Why would you buy?

[brandon_w_t]

I used one!!

I went back to another store, and well... they had a new S5. I used it, and well... it was truly great!!! Love it. Just still to expensive and well... I dont have a job yet

 

[danemodsandy]

And Now, The TriStar Cons...

Just so no one thinks I'm Mr. Rah-Rah for TriStar, a rabid booster who refuses to see that there are any thorns on the rose, I wanted to list some things that I think are drawbacks to the Compact-based generation of machines. They are:

LACK OF SUCTION CONTROL: A vacuum's hose should have a suction control, for delicate things like lampshades. Especially when the hose in question carries a list price of $160.

LACK OF A CORDWINDER: This one is a bit tricky. A TriStar has a 30-foot cord, which has all kinds of advantages, but the tradeoff is that you can't have a reasonably-sized cordwinder with that much cord. Not even the new MG-series machines have a cordwinder, which is a bit surprising to sales prospects contemplating the purchase of a $2600 vacuum for the first time.

FLOOR AND RUG TOOL PROFILES: TriStar's cast-aluminium floor and rug tools are the highest-quality tools I know of, a real throwback to the good old days. I just wish they'd made them with a lower profile that could get under furniture more easily. Lux managed this with a flip-over tool.

ENOUGH WITH THE SALES/SERVICE TERRITORIES: In the U.S., a TriStar dealer isn't supposed to have anything to do with customers outside his territory, even for parts sales. That's a real problem in some cases, like mine. Our TriStar service centre here is run like Barney Fyfe owns it, hardly ever coming up with parts quickly. Other TriStar dealers in other states don't want to deal with me, probably feeling that my call is a trap set up by TriStar corporate. Fortunately, TriStar Canada is easy to deal with (I think all that sales territory crappola is illegal there - correct me if I'm wrong, petek or aeoliandave), and so I use them instead of Mayberry R.F.D.

But that's really the list; I'm really pretty happy. I've gotten used to the lack of a cordwinder, and if I have to move the occasional piece of low-to-the-floor furniture, it's good for my heart and my waistline. The little snap-out grille on the upholstery/drapery tool decreases the suction for vacuuming curtains, and I've learnt to hold the dusting brush slightly away from lampshades I prize. And TriStar Canada couldn't be a nicer bunch of people (Note to whoever once called Canadians "decaffeinated Americans" - you say that like it's a bad thing).

So, those are the cons as I see 'em.

 

[methodistbill]

Just bought a clunker!

Well, I just bought a Compact clunker off of Ebay for $30. I'm curious to see how it turns out. The listing said it doesn't come with bags, so I guess I'll need to buy the cloth bag and the paper filter bags too. Any suggestions on OEM or generic? Does it matter? Also, I heard that you can use a Eureka Vibra Groomer brush roll in the power nozzle. Anyone know about that. I won't be surprised if it needs a new brush roll and belt too. Thanks!

Bill

P. S. Thanks for the spirited debate on this thread!

 

[brandon_w_t]

VII

Yes you can. ttuee2006 did in his youtube vid on his Tristar CXL.

Only buy genuine tristar filter bags. Then off brand paper bags. I think tristar parts are much more quality than others.

 

[danemodsandy]

Bill:

I don't recommend the Vibra-Groomer brushroll in the TriStar PN; for one thing, it's not necessary, because the stock brushroll is very good. For another, it can cause rattling and noise that you shouldn't be getting with a TriStar. Also, you say you bought a Compact - if the machine says Compact instead of TriStar, you may have a PN made by Eureka, instead of the current generation of PN.

You should go to the TriStar Canada website (www.tristarvacuumscanada.com) and take a look at the parts list for the EX-20, which should be substantially identical to your machine, if it has the current generation's PN. If it is, I highly recommend that you compare the exploded parts view to what you have in your PN, so as to check for missing spacers, dust seals, etc. I can tell you that replacing anything missing makes a huge difference in the noise level and cleaning abilities of the PN.

If you have the Eureka generation PN, I'm sure someone here will be better-versed in it than I am, and can assist you.

 

[brandon_w_t]

What model is it?

Most/ all compacts dont use PNs so you better check that it has the plug near the hose port. My Grandfather has a Compact electra. The green one- with a CXL nozzle.

 

[danemodsandy]

Brandon:

Compacts had PNs in the '60s, but I believe they were an option and didn't sell well. Those old ones are very rare. In the '70s, Compact began offering them regularly; I understand that those are the Eureka-made ones. At some point (I'm still not sure when), the present design began to be offered. I'm not sure if it was ever used on machines branded Compact, or if it was part of the change-over to TriStar.

 

[methodistbill]

Eureka Made

It has the Eureka made PN. I think it is the model that was made from 1990 to 1992 (according the the Canadian website). I can't find a model listing on the US site. I think it was around 2000 that the company was taken over by the same corporation that owns Aerus. That's when the PN changed to the newer Electrolux style (me thinks).

Bill

 

[brandon_w_t]

CXL

This is a tristar vacuum. If its from 1990 at least. A very good vacuum. Nice find. I have been looking for one forever.

 

[floor-a-matic]

Fred Nelson? had a IEC built TriStar PN in sea green; very rare TriStar 2-1000 PN in that color

If anyone has a Compact Always Beauty Clean PN and/or Turbinette they don't need anymore, I would like to have the ABC and/or Turbinette

Was there a mini Turbinette (for vacing stairs & upholstery) available when the Compact C8 was the current model? NOT counting the TriStar Whirl Away that came with the DXL/EX-20