The Top Panansonic MC. UG787

[eurekaprince]

Indeed, the Panasonic looks like a nice machine. But people should not overlook the similar Kenmore. It is excellent at deep carpet cleaning with the Direct Drive brush roll. And statistics have shown that Kenmore uprights historically require fewer repairs than Panasonic ones. According to the "Brand Reliability" rankings done by Consumer Reports, 10% of Panasonic uprights bought between 2007 and 2011 had serious repair issues, compared to only 6% for Kenmore. The numbers are derived as follows:

From the CR website: "...we asked almost 96,000 readers who bought a vacuum between 2007 and 2011 about their experiences. The graph shows the percentage of models for each brand that were repaired or had a serious problem. Differences of less than 4 points aren't meaningful, and we've adjusted the data to eliminate differences linked solely to age and usage. Models within a brand may vary, and design or manufacture changes might affect future reliability. Still, choosing a brand with a good repair history can improve your odds of getting a reliable model."

I actually prefer the colour of the Panasonic! And the bag disposal system looks great. But I also really like the Kenmore with that Beltless Brush Roll with the motor inside. And the onboard turbo nozzle provided with the Kenmore..

In the world of canisters, that red Panasonic cg902 is a great basic machine that performs really well.

 

[vegassucks]

A flavor for everyone.

The Kenmore is a great buy especially on eBay, I just like the best of what a manufacture makes, it's not always in my price range so alternatives are good to have. I owned a Kenmore/Sebo years ago but he colors were not nearly as nice as the Sebo labeled ones. Again Consumer Reports is the last place I look for an opinion.

 

[blackheart]

Oh

I was expecting a metal brushroll underneath i thought their higher ended ones used metal while wood was for their lower lines have they stopped using the metal ones all together?

 

[vegassucks]

Another difference

This show the Hepa filter located in the bag compartment on the Panasonic not slapped on the back where it is not sealed and sticks out on the Kenmore. There is really no comparison in the two accept if you want a sub $100 machine on ebay the Kenmore is a good value.

 

[vegassucks]

Brush rolls

Wood was always used on higher end machines in the past. Each manufacture will sell you in whatever they offer at the time as being best. Plastic is cheap other than that I look at the pattern of the brushes and avoid anything with a metal beater bar. Metal beater bars are for flat carpet. I believe the Miele s7 uses plastic but it looks like a nice brush.

 

[blackheart]

I haven't payed too much attention to panasonic lately

and it may be that they are using wood on higher end ones now but i recall models such as the Jet-flo, platinum and triforces using metal rollers. Some of them even had 3 rows of brushes on them.

 

[vegassucks]

here is where the Horespower is coming from

Here is some additional info on the motor Panasonic uses in these premium models. The MC-UG775 & MC-UG773 are very similar to the 778 with a couple of less features. I am a big fan of this line of Panaconic and believe them to be an excellent value. These vacuums are only sold through high end vacuum shops therefore they are not mass marketed units.

 

[vegassucks]

Here it is the least expensive.

Here is the MC-UG773, least expensive but still excellent.

 

[vegassucks]

And the silver middle line

Here is the silver MC-UG775. Sorry to keep this post alive, I just believe this excellent vacuum has fallen under the radar do their limited release to high-end shops.

 

[vegassucks]

Update

Only the top of the line MC-UG 787 has two motors. The other units have one motor and a clutch type release for the belt.

 

[dressur]

I don't know,,, bard to beat German. But I love German stuff anyway. I like the way the Meile looks better

 

[dressur]

although that motor (picture just showed up) and I have to say,,, looks a lot like the simplicity motor, I don't know the motor in the meile. Viel Besser than the Kenwood.

 

[vegassucks]

Miele Motor

No doubt the Miele looks better and has an incredible motor. The problem is the hose breaks and several other issues. Miele is close to having an unbeatable upright, they need to slim it down a little and use the quality of materials Sebo uses.

 

[vegassucks]

Motors

I believe only Miele and maybe Lindhaus makes their own motors, the rest of the companies put stickers on 3rd party motors.

 

[vegassucks]

Miele vs The Panasonic

I have used both and the Panasonic cleans as well as the Miele and is easier to push. The turning head on the Miele is a gimmick, it's to big to swivel around table legs. Leave the swivel heads to canister vacuums. And you tell me who has a couch with enough room to vacuum under it with any upright vacuum. It is a Lexus versus BMW, I assure you the Lexus will break less often over a 5 year run.

 

[dressur]

How good are Lindhaus motors??? Is the Meile motor and the Lindhaus repairable? that Panasonic looks like it could be rebuilt.

 

[vegassucks]

Motors

Lindhaus are built like tanks, no where near the airflow of this Panasonic thou. Miele motors seem bullet proof. Ametek builds most motors including many Sebo vacuums. They are built to a companies specs, more expensive vacuums typically have the top motors. Motor brushes are not expensive to replace and does not have to be done very often.[this post was last edited: 8/4/2013-19:34]

 

[blackheart]

Lindhaus motors

They seem well built but as vegassucks their uprights don't have a lot of airflow my healthcare pro pulls a 2 on the baird meter. the Activa doesn't pull anything but i once tested an Aria that pulled a 6.5 (hose end) which is still the most airflow i've seen on a power nozzle canister.

 

[rolls_rapide]

That bagged Panasonic looks very impressive. The actual base (topside and underneath) of it looks similar to the two year old UK bagless version (MC-UL596) - even down to the brushroll reset switch.

I would buy it, having been put off by Miele's S7 cost and irritating design, and Sebo's X4 hose and brushroll design.

My only concern is that the UK usually seems to get a cheaper, dumbed-down version, with no dust sensor, one motor only, and in some cases, missing a bagcheck indicator.

 

[stricklybojack]

The commercial version of this Panasonic...

See link, has metal brush roll & bottom plate. I'm very glad you posted this. I now kick myself for not getting a slightly used UG787 when i had a chance last year. I'll have to track down one of these commercial versions to make it up to myself. That misty green color is nice though.

http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/MC-GG773