Rare Shark Vacuums?

[niclonnic]

panasonicvac

It's funny you mentioned the Infinity Navigator yesterday; I had been contemplating posting about another rare Shark - one simply called the "Infinity."

The Infinity was released in late 2006 and featured 24-cyclone technology. I myself have never seen one in person, but my late great-grandmother made mention of it back in late 2007 when my family was researching new vacuums. We did not end up buying the Infinity; my dad bought a Dyson DC07 Animal instead. In retrospect, I'm glad he did, as I found out the Infinity had received mixed reviews on sites like Amazon. Only a few videos exist of the Infinity on YouTube, including some commercials. And, just a few (former) members of this site have made posts about this vacuum.

 

[kirbylux77]

Reply 12 & 19

I had the vacuum in reply 12, but it was a Shark. Got it for free. Nice machine, I liked the hose setup, wasn't too heavy, easy to use. However, you had to empty the top cyclones every month or 2, tools weren't that good, only so-so suction and airflow, and no HEPA Filter on the exhaust, only a washable micro filter. I eventually sold it to a neighbor who had a Kenmore upright that burned through belts and wanted one with a geared belt.

I also had the Infinity in reply 19. Found it for free, and had to fix the wand as it was broken. Had really good suction and airflow, cleaned well. But it was very heavy and clunky to use, plus the brushroll was just like a Dyson DC07 brushroll...., thin, sparse bristles, the same shape as a Dyson brushroll, didn't groom well and got tangled in hair and debris easily. Also had to clean out the top cyclones monthly. I donated it to a soup kitchen who needed a upright for black rubber mats, worked well for their needs.

 

[panasonicvac]

I remember those vacuums. I've never used an Infinity before but always wanted to add one to my collection. Interesting looking machines. Although, it would've never lasted me because Euro-Pro doesn't sell parts so that's another good thing you went with the Dyson. I would've done the same thing if I had to choose between the Dyson and the Infinity.

 

[fanofvacuums2]

One of those 24-cyclone Infinity Sharks came into a vacuum cleaner shop local to me a couple years ago with an owner dead set on not giving up on it. Everything you can imagine would be broken on it was broken, but it still worked and managed to hold together through delicate use. I can see how somebody may have been attracted to the Infinity back in the day, but it did not hold a candle to the DC07 or really any of the Dyson uprights at that time. The build quality just was not there and the bin was not too effective either. Switching to the more simplistic but versatile lift-away Navigator models was most definitely a wise move.

 

[oldcrankman]

This oddball shark handheld that's clear.

 

[huskyvacs]

Wow! Nice find! Any pink vacuum is rare itself, let alonw that Shark. I wonder if it was some special promo edition for breast cancer research or something perhaps, like the pink Oreck editions.

 

[powerstarenergy]

Forgotten Shark Products.

I believe that this thread will count as the Forgotten Shark Products thread.

 

[eureka1998]

This is unusual

I think in the UK they sold most of what we knew as Shark in the US under other brands. Don't know what the brand is but it is the same exact machine as the OTHER Shark Spectra in a ruby red. This IMO looks better than the silver.

 

[evolutionclean1]

I keep looking at this

And wondering if it's worth sending a best offer. I don't remember seeing these, but I'm a sucker for a cheap canister with variable speed and what looks like a long hose!

If I were to get it, can you still get bags? And belts?

 

[huskyvacs]

That is a rare one. Shark canisters sold poorly and virtually nobody bothered with them because canister vacs were long since out of favor in the US market by the time this came out. The plus side is it is bagged.

This doesn't look like an in-house design so you should be able to find bags and belts if you can figure out who they copied it from. (ie Aldi supermarket vacuums are old Kenmore molds, so can be fixed with Kenmore parts)

 

[evolutionclean1]

Good to know

Euro Pro had some cool machines and I only have one true power head canister. I can't find a sliver of info on that particular one. No reviews, no parts lists... Any info on it?

 

[huskyvacs]

Euro-Pro is now known as Shark. Most of their early stuff is little known or documented. I think they primarily sold through home shopping channels and then they filtered into big box stores gradually.

 

[eureka1998]

This is the only real photo online

of the Shark Trailblazer. This actually popped up at a local Savers around Christmas and I had a temptation to get it. The only thing that kept me from doing so was the numerous reviews of early Shark vacuums having an overheating problem. Anyone know how often an occurrence that was on the old Euro Pro units?

 

[jamesandrasek]

Unknown Shark Model

Does anyone know the model of this shark vacuum? There’s a local goodwill that has a mostly complete one. I’m thinking about buying it since from an earlier post it seems quite rare. What do you think?

James

 

[vacsofprosper]

jamesandrasek

I remember those Shark 3 in 1 vacuums. I received one as a Christmas present back in 2010 from my previous stepfather. I actually wanted the Dirt Devil FeatherLite Bagged but this one was not too bad. They're known for being too bulky and it's monstrosity look. They would've been better if they had a power nozzle for rugs and carpets. I donated it to Goodwill back in 2018 since I lost interest.

 

[niclonnic]

This is an oddball

Shark released a Rotator Powered Lift-Away canister vacuum in late 2014. It is bagless, and how is the "Lift-Away" feature utilized? The main suction motor piece lifts away from the wheels. This design choice always struck me as odd.

It appears that this machine didn't sell very well, making it a rarity. I could only find one review of this vacuum on YouTube. In it, the presenter criticized the Lift-Away feature, calling it "extremely heavy" and not very practical for cleaning stairs.

 

[ilovehoovers]

Reminds me a lot of the Vax cylinders

 

[ilovehoovers]

Found this on Canadian Tire

 

[ilovehoovers]

And this!