Tacony Supralite/Freedom/M500..what are your thoughts?

[s2_82]

Just curious as to how many of you have this as either a sidekick to your full sized machines, or use this as a regular machine..How do you like it?
Would you all say that these vacuums are meant more for quick pickups or more?

Does the trim package (metal/wooden roller, lifetime belt,etc) make a big difference? Should one heavily consider the TOL models? Would love to hear your opinions!

 

[dysonman1]

I have an S10P (sand model) and think it's awesome as a full size upright vacuum. Very much like the 'old fashioned' Hoover uprights. As a collector, I have many vacuums at home to choose from, and don't use any of my machines regularly. Currently using a TriStar, but that will change next week when I tire of it.

For customers who BUY these machines, they do use them all the time. I've sold well over 1000 of them in the eight years I've worked at the Outlet Store. We sell bags constantly. I always ask the bag customers how they like the machine. No one has ever had an unkind word to say about them.

My personal preference is for the wood brush roller since it 'scoops' the dirt directly into the suction opening. However, pet hair from my dogs wraps around the wooden brush but doesn't wrap around the steel brush roller (which has replaceable brushes)

 

[vacuumdevil]

I would definitely check out their cordless version of the machine if you want one for quick pickups!

The R10P or S10p are nice machines. You will want a canister to accommodate them if you're using them as your primary machine.
But overall they're pretty good and reliable knock on wood.

Depending on the budget sometimes getting a long life beltt Oreck XL 21 platform machine is cheaper as they are often discounted .

 

[s2_82]

Thanks Tom, that honestly makes me feel good about these machines when you say they're similar to the old fashioned Hoovers, (I'm liking that already!) By the way, I've never seen up close shots of that Sand/Island model till now, that's a really nice color. Thanks for your advice too, Alex!

 

[rvarley]

I've been using one for several years now and love it. Cleans really well and is light and maneuverable. When I'm in a hurry, it's one of 2 go-to machines. Mine is the high end model and I very much like the lower speed for vacuuming pet hair off of dog beds, my bed and upholstery. Yes, it's small and light enough to do that. The low speed is also good for hard floors. I did have one clog recently which kind of surprised me, but other than that, it's been a first rate machine and definitely a contender for those 'if you could only have one' discussions.

 

[luxlife]

My Simplicity S10P is "housekeeper proof"

Going on 3 years and she hasn't killed it yet! What I notice more than anything is that the full bag adds about 10 pounds to the machine because of all the grit being pulled out of the carpet! I love this machine!

 

[ocscott3085]

I had the Riccar TOL version and I will say that it cleaned exceptionally well! Very nice grooming lines in the rugs and carpeting. On Low speed I did occasionally throw it up onto the sectional sofa to do a quick swipe of the dog hair. The long cord was outstanding and I felt more confident that the machine had a lifetime belt and steel brush roll. The cons are that it's probably one of the loudest machines I've ever used and the bags begin to smell like wet dog after just a few uses. I couldn't tolerate the smell so I gifted it to my parents who use it quite a bit.

 

[kirbysthebest]

I have the RSL4, cobalt blue model. Which was the top model in 2008 when I bought it.  It has the wooden brush roll, and stretch belt.


 


I will say, at least for this incarnation, it is very delicate.  I understand that there have been improvements in the newer models.   Earlier models, however, had a very delicate fan and fan case.  Sand going through is  very objectionable sounding.  Let a larger piece of sand, or God forbid a coin, and you are on your way to a $45 repair bill. 


 


With it in mind that the fan situation has been attended to.  I would have no qualms at all recommending the supralite to anyone.   I think It can go head to head with many vacuums on the market.  It is very loud, as many direct air machines are.  Remember that the little fan, though larger than an Oreck, is moving very fast in a light weight machine with little sound deadening. 

 

[dysonman1]

The new R10, S10, and M500 series use a new fan case and fan that is super rugged. The distance between the fan blades is much wider, to allow pebbles and such to pass through. The new handle release pedal means the nozzle part won't 'fall' when going over thresholds. The outbound rear wheels mean (unlike Oreck) you can roll the machine on its back wheels. The low speed (for hard floors and area rugs) makes the machine run quiet, and it has plenty of power at Low speed to clean rugs. The new self sealing bags are a dream come true - keeping the customer away from the dirt at all times. We've had no problems with the new series of ultra light uprights, and they've been on market for four years (come Christmas time).

 

[electricbroom]

Having 4 of these, TOL Simplicity Sand Machine, mid level Riccar R10S, Maytag M500 and the Cordless Freedom.

I agree with Tom and prefer the wooden brush roll of the R10S and M500 as it also tends to do a better job on hard floors, but the one I grab the most is the Cordless Freedom due to the convenience of not having to plug it in.

 

[luxkid1980]

Those models look pretty much like Orecks, even down to the self sealing bags (though the design of the bag is different). The Oreck XL weighs about a pound less than the M500 though.

How big are the bags on those machines? Wonder of they are about the same volume wise.

 

[electricbroom]

The bags are huge for a small upright, they are actually a little bigger then the Orecks.

 

[tolivac]

LOVE these little machines-BUT they have BIG vacuum performance-Yes,Have the cordless Freedom model-its a got to machine I use daily--use it as a "broom Vac"Have the Riccar,"Lux,and Maytag versions of the plug in models-all are great little machines-use them along with my Kirbys.

 

[luxlife]

Tacony perfected the mechanism for attaching the bag.

On the Tacony machines, the "snap" mechanism used to hold the bag connected is attached to the bag collar. This means that you'll have a secure fit every time you use a new bag because the snap is always new. On the Orecks, it's attached to machine and the snap mechanism wears out over time and can cause the bag to come loose from the rush of the air as it inflates the bag.

 

[s2_82]

I agree luxlife, Tacony is now using a bag dock system for all of their uprights. Bag changes couldn't be any easier!