New AEG/Electrolux UltraCaptic cylinder/canister.

[sebo_fan]

An unusual looking cylinder/canister vacuum cleaner from AEG with a Samsung like feature to compact dust before it is thrown out. There's also an UltraCaptic UCOrigin and UCAnimal, no doubt cashing in on the Dyson differentiated monikers.

See link for video play and info page from AEG UK.

http://www.aeg.co.uk/UltraCaptic/

 

[dysondestijl]

God that's ugly

 

[sebo_fan]

I know what you mean. The thought did cross my mind but it surprises me that in the video shown they claim that it has excellent manoeuvrability, yet they fail to follow the Germans lead in providing castor wheels as opposed to those daft large wheels on the back. Though clearly computer generated in the video, there's a point where the machine goes around in a circle to pick up the dirt and then just for a quick millisecond, looks like it slips out of its circle due to the rear wheels sliding. Maybe its my eye sight!.

I dont know - are smaller castors better than huge rear wheels? I tend to find that large rear wheels on compact canisters either leave marks on the floor, slide about too much and contribute to the tendency to flip the machine over once in a while. Much prefer smaller castor wheels, personally.

 

[ultraperformer]

Saw this on the AEG website last week as a fan of the AEG Electrolux range I'm disappointed how ugly this thing is and there is no powerhead ƒ¼ , the Ultraone, Ultra Performer, UltraSilencer etc are all very nice looking machines and I was awaiting eagerly for them to launch a multicyclonic cylinder, as I love my UltraPerformer but its only single cyclone so the filter does dirty fairly quickly although it¡¦s not as bad as you might think. Don't think I will be rushing out to buy the UltraCaptic, my next purchase will defiantly be the Ultraone with powerhead such an attractive and excellent performing machine just waiting for a good deal to pop up! I agree with you Sebo_fan I don¡¦t think it will be very manoeuvrable my daily machine has become my Dyson DC38, I was sceptical at the ball technology on a cylinder but it really is a revelation the machine just follows you everywhere it totally does away with the main negative of a cylinder - that you are constantly pulling at the hose to make it follow you.

 

[kirbyg6]

What are those things on the sides are they cyclones?

 

[sebo_fan]

Yeah I think they are - they're highlighted in the video. TBH I much prefer the Ultra One Mini.

 

[ultraperformer]

Anyone any idea how those second stage cyclones enter into the dust bin to be compacted by the main handle on the top? I really like the UltraOne Mini but it has no powerhead

 

[kirbyg6]

Cool thanks sebo fan

 

[sebo_fan]

No worries. Having checked You Tube for more UltraCaptic vidz, there's a few South American/Spanish ones that aren't vastly different, but a rather unusual marketing aspect that Electrolux claim will "free your mind." Im being deadly serious - apparently there's an Electrolux app for your phone that allows you to clean whilst you mediate! What will those Swedes think of next?

 

[sebo_fan]

The UltraCaptic has arrived at John Lewis in the UK. There are two models; the pet model appears to have a 1400 watt motor, which isn't too high and a claimed 300 air watts rating. Does still remind me of the "Battleship" aliens spacecraft in the water from the film, though lol

 

[rolls_rapide]

I can't seem to play the AEG video. It appears that the HTML5 is not properly encoded.

And I agree: that machine was beaten with the ugly stick!

It seems to be the case now that few manufacturers are capable of making vacuum cleaners with smooth, elegant, sweeping lines. Everything has to be visible pipework, fins and bins. Yuck!

 

[vintagerepairer]

Sometimes I do wonder why it was so intrinsically wrong to make a vacuum cleaner which looked like a vacuum cleaner. I can think of few other appliances which have been open to such drastic styling as time has progressed.

 

[sebo_fan]

I don't think it is being restricted to just vacuums - modern brands are trying to outdo their rival brands with hyped up designs on traditional lifestyle appliances, good or bad to the eye - it is supposed to evoke the individual's choice over style, form and function AND then add an expensive price to match.

Some brands can get away with high priced products - Miele for example don't over style their washing machines - they have excellent reliability and plenty of good features as well as being fitted with some commercial grade components and motors. Indesit/Hotpoint on the other hand lifted the market expectations when they launched their Aqualtis ranges.

 

[ultimatevacman]

Very interesting, thanks for sharing Sebo fan! I personally like the way it looks, I like the compacting feature too. But I think they are asking a bit too much for it. £270? when you can get a Henry Xtra for £120? No thanks.

 

[sebo_fan]

Sorry but you can't compare bagless to bagged.

Nor can you expect a good comparison between a rectangular sledge style to a round tub vac.

Also you can't compact down a Henry vacuum due to its traditional tub. I know that from experience unless you fit the smaller hose, and even then copious amounts of hose and the tubes plus the floor head make for a bulky storage solution. You can't have everything - I mean I'd choose a Henry over any bagless cylinder vacuum if I was after a cost effective bargain but you'd still have to make compromises - and Henry's 2013 range with the park storage idea at the back of the machine reduces some bulk to what has gone on before.

Also the general shape of the AEG means it can be used on stairs. Henry definitely can't due to his rotund shape, but again these are the compromises plus other variables buyers are likely to make at the time of purchase.

 

[ultimatevacman]

I guess you're right. How about comparing it to a DC39?

"Also the general shape of the AEG means it can be used on stairs. Henry definitely can't due to his rotund shape" I'm sorry but I disagree, I can use the Henry on stairs with no problem at all.

 

[dysondestijl]

But Henry's are difficult to lug upstairs, much better to have a handheld for stairs, I use my dirt devil handy

 

[ultimatevacman]

Yeah, handhelds are best for stairs. But the Henry can still do them well

 

[sebo_fan]

Really? You have a flight of 12 or 13 stairs that can allow Henry to sit on them? Id love to see a photo of that. The best way I've used Henry on stairs is to leave him at the ground and just use the hose and even an extension hose clipped onto the existing one for even more reach, but like the SEBO upright, when you have an extra extension hose there's nowhere to put it after use.

Whilst I'm all for Henry in general, he's a tub, and a large one that. He's not as compact as Miele, Sebo, Hoover et al who prefer the narrower design and his components are designed for commercial use rather than domestic, hence the lack of on board storage "proper" and hose/tube storage after use.