New Rainbow Power Nozzle

[williamr1248]

Just recieved my new Rainbow Power Nozzle today. Thanks for the double packaging. It arrived in PERFECT CONDITION from Ken Bashford.
It looks very similar to the origianl power nozzle that came with the machine from Ken but with several updates as Dan pointed out.

 

[williamr1248]

New Rainbow Power Nozzle

They do a nice job of packaging their goods for the consumer.

 

[williamr1248]

New Rainbow Power Nozzle

As you can see they have changed the belt location and type. They have retained the center air path and now has inclosed belt that will not be slipping. They also beefed up the side brushes. It still comes with an extra belt.
What I can tell from it's first use is that the sound is about the same but a slightly higher pitch to the motor and of course no slow down from the belt.
It seems to me that I have much more air flow at the nozzle when I hold my hand above the opening.
It leaves a nice clean path with the nap standing errect. It does not leave brush marks as some rotating brushes do,just a clean line of raised nap the full with of the nozzle.

 

[williamr1248]

New Rainbow Power Nozzle

When you compare it to the underside of one of my other high end power nozzles you can really see the difference.
The Rainbow brush is bigger in diameter and the opening around the brush roll is closer so it has much stronger air flow. The other power nozzle is ALWAYS catching and pulling the edges of rugs into the opening and then stalling and has damaged rugs. It also has a tendency to get threads and hair wrapped around the small brush roll for some reason.
Rainbow has added 2 brush guards to prevent both the rug edges and the cord from being damaged.

 

[williamr1248]

Nw Rainbow Power Nozzle

This is something I like better on the Rainbow. The other power nozzle has a step on release the same color as the power nozzle. The Rainbow has a foot pad and a quick release handle and also a quick wand release. The Rainbow has all the electrical connections built into the nozzle and wand system. I have had the System over 2 years so far no problems with the electric wands.
If you notice both nozzles clean the same width and are about the same height.

 

[williamr1248]

New Rainbow Power Nozzle

So far ,very pleased with the design. It has a very different sound from the older style power nozzle.
I think clearing the center suction channel has improved the air flow and suction to the carpet.
Interesting note-every part I have seen on the power nozzle parts say made in USA or Troy,Michigan.
They retained the same number of Led lights and it matches the black Rainbow in color.
Thanks again Ken for the fast service.

 

[williamr1248]

New Rainbow Power Nozzle

Dan,
Have you had a chance to try yours out yet?

 

[kirbyloverdan]

Rob

not yet I am too busy with listing and selling homes . Thank God for my iPhone I get to check this site out between deals .

I haven't even used it yet and have no idea what it sounds like . I am glad it sounds like an awesome improvement .

Dan

 

[williamr1248]

New Rainbow Power Nozzle

I gave the power nozzle a run in my family room. I could not see that much difference in the look of the carpet. Then I took it upstairs where we have thick,cut pile carpets.
Here is where it really shines. I brought up the pile and it leaves no wheel or brush marks. The only other power nozzle I have used that gives those results has been a Hoover Powermatic with quadraflex brush.
It has a very different and unique sound when compared to the previous power nozzle motor.
The thicker revolving end brushes help grab the fuzz and dirt along the edge of the carpet and help pick up the loose litter on hardwood surfaces and around chair legs.
It seems to have the same high quality as the power nozzle that came with the machine.
One thing I do like is the ability to just turn one lever on the bottom plate and it will quick release if you need to clean the brush roll. This is a much better set up than some which require the user to remove screws that go into plastic. This design is much quicker and you don't have to worry about stripping the screws.

 

[mark40511]

Looks good

Good to see they made yet another improvement in the PN. I've been using the he!! out of my Rainbow recently. Seems like I've had it forever. Amazing it's actually still under warranty for over another year.

 

[williamr1248]

New Rainbow Power Nozzle

Mark,
I do like the new design but for a regular user, I don't think I would need to upgrade. I never had any problems with my original center belt power nozzle. I just checked my belt on the original power nozzle and it seems fine. It has seen a LOT of use. This is clearly just a better execution for longer belt life and like the Rainbow itself-better air flow and suction over time. I see no decrease in the quality of the new unit.
Since you also have an Electrolux you will undertand but when I used the new power nozzle on the bedroom carpets,I could really tell the difference in the LOOK of the carpet. My Electrolux has a much softer brush roll and although I am SURE it cleans very well, it does not make the carpet look as nice.
This power nozzle gives a very "finished" look to the carpet without wheel or brush roll marks,just a full width of carpet nap standing errect. I also did notice how well the fuller end brushes get the fluff along the baseboards and around the furniture edges. You can tell the suction is the full width of the nozzle because of the design of the vents and grooves built into the bottom plate.
Also you can feel an increased air flow level by just holding your hand above the running nozzle.

 

[williamr1248]

New Rainbow Power Nozzle

Dan,
When you get a chance, try the new power nozzle out on a lightweight rug, you will see a difference. The new one has the 2 rug guards that prevent the end of the rug from being sucked into the nozzle. I was able to use the power nozzle to clean lightweight bathroom rugs with no problem today.
It also protects the power cord if you run over it while the power brush is rotating.
How many times have you tried to us a power nozzle or upright to clean this type of rug and it just stalls the brush or trips the motor overload.
You can also in the picture how the rotating end brushes are separating the nap and it channels the dirt and dust into the air stram WITHOUT the use of the stiffer rotating brush that many times catches or can damage the edges of lighter rugs.

 

[williamr1248]

New Rainbow Power Nozzle...

With the instant release on/off/lock on/ power control along with the under the thumb suction release if gives the user more control.
I had an Electrolux Oxygen 3 with automatic suction control BUT by the time the machine reacted to the sitution and reduced the power of the suction motor,the power nozzle had already sucked the rug into the nozzle and tripped the overload.

Also think the beefed up rotating end brushes are doing a better job along the edge of the carpeting. No more need to use the cervice tool.

Dan-let me know if you don't think this power nozzle has a different tone from the first one. It may be from the different type of belt system.

 

[shelly]

Hi William!

I read the post and perhaps I missed something, but why did you get a new PN? Was there something wrong with the original or was this something that you are testing? I have the original and have zero complaints, in fact, I love the Rainbow and use it exclusively.

Shelly

 

[williamr1248]

New Rainbow Power Nozzle

Shelly,
Sorry I did not make myself clear. I bought the new power nozzle just to see what the improvements had been added in design from my original. I will leave one on the man floor and one on the second floor to eliminate carry up and down the stairs.

Here is a summary of what I found:
(1) beefed up side brushes
(2) belt moved to side, creates greater air flow in the center path
(3) no slow down even on thick carpeting-ever
(4) new design of bottom plate to eliminate sucking rug ends into power nozzle

Most of the features I tried to point out were to compare the Rainbow with another power nozzle of a famous German maker and to show the much better design features of the Rainbow as far as ease of use with handle release, bottom plate removal, air path and brush design. Much less damaging to rugs and rug edges and proved far superior in picking up the sand and the grit.
Take a second look at some of my posted pictures. If you have the original, I would not see any reason to buy the newer style. I am just an interested collector and wanted to see the difference. Nice to see an American company actually make improvements in the product and NOT just cut MORE corners in quality and design for the customer. It is very easy to use compared to the other power nozzles with the quick direct connect wands and hose. Also love the under the thumb suction relief and the 3 position trigger brush on/off control. It gives the user instant control of the brush at all times and yet can be set to be locker ON when cleaning large areas of wall to wall carpeting.
I hope this helps make it clear for you. Just my thought after using the different products.

 

[shelly]

Thank you William! I must have an in-between model PN, mine has the bristles of the newer but everything else like the original. BTW, you have given so much great information on the new Rainbow, I've enjoyed reading all your posts.

Shelly

 

[williamr1248]

New Rainbow Power Nozzle.

Shelley,
You are correct. I had one of the VERY first black Rainbows out. A friend of mine has the first series, but it has the wider end brushes like my new power nozzle.
Another club member just ordered the newest power nozzle from Ken Bashford. He should receive it this week. I hope he likes it as much as I do mine.
The design is much more modern and user friendly than my other machine that came equipped with a German built power nozzle.
The Rainbow seems to be very gentle on the rug much like the older Hoovers and still be efficient. No rugs edges damaged, threads frayed. It creates a lot of agitation of the rug fibers and air flow with the clear center path. Of course the user is not losing the battle of air flow with a bag or bin to clog.
The best part for me is that you can control the brush on/off and suction relief instantly and the hose and wand do not fall over all the time.
I hope I got your questions answered.

 

[floor-a-matic]

<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Its a good thing I've waited a while to buy the new Rainbow, now that they improved the PN.  Last year I tried the new onyx Rainbow & couldn't afford it then; by now my finances have improved a bit, so maybe I'll buy the Rainbow before Ch<span style="color: #ff0000;">ri</span>stmas.</span>

 

[shelly]

Thanks William! You did answer my questions. I also love the new Rainbow, I think they did a perfect job of designing it with user convenience in mind. I have and older SE and used to vacuum my Aunt's home with a very old model- always loved the idea of cleaning with water. I grew up with Kirbys and Hoovers but always have preferred the Rainbow, love the fragrance and love throwing out the dirt every time. I too notice that this model is very gentle on the carpet but really gets it clean- also amazing on marble!

Shelly