Oreck??

[turbo500]

So I've never used one of these. I like the fact they are lightweight and love the retro look of them but are they actually any good in terms of cleaning power? They seem like one of those cleaners that could either be really good, or awful. Are they worth what you pay?

 

[vintagehoover]

I'll let you know...

...I just bought a grey Oreck XL on eBay, primarily to try one out, since I was also curious about them, then to sell it on. Hasn't arrived yet, but I'll report back when it does.

As I understand it, they have good, higher-than-normal-speed brush rolls, which are great with surface litter. However, with tiny fans, the suction's not brilliant, and being so light, they're hopeless at deep cleaning. I've read reports of them getting through belts very quickly, too.

I think they're hideously ugly - just my opinion, though. Very functional, no concession to aesthetic appeal - to keep the weight as low as possible.

They're popular with the elderly, since they're light, and make the carpet look good. You always get ads for them in Saga Magazine! I guess their traditional, bag-on-a-stick look is less threatening to older people than something like a Dyson!

Haven't seen anything which justifies a £400 price tag, though. Hugely overpriced - again, in my opinion.

Here's an interesting video I found on YouTube, comparing the Dyson DC07 and the Oreck XL7:

 

[petek]

They're actually not much more than an old Regina upright vac from the 80's. Oreck bought the Regina Co. back in the 90's and began selling them as pricey vacs on TV infomercials. The Regina versions before Oreck bought them were considered a low cost vacuum. Regina was more famous for their stick vacs the Electrikbroom, a name Oreck still uses for their little handheld type vac. (with a K in electric)
See my current posting on the other forum about Regina filing for bankruptcy

 

[swingette]

Are they worth what you pay?

IMO, no. you pay 300-700 dollars and you only get 50 dollars worth of vacuum.

The are excellent sweepers and groomers but lack airflow for deep cleaning.

The XL21 looks like an improvement over the common style, but is just not worth the inflated price. Look at the competing models from Tacony and TTI.

 

[petek]

Forget my other article in the other thread about them filing for bankruptcy, Regina, it was an old article from 1989 LOL
Anyways I was suprised to learn that Regina was bought out by Philips Electronics, the Dutch company, then they sold it to Oreck.

 

[swiveltop]

50.00 Oreck

Thats about what I have invested in mine,it was a thrift store find,fairly new with headlight and helping hand handle,two speed motor and heavy duty cord,I paid about 15.00 for it at the thrift store,but when i got it home realized it needed a fan housing and brush roller,the parts I needed I got from e-bay,so the vacuum is like new for 50.00 or less,it came with the owners manual and bags and belts,my back was really bad at the time and this was the only vacuum I could use,it grooms carpet great,I would replace this vacuum if it were lost,not new but e-bay or individual,I do think the dealer price is a bit much. mark