NEW KIRBY INFO

[joe22]

from yahoo kirby group, info from not stated

--- We were allowed to see the new model in electric blue with on-board attachments and 'dirt alert' lights. I love the variable speed motor with up and down buttons on the handle. I liked the fact that the top of the rug nozzle has an opening (where the directions for removing and attaching the nozzle are curently found) that is spring loaded. The on-board hose connects through this opening, after turning the belt lifter to OFF first. No need to remove the rug nozzle. Of course, it also has the standard 8 foot hose as well as the on-board hose, telescopic wand, and dusting/crevice tool combination.
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Makes you wonder what the heck is this thing gona look like!

 

[ohio_tuec]

Indeed, but most importantly, how much aluminum will it still have?

 

[thevacuumman]

the idea of on board tools on a kirby made me hope like hell that it is a rumor

 

[kirbyultimateg]

I sure hope this is not true.

 

[luxg]

Just wonder if it still has the tech drive???

 

[kirbfan94]

On board tools will be stupid on a Kirby.
Because then it's just not a kirby.

 

[normvac]

Kirby is Quality !

I am holding my confidence that any changes Kirby makes
will be Quality done. With the consumer in mind. We
thought they would never have a filter bag inside a cloth
bag. Then we thought they would never be self propelled!
I believe in their research and technology. Plus the fact
that will WOW the consumer in order to justify the PRICE.
That is what has me neverous. Top of the line Lux is now
2,199.00 ???
If they want it, there will be new ways of Credit to get it !
Norm

 

[tolivac]

Sounds like the "on board" hose with the "new" Kirby is just a "cobweb" snatcher for corners and baseboards.Don't like the idea of a "combi dusting crevice tool"I HATE Combi tools-awkward to use and don't do either funtion well.The telscoping wand sounds nice though-hopes its METAL-not plastic.Plastic telescoping wands don't hold up and can break easily when fully extended.I am also curious about this machine-sounds like a prototype though-Kirby and other DTD vacuum makers keep new models like airplane builders with new fighter planes.

 

[caligula]

This could be the death of Kirby as we know it

Is this to be the new standard for Kirby, or is it sort of "keeping up with the Jonses?" I remember when Kirby went to the disposable paper bag. It was the option of the customer. Some people (like me) wanted to stay with the Sani-Em-Tor, others wanted the paper bag system. If the new Kirby with on-board tools is a new style for the sellect few, I say go for it! If it is in fact the new Kirby then I will have to accept the fact that Kirby is also a thing of the past. I know this for a fact. James B. Kirby will be turning over in his grave!

This is NOT good news guys!

A very deflated,
Alex Taber

 

[trebor]

What would you have Kirby do?

Go quietly into the night? Despite Kirby's enthusiastic champions, many consumers perceive the Kirby as cumbersome to use and switch between functions. In order to survive in the marketplace Kirby has to adapt to consumer demands, like the manufacturer of any product. On board tools were never intended to encompass the full range of above the floor cleaning. They excel at small quick grabs of visible debris. The stretch hoses are problematic when doing anything which requires the use of one hand to steady the object being cleaned. The longer the hose, the longer the dirt path and the greater the loss of cleaning power/chance of clogging. A valve to switch between floor and tools is employed by a few designs, but then it it not and 'instant on' hose. If a longer hose is included/optional then it is not with the machine and must be retrieved to be used. There are always compromises.

I have pondered this dilemma, and think the solution might lie in a very lightweight backpack vacuum with a duster/crevice telescopic wand strictly for the purpose of streamlining the vacuuming of floors and carpets. It could plug into a P/N outlet on the Kirby handle, or it's own separate cord. With both motors capable of running simultaneously the user can vacuum the floor and edges/corners at the same time. By making the regular (or a different)hose usable on the B/P, above the floor cleaning as a separate task could be streamlined as well using the full array of tools, which still would not be on board. Twice in its history Kirby has introduced hand vacs under the Vacuette name, and still offers the Split Second "dustbuster" type hand vac. Maybe it's time to think outside the box again.

The cloth bag option was discontinued because it became less and less popular, AND the tremedous revenue from bags was not to be sneezed at

The first Tech Drive model was the Generation 3, with the words 'by Kirby' in small print underneath, the only time Kirby actually had two models in production simultaneoulsy (Aside from the vacuette and the split second) At each model change there are two models offered for sale until the old ones are all gone, but I am referring to two models actually being produced for sale at the same time. Kirby was not sure enough of the new venture to close production of the Legend II without having a trial run of the Generation 3, and the rest is history. I can't imagine a new Kirby now without the Tech Drive, but Kirby will do what it must to survive. Who would have thought Kirby would ever outsource production either...?

 

[sleepdoc]

I can see wanting to preserve the powerful upright that the Kirby must continue to be in order to fill its niche. Compromising that in deference to on board tools would be terrible. But, I'd be suspicious of anyone's reasoning who would bemoan a transition to a better filtration system, i.e. paper bags. That's irrational in an age when we well understand the effects of airborne particles and in view of the fact that the Sani-eptor was anything but sanitary.

 

[kirbyultimateg]

The Kirby Diamond Edition is the ONLY 4 speed model that Kirby sold.
I have my late grandmother's DE and I love it...Very flexible machine with the Normal/Delicate switch.

 

[tolivac]

I don't think Backpack cleaners are really good for home cleaning-I have two in my collection-A Royal and a Proteam.both are very powerful and nice units-have high capacity.But-for the close sorroundings in a home-the backpack unit has MANY "Bump into" tragedies.Maybe the proposed Kirby BP unit could have conversion wheels so you can use it like a standard canister vacuum.Some ProTeam Backpack-canister machines are made like that.Frankly, please keep the Kirby as it is.And another problem "with both motors running" this could overload some lines-you would have to turn off other appliances while using this combination.I have had the problem of tripped breakers when using my Royal Powercast,Meile S7,and Riccar Radiance cleaners when other appliances could be on the same 15A line.These machin es draw close to that amount while running.The Kirby is great in that two motors aren't required-could you say the Kirby should get the "Energy Star" rating?You need to remember many older homes-I live in one-don't have 20A circuits.