Rug Doctor X3

[vacfanatic]

I saw the new Rug Doctor X3 on display at Walmart a few days ago, and it was just what I figured it would be from looking at photos and video online. It's definately "cheap-o" compared to the Mighty Pro I got a while back.

At first I was so mad that they came out with the X3 after I had only had the Mighty Pro for a month, but after seeing it in person I'm glad I got the Mighty Pro. The plastic on the X3 is much thinner and you can bend and flex it easily compared to the Mighty Pro. The brushbar does look like it has a bit better bristles, but it's fixed to a cast aluminum brush holder that I can see being broken.

The handle is much more flimsy, as well as the recovery tank which is about 1/2 as thick as that of the Mighty Pro.

No more metal vacuum slot, it's now plastic.

My guess is that either Rug Doctor wanted to make more money by giving less quality of product, or that they were trying to seperate the classic rental build machines which were exactly what the Mighty Pros were, from that of a more residential machine, the new X3.

Thoughts?

Andrew

 

[fanonthefloor]

this is thier response to Bissell's big green its supposed to have more extracting power.

 

[kenmore81]

I used my Mighty Pro for almost 4 years and its still going strong, I did see the X3 and tought Id like to get one as a back-up but I only seen the box. Our Wally world still has the MP on display. At least the last time I was there lol. Id like to research more also.


Andrew I also noticed the newer Mighty at walmart also had different plastic than mie does. It to seem a bit more fragile. The plastic on mine is strong but flexible,  like the Step2 kids tables etc. The newer pro seemd strong but not as much give, like a harder plastic that could crack rather than flex if you know what I mean.

 

[mark40511]

Oh!

I ALWAYS wanted one of these but they were too expensive! I didn't even realize they made a cheaper model until you brought this up. I had a friend tell me that they used a RUG Doctor on their berber and it left the carpets way too wet. I though that was odd since they supposedly have more extraction power.

I've had my Agility for a few years and it does pretty good (with a weight on top). I'm also interested in the Royal Procision. I think the Rug Doctor would be too much machine for what I need anyway. The Hoovers seem to have hose problems from what I've read. The internal hose will split from stress I guess in the way it's designed. I try not to lower mine too much. So far so good.

 

[vacfanatic]

@ Kenneth,

I agree, the plastic is clearly not as robust. It would still take some serious abuse to break it I bet, but to me I like the tank like build of my Mighty Pro

Andrew