"New Generation " Rainbow Just Arrived

[williamr1248]

New Generation Rainbow arrived

Fred,
I know they offer an optional 14 ft electric hose. This hose is a foot longer than my SE hose. Not sure if they will offer the non electric hose any longer. Really no need for one since they developed this electric hose for the Aquamate and Rainbowjet. It makes switching from carpet cleaning to floor washing so much eaiser. Just click the wand on and your are ready to go.
They did re-design the hand grip and now has a suction relief opening. I do like the fact that the wands and hose handle are not big and heavy.
You can connect the hose handle to the power nozzle or use just ONE wand.
You would be a better judge than me but the whole system seems to be very well made and sturdy. That new dolly design is so much better with the 5 wheels and shape. It does not get caught on the edge of the carpet,goes sideways and bang the walls like my SE. I like watching the dirt churn, It looks like our old Frididare washer that had the 3-ring agitator!

 

[williamr1248]

New Generation Rainbow has arrived

Fred,
They may offer the straight suction hose. I just don't know the correct answer. I think it was kind of cool that they went to the black color on the 75th Anniversary sort of like the old Black Rexiar "B". ONLY a collector would notice that trivia!

When using the new cord wrap holder,you do not have to remove all the cord. You can just unwind what you need to use. Also note that ALL the action parts are color coded for the customer. I think my Dysons have that nice feature.

 

[luxg]

Rob, thanks so much for starting this thread!  You have a wonderful machine there for sure!!  So what is the length of the hose on your machine?  Are you using it as an air cleaner full time as well?  I sure would like to give one of these new machines a spin!!


 


Terry

 

[ryanm]

It seems everything I didn't like about the E series machine I bought 5 years ago has been addressed in this new model. The new base appears to have protection so the machine does not chip woodwork hitting walls and furniture, which is one of my main issues with my model. The machine itself is very heavy and swings all over the place when on bare floors, thus hitting into things. Maybe with the new design that would be eliminated. I also hate the gas pump grip on my model, having to hold down the lever all the time to keep the power nozzle on or else it goes off, this new design is so much better. I also hate the attachment caddy on the E series, it catches on to my hose all the time, I liked my old model where the attachements went around the machine rather than sitting above the hose. I didn't buy the rainbowmate with mine, as it was cumbersome and confusing to use, but it appears this is one of the best improvements I see, this aquamate looks so easy to use, just like having a larger power nozzle. I also like the wands, not having to get two sets of attachments. I think they did a fabulous job on the new model. Good luck to you on your new machine! I wish I could trade mine in for the new model, but much to expensive after paying for a new one once already.

 

[williamr1248]

New Generation Rainbow arrived

Ok now it's off to work scrubbing the porch and give the Rainbowjet a try. It took 10 minutes and one tank of solution. Because the floor cleaner is concentrated you only have to empty the Rainbow once at the end of the process. I pick up a cup of water and it self cleans the hose and wands.

 

[williamr1248]

New Generation Rainbow has arrived

Terry,
I think this hose is about 8 feet from end to end. The book shows an optional longer hose.
Who knows what they will offer in the future. I have used it as an air cleaner in the morning after cooking breakfast but I hate stuff sitting out so it will end up back in the closet.

Michael,
This dolly is much better than the one on my SE. As a matter of fact I never used the dolly because it was always going sideways and banging into the walls and when you went to pick up my SE,the machine would drop off the dolly sometimes.

 

[tolivac]

It is strange here-the dealer doesn't want to sell the Aquamate or the Rainmate unless you provide a list of names.HATE THAT-just want to buy the attachments.It would be more logical to sell them to the client rather than pester him for names.I think Rainbow is the only DTD vacuum dealer that still does the name bit.

 

[mark40511]

I know!

I mean, I can understand if you bought a Rainbow from the dealer and they would give you an Aquamate "IF" you gave them a list of names and they ended up buying a Rainbow or something..........But to want to out and out buy one and they say no? That's the strangest thing.

When I bought my e2 five years ago, they gave me the Rainbowmate for free because I asked for it....Though it was really not for free.

For those who have the e2 2 speed. There is supposed to be a wet handle kit you can purchase to make your electric hose approved for wet pick up, without having to buy a new electric hose. I don't think the Aquamate can be used on the one speed e series? I can't remember where I read that. At any rate, the Aquamate 3's are on back order at Goodvac......Perhaps in the future I will trade my Rainbow......But even at trading it it will still be outrageous, so I dunno.


Sorry to ramble.........Too much coffee

For the poster above that said the tool caddy on the e series gets in the way of the hose....Thank you! I agree. I don't have too many problems with mine running into the wall though.


So Rob........You never had an E series?........You went from the older Rainbow to this beast? You sure are giving this thing a workout, which is exactly what you should be doing to make sure it's going to hold up.

 

[thermokid]

New Rainbow

is quieter? That is great. If it is quieter than the E2 speed models I will definately buy one. My E2 speed is out in the garage in it's box because it is so loud it hurts my ears.A shame since it cost so much.. But I still have my old SE Performance edition or my Chrome Dome to use when ever I get in a Rainbow mood. Both of the old ones are so much quieter than the E2 speed model. And since we don't have a Rainbow dealer in this state I will have to give Ken a call in Austin and get one from him....

 

[tolivac]

Yes--thats right-the front mounted tool rack interferes with the hose.the Saleslady suggests not using it.

 

[williamr1248]

New Generation Rainbow has arrived

Dan,
I have had my SE for 18 years and one reason I never bought the E was the noise level. I did see and E2 at the dealers but I thought it was still somewhat loud. This new machines is very quiet and has a pleasing sound more like an old Electrolux. That along with the new power nozzle made me want to get it.
Almost everythig you touch has been improved.
My problem now is that I have been using the SE exclusivly upstairs for the last year and once I got used to NEVER smelling dust or odors now I don't want to mess with vacuums that smell and I don't want to be buying expensive bags and filters. I had never really seen the benefit of the Rainbow before because I would use it for a while and then trade off to another bag or bagless type machine. After I had used my SE for about 3 months I really noticed there was no more dust on the table tops,tv screen,blinds etc. Even with my old SE which I did not like the power nozzle, I could bring either of my powerful uprights and get NOTHING that the old Rainbow was leaving in the carpet. So even though I didn't like the looks of the carpet with the old power nozzle, it was getting the dirt.
I am the first one to agree that the RAINBOW IS not for everyone. I still love my old Kirby Legend and Hoovers but not going to be using them upstairs in the house and start chasing dust again.
Also wanted ot note that the new fuller brush is very well designed and the brushes are very very soft. It would be very good if you owned fine polished hardwood floors.
My problem is that I like to PLAY with the different vacuums,but don't like to CLEAN house over and over again.

 

[tolivac]

I still like my Kirbys,metal Royals,and such for the carpet work.Use my canisters-Rainbow included for the other vacuuming jobs.The rainbow is sort cool and fun to use-but requires more set up and take down time than others.I have no dust problems from the Kirbys,royals or other uprights I use.In the bagged machines use the multilayer bags or the Filtrete ones.no exhaust dust.If you go bagless-the Rainbow is the best bet-you get a new primary "filter" each time you fill the bin!And dumping the bin outside truely gets the dirt outside.

 

[mark40511]

I'm not getting the thing about the E series being loud. At least the 2 speed model I have doesn't seem overly loud at all to me for a vacuum. I haven't seen or used a one speed E series so I don't know.

I would take the tool caddy off my Rainbow but I actually use it all the time.

Hey Robert...........Do you have any idea if that electric hose where it plugs into the rainbow unit itself is the same as the E series connection? It looks the same from what I can see in the pics but something tells me it wouldn't work. Reason I'm asking is that it's possible I could get the hose and PN for mine....

 

[williamr1248]

New Generation Rainbow arrived

Mark,
I understand what you are asking but I am not sure about the hose coupling. I am sure Ken could answer your question. Of course the color would not match but it might work fine if the connection at the cleaner is the same.
I do know the old Rainbow tools will fit the end of the new wands.
I looked at the model with the Blue decals at the dealer. It was quieter than the first E's I have seen but this machine has a different tone and noise level.
I would be my guess a customer would have to buy the power nozzle,wands and hose as the new direct connections changed the fittings.
This is a little like when Electrolux changed their wands after so many years or Kirby and Hoover changed their tool fittings after years of them being the same.
Did you get the guaranteed TRADE_IN with your machine? I got my paperwork out for my old SE and it clearly states a $600.00 trade value for 20 years. This worked when I traded my first Rainbow in on my second machine.

 

[mark40511]

Not sure. I know the local distributor here in Lexington is now called Thoroughbred Wholesale. Prior to that when I bought mine, it was called something else. It has been there for years in the same location. The guy that owns it now sold it in 1986 and just recently came back to that location after the lady retired. I'll have to look at my paperwork. But, 600 dollars is too little to trade in for me. I'm happy with what I have pretty much, I just wish I had a new PN and an electric hose that is compatible with water........As far as power goes, I guess they didn't add any power to these new ones, unless that's something you forgot to mention...From looking at the back of the machine the hepa looks to be identical to yours from what I can tell. I know the ONE speed hepa's were different.

I'm thinking on this machine they didn't make any changes to the motor/power itself other than reducing sound probably with insulation. I don't know.

 

[pr-21]

Wonder with the economy?

Rainbow Distributors,


 


I noticed on Rexair's website, that they no longer let you put your zip code in to find a distributor in your area. They ask you to call instead. Wonder if they have lost a lot of distributors due to the economy?????


 


 


Will Rexair just let you buy from any distributor or does it have to be the closest one to you????????????


 


 


 


Bud Mattingly

 

[williamr1248]

New Generation Rainbow has arrived

Mark,
I am with you. I would not want to trade an almost new system in either. I had owned my SE for 18 years and it still works and looks like new after some hard use.
Same with my Kiry. Once you have a Kirby ,I didn't want to invest in another Kirby as mine works great.

Bud,
I am not sure how the Rainbow distributors work but I bought this one from Ken in Texas. I had purchased my previous Rainbows from the same distributor and I did have to have the origianl paperwork to get the trade-in.
It has been my experience that the Rainbow is not discounted to the level of Kirby's and Tri-Stars. I had a Kirby salesman come to may house and try to sell me a self-propelled new Kirby. When I told himn I was not interested in the new self propelled machine, he kept discounting the price. I still did not buy as I did not need a new machine.

 

[mark40511]

Rob

Over time, take your hepa out and check it on both sides. It will stay white for a LONG time. You will notice that when it's OUT you can get a decent look inside the machine. Also, not sure if you know this or not, but you can put a couple of drops (no more than that) of jetdry liquid rinse aid or any liquid dishwasher rinse aid in the water. It works like the AquaWet Rexair sells. I put some rinse aid in an eye dropper bottle so I can put (drops) in instead of a squirt (which is too much, it will foam). It will help if you happen to accidentally vacuum anything non-wettable.

 

[bimmer740]

This looks like a really great machine with some huge improvements and it has really sparked my intrest in Rainbow. It sounds like its a wonderful vac and not having any exhaust oder is fabulous, although thats why I have a central vac and like most here the last thing i need is another vacuum. I'm curious to know what the MSRP is for this new machine?

 

[mark40511]

Does Rainbow even have a MSRP? I think it's somewhat negotiable, but not by much. I'm thinking anywhere from 1600 to 2000 dollars.......if you get the extras, it's even more. I'm sure there have been some that have gotten lucky and ended up getting everything cheaper.

 

[williamr1248]

New Generation Rainbow arrived

Mark,
Thanks for the tip. I never had any problems with my old Rainbow. Of course I would not pick up most of the non wetable things with ANY of my vacuums.
I know the Rainbow is expensive but when I plugged in the handy inflation calculator look at what some older vacuums cost in todays money:

(1) my folks old Air-Way 66 in 1951 was $92.50 but in today's money that
would be $828.45
or (2) Electrolux 1205 and power nozzle was $219.95 in 1968 and in today's money it would be $1420.12
or (3) my folks next Air-Way was $249.95 in 1965 which today would be
$1731.22
so I guess it is all relative when you figure inflation

 

[mark40511]

Yes. I use the inflation calculator a lot

I don't purposely vacuum anything non-wettable.........But I put a couple of drops in just in case.

 

[trav-styles]

It's a beautiful machine! A far cry from the D4/SE version one that I had, with the long rectangular P/N. This looks like something I'd actually enjoy using. I wonder if I could get over all of the cleaning, though...empty and clean the pan, clean the machine, dry it, clean the separator...it was like being in a relationship.

 

[williamr1248]

New Generation Rainbow has arrived

Mark,
Do you have the Rainbow storage rack? It makes the storage so much easier.
The new desgin of the water pan (not like the SE) empties so much easier and the fact that the machine clicks on the dolly without the water basin is better too.
My old SE had all the separate hoses,wands to store. It was a hassle.

Travis:
If you store the water pan where you can fill and empty it it makes it so much easier. I have to admit I NEVER washed my saparator in my old SE very often and my machine was very clean after 18 years. I just dumped the water and rinsed the basin. It never got washed and dryed each time.
I think my secret was to not clean too long with one filling. I would fill once and clean the first floor and dump it before I cleaned the upstairs. I also never picked up non wettable things with my Rainbow like fireplace ash or flour but then I never used any good vacuum to pick up those types of materials.
I do ALWAYS wash the separator if I am doing a real dirty job like the garage floor.

 

[williamr1248]

New Generation Rainbow arrived

Mark,
The inflation calulator is a fun tool. When I think something costs a lot in todays world and then I go back and look at what my dad was making in 1951 and what it cost for new appliances it sure puts it into a different perspective.
My folks were newly married and mom did not work. He made $300.00 when they stastd out and the Air-Way was $92.50 and I found the paperwork when they bought their first automatic Bendix washer for $149.00. That was 1/2 of his month's paycheck at the time.

 

[mark40511]

Yes........

Rob I do......The E series basins are much easier to deal with as are the separators. Sorry this picture is so small. My camera battery died before I could adjust anything. I'm charging it now.

 

[mark40511]

Forgot to mention

Rob.

You notice those two little clips on the end of the hose that snap into the main unit........I do not like the fact that those are plastic.......Why? Because I had put the hose over my shoulder to take it with me to the next room, and as the hose was sort of swaying that part of the hose slightly hit the wall and it broke. I couldn't use the hose.......Rainbow gave me another one and took the broken one. I even emailed Rexair letting them know I thought that part should be metal or stronger plastic.......Not that it did any good.

 

[williamr1248]

New Generation Rainbow arrived

Mark,
Is this what you are talking about? It feels like a combination of plastic and sort of hard rubber.
Since I never used an E series, does the hose switch have the 3 positions?
(1) brush on
(2) brush off
(3) brush runs when switch held
It works nice when cleaning throw rugs.
My old SE was doing a good job of removing the embedded dirt or I would have been able to take my Kirby or Hoover Windtunnel get some dirt but this new power nozzle really makes the carpet nap look so much better. It leaves no streaks or missed paths. I had NO IDEA that a RAINBOW would have this much air flow and suction on the carpet.
Do you ever use the air cleaning feature? I am tired of buying the expensvie hepa filters for my air cleaner every year.
Here is something else I noticed this year:
Since I have been using the Rainbow ONLY my hepa filter on the air cleaner lasted about 4 months longer. Tells me I have less dust in the air.

 

[trebor]

cleaning the separator...

Years ago I acquired two additional separators, and always switch it out when I am finished cleaning. It does in the dish pan or top rack of the dishwasher, "One dirty, one clean, and one on the machine" When I was a Rainbow dealer I included two extra separators with every sale, and tried to get Rexair to make that standard. Would have cut motor warranty issues drastically. Penny wiser and pound foolish...

Trebor

 

[mark40511]

Rob.....Those two little grey clips on each side of the hose.....Yes like hard plastic or whatever broke when it hit a wall...........It wasn't like I smashed it against a wall purposely. Imagine throwing the hose over your shoulder and the hose sort of swinging and it sort of hit the wall the perfect way I suppose and it chipped off a piece of the clip, enough so that it wouldn't snap into the unit........To me that's kind of a critical area since the hose it bound to bump into things every now and then............

About the E series (prior to yours)......No. It has a trigger on the hose. You hold the trigger to power the PN and let off the trigger when you want the PN to turn off, yet the Main unit will still be running.

I never use an air cleaner anymore quite honestly.........I'm not in an area of the country that is very dry ......Not sure where you are....

I'm amazed looking at your caddy. There's barely anything on it.......That's awesome!

With my Rainbow I have the electric hose, the standard non-electric hose, and another non-electric hose that's actually 14 feet long, and I LOVE it because it's the only way I can get up to reach high areas.......I used to have to get someone to hold a vacuum while I was up on a ladder so I could clean ceiling fans and up above kitchen cabinets.......With that 14 foot hose.......I'm good to go on my own.

That looks almost identical to my electric hose end though. I'm wondering if that hose would fit into my Rainbow. I'm actually thinking it might. When and if my camera batter charges, I'll take a pic............I have no idea why but my digital camera battery always takes like twelve hours to charge.