My Christmas present--the new Hoover Constellation!

[convertible68]

I still can't believe it, but my parents gifted me a brand-new Hoover Constellation S3341 in Pearl White for Christmas this year. This was something I wasn't specifically asking for either, which makes it that much better!

In case some of you are wondering why I didn't post this on Christmas, it's because I didn't have time to take it out of the box and play with it until today! But I finally got around to it this afternoon, and I didn't know what I was missing (even though I had test-driven one last October and liked it). I have to admit, the quality is pretty impressive for a new machine, considering the price range, but what amazes me is how much improvement this one has over its vintage predecessors besides increased suction and airflow. One thing I did notice was that since the blower port has been eliminated, the exhaust is distributed evenly so it hovers effortlessly on carpeting or uneven surfaces; no more "dead zones" like I've experienced with my vintage Connie or Celebrity. And the turbine nozzle, with its reverse-chevron brush pattern, is surprisingly effective, although I do want to try out a Turbocat Zoom with it.

According to Tom Gasko, these are TTI-built machines with a motor very similar to the Dyson motor, so I don't know if the Hoover acquisition is necessarily bad. Hopefully they won't cheapen the design down the road, though.

Yes, needless to say, I LOVE IT and plan on buying its stainless twin one of these days! Here's the box before opening...

 

[convertible68]

Slowly opening it up...UltraFlex hose and attachments

 

[convertible68]

Here it is!

 

[convertible68]

YAY!

The main unit revealed!

 

[convertible68]

Fully open, revealing the bag chamber. Notice how the cover release latch is identical to the one on the vintage Constellation and Celebrity.

 

[convertible68]

Attachment carrier on board...the machine didn't have a very nostalgic look with the carrier on, so I moved it to the telescoping wand.

 

[convertible68]

New and old, side by side

2006 Hoover Constellation S3341 next to the ULTIMATE vintage Constellation, the 1970-72 "tilted" model 843 which was given to me in a VERY generous act by Fred Stachnik (HooverCelebrity).

Thanks again Fred, and as you can see now, it has a new housemate!

 

[petek]

I think I'm going to have to get myself one of those!!! I haven't seen one in a store here yet but then I haven't been really looking either though I did see someplace advertising them and now I can't remember which store it was LOL.
Can you take a pic of the underside as well.

 

[tolivac]

Very nice-will have to look at getting the white one and the SS one as well-would be good addiations to my collection!And--could use them as well-looked like a Filtrete bag in the machine-Do the Filtrete bags fit the old ones?

 

[vacuumboy95]

Funny you post this

I'm getting a connie today from where my dad works.but it's vintage,not the new one.

 

[myhooverco]

I have the same one. I really like mine and you are very right about the increased air flow. For the price, you get a full powered all-metal canister that really works well. It has very good filtration and the bag is easy to change. The quality is good too. I am not sure that TTI made them for Hoover though. I just know that it is made in China using the old Hoover dies. I cringe at the thought of it being cheapened like making the whole thing out of plastic. Yikes!!

--Tom

 

[eluxomarty]

Austin

I got one too this Christmas! I LOVE it!!!!

 

[scott55405]

Enjoy your new machine Austin (and Marty)!