter. It was very annoying when the brushroll was off, and all of a sudden the lever would fly up and turn the brushroll on again. We took that thing into Sears at least 4 times for repairs during its lifetime.

I just finished watching the "See It Clean" videos, including the one of the 2006 Constellation. The noise really surprised me...I know it's probably much different in person but I thought it would be quieter. Reminded me of a Constellation trying to sound like a Celebrity, which isn't a bad thing either!

 

[hoovercelebrity]

Constellation noise...

Austin-

The (Air-turbine) power nozzle on the Connie is actually louder than the machine itself... Thats probably what you heard more than anything.

~Fred

 

[jasonl]

Yeah, the powernozzle sounds like a dentist's drill. With the bare floor head, the Connie is quiet despite the high pitched 12amp motor.

 

[seamusuk]

The new US Connie....

Dosent seem to have the "soft start" of the Satellite?? Fred wil know what im getting at lol!!!

 

[rexairman]

I think the new Constellation is really neat - bringing back a classic, but as a vac shop owner, I can't imagine it being a commercial success. To really clean carpeting, it needs an electric power nozzle, a turbo just doesn't cut it. One of the problems with the original Constellation that continues, is that, with the exhaust on the bottom to levitate it, it blows dust up from the floor. A straight suction canister excels on bare floor cleaning, but the Constellation will set up a dust storm as it will blow dust alreadly on the floor far worse on a bare floor than on a carpet. It will also blow dust near the machine (this will diminish the farther from the machine) something terrible. It's a machine we vac nuts will love, but I don't think ordinary customers, who buy it only as an appliance to clean with, will be very thrilled.

 

[hoovercelebrity]

Seamus-

No "soft start"...

 

[jasonl]

The Kenmore is great on bare floors so I'll just use it instead. The Connie does clean well on carpets and is FUN to use. Good to have more than one of each appliance. I have a vac collection, an ever growing coffee pot collection, now all I need is a vintage washer to round it out.