I still can't believe it, but my parents gifted me a brand-new Hoover Constellation S3341 in Pearl White for Christmas this year. This was something I wasn't specifically asking for either, which makes it that much better!

In case some of you are wondering why I didn't post this on Christmas, it's because I didn't have time to take it out of the box and play with it until today! But I finally got around to it this afternoon, and I didn't know what I was missing (even though I had test-driven one last October and liked it). I have to admit, the quality is pretty impressive for a new machine, considering the price range, but what amazes me is how much improvement this one has over its vintage predecessors besides increased suction and airflow. One thing I did notice was that since the blower port has been eliminated, the exhaust is distributed evenly so it hovers effortlessly on carpeting or uneven surfaces; no more "dead zones" like I've experienced with my vintage Connie or Celebrity. And the turbine nozzle, with its reverse-chevron brush pattern, is surprisingly effective, although I do want to try out a Turbocat Zoom with it.

According to Tom Gasko, these are TTI-built machines with a motor very similar to the Dyson motor, so I don't know if the Hoover acquisition is necessarily bad. Hopefully they won't cheapen the design down the road, though.

Yes, needless to say, I LOVE IT and plan on buying its stainless twin one of these days! Here's the box before opening...

Slowly opening it up...UltraFlex hose and attachments

Here it is!

The main unit revealed!

Fully open, revealing the bag chamber. Notice how the cover release latch is identical to the one on the vintage Constellation and Celebrity.

Attachment carrier on board...the machine didn't have a very nostalgic look with the carrier on, so I moved it to the telescoping wand.

2006 Hoover Constellation S3341 next to the ULTIMATE vintage Constellation, the 1970-72 "tilted" model 843 which was given to me in a VERY generous act by Fred Stachnik (HooverCelebrity).

Thanks again Fred, and as you can see now, it has a new housemate! :)

I think I'm going to have to get myself one of those!!! I haven't seen one in a store here yet but then I haven't been really looking either though I did see someplace advertising them and now I can't remember which store it was LOL.
Can you take a pic of the underside as well.

Very nice-will have to look at getting the white one and the SS one as well-would be good addiations to my collection!And--could use them as well-looked like a Filtrete bag in the machine-Do the Filtrete bags fit the old ones?

I'm getting a connie today from where my dad works.but it's vintage,not the new one.

I have the same one. I really like mine and you are very right about the increased air flow. For the price, you get a full powered all-metal canister that really works well. It has very good filtration and the bag is easy to change. The quality is good too. I am not sure that TTI made them for Hoover though. I just know that it is made in China using the old Hoover dies. I cringe at the thought of it being cheapened like making the whole thing out of plastic. Yikes!!

--Tom

I got one too this Christmas! I LOVE it!!!!

Enjoy your new machine Austin (and Marty)!