Which Kirby

[steelcityuk]

Hi all,

I interested in buying a Kirby but don't really know what the differences are between the models. What I'd like to know if possible is, are there any significant advantages in going for a Ultimate G rather than a G5 or a G4?

Thanks in advance.

Steve.

 

[kirbymodel2c]

Hi Steve,

<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">Welcome to the site. I'm guessing this thread will be moved from the vintage forum as the Kirby's your asking about don't fit in to the "vintage" forum so if your thread vanishes from this forum check the other forums as it will probably be there.</span>


 


<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">With regards to your question I would go for the Ultmate G over the older G4/G5s as the performance is a bit better. e.g better brush roll and mini emptor. Also with it being newer there's likely to be less "wear".</span>


<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">The G4/5 are still nice machines. I have a spare G5 I use as my daily driver. I do like the colour of it. But that's just personal preference. </span>


 


<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">Let us know what you decide to go for.</span>


 


<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">James

</span>


 

 

[steelcityuk]

Thanks for the input James.

Here's a bit of background to it. I've used a DC01 (old type - strange font saying Dyson?) around the house for the past 10 years and a DC02 for DIY tasks for 12 years. However the DC01 soleplate broke due to wear, unfortunately I couldn't track down a non pivot type at a reasonable price (£45!) and it gets through a new set of filters every month. So in an effort to keep it running I pinned the plate back together and fibreglassed it across the entire bottom surface. It worked but it still is pretty poor at cleaning our carpets. However one week later the thing's broken again, the belts snapped and it's barely sucking at all, new filters 3 weeks ago. So the time has come to replace it I think.

Steve.

 

[danielsand]

I have five Kirbys. One G4, and one Ultimate Diamond among them.

IMO the Ultimate Diamond IS the best of the modern Kirby line up. Only because of the "dual power" switch. Aesthetically they look the same, but with G4 there is extra work involved in vacuuming small mats, area rugs, etc. G4 will suck up the corners of the area rugs (not to the point of damaging them or anything), and move them. You have to bend over, rearrange the rug, and keep going. Only other option, is to raise the nozzle (to lessen the suction), in which case the brush doesn't come in the contact with the rug, and the pick up suffers. Also,...if the rug is not agitated, what's the point of vacuuming, especially if we are talking about pet hair (pet hair can seldom be picked up with suction only)?

With Ultimate Diamond, you flip the switch to "delicate", and keep the nozzle lowered, so the brush is still agitating, but the suction is much less (but still adequate to suck in the pet hair, and the rest). Rugs stay put, no extra bending, rearranging, etc. I like that switch very much.

This switch is in lieu of the "suction relief vent" that was on the older Kirbys (which I also have) that I also use weekly (I use all of my machines, knowing their abilities and limitations). Kirbys have a LOT of suction, but sometimes the level of suction needs to be regulated. All of the G series (except Diamond), and all models after it, don't have the ability to regulate the suction (in the upright mode). Of course there is a handle for the wand (when used as a canister with hose attached) that has the relief valve on it, but no possibility of suction relief in the upright configuration.

Why was this switch omitted from Sentria 1 and 2, and from the new Avalir, is a mystery to me. Models that came after the Ultimate Diamond, are more expensive, and don't have ANY advantage over it, except cosmetic changes.

I like my G4, but when I have to go over smaller (and thinner) area rugs, or mats, I use the Diamond.

Hope this helps.

 

[marcusprit]

I agree with you about the Ultimate Diamond it's the model I'd go for despite a certain member accusing me of talking absolute rubbish for recommending them

 

[steelcityuk]

Thanks for the info. The Ultimate sounds like a cracking machine. I've ended up with a G4 with a load of accessories. The price was within my budget and it was only 1/2 an hours drive away. It's been serviced every year and the seller had the paperwork to prove it. There's a few deep scratches on the brushbar housing but otherwise it's in great shape - is the chrome plating thick enough to sand these out do you think? It'll be interesting to see how much dirt it pulls out of the carpets. The brushbar really seems to work the pile in a way I've never seen with a Dyson.

Steve.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

I think the problem he is referring to is that the Ultimate G Diamond version has a 2-speed motor switch that allows you to choose between normal and "Delicate" (slower) cleaning modes--not unlike the suction relief vent that was present on the rug nozzle for models 516 to Tradition 3CB. The "Delicate" position is recommended for the cleaning of short-pile carpets.

The problem with the "Delicate" switch was due to some users confusing that with the brush roll performance indicator light on the rug nozzle. However, another problem with it is due to the motherboard that controls the "Delicate" switch, as in it could fail.

~Ben

 

[danielsand]

There is no chrome plating on ANY Kirby. Pure aircraft grade aluminum. Sand away. I start with 150 wet sandpaper, and gradually go to 1500. I finish it off with 000 steel wool, and Mothers aluminum polish. In between I dust it off, and go over it with Flitz. It works.

 

[steelcityuk]

That's good news, thanks for the info! I suppose that's testiment to how good these can look if I thought they were plated. I've got a polishing kit so I should soon have it ship shape.

Steve.

 

[danielsand]

When you tear it apart for polishing (the only way to make it look right is to disassemble it), pull the brushes out and check/replace, vacuum everything out of the motor housing, and wash the motor down with some good contact cleaner (stuff you use for delicate electronics, like VCRs, TVs, etc.). Check the color/condition of the impeller (if gray, and/or chipped/cracked), and get the Amoled (white) impeller kit on Ebay, and replace (easy/cheap to do). If you go through this steps, this thing WILL outlive you (make sure you put it in the will! LOL). Get the cloth white (Alergeen) bags too (they are a bit more expensive, but worth it IMO).

And post pics when you're done, of course.