What should I get?

[dwhdarren97]

Hey everyone, lately I have been having trouble making decisions and this is no exception. I am trying to sell my Kirby and Electrolux Ergorapido Ion in order to get the funding for a new power team.

So far my choices are:

Hoover Platinum Collection Lightweight Bagged Upright, with a LINX stick and pet rechargeable.

Hoover Anniversary Edition Windtunnel Bagged Self Propelled Upright, with a Royal Pro Series Stick Vac (same as the linx except in royal's color scheme and is corded), as well as a Royal Pro Series Handheld (Same as the dirt devil classic)

I love the look of the platinum collection, but I have heard bad things about the outer bag getting odor soaked. I am unsure as to whether or not you could wash it. I picked the royal machines to go with the anniversary because they match color a little better than the platinum linx setup. I am also unsure of the linx longevity compared to its corded royal and Hoover counterparts. The reason I need a stick is because it must hold up to everyday vacuuming our average sized low pile carpeted basement, so the big guys expensive bags don't fill as quickly with dog hair.

Thanks for all who are able to help!

 

[starryblues4u]

hmmm

I have the Hoover lightweight platinum and have not had any odors stay in the bag. Its an awesome vacuum. I also have the Hoover anniversary self propelled windtunnel. I like that vacuum too both are a good choice.

 

[Ipreferkirby]

Clean Air vs Direct Air

It is a matter of if you want a clean air upright or a direct air upright. The Problem with the hoover direct air is that they have a plastic fan in a plastic fan casing. So I would recommenced the Hoover Windtunnel Anniversary Edition power team over the Hoover Platinum bagged.

 

[dwhdarren97]

I do like direct air vacuums more, but I would be concerned about the plastic fan and fan case. Right now it's pretty much down to appearance. I love them both, as my favorite color is the blue on the anniversary, but I also like the design of the platinum. My mom would never let me have two uprights, as they "take up too much space". As far as build quality starryblues4u, which one feels more solid? I have heard the platinum is built better than most Orecks. In the end, I am still unsure if I can make the decision.

 

[starryblues4u]

build quality

To me the platinum series feels for stable. The plastic on the anniversary edition feels more flimsy.

 

[bagintheback]

I'd go for the all Hoover ensemble. It will look more like a matching set than the Windtunnel and Royal pair. I would not worry about the plastic fan and housing. Even the cheaply made direct air fan setups do not break as easily as some people suggest. Hoover Elites use some of the weakest plastics I've ever seen on a vacuum, but they go on working for decades. Plus, you get five year warranty from Hoover. If the fan breaks, take it to your local TTI dealer and it's good as new. As long as you don't suck up hard objects, you'll be fine.

 

[eurekaprince]

The Hoover Platinum Lightweight upright is an excellent deep carpet cleaner and is quieter than the Hoover Self Propelled WT. It's also a lot easier to move around and carry up and down flights of stairs. Teamed up with a good canister for cleaning of everything but carpets, this vac is a great investment. It's also cheaper than the Hoover Self Propelled upright, and the bag is easier to change.

 

[dwhdarren97]

Well thank you very much for all your advice. I think I may have finally hit the tipping point and am going to buy the all platinum line. I would like to get the corded platinum stick vac instead of the cordless because of the longevity (lithium ion batteries don't last forever). But, if I also want the motorized handheld for my stairs I might as well get both as they use the same battery. Now this is my final question:

The corded or cordless platinum stick vacuum? It needs to hold up to daily vacuuming of my basement. (low pile carpet). The Ergorapido Ion does okay, but I can only get about 2/3 of it done in its fifteen minute run time because of the dog hair. The LINX would work for me if I could do one swipe just barely slower than a normal upright to get the entire basement clean on one charge. It needs to be able to be used as a pre vacuum so as too not fill the platinum bags as fast (they are ridiculously expensive for a 14 year old looking to buy a car soon).

Anybody that's owns both corded and cordless I would much appreciate your help! Thank you.

 

[fantomvacuumfan]

Its used....

But there is a Hoover Platinum Collection Upright on ebay for $50.00 to buy it now. I did not read the listing, so make sure to read it in case anything is wrong with it, but here is the link below

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hoover-plat...160863418822?pt=US_Vacuum&hash=item257434f9c6

 

[gottahaveahoove]

I have the Platinum line

Big surprise, huh?


  I also have the Anniversary Windtunnel.  All will perform and last if kept well. One should never pick up big, sharp things in any vacuum.


Also, for a low end vac,  The HOOVER Tempo has been giving great results.  That is one cleaner I do not have. 


 Looks like HOOVER is winning.   Hope you enjoy your new vacuum. Here's my Platinum in the midst of the demolition/renovation/restoration. BUT,  I HATE, HATE, HATE the handle release on th wrong side.  Since time began,  it was ALWAYS on the left.  I can imagine how many have been broken because of this.


John.

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

I wonder why you would get the hand held if you went with the self-propelled Windtunnel, but not if you went with the Platinum light weight bagged.... it would seem to me that the Windtunnel would come with a hose and a turbo tool and that the Platinum Lightweight bagged would not, so it would be more necessary with that one!

Unless.... are you getting the Platinum with the companion canister?

I have both the Self-Propelled WindTunnel and the Platinum Lighweight bagged... I got the Platinum on Craig's List for 40 bucks, and it didn't come with the companion canister, but at that price, I was OK with that...

I can only echo what everyone else has said... they are both good looking, powerful machines, but there are some drawbacks to each. The WindTunnel is loud and feels cheaply made... it's also heavy and bulky and cumbersome, due to weight alone, even though it's self-propelled... it's just not nearly as agile as its more modern cousin, the Platinum light weight bagged. Though the self propelled has a bare floor feature and a hose, the machine really does best on carpet. ON bare floors, it misses or snow-plows and during attachment use, the hose short hose snaps tight and fights you the whole way... It also has two belts that have to be changed, and the tranny belt is a nightmare.... the Platinum is supposed to have a lifetime belt.

The Platinum Lightweight Bagged makes me smile EVERY time I use it. Seriously, I just want to give it a hug before I put it back on display every time I finish using it... It looks great and is agile, nimble, and while not silent, has pleasant throaty sound. It is extremely powerful, despite its small size and light weight, and the controls are well placed.

The only problems with the Platinum are that, as John mentioned, the handle release pedal is on the wrong side (Sebo/Windsor do that too)... so counter-intuitive... and more annoying than you'd imagine. I would agree about the bag holding odors... I bought mine from a dog owner, and I've soaked the bag in Febreeze because I couldn't figure out how to take it off easily to wash and it still holds the smell several months later. Since you'll likely be buying new, it won't have that problem to start with, but you said you do have pets so it is something to consider. The other thing is that the hand grip has a rubberized coating on the inside, and mine has started to peel... very annoying, but it was like that when I bought it used, so again, your new one likely wouldn't have that problem to start with, but it may well develop over time...

Bags are expensive, but to counteract that, I glued the cardboard collar of the Q bag that came with mine to an Oreck bag (found a whole package at the thrift shop for a couple bucks) and it has worked fine. I have since ordered the real bags, but a pack of 3 was insanely expensive, so I'm not going to use them until the bag check light comes on.

I'd say for quality of construction and ease of use to go for the Platinum... it just feels more solid and sounds much better.

The Self-propelled Windtunnel has fun "Christmasy" dirt sensor lights though )

Tough decision indeed!

By the way, I quite agree with Bagintheback... people make too big a deal out of fan first machines with plastic fans... Oreck and Kirby and Sanitaire all have plastic fans and many people use them without issue daily. Especially you, because you obviously like vacuums and know something about them (or you wouldn't be here), so you will be more careful than someone who doesn't understand them... you don't be sucking up pennies and BBs and nails...

 

[director12]

Well, I'd get a Windtunnel canister from the 90's. But I'd stock up on a Tristar, Miele, or a Bissell from Korea or USA.

 

[dwhdarren97]

Vacuumfreeeke, I would get the platinum handheld with the lightweight because of the fact that it looks good next to it. Also, does the anniversary handle like a Kirby, or is it a little easier?

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

The transmission is more jerky in the Hoover than it would be in a Kirby... not nearly as smooth, but it feels "more" self propelled if that makes any sense.

 

[vacu-finder]

"BUT, I HATE, HATE, HATE the handle release on th wrong side. Since time began, it was ALWAYS on the left. "

John.......ya makes you wonder why they decided to change sides, Did hoover do a customer satisfaction promo at one time with that question on it..?

 

[dwhdarren97]

Alright. I think I am now sold on the platinum collection because of the center dirt path, chevron brush roll, and direct air system. Plus the style and uniformity of all three of the units looking great together. I will also buy the corded canister that is bundled with the upright for above floor cleaning. Again guys thank you so much for your advice. John, I can see how the handle release would frustrate you and it will to me as well. After ten years of our windtunnel supreme I am sure to mistake it several times.

 

[durango159]

Why a stick vac??

I'm confused about your desire for a stick vac style vacuum for the basement. It's low pile carpet but if you're doing a large area then get a full size corded vac. The Hoover Tempo uprights are about $75. They clean excellent with lots of power and even though it doesn't say it on the machine, the inside agitator cavity is same as as the Windtunnel Supremes. It's a Windtunnel design!!

Or what I would do, since its a basement where attachment usage might be useful, get a power head canister vac for the basement. Panasonic MC-CG902 (pictured), one of the entry level Kenmore canisters- the lime green or orange, or if you can find a good price get online get an Oreck Quest Pro, Hoover Windtunnel Anniversary canister S3670. Other good ones online are the Royal Lexons--SR17(eBay listing link) or SR20. You'll love the easy maneuverability of a thin chrome wand and power head to fit into any tight spaces and under and around things. Use the foot quick release attach on a bare floor tool and hit any surrounding concrete, tile or linoleum floors, then switch to attachment mode and hit any spider webs since spiders seem to like basement moisture.

I've never tried the Platinum or Windtunnel Self Propelled, so I have no suggestions for that except that the Platinum package new, does come with the small compact canister- no wheels on it, you have to carry around on your shoulder or in hand. The Self Propelled Windtunnel without an additional hose, is fairly impossible to use attachments with. It is nice that the Windtunnel Self Propelled can shut the brush roll off for attachment use though

Just my 2 cents! Good luck & happy vacuuming.




http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Royal-S...=US_Vacuum&hash=item35bdb49e05#ht_1226wt_1164

 

[dwhdarren97]

The idea behind the kind was so I could zip around our finished basement and pick up a majority of the pet hair, empty the dirt cup and wash the filter and at the end of the day not pay for it. This would save me money on the atrociously expensive platinum bags. Also, I would just get the platinum canister to go with it, but my mom would never stop talking about how it takes up too much space. So I will just get the canister that comes with the upright for above floor cleaning, the linx handheld for the stairs (motorized brushroll, and the stick as a cost saving measure on bags.

 

[dwhdarren97]

Not kind, linx. Stupid autocorrect