What is the best Kirby model made?

[marcusprit]

I'd be interested in your views as to which is the best Kirby model to date? I'd go for the Diamond G.

 

[turbo500]

Not sure on the *best* model, but the Heritage 2 is my favourite.

Smaller and lighter than machines the came before and after it, but with no compromise on performance. The hoses were also less prone to splitting than the G series hoses (especially the G3). Plus, I just love the styling and colour of it.

 

[marcusprit]

I liked the Heritage the red one. A beautiful looking machine.

 

[jade_angel]

In my opinion, the Legend 2 is the best of the lot: not as heavy and bulky as the G-series (though it does lack the Techdrive - this is both a pro and a con), more powerful than the earlier models, can take the new HEPA bags, has both a large and small nozzle available... It's everything I like about Kirby with most of the modern conveniences.

On the downside, the Techdrive does make the G-series easier to push. But the flipside of that is that it's one more thing to break. I'm reminded of Scotty's comments about the Excelsior. Not that the G-series is bad: it's not. But if I could have any Kirby - but only *one* Kirby - it'd be the Legend 2, or almost equivalently the Heritage II Legend, in a minute.

 

[marcusprit]

I've not owned a Heritage 2 but it's another lush looking machine

 

[sptyks]

Obviously, the Avalir is the best Kirby ever made. It has all of the improvements of all the Kirby G series over the last 23 years and none of the bad features such as the Diamond speed switch. The Avalir has a highly improved carpet Shampoo system.


 


As far all the past models go, every one has it's lovers and haters. And as for my favorite it is my beautifully restored Dual Sanitronic 50. It may not clean as well as my Sentria, but it's lines are a beautiful work of art IMHO.


 

 

[marcusprit]

Used the Avalir have you cheeky boy?

 

[danielsand]

I happen to like the dual speed switch on Diamond. As far as aesthetics go,......I think pre G series were very artistic. I use Omega, Heritage 2, and Diamond the most. Never used Sentria, or Avalir. Sentria is ugly to me, and Avalir has a lot of eye appeal, but I don't think it cleans any better than the others.

I vote for Diamond, as "the best ever".

 

[marcusprit]

Well said Dan And I agree about the Heritage models they are very good looking vacuums.

 

[sptyks]

I don't need to have used the Avalir. It's just a Sentria (which I do own) with different colored trim and a hollowed out handle. AFAIK, no one has said it cleans any better than Sentria. Now the shampoo system is another story. I am waiting to read the reviews of the shampoo system.


 

 

[danielsand]

I didn't mean to say that Avalir cleans better than Sentria (and I agree the Avalir IS Sentria with a different trim). I meant that IMO Avalir doesn't clean any better than Diamond, or even Heritage line. Kirby found a great system, and they just keep repeating it with different cosmetic "improvements". Over decades (century!), they did improve, but materials, and technology improved a lot too, as a whole.

Kirby is still straight air intake machine with side bag. "Tech Drive" was somewhat an improvement (for some people), but the models that have it, are only marginally easier to push than Heritage line. Because the rear wheels spin with the same speed, I actually find Heritage 2 easier to maneuver. I can use the G series without engaging the transmission, but it's MUCH harder to maneuver like that (especially in the tight spaces), than Heritage 2 as is! Since Heritage 2 can take HEPA bags, and has a "see through" emtor, I think it has advantages over later models (not to mention styling). "50 shades of gray" Kirby adopted with G series, makes the machines look bland, in comparison with older models. G series (in various shades of gray (with the exception of G5), looks too much like 90s (last century). Sentria has the "21st century look", but it has too much plastic on it to appeal to me. As I said, I never used Sentria, but the handle connection to the motor on the G series feels flimsy/wobbly to me. I much prefer the "pin through" handle and its positive, wobble free feel.

All that said,.....I still think that Diamond was the pinnacle of the Kirby line, although it lacks in the "looks department". The ONLY reason I voted for Diamond is the speed control switch, and if I could have that on Heritage, with HEPA bag, and the "pet hair brush", I would have my perfect "daily driver".

 

[sptyks]

The Diamond Speed Switch is a great feature for those on this Forum who now how to properly use it, But for the Kirby corporation it turned out to be a nightmare. Most users neglected to read the User Manual and learn how to use this feature properly. The biggest user complaint to Kirby was that the machine did not clean as well as in the home demonstration due to lack of suction. They assumed the machine was on high speed because the switch was lit up. That is why you have not seen this feature on later models.


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

 

[danielsand]

Thank you for that explanation. Seems like the majority of Kirby customers are not that bright then? LOL

This is a rhetorical question, ......paying 2-3 grand (and allowing unscrupulous "sales teams" in one's home to begin with!) for a vacuum is by definition "not too bright".

I read the manual (downloaded from Kirby website), and it doesn't mention this switch at all. Then I looked at the switch, and one side has a full black circle. The other side of the toggle is marked with HALF black circle! Bingo! That was of course before I had the thing running. Once it runs, it is VERY obvious when it's on half power (sound changes, light dims), and it's much quieter on half power.

Oh well. Most people that bought it new (for over 2K!), were probably in the age group that needs hearing aid, and newer glasses to boot. ;-)

 

[thunderhexed]

I'm partial to..

My Classic Omega... Such a beast of a machine and I love emptying the bag after each use and seeing the muck it pulls up! I love the way it makes my carpet look.

 

[bikerray]

I love my Kirby G4 80th Anniversary edition, but then again I also love my Kirby C and my Kirby 509. I love the look of the D50 but never use mine.

 

[dysonman1]

My vote would be for the Kirby AerRotor, the only canister Kirby ever made.

 

[kirbyg6]

I like the g series but by I love the older models because they are lighter to use and I love the sound of the older ones too.

 

[danielsand]

I guess the question is: "Define BEST"?

If the vote is for the one we like the most, I would've voted for Omega (my first, and one very classy looking machine). Omega IS the reason I acquired four other ones, AFTER I restored the Omega, and went nuts over it's looks and performance. IMO, it IS the best looking Kirby (and remember, the beauty is in the eye of beholder), but not the best performing Kirby.

The one that has the right performance/looks combo, is Heritage 2 (in my eyes/experience). And for pure awesome performance, is Ultimate Diamond (lacks in looks over two others mentioned above).

So now I clean with Diamond six days a week,....... (515 I use seven days a week in the office only), Omega, and Heritage 2 are used once every other week each (just to keep them "up to speed"), otherwise they are mostly display pieces, with the eye appeal of the "vacuum cleaner art".

I might acquire Sanitronic 50 in the future (just to complete my "collection"), but I don't have a "working position" open for it.

 

[parwaz786]

I am going for the Kirby Sentria G10e