Oreck "HALO" vacuum

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Jack look obviously Hoover is telling Dyson customers not to wash the Filters. (If you dont get it look at the email Jack got from Dyson)

 
Oreck Halo

I did see the infomercial last night for the new Oreck Halo, and I gotta say even with Mr. Oreck's marketing genius, Oreck might be going someplace they ought not to be. $599. seems pretty steep, considering the fact that when it was at Best Buy as just the regular Halo, it was $399. Unless I miss my guess, this is a Chinese made machine, which he may now use as a lead-in to produce all his cleaners in China. Wonder if the bags will be the same for the Oreck Halo? I'll soon find out, as I just bought an original Halo off eBay. Even with the Oreck name, it may sell as well as the Edsel.
 
Its on right now. Did anybody else notice they didnt show her pulling the bag off the machine. Of course not because all the dust flys out. Everytime I empty my aunts I think more gets in my eyes then what the vacuum sucks up.
 
Oreck Bag Dock

No, actually, that's not true. Oreck's saniseal system has a trap door that slides shut when the bag is pulled up the tracks for removal. I'm pretty sure this machine has it as well. Does your aunt's Oreck have the bag dock system?
 
Yes it does. THe Bad Dock works fine but still you have to pull it back. WHen you pull it out it hits the bag and all this dust comes out.
 
Pulling it straight up helps. I know when I service the Oreck XL-21, usually the bag dock area is whistle clean. The classic Orecks are usually pretty clean too, unless it's one of those machines where the bag dock is loose or missing....
 
I have to admit Oreck is not a machine that has been on my wish list (and I don't know anything of this latest halo thing), although I do have to say I had an opportunity to try that top of the line one like Morgan has, and thought it seemed fine. It's much quieter than the others. If it were any, that would be it, although price wise I don't think it's too far outside the neighborhood of the new Miele upright I just bought, and in that range I can't picture choosing the Oreck over the Miele unless weight was that big of a concern.

My friend Roger did have one he bought used once, a commercial model. It was loud but ok. Terry was there too and pointed out that it would likely be an acceptable choice or nice thing to have available for someone where weight would be an issue, and I can see that.

The Dyson I've not tried enough to have an opinion, but most likely I would avoid it as I simply do not care for bagless cleaners of any sort. I seem to recall something with using the hose portion being awkward or cumbersome, but it's been awhile.

Much as I love my Miele canister, as Morgan pointed out both the hose and cord are too short. I'm hoping they take a cue from their new upright which I also own and feel is very well designed, and lengthen both on future canister models.

I am curious to know what is up with the Lux J and Kirby Tradition? I've used both in the past, but they didn't seem markedly different than other like models of their brand. Did I miss something?

I don't know that I or any of us would find a machine that we would like everything about, and some I suppose will always be better than others. I'm not particularly disturbed by people having their opinions, one way or another. I can listen to them, do my own research and decide what is best for my situation from there.
 
Halo Commercial:

I just saw a commercial for the Oreck Halo on TV, and I think they're going to end up in trouble. They're coming very close to saying that the thing sterilises your carpet and that it gives a health benefit by doing that, which is Food and Drug Administration jurisdiction. I have a feeling this is going to end up with a ceast-and-desist order and a recall.
 
Will have to see the "Halo" commercial-usually with UV radation-it does not kill microbes instantly-there has to be a minimum exposure time-you won't get that when you push the Halo over your floor.Most microbes have to be exposed to the UV for at least 10-20 min before they are destroyed-it DOES NOT happen "instantly"With air purifiers that have UV lamps-these can be effetive since the air in the room the machine is in passes thru it contiunously-that can be enough to destroy some of the viruses and spores-and other airborn "things".If you really wanted to kill the offenders-the vac picks up--shouldn't the UV lamp be in the bag or dirt container?I think pushing the UV lamp over the floor or matteress isn't really going to acomplish that much-what about the spores and ones in the air that will settle back on the floor or matteress-and in matteresses-the ones buried deep in it that the UV light can't reach.
 
Looked up the "Halo" on the Oreck website-and as a Vacuum cleaner-this thing just may be his own "Oreck Killer"lets see-twin motors-you can turn the roller brush off when vacuuming hard floors,separate suction motor-direct air-and switch to turn the UV light on or off.And the machine can be used with attachments unlike the standard Oreck uprights.Could eliminate that funky canister vac provided with the standard Oreck uprights.The "Halo" just might have potential-but it is a "plasticville" machine----and UV light CAN attack plastic!!Wonder if the housing should be---SHINY METAL!!!
 
Joining the fray...

...by the end of the week I should be able to speak with some authority on this -- as I nicked one of these (used) off eBay for $20.00 while in a "what the heck" mood. Actually, I think this might be a pre-Oreck model.

I'm no marketing expert, but given that shipping is just slightly more than I paid for the vac, I don't suppose David Oreck is going to be boasting this on an infomercial.

However, if my apartment becomes am immaculate temple of impeccable hygiene, I'll make sure to let you all know. And Rex, regarding "...UV light CAN attack plastic!!" but of course! It's called "planned obsolescence!" What better way to make money than sell you a vac for such a price -- one that inches toward self destruction with every flick of the switch? :-)

Seriously, my thoughts are, if this UV thing is so great and all, why didn't it catch and take hold in the 50's when UV lights were in washers, dryers, and even some HVAC systems?

I don't think anyones grandchildren are going to see these on Vacuumland 50 years from now. :-)

Cheers!

John

P.S. Did someone really say "they're just vacuums?"
 
UV lights are still used in some HVAC equipment and air purifiers-in these the UV does more good-kills the virus and spores,bacteria passing thru the system since these are too small to be trapped in filters.the UV lights in the air units I have seem to work--no colds or flu since I bought them.but doubtfull in a vacuum cleaner.a dryer the UV might help-but would deteroiate some fibers.In a washer--the short UV wavelengths are stopped in only a few inches of water.thats very true-doubt there will be many Halos or other plastic vacuums around after 50 yrs.Oh yes-washers with UV lights-I would turn the light off if you are a washer "spectator"the UV will reflect off the water and into your face and eyes!water can reflect UV light.
 
I'd thought I'd read somewhere...

...that UV light would not penetrate water very far -- even googled it, but couldn't come up with anything conclusive. So I left it out of my text.

Anyhow, my $20 may even be a rip -- the reviews on the Halo are less than stellar, that's for sure. Breakage, lack of parts, etc. One woman on Amazon gave it 5 starts. However, she says her husband has every vacuum under the sun, so when this came out, she knew they'd be getting one.

If he isn't a Vacuumlander, he needs to be :)

(Anyone's wife been on Amazon, lately?)

John
 
Customer Service

Is the one thing that impressed me with Oreck. I visited the Oreck Clean Home Center when I was shopping for a lightweight vacuum. I ended up buying a Riccar, but I tell you the Oreck people were very nice, knowledgeable and no pressure what so ever.
I bought the Riccar Supralite because the vac shop owner went to our church.

Both the Oreck and Riccar are not meant to compete with Kirby, Electrolux, or even Dyson. They are supposed to be quick, easy to handle machines which is what they are. In the comparison department, however, the Riccar Supralite RSL4 scored only one step below the Kirby in the latest Consumer Reports.
 
Update on my Halo...

I think we can pretty much sum up how effective this vac is at killing the cooties in your carpet.

I received the below from the eBay seller today.

Draw your own conclusions :-)

3-6-2009-23-38-51--jdinstl.jpg
 
Well, it finally arrived :)

It's a nice looking upright vac. The motor is, as would be any plasto-vac, shrill. And yes, you can switch the brushroll on and off at the handle, very nice.

The UV system is another story. It doesn't just come on when you use the vac, you have to depress a switch, and hold it, to keep the UV light on.

Blech....but I'm glad I got it. As I say in title line "I'm not going to use one of my GOOD vacuums on this cheap carpet."

But this one will work just fine for my cheap carpet. :)

John
 

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