My New Aerus Vacuums - Part 2

[electromatik]

It's amazing how we accept everything we read on here as fact. The member dysonman1 has directly contradicted everything funeraldirector has said. Funeraldirector said he PERSONALLY SPOKE with Joe Urso himself and was told a new upright was and new power nozzle was being designed. Funeraldirector claims Urso told him the Platinum was designed by Aerus and Lux together. Dysonman1 has reported otherwise. It really makes one wonder what to believe. I'm not sure I can believe any of it now. There will be no new Aerus upright this month. I will now only believe what I read on the company website. LOL

 

[dysonman1]

You could always call Rich yourself. He's the Vice President of Sales for North America. He's in Georgia. Google him, and pick up the phone. NO NEW UPRIGHT! The Platinum Edition is here ONLY because Derreck Fricke and I talked to Rich about it at the VDTA (vacuum dealer's trade association) Convention in New Orleans. It's actually that simple.

 

[electromatik]

By the way dysonman1:

I didn't mean anything hateful or rude by what I said. I'm just noting the contradictory info we've seen written here. I didn't mean to direct any negative vibes toward you or your statements.

 

[GM1982]

agree, I don't think there is a new upright, It was all chatter. I will believe it when I see it. I have the Guardian Upright, its good vac, some flaws. However, I am not a vac shop owner or claim to be a big vacuum buff... but I can tell you there are better options than the Guardian Upright for the price.

 

[pr-21]

Aerus new upright.......

Normally they do match the upright to the canister when changed. I would at least think that would happen. I have had the Lux uprights before including the one they have now, which I gave as a present to my cousin. I like the L shaped power nozzles for getting into tight spaces I would normally have to use an upholstery tool....For a long while Aerus did nothing as far as research and developement. Hardly even did a color change. I think that hurt them until bringing out the Guardian Platinum. As other people have mentioned, there are a few issues, but overall I really like it. One new thing I have noticed is the bumper on the power nozzle is black and I have white woodwork. I am getting a mark along my woodwork since using the Guardian Platinum. Checked the bumper and there is a small nub (bump) on one side, which I will file down. Not sure if it is due to the nub or just that it is black....I have the Lux Classic in the latest white color and it has not put a mark on my woodwork...I always check for this when I get new machines so I know it isn't from any of my previous vacuums. This might not be noticable if your woodwork is dark or stained.....

PR-21

 

[dysonman1]

I would love to see Aerus design a completely new upright. The only problem is that the cost to tool up to make it, plus the engineering cost to design it, are extremely prohibitive for a company that's no longer 'at the top of their game'. If there were still legions of salesmen going door to door, if they were still selling thousands per week, it would be a different story.

 

[funeraldirector]

Aerus Platinum

Electromatik,


My conversation a few months back in regards to the Guardian Platinum was with Kevin Hickey who is now the President of Aerus and started with Lux back in Old Greenwich if memory serves me. This is not the first time they have looked at or partnered with Lux International. They were considering introducing an American version of the Lux-1 as early as 2003 as one was in the Dallas office of their chief engineer when one of the guys I worked with at the time had seen it. He went down to Dallas to purchase his franchise which is since closed. I had this same discussion with Andy Eide about bringing a Lux-1 style machine to North America at the convention in Manhattan in 2003, which would have required some engineering changes to the cordwinder and front cover as well as powerplant. Andy is still the chief engineer. They re-visited this idea again around 2005 or so and were going to bring the Ecolux 8000 steamer to market here. It was about this time I think that the development process began on the Intelligence. I was told it took six years and was a joint effort by both companies, with the North American introduction delayed a couple of years due to the exchange rate with the euro. Lux USA does supply Lux AG with Floorpros sold in South America. However, the Intelligence/Platinum is entirely produced in eastern europe and Lux USA spends little on R&D so what does this tell us?

The last two remaining 48011 green HPO brush roller assemblies in Aerus FOAS were located for me by Tim Vadnay who oversees parts and warranty for Aerus. I have known Rich Luisi for many years as well and spoke at length with him after Tom suggested he might still have one laying around. He too said this development process took six years but I did not get into a great discussion about how this unit came into existence.

It has been a while since I spoke with Joe Urso. Most of what I was told is from those above mentioned. A new updated power nozzle was said to be in the works due to its 30 year old design and noise when partnered with the Platinum. We have some great stuff coming I believe was the quote. The new Guardian upright I heard is a new blackish color like the Platinum power nozzle cover. The original rumor about a re-designed upright came from Lux up here in New England.

At the end of day I think Tom is probably right on as we have talked about this a couple times recently when he took time to answer several questions I had about the Lux Intelligence and purchasing a 2013 Rainbow to poo my berber carpets. In twelve years with Lux I learned never to take anything at face value.

Did anyone else notice the Aerus logo on Tom's machine is between the switches not on the stainless cover? I like it better.

Brian

 

[GM1982]

dysonman1

very true.... where I live in New York, a little research, and I discovered four locations closed in the last several years. I would actually call the numbers on the website, and turns out the location is no longer in business. Seems they are trying to make a comeback, but I feel its very closeted and unknown compared to the competition from Sebo, Miele & Tacony. The Platinum is a nice stride, but they are loosing focus and trying to profit from air purifier and water purification sales; some which are basically re-baged Blue Air purifiers, that are marked up ridiculously.

 

[dysonman1]

@Brian

VERY good eye. I'll be the first to admit Aerus knew about the vacuums of Lux International. Rich was familiar with the machine when I first spoke about it with him. But the company, at least to my knowledge at the time, was not considering having it designed for our voltage for U.S. sales. Two things occurred at the same time at the VDTA convention in New Orleans. Perfect was launching their copy of the plastic bodied Lux. And Rich Luisi flew to New Orleans to attend the convention and see the Vacuum Museum display. Derreck Fricke, Evan Rogers, and I had the opportunity to speak to him at length (several hours) about the need for a new model as the Perfect copy made the Guardian Ultra redundant. Derreck had personal knowledge of the Lux Intelligence. Two weeks after the convention, Rich called and spoke to me at length once again about the machine. He told me they were having prototypes sent with the new control board. My Platinum Edition came directly from Rich Luisi to my hands. I believe that without the 'kick start', the Platinum may very well not be the current new model. Or perhaps it would have happened anyway. I do know that Rich's new-found excitement over the Intelligence (which became our Platinum) get the ball rolling very fast.

 

[electromatik]

Thank you funeraldirector. I was in no way trying to accuse you of being a liar. I hope you believe that. It appears to me that the European Lux was adapted by Aerus to the U.S. market and little more. I don't mind that because the two companies share engineering and other projects all the time. I would feel a lot better if Aerus wouldn't abandon U.S. manufacture. I would hate to see them become yet another brand that slaps thier name on other companies' vacs. I hope that goes some way toward explaining my own biases. I hope it remains a company that can come up with it's own products. I hope we do see some new introductions in VACUUM CLEANERS. I don't really like all these tangents Aerus is going down. I guess we should be glad that the Platinum is here because many are saying it's a runaway success. Most of the comments on the Aerus youtube video are positive-people love it.

 

[gsheen]

My Lux one , I think the hose and cleaner head would have needed more work for the USA market. Its a lovely machine but the hose setup let it down alot. To switch off the cleaner head you had to tug on the connecting plugs to disconect them. Not very user freindly. You could see this machine was designed for a market with little to no Carpets in there homes as the whole pn setup was a little of an afterthought. If you look behind the machine you can see the wire and plug connection for the PN. The PN itself is great, Light to use with very good brush action

 

[luxman107]

The hose, tools and PN are made in the USA. Can't verify but I was told the canister is assembled here too but all the parts are made in Europe..
Wish they had that braided hose here in the USA. Love it

 

[electromatik]

What luxman107 is correct as far as I know. At least it used to be. Electrolux started manufacturing that style of hose, wand, and power nozzle before they ever changed to Aerus. As far as I know, the manufacture of the FloorPro, the central vac, the uprights (except FreshEra), the canisters (except Platinum), plus the wands, hoses, tools (except Sidekick), and power nozzles, are made at Bristol. I've never had any idea where the air and water filters were made. HomeCare Industries used to make the bags, scent products, shampoos, and other cleaners/treatments at thier U.S. plants. Whether they still do remains to be seen as HomeCare Industries is in a tailspin now.

 

[luxlife]

Can anyone refer me to a dealer?

I'm looking to buy over the phone/internet. I've watched the Houston market shrivel up from 4 dealers to 1 (almost 1). I don't necessarily want to buy local because they never answer their phone and the last time I tried to business with them they tried to screw me over. Who knows? Maybe one of you can refer me to a dealer who will give me a cash price? My email is listed in my profile info. Please send me a message if you know of someone who can help me out.

 

[kirbyloverdan]

John

I sent you an email for my local Aerus guy he is an absolute kind and honest man I have been purchasing from his store from years he is the owner .

Dan

 

[luxlife]

Thanks Dan!

 

[luxlife]

Are the Platinum wands and P/N interchangeable?

Dan,

I can't find the original thread where this was addressed. Are these the exact same fittings as what is used on the TriStar? I'd love to know because i just saw a website that sells a 12 foot Tristar hose and I'd gladly buy it and then order a separate hose connector for the Platinum to attach to this hose so I could have a 12 foot hose for the Platinum. I've been spoiled having the 14 foot hose on my Rainbow Onyx.

 

[kirbyloverdan]

The

wands are interchangeable the hose I guess could work if you purchase the Aerus machine end connector .Tri Star attachments work also .

Dan

 

[luxman107]

I got my platinum before it was actually released in January. At that time extra part where not available so I ordered two extra wands from a tri star distributor. Exactly the same color amd everything.

 

[luxman107]

4 th new bag full today. Absolutely no leakage