Shark Apex vacuum with Duo Clean

[ocscott3085]

Has anyone picked one of these new machines up? It's the new TOL model that looks identical to the older Powered Lift Aways but now had a Duo Clean head. They've had the stick and Speed versions out for a bit now and those seem to have good reviews but I prefer a full size cleaner considering the tumbleweeds of dog hair I have roaming the house. My Shark Powered Lift Away died last week and rather than go through the hassle of shipping it out I figure I could just upgrade to the Apex or another machine altogether. I'd love to have a bagged upright with onboard tools that swivels but that just leaves me with the Felix (too pricey) or a Miele (been there done that). While I LOVE my Dyson V8 Animal I absolutely cannot stand the uprights so I'm considering just going back to Shark knowing it is a disposable machine.

http://https//www.sharkclean.com/vacuums/duoclean-upright-bagless-vacuum-series/

 

[blackheart]

Holy!

It's 400?! There's no way I'd pay that much out for a shark. I paid about 100 for my refurbished powered lift away and hardly use the thing. I can think of a fair number of better vacuums for 400.

 

[ocscott3085]

Well, curiosity got the best of me so I bought one this morning while running errands. All in all, I'd say it's a nice upgrade to the regular Powered Lift Away. This model claims to have noise suppression technology. While the suction motor sounds the same, when you turn on the brushroll the powerhead is nearly silent. It sounds like it is set to bare floor the entire time you use it. The nozzle is almost a full 12" wide which is nice change for those of us with a lot of square footage to cover. The duo clean brush roll does a really nice job on the hardwood floors and keeps the rugs/carpeting from looking like they've been raked the way most Shark nozzles leave the rugs. I also noticed that the steering is indeed a bit more refined. It doesn't seem to turn sharply to the left or right when steering and doesn't seem as "clunky" if that makes any sense. It feels like a really solid machine for the ~$330 I spent at BBB with a 20% coupon.

 

[ocscott3085]

Well 2 months in and I'm on the fence with this machine. I love how much quieter it is than previous Sharks and I must say, no machine has ever cleaned my hardwood floors as well as this Shark. The Duo Clean technology is pretty cool and just picked up some glitter and other Christmas ornament "leftovers" that my central vac with Hide a Hose left behind a few days ago. My partner isn't thrilled with how it makes our rugs look - he feels they don't look like they've been vacuumed because the soft roller tends to smooth out the areas that were just cleaned. I have to agree, the rugs certainly don't look groomed compared to when we bust out our Wessel Werk powerhead with the central vac. However, the dirt cup definitely fills with dog hair so it must be doing something. What might be a deal breaker is that I definitely feel like I'm trying to control a wild dog on a leash after about 20 minutes of using it. I've never had this issue with a vacuum that's trying to constantly escape me. I was a college jock, ocean lifeguard etc...def. not a weakling but this thing is actually uncomfortable to hold after awhile. Might be time to just fork over the money for a Sebo Felix.

 

[mark40511]

My professional lift away

is 3 yrs old now. I want a Sebo Felix too but they are 700 $.
When you say your powered lift away died, what happened?

 

[ocscott3085]

Hi Mark,
I was vacuuming one day and sparks started coming from the handle and the motor turned off. Never got it to turn back on so I seized the opportunity to upgrade. I'm sure I could have sent it off but I went into purchasing a Shark knowing it was more of a disposable machine.

 

[mark40511]

Dang

sparks started flying ? I'll be looking for that to happen with mine since it's OLD for a Shark - My hose developed a tear in it and I called them and got them to send me a new one. But it took some finesse because they consider the hose a wearable part (if you can friggin believe that!) all I had to pay was 6$ shipping. If you have a central vacuum - let me guess, when you clean your shark, you use your central vac to clean it? That's what I would do - I use another bagged vacuum to clean mine. I actually LOVE using the professional lift away.. It's super convenient to grab. It takes me about a week to fill the bin then I just clean it each week. But ya, I'm wanting a Sebo Felix really bad.

 

[ocscott3085]

I did have the original Shark Rotator Lift Away that did not have the powered hose and the only reason I got rid of it was that my brother was in a pinch and needed to borrow a vacuum when his Kenmore broke. I never saw it again LOL. I cannot imagine sparks would come from the hose on that model since it doesn't have electricity running through it. I actually just dump the Shark in a grocery bag out in the garage. I do clean out the Neato Botvac and Dyson V8 bins with the hide a hose on the central vac. It's a really quick way to clean them out and buys me some time on cleaning the filter on the Neato.
I too am really considering the Sebo Felix. My parents bought a X4 when I was still living at home and it worked great for them when they didn't want to use their Silentmaster. It's idiot-proof with automatic everything (which my mom needs). However, I *HATED* the auto height adjustment - it never seemed to get low enough on wall to wall carpeting. However, when we built this house and put in the central vac we paid a pretty penny so it's hard for me to justify $700 but I'm really sick of bagless!

 

[vacuumdevil]

@ocscott3085 just invest in a good German machine for that price you're right on the money get a sebo Felix!