Hello All,
It is just shy of a year that I have been using my Prima, so I thought I would post an update…
Overall, it has been a great vacuum… I have a couple of little nit-picks that have recently come up, so I thought I would share the feedback with everyone including Tom G. (Maybe some suggestions for future changes) –
First I will say the canister is great – Powerful and very well built… But in the last month I have started having an issue with the HEPA filter popping out. Actually, I think the polypropylene clip that is molded into the filters housing has started to get weak from heat…
I do not think that it is a back pressure issue, because it is sparkling clean… I blow the little dust there is out of the bag compartment every bag change, and then remove the HEPA filter and give it a light blowing out as well. There is really never anything on it… Not even much carbon dust…
I notice the issue of the filter popping out happens most often when I am doing the heavy bi-monthly cleaning – During that time I run the vacuum for close to 6-7 hours on and off – Mostly on… The filter housing is warm when it pops loose…
The bags could be a better fit - Even when you pack one like a brick (2-long hair rag doll cats and a Maltese dog!!) there is about 2-3 inches of the bag that is folded over near the back of the compartment and never gets filled… Even if you try to expand the bag when you put it in, it ends up folding over as the bag fills…
The other little nit-pick is more a personal one – I am not fond of the hose handle – Makes it a little too hard to get into some tight spots with the dusting brush… I think more the reason that I am not fond of it is that there is also too much flex in the thin handle part of the handle that you grip… All the screws are tight, but it has a little twist to it, and it creaks constantly… Maybe more reinforcing ribs in the thin part of the handle?
The hose, wand and handle seals have not loosened up much after almost a year, and they are a little tight to pull apart... The only connection that had loosened a little is the wand to power nozzle... that one is great... I know it is better for a tight seal to keep everything air-tight, but I could see people with smaller hands or that do not have a lot of strength possibly having issues...
Power nozzle is terrific – I think the Dirt Sensor lights are a little gimmicky, but they came with the better three row aluminum brush roll… Deep cleans the carpet well with lots of agitation…
Do not like the tools on the handle - One wrong move and the dusting brush falls off – I usually just keep it on the canister hose clip, and keep the crevice tool in my pocket when I clean…
The mini hand power nozzle is my favorite tool… Use it on all the furniture, and stairs… Could not live without it – Love the swivel – Much better tool then the Kenmore or Electrolux Style that is fixed to the hose handle and does not swivel…
We have uneven slate in the front hall, and entrance to the downstairs family room – I would rather see the canister come with a proper horsehair bare floor brush instead of the soft-sweep microfiber floor tool… I think it works great on the hardwood floor in the kitchen, and the marble in the bathroom, but it is not the best on the uneven slate floor… I actually have a left over Miele style parquet brush that I use with the Prima do vacuum the slate with…
Over all it is a great vacuum for everyday use if you are a canister person… I do not regret purchasing it for one moment, and even with my few issues I would still recommend it to anyone – Great Job Tom & Tacony !!!
