I have a Sebo X4 Extra and a Hoover TP2. The X4 is a much better made vac, and has the electronic control system that adjusts the head height to the optimum level to make pushing it around very easy. Its also slightly heavier than the TP2 and has the benefit that the cable is longer and the brush is removeable easier than the TP2. There are different brushrolls available for the X4 from Sebo website, and these have differing stiffness of the brushes. The standard hose on the X4 is short, but the X4 Extra gives you an extension hose which will do up the stairs to the top. The Sebo is also quieter in use and has more power than the TP2. It has well priced bags at about a tenner for 10 5093ER type I think without looking. The computer also shuts down the motor if it detects a blockage or full bag. It also shuts down the motor if the brushroll gets jammed, as both the X4 and the TP2 have non-stoppable brushrolls (but the Felix does allow you to turn off the brushroll). The X4 does however use a lifetime toothed belt system so no worry about belt stretch like on the TP2.

I'd go with the X4 any day over the TP2.

The X1 is the predecessor to the X4 and X1.1 and is the older style launched 20 odd years ago, but still looks similar.

The X4 and X1.1 are very similar, just the difference in motor power and colours. I'd say for your family it might make a good buy, as its pretty much foolproof, but its not indestructible though, and prices are high, even for second hand ones.

There is a nice X1.1 going here in Stoke - the seller, Mr Ali has been trying to sell this for a while now, and he has done some work on it too:

The X4 is 7.4Kg so its not exactly heavy, but nevertheless its not a light vac either. The Felix is not that much lighter at 6.8Kg despite looking a lightweight vac. Bear in mind the Vax Mach Air is 5Kg, and the Miele S7 is nearly 10Kg, so the Sebo is somewhere in between.

The X4 and X1.1 were not designed to clean hard floors, so if you have more hard floor than carpet then the Felix would be a better bet, as it has a twin motor design where the brush can be turned off. The computer on the X4 will just try to lower the head on a hard floor till it senses that the brushroll has contacted the floor, which is not ideal.

The commercial version (The BS36 / BS46) has a manual head adjustment and L shaped head but although it has a separate brush motor the brush cannot be turned off for hard floors and automatically comes on when the vacuum is reclined.

Many members of vacuumland are gay, I am myself, and speaking of Espares, Mat's my favourite, such a gruff voice:

Its amazing how the kids at school always seem to know. I was at school in the 80's and it was more frowned upon then than it is now, and I got called all kinds of horrible names and bullied as well. Its not nice and during PE, no-one wants you on their team.

On VL you have to think really, how many straight men are going to be obsessed with vacuuming and vacuums, or even any kind of housework? so is it any surprise that many members are in fact gay?

I knew Alexhoovers was gay the second I heard him speaking on his youtube vids. Gay people can often spot other gay people easily.

Although quite how Beerad brought the Gay issue onto a Sebo thread out of the blue I don't know?

Perhaps we ought to start a new thread on who is the cutest Espares/GoVacuums presenter?

So do I, and mine's got a red head as well :

Straight Men that use hair straighteners are Metrosexual, the hip and trendy man about town in touch with his feminine side I suppose. I used them myself when I had longer hair, but now I cant be bothered with it all the time and cut it short on top. Been there and done the hair stuff - at least I've still got it at 41 (My hair that is).

(Most) Straight men usually think that hoovering in poncey and a woman's job, and they wouldn't even know how to use a modern vac. My father hardly ever does the hovering and leaves it to my mother, but then moans at her when she uses the vac with a full bin, as she's not very hoover savvy.

Am I serious about you being gay Alexhoovers?

The first vid I saw of yours was of the differences between 2 henrys, and just in the way you were talking I knew straight away. The tone and sound of the voice gives you away.

Alexhoovers in action:

Here's Alexhoovers talking about the Sebo X4 just for Parwaz786 - he gives a good demo of the X4: