New Vac: Canister or Upright

[vacu-finder]

I would go with an Upright myself. If you are having rotator cuff problems, why lug a cannister behind you. Good uprights and reasonably priced are Panasonic, Kenmore and some Hoovers. And buy a bagged unit at least with micro filtration, no need for hepa, the micro filters do a very good job a filtering and the cost is a pitence. What I do is replace the cheap foam filters with the fit-all material. All you have to do is cut the filter to size. Voila you have a good filter on a cheap machine.

 

[pr-21]

I think you will be glad you waited.....

I just bought a Simplicity Symmetry Premium, the grass green color. The two places I usually deal with did not have the one I wanted, so I bought it off the Simplicity website instead. In fact the vacuum shops didn't have very many models and I thought that was strange, now I know why, they are getting ready for the new models. I will tell you this, my vacuum is very nice, but I definitely would have waited for the updated bag change. The old bag change has been around for years with Panasonics, etc. In order for you to get a tight seal the bag has a rubber gasket inside the cardboard collar that you push onto a tube. Easier said than done, since it needs to be tight. I finally tipped mine on it's back and pushed it onto the tube that holds the bag.

Since I have had a Panasonic, and a Riccar before, I knew the bags would be like this. The new setup looks fantastic. The Simplicity website is pretty user friendly, you can select uprights or canisters and then a buy now will pop up. You will find the new bags and filters for some of the new models. The model above the Symmetry is already available on their website, along with the same models only without the updated features......They have about 30 pages you can look through for various accessories by searching with the list by part number. This will also show you all the vacuums available at this time.....

Hope this helps,

PR-21
Just my 2cents....


PR-21

 

[rosiembanks]

Thanks for these recent bits of advice! I was thinking a canister is easier on the shoulder than an upright. (one's had surgery, the other is going). I think it's important that I wait for the updated bag. I'd been looking at the Riccar and Simplicity websites and wondering whether they were shipping 2014 models. Likewise, I figured if I waited a bit, there would be more stock available at my local dealers (although I don't think I want to go back to the Simplicity dealer that really just wanted to sell me the top of the line Miele). Where do you usually go near Middletown? Tacony told me the Maytag is coming to Kirkwood Sweepers in Cincinnati in a couple of weeks (the zip code they gave me is for the shop on Kemper Rd). I can wait that long to see it. Fussneckers has so little stock that I wonder whether I could ask them to order something for me, too, or at least let me know when something arrives.

So, I've spiffed up my ancient Panasonic (found a new brush roll, fixed the flat belt, washed the secondary filter), and it's functioning reasonably well. Between it and the Kenmore Progressive canister, I can hold out for either the Maytag or some 2014 model.

 

[pr-21]

I go to Kirkwoods and.....

Kramer's Sew and Vac off of 275 take the Montgomery Rd exit and turn left. It will be in a shopping center 3 or so miles down the road on the right. If you have eaten at the Montgomery Inn, then you have went past Kramer's. These are the two I visited before buying online.....They both had limited stock and that must be because they knew the new models were coming out and trying to sell their stock.



PR-21

Kramers sells Riccar and Kirkwoods sells Simplicity.

 

[rosiembanks]

PR-21: Thanks for the tip on how to find the newest dust bag models on the website. I spoke with Fussneckers today, and they say they now have some new Riccar models in stock. I'll check that tomorrow. I also learned that there's a Kirkwoods Sweeper in Centerville, although this one doesn't plan to order the Maytag line.

One comment I heard today about the Maytag (when i was making inquiries) was about the two motors: "They will draw a lot of power, and two motors will make it heavy. Plus, there's more to go wrong." I've seen similar comments about the Tacony Tandem Air machines elsewhere on this forum. Are they valid? Does any of that have anything to do with why you chose the Symmetry instead of a Tandem Air model?

 

[pr-21]

I actually bought......

A tandem air model when the first ones came out from Kramer's. It did not hold up well at all and was expensive even then. Had trouble with the switch for the brush roll, hose suction through the tools wasn't as great as it should have been, and back then it seemed top heavy. I also had to go over the same area several times.

With that said, Tom Gasko not too long ago said that when they first came out they did have problems, but that was addressed pretty soon by Tacony. I actually did think about buying a new one instead of the Symmetry, due to the easy bag change, which they had back when they first came out, now they have made the bag change easier again. I get Consumer Reports and they rated the airflow with tool use as fair on the Tandem Air Machines and Very Good on Carpet,
excellent on bare floors, noise good, emission excellent, handling good, and pet hair excellent. This was for both the Riccar and Symplicity Tandem Airs. Not the new models coming out.

One thing about Consumer Reports, I use it as a reference only, they rated some of my best vacuums very bad......They did not rate the Symmetry in their report. I tested the tool air flow at Kirkwood's on the store model for the Symmetry and found it to be excellent. That made my decision.

If I am not mistaken, Tacony was coming out with a new motor...for the Tandems....
but you would need to verify that for sure.

Anyway that is why I went with the Symmetry. It is a great machine, but I would have waited for the new models, due to the new bag change feature.



PR-21[this post was last edited: 3/12/2014-21:52]

 

[rosiembanks]

Thanks for your candor. Like you, when it comes to vacuums, I take Consumer Reports with a grain of salt (or sand and talc)! When I was last in the Riccar shop, I had the sense the Sales Associate preferred the Vibrance line of uprights but I didn't really spend time looking at them. Of course, if the Tandem motors have been redesigned, maybe it's less of an issue; something for me to ask about. The Riccar website shows new self-sealing bags for the Vibrance line, as well as the Tandem Airs--so perhaps those are among the new models the shop has received. I'll soon find out.

 

[dysonman1]

There ARE new motors and fans for the Tandem Air models. The fan has been redesigned out of "Kirby fan" material (polyphthalamide) and has wider spacing between the blades so debris (during bare floor cleaning) will pass right through. In addition, the new Tandem's have the new bag closure and charcoal pre-motor filter. They feature the new 15 foot hose, and full length extension wand.

The brand new Vibrance and Symmetry line both have five models. The new Top Of The Line (Ultra Premium) model features the dual fan DuraTec motor that powered the excellent 7000 series vacuums for more than a decade. With the new metal telescopic wand, the new bag closure, as well as the new body shape for easier use (not to mention the full bag light is on top, where you can see it), the new-for-2014 Vibrance and Symmetry models are fantastic.

Pictured is the Riccar Ultra Premium (in red) and the new M1200 Maytag. In House testing (durability and motor life) has been excellent. The factory runs a treadmill room, where vacuums run 8 minutes on and 2 minutes off, 24 hours per day until the motors fail. That way, we know exactly how long a motor will last. We can also test for carpet wear, as the vacuums are propelled by a mechanical arm across the same patch of carpet for the entire test. The sound of 30 vacuums running can be heard from my front porch (I live close to the factory).

 

[rosiembanks]

Thanks for weighing in, Tom! Having the two pictured side by side doesn't help make my decision any easier--they're both beautiful machines! I know you put the note about the Bag Full Light in parentheses, but it's just that kind of thoughtful feature that can be a real selling point when you go to make a decision. I'm going to the dealer this afternoon--I'm anxious to see what they have.

I do plan to purchase the Prima when it's available. I think it's the perfect size and weight for me--plus, the right combination of power nozzle and accessories. I need an upright as well to keep the housekeeper happy. Do you have a favorite upright in the Riccar line? Or attachment set? I'm specifically asking about Riccar because dealer location is becoming a factor, and all other things being equal, it's very nearby.

 

[rosiembanks]

So...I bit the bullet and bought a Riccar Brillaince Premium. Beautiful black (the better to show dust, I guess). The dealer had received just two of the latest models so far, this one and a mid-level Vibrance. I chose this one because of the two it had a true HEPA filter, which is better for my asthma, and I liked the accessories a bit better. The hose is 15 feet, and it maneuvers very well. I asked about the Radiance, and was told it would likely be heavier, which is not a plus for me, so I saw no reason to wait. A lifetime belt--hard for me to take in, really. And, I bought a supply of bags (they had those, they were almost surprised, they said they'd arrive in advance of the machines).

Thanks for everyone's advice--I do mean everyone's!

My husband's first question was what's to become of the Panasonic. I just laughed.

 

[dysonman1]

Congratulations on the new Riccar. Great choice. I'm assuming it's a 2014 model since you mention the 15 foot hose. When the Prima is ready for launch, I'll send you a private message. You could get one of the very first ones. They will be ready to go very soon - the factory is making Power Nozzles for the Prima this entire week.

 

[rosiembanks]

Thanks, Tom! I paid careful attention to your advice, and how to read the serial numbers for production dates! I'm very grateful for your guidance with regard to this since it was important with my asthma to have the newly designed dust bag. So, yes, a 2014--a R30P, and serial number 0314001300. It feels good to use, easy to find controls. The only thing it's missing I'd have liked is a dirt sensor, and that's more of a gimmick, I suspect, but they're fun to have. I still need a floor tool and would also like to have a handheld turbo brush attachment, but it's probably better to use that in conjunction with a canister, so I may just wait for the Prima to get that.

Thank you for offering to notify me about the Prima--I'll look forward to that! It was so much fun to use! I can't wait to own one.

This is a wonderful forum. Thanks again for advice with this purchase, everyone.

 

[dysonman1]

Congratulations on your new Vacuum. We have developed a wonderful bare floor tool for the Maytag line, and it will fit your machine as well. If you'll send me a private message with your address, I'll send you one for free. All I ask is that you let me know how you like it.

 

[rosiembanks]

Thank you, message sent. It looks like a nice tool, and I'll be happy to tell you what I think--I'm not shy.