Should I sale my Rainbow or keep it?

[tekjunkie28]

I do enjoy my Rainbow E2 black. Its only 2 years old and I have the carpet shampooer and the super mop set with it. I was thinking about selling it and getting the newest Kirby but would like to know everyone elses thoughts. I alreayd know I can get a Kirby for cheap from the local dealer they even talked about trading straight up for it but I think I can get a lot more money out of my Rainbow then what I would pay for the Kirby. I also have just thought about buying the Kirby and keeping the Rainbow just to ahve the best of both worlds. I have more carpet then tile. I have seen the Avalir 1 in action and its carpet shampooing abilities are far superior to rainbow just because of the dry foam. Beyond that I have no experience with the Kirby. WHat would you guys do?

 

[dysonman1]

Keep the Rainbow

If you want a Kirby, go to a pawn shop. I was in a pawn shop this summer that had an Avalir for $100.

The Kirby shampooer won't help with anything that was spilled (like Pepsi) nor will it take out pet accidents. For that, you need the Rainbow.

 

[tekjunkie28]

I forgot about pet stains and I have never really used the Rainbow to clean up spills from the kids. It seems likes its a real hassle to use. I feel like it takes me awhile to vacuum with my rainbow too. Any tips are much appreciated. Sounds like I will keep the Rainbow just for that. I just wish it had more suction?!?

 

[juju93]

Keep the rainbow

I say keep the Rainbow for now. Kirby hasn't changed much at all with this new Avalir 2. In fact they only change a few things in term of color on it, nothing new overall. Granite they may have done this to hold over their current platform (the G-series) till they release something new (which hopefully should be soon). Based off of kirby models that have a 2 in it, it typically means 2 years till something new happens. For example, sentria 2 came out in 2012 and then 2 years later in 2014 the avalir did, with its new updated shampoo system. If we go back even furthur in time to 1989 when the legend 2 came out, it was just a year or so till the Generation 3 (1990) came out. Now as for Rainbow they really need to come out with something new, I mean the E2 Black has appearantly been out since 2011, so its time for an upgrade/update. So hopefully KIRBYs next model will have some type of new design ,rather it be the tools/accessories or even the machine itself, they should be coming out with something. I mean they can only recolor/rename the sentria (2006- basically now) so many times before they realize enough is enough. What id like to see is a attachment that can clean and suck up pet hair. All though the zippbrush is great, it doesn't suck the hair up into the machine. Also id like to see the shampoo system get redisgn that way it doesn't foam the shampoo like a lot of other systems. However Id like to see them keep the same functions on their newer future shampooers, such as tile and grout cleaner, floor polisher, and mop, kind of like what the avalir sysem does.

 

[sptyks]

Get the Kirby Avalir. It will outclean your Rainbow because it has much better airflow and agitation than the Rainbow does.


 


 

 

[tekjunkie28]

Well I will probably keep the Rainbow but where would the best place be to look for Kirbys. I already checked the pawnshops but not goodwill yet. Also I dont many newer ones show up on the locals sales pages. I think the newest one Ive seen is a Sentra or Sentra 2. Are they worth it at a certain price?

 

[kirbysthebest]

As far as used machines.

You can very often find used Rainbows at the pawn shop, but sometimes --EWWW, better to just leave it sitting. Some people don't do regular maintenance, or empty them, or clean them, or . . .

 

[rivstg1]

I have both....

so, I can speak from experience. I like them both....I haven't used my Avalir 2 yet though....its virtually brand new, but my Sentria 2 is the same....and it cleans great deep down...The rainbow is great too....no bags, no smells...cleans great, dusts even better.

fyi. I'm selling my Avalir 2 if your'e interested b/c I have too many vacs....ugh. hard decision.

 

[ultralux88]

I have both Kirbys and Rainbows as well. I have an E2 Black, but my newest Kirby is a G6. I like both, I'd probably choose the Rainbow, largely because I tend to lean more canister than upright despite liking both. That and I don't tend to use Kirby attachments, I'll either wait till I use a canister or get out a central vac hose for that part.

 

[vacuumdevil]

@tekjunkie28 keep the rainbow it has almost double the power. the rainbow also has better filtration being a sealed system.
I also find rainbows easier to use personally.

Also @ultralux88 is one of the more notable collectors I would take his advice.

If I were you I'd find a used Kirby generation series you find them cheap and thrift stores and on Craigslist. Mechanically they are the same as a new avalir 2.
Here's a great video on Kirby.

 

[mark40511]

Honestly

I have a rainbow since 2006 (so mine is the gold 2 speed) In my situation, if I had a Kirby. I'd use the Kirby to vacuum my wall to wall berber and use my rainbow to dust the house. I've found no easier way to dust top to bottom than rainbow. Years ago, after I bought my Rainbow, I ordered the 14 foot non-electric hose. Best thing I ever bought for my rainbow. I can park the rainbow, slap on the dusting brush or floor/wall brush and reach places I can't with any regular vacuum. And with just the wand, you don't have those big bulky handles getting in your way trying to reach tight places to dust. It also helps when you don't have a lot of clutter. I try to stay clutter free it makes dusting a nightmare. It's crazy how long I can go without having to dust my house when I break out my rainbow and dust everything

 

[tekjunkie28]

I found some Kirbys locally but they are all sentrias or older. I would like to have a Avalir or Avalir 2 as I have heard about and seen 1st hand of how they shampoo carpets. But what is y'alls opinion of it. I will keep the rainbow and keep looking for good deals on Kirbys.

How often do you guys vacuum and how fast do you vacuum over an area?? I have some high traffic areas that I vacuum 2 times a week and still get dirt out even after going over several times slow. Im trying to make the carpets last as long as I can and still look decent as I still have a 4 year old that likes to be wild.

I feel as if Im taking too long to vacuum sometimes. It can take me over an hour or 2 sometimes.

 

[dartman]

I set a search on Craigslist for the things I want and they e mail me all the latest additions every day. I like Royal vacuums so I have a search for them and that's how I found a free top of the line Starks/Royal 5700 upright, and my 4650 Canister for 25 bucks. I get a lot of hits for Kirbys as well because they are so similar and there always are some of those too from dirt cheap to ridiculously expensive but they are out there. I don't see too many of the newest generations but it happens and if you find one you like jump on it quickly like I did when I found the 5700. He didn't list a price so I e mailed him and he said free of course and comes with extra bags and belts so I beat feet to his luckily reasonably close by house. He was happy a vacuum nut wanted it and would actually use it as he liked it a lot but they had just put down wood floors and had no use for it anymore.
You might also want to check out nextdoor.com as it is a local neighborhood type site that lets your neighbors keep up on anything local happening and they have a ads section for free and for sale items that can have quite a few cool free and cheap things in it.

 

[chris]

How often do I vacuum?

I'm a neat freak so I vacuum everyday(only rainbows allowed in this house) I use my SE for daily vacuuming and my E-2 Black for weekly cleaning and dusting. Now do I need to vacuum everyday? probably not but the water is dirtier than I think it should be but not dirty enough not to be able to see my hand at through it. With winter coming I'll increase my dusting to twice a week because of the woodstove. It usually takes me less than hour to vacuum a 2,400SF house. That's with dumping the water twice per floor and carrying it up and down the stairs. Sometimes I'll do upstairs in the morning and downstairs in the evening.

 

[durango159]

Keep your Rainbow, get a used G series or later Kirby used.

Both machines are very good. I would say that the Rainbow is more versatile and it will also resale for higher for the day you actually do sell it.

The Kirby technology really hasn't changed much over the years. All of the Kirbys since the G3 till now have all only seen subtle changes. The self propelled tech drive has improved since the G3, the handle is has become sleeker from the G6 to the Sentria and Sentria II and then more sleek on the Avalir. The emptor design has changed too. But the motor and general concept has stayed the same. You would not notice much if any difference in usability or cleaning whether you got a G5, G6, Sentria, Sentria II, Avalir or Avalir II.

The second hand, used market is flooded with Kirbys!!! Due to that reselling any Kirby tends not to yield a very high price, despite upfront cost of buying one typically being $1000+ depending on the financing deal and negotiating taken place between that particular distributor and the end consumer.

Likewise, Rainbow does not discount near as much at time of sale the way Kirby does. Rainbows retail for higher, and it sounds like you got several options with yours which puts your value even higher.

With all of that said, I would check any vacuum shops in your vicinity or in your travels for a refurbished Kirby-- it is highly likely you will find one there. You can also post a wanted ad on this forum and someone may have one for sale. Otherwise there are always ones online-- Craigslist, eBay, shopgoodwill.com, offerup and more My local thrift stores seem to get a reasonably steady influx of used Kirbys too.

 

[kirbysthebest]

The Rainbow has almost double the power?

Are you daft man? Rainbow moves approximately 60CFM. Kirby well over 120.

I personally would not sell the Rainbow unless you need the cash. It comes down to preference and what you like. Both are quality machines that will serve you well.

 

[myles_v]

Keep an eye on local sale sites and try searching just "kirby" rather than the exact model you're looking for, most people have no idea what they're listing for sale. Keep looking if anyone is asking more than $200, any Generation series will be just about as good as the Avalir. I'd go with a G5 or newer, the Ultimate G Diamond Edition is my favorite because of the speed control switch.

Also, vacuumdevil, In what world does a Rainbow have twice the power of a Kirby? Suction maybe, airflow no. High airflow is better than high suction, especially when it comes to carpet cleaning.

 

[tolivac]

And "short" belt life on his Kirby---Using orig equipment belts?Nozzle height set correctly?I have had NO problems with my Kirby belts lasting more than a month-some of mine are over a year old and work fine.As others have stated-for carpet vacuuming its AIRFLOW,AIRFLOW,AIRFLOW! over "suction " like with a traditional multi fan canister.My NSS M1's do very well with their direct air design-single suction fan motors-wether it be carpets(Volt powernozzle)NSS hard floor tool,or hand tools.The NSS is easily as powerful as ANY of my central vacuums!

 

[tolivac]

Heavier vacuums over the Kirbys---How bout the Hoover Z?Some models of Dyson?and of course the Royal Powercast.These are all heavier than a Kirby-two of them are PLASTIC-NOT metal construction.And will those plastic machines still work and be useable 20,30,50 yrs from now?