Jeff Parker, Fred Stachnik and his friend Joe Jolly came for dinner tonight. Guess what they brought me, a new Connie. I must say that I am impressed. The machine is light and very powerful and for such a small turbo brush it works very well, even on plush carpeting. We gave it a good shake-down and I will be using it as a daily driver for the back part of the first floor which is primarily hardwood floors and area rugs. Here's Jeff and Fred with Ms. Connie about to be unveiled.

Very attractive. And as I said, very light and powerful.

Not a great picture. The hose is true to its ultraflex parentage. A connie would not be the same without an ultraflex hose.

Because it is so powerful, it floats like a dream. I know some people say that it knocks you in the legs when it follows. I will let you know.

The hose reached all the way to the top.

The 50th anniversary model with the new one. Compared side by side, I must say the new one is better (even if it wasn't made in North Canton.)

My new Connie arrived at the Hoover Employee Sales Center on Friday...great machine and great price! Mine is serial number 3152...curious to know what other numbers are out there...the one at the Historical Center is serial number 1! I like the machine overall...though I am not a canister fan by any means. It has a lot of suction and the turbo nozzle is ok...I like my Hoover upright better though. I think that the color is nice and the quality is good. It comes with better tools than the $300 WT! I know, I know, it is made in China, but it is a good item and maybe someday the production will come back home.

Fred...great contrast between the old and the new Connie! Looks like you guys had a great time...wish I was there!

Here is my little boy, Glenn in action with the new Connie...Heather was not sure who was more excited! Note the little WT toy on the carpet near him. This is his FIRST Hoover. He just loves to push it around!

--Tom

We checked out the serial number right away. Glenn looks like he is having fun. The acorn doesn't fall far from the tree does it?

Fred

Glad to see you have chairs in your vacuum room for old folks like me. Jeff and Fred totally redid Hooverland at Jeff's today. I have complained that there is no place to sit down. I guess there is room now. Plus room to vacuum. Jeff - pictures please!

Fred...yes Glenn loves the vacuum so no the nut does not fall far from this tree!...our Connies are close in production...so neat!

Yes, I do have somplace to sit...my chairs were my grandmother's and my parents were going to dispose of mom's old "ugly" chairs so I grabbed them...perfect vintage for the room and comfortable and better yet they were free!

Jeff...I can't wait to see the new and improved Hooverland!!! Pictures please asap!

--Tom

I have a vintage orange and a vintage turquoise (sometimes I mix and match the lids just to be different ;-) but I LOVE LOVE LOVE the new Connie!

I was having a bit of a problem with the suction on the new Connie being too powerful on my old rugs at first, but I actually got around to putting a new pad under the rugs, and for some reason that has made all the diference.

And yeah, they really do float! So much so that it can even easily make the transition between my hardwoods and my rugs.

In my vacuum room. Looks like he's having fun too, huh? He's sitting on one of the sections that fit in in LA but doesn't here in Chicago, so down in the vac room it went. Sort of all of the orphan furniture.

Fred made a fabulous dinner (as always), and the Constellation was a gas to play with! I really think Hoover has a winner with this machine... Here a few shots I got:

We had to take a break from the Connie and play with something else... Here's Fred vacuuming his stairs with his Hoover model 51 (prurrs like a kitten).

Playing with the Connie in the basement...

Tucked in for the evening...

I am waiting for Best Buy or one of the vac stores here can get them.Would be an interesting machine even if it was built in China-looks like they did a fine job of buiding that Hoover classic.Even though it may blow dust from your floor-"blow and chase" operation-it would be a fun machine.

Beautiful cleaner and it looks like you guys had a fun evening too.

It's happening again...Tarantuala Arms always makes me want more vacuums when I visit! Better get your order-pad out Fred, I'm still pining for the Hoover Conquest.

Just say when!

~F

Fred I hope that you enjoy the new Connie, Love the picture with Ms. Bridget, looks like she is saying that it is time for some peace and quiet around here.. I bet you all had a great time. Terry

We finally got ours at the store yesterday! In fact, it was the only redeeming part of my day. Here's how I set it up in the window.

In the back room...

According to a local vac shop owner here in La-La Land, the white model is plastic and the brushed-aluminum one is metal. Is that true? Certainly if the white one (and apparently the only one currently available in the U.S. for some odd reason) IS plastic, that would greatly diminish its appeal to a lot of people.......

Hey Fred

We have the Satellite on the box as well- defiantly the best way to display em ;).
Im curious on the Maytag boxes with Refurbished on in your stock room pic-Is the Maytag brand used on floorcare over there????

Seamus

Nope... the white Connie is metal (the globe part of it, anyway...).

Seamus- The Maytag box that says "refurbished" on it is a Maytag Cordless Iron... we sell those.

I noticed that the ConSatellation isn't anywhere on Hoover's website? Is HOOVER actually making this or is this some other manufacturer putting Hoover and Maytag's brand on it? Seems weird to me.

Looks like fun, and I like the "Constellation" ensignia on the handle...I'll admit that every time I see pictures of these, the more I'm tempted to order one! :)

I'm also amazed at how similar the new one is to the 86.

I saw on an old AW.org thread that the Stainless version is or will become available in the US as a more deluxe model...is this true?

--Austin

The more I see the white one the more I like it....all we need now is colours!!!

Fred, The 51 looks immaculate, the hose seems mega long is it the regular hoover flexi hose??

Just ordered my satellite...my friend Alpha Dave (used to run Alpha Electrics)was saying with the wattage on the new connies he was surprised it wasnt hovering over your shoulder as you hoovered!!!...lol

Mike

The hose on that Hoover 51 was the just-then introduced "Veri-Flex" hose. It is a vinyl material but not stretchy like the later "Ultra-Flex" hose which would stretch to twice its size. The beauty of these hoses were that they didn't deteriorate like the older braided hoses. The one on my Hoover 53 is like the day it came out of the box. The length of the hose is probably related to the fact that it didn't stretch. Little Fred and I agree that the Aero-Dyne is a neat machine but probably couldn't compete with the Electrolux XXX has far as performance. There is just something about those Aero-dynes though. . ...

The New Connie - Is metal with the base in plastic. I think that they have struck exactly the right balance of metal and plastic on the machine to make it light and sturdy. I just love it. I wish they would bring back some other classic machines - the 65 convertible comes to mind.

That Aero-Dyne is from 1951. Roger LeQuea has emailed me that he will be sending a Consumer Reports on vacuum cleaners from 1951. Let's see where the Aero-Dyne and Lux XXX fall in the ratings.

Fred

I actually wondered why this new product wasn't on their website, myself. So I emailed Hoover customer service. Here's the response I got:

Thank you for visiting our Maytag.com customer service page. We
appreciate your interest in our products and service.

We apologize that the information for the Hoover Constellation Model
Number S3341 is not on our website yet. It is a brand new model.

Our customers comments and suggestions are very important to us. We
appreciate you taking the time to bring this to our attention. Yo
concern will be researched and reviewed.
***

So, I imagine they will be adding it sometime in the near future.

Austin~ Yes. The Constellation will come in both white, and stainless steel. I'm not 100% sure who exactly will be selling the SS model, if we're going to have them available to us, etc... It's no different, except it's stainless steel, and has black trim instead of grey (and $50 more, of course). I know that Hammacher Schlemmer has it on their website (see link below).

Part of me wants to see it introduced in all sorts of fun colors... But at the same time, I don't want to see that. I don't have the S P A C E to house many more, in addition to the 12 vintage ones I have! ((Cause y'all know I'd have to get one in every color!))

But, if they don't... white is a very easy color to paint over! Anyone know the number to a good auto-body shop? :)

Hey Fred. Glad to see Jeff & Lil' Fred brought you the Connie as you expected. Methinks I am going to get me one of these too, but am extremely partial to the stainless model. It will go perfectly with all of my kitchen appliances. One question though, how does it fair on the hardwood floors? I don't want to scratch them up as most of the downstairs level is done in hardwoods. Just curious what your experience is with it so far. My Miele Blue Moon suits the daily needs but my only complaint with that is the length of the cord. In a 3500 sq foot home, I am constantly plugging and unplugging. For some reason, the Miele products have extremely short cords. I also have a Miele Art for quick pick ups and that cord is even shorter than the Blue Moon. TTYS - Robb

Robb - I took a picture of the bottom of the Connie and the base is plastic and it has tabs imbedded in the base that I think are made of Teflon (Fred and Jeff help me here.) I am more impressed with the design of this machine the more I look at and use it. Given the power and how it floats and the design of the base, I have no worries about scratching the floor. The old Connies had a tendency to get the metal bases scratched which would then possibly scratch a wood floor but I don't think this will be a problem with the new ones. The cord is nice and long. I also have a Miele (Aluminium) and like the machine, but find myself going back to the vintage ones. My house is large as well (2 story provincial with basement) and when I get down to some serious vacuuming, I pull out the central hose and attachments. We could start a whole new forum on central vacs. I love 'em.

Fred

I am very particular about my hard floor tools and usually switch them out. This machine comes with a large Wessel-werk (sp?)floor brush with wheels and horsehair brushes. Very nice!

The new Connie has little teflon inserts in the dish to help it slide on carpet, and prevent hardwood scratches.

So far they are my favorite floor tool tied with the Compact one.

And don't get me going on about centrals, oops, too late. I'll start a new thread.

I don't like all of the bristles on some... with excessive dog hair. I find myself constantly flipping the brush over and 'de-hairing' it.

I enjoy using my Miele power nozzle, shut off (suction only). It picks everything up, and nothing gets clogged in any bristles. There's just enough clearance between it and the floor to effectively pick up dirt (and dog hair).

~Fred

What attachments are included in with the new Connie? Does it have a separate floor brush? How do they compare to other Hoover attachments? Are they interchangable? How about a picture of the attachments....? It would be great to see what they look like.

I have vinyl flooring and when vac'ing it, my Connie will try to run me over. It's all over the place on bare floor. On the carpet it's fine.

Geez I am so excited about the new connie I just love my old one Model 843 I had one of every model in California but sadly all but one got left behind along with 350 other machines. So I can't wait to start my collection over again and the connie is going to be great.. How do you put the hose on the blower on the new connie or can you???

sorry I forgot to ask if they still take the old type J bag like the old connies... I have so many I won't run out for a long time...

i will suggest Jadeite as the next Connie color! next suggestion would be a cafe au lait. like the Convertible #1060, two tone, or solid.

Sorry it took me a while to get these up here...

The serial number on my machine is 060600003515 (3515)

and

The serial number on our floor model is 060600003521 (3521)

~Fred

Nope.. The new Constellation takes a bag similar to the current type S bag (the cardboard collar, and the way it attaches are the same)... but the bag specific to the new Connie is a HEPA bag (Type S HEPA bag).

However, the Allergen Filtration type S bags should suffice until the HEPA bags become available. *I wouldn't use the regular, green bags... they'll leak too much dirt.*

**Duh, let's introduce the MACHINE before we have the BAGS!** :-)

~Fred

I got to use it yesterday and ordered one from Tom. The turbo brush is amazing, and I usually pass on those. The bags are great. Hoover might be smart to make the machine in a bunch of colors; I know I would have to get all of em, and so would some other people here, I bet! :)

We re-arranged the showroom a bit this weekend, and the Constellations got a prominent spot in the front window...

I had a great day on Monday... I sold two of the white Constellation within an hour and a half of each other! Woo Hoo!

~Fred

.

I would love to have a new and old Connie!
Very nice!

So im guessing a stainless one has gone home with you ;)

Maybe a pic of the Satellite and Stainless Connie together??? :)

Seamus

The only reason I haven't bought one yet is that I want to buy both the Pearl White and SS models at once! One of these days, the "tilted" 843 (that Fred so generously cleaned up and sent to me) will have two modern companions!

I also plan to have both Z-series models as well sometime in the near future...hopefully before Christmas :)