I really don't like the AutoSave models at all, but I absolutely love my current Henry. I find the new floortool gives far greater performance over the old one. Even in low power mode and with a plastic based floortool, the current models pick up way more than the autosaves I owned ever did.

In my experience, the best models Numatic have made are the first NVR machines from 1985 into the early 90's and the current models.

I've also noticed in conversations that a lot of people who say they don't like the new floortool, do so because it doesn't feel "Numatic" enough, as though it's somehow taking away from what they associate with the brand rather than actually basing an opinion on the performance.

I see a lot of good points and personal comfort issues here.  And that makes complete sense.

That means most of the conversation here is about the attachments, more so than about the actual vacuum canister.  Lets face it, when we vacuum, it's the wands, the hose, and the attachments that we interact with.  The canister just sits there doing its thing.  We only occasionally flip the switch or move the canister/cylinder about.

I'm wondering, more and more, why vacuums aren't sold by the piece, like desk top computers, TV entertainment systems, and other groups of similar products are.   I mean, when you want to build your home TV system, you buy the TV, the receiver, the sound system, the furniture units, etc each in separate boxes often made by separate companies.  Same thing with desk top computers.  You chose the computer, the monitor, the printer, the scanner, mouse, etc.   

Some people prefer certain feature, other don't need as much.

It's the same thing with canisters.  Canisters seem to differ from  year to year, yet attachments have pretty much stayed the same for decades.  Each of the items should be sold separate, instead of all boxed up.  Not only that, if the manufacturers would come to an agreement where they will have the same connections on the machine end, then it would save a lot waste and duplication.

Imagine going to the shop, to the vacuum department, and having first different new canisters ONLY boxed up (in smaller boxes) to chose from.  Each priced lower because its the base unit ONLY and all have the same hose attachment port.

Then you move down the rack to the hoses.  Different brands but all with the same type end, each in a plastic bag and hanging on the rack, some electric, some not, some longer than others and in different colors.  

Then you move to floor tool.  Electric power nozzles, rug tools, floor tools, turbo brushes, etc.  Again different brands, colors, price points, features.  

Then you move to smaller attachments. dusting, crevice, furniture, pet, window, motorized furniture, etc.   Again different brands, colors, price pionts, and features.  

And finally to bags and filters.  Now this we already are familar with.  One can buy different brands and types of bags, belts, and filters for their vacuum.  You don't have to buy only Electrolux bags for your Electrolux, for example.  You can buy 3M or whatever, and you don't have to settle on just paper, you can buy HEPA. 

Anyway, it seems like everyone all around, from customer to manufacturers,  would benefit from giving the consumer the freedom to buy and customize the type vacuum they NEED and want, verses having to buy a box load of parts, some of which may never get used, or not all the parts are liked. 

I've kind of distracted the conversation here, about Numatics, and I apologize for that.

"The UK and Europe have had a different approach; other tools have always been available but rather to the blind ownership of the owner who didn't know they existed or could be used with their vacuum cleaner. "

Right, well in the U.S., if you bought a new Eureka, Kenmore, Electrolux, Hoover, and no doubt other brands, you'd get a owners manual and a separate flyer with pictures of replacement tools and a few additional tools as extra, available from the manufacturer.  But these were always labeled the same manufacturer.  

It's like if you buy a Hoover, you can only use Hoover accessories, and likewise with other brands.  But we know that's not true, nor is it a legitimate boundary.

It just seems it would be to the manufacturers, and everyone's advantage to sell the pieces individually.  Manufacturer's could almost get rid of their separate parts departments, and consumers would have more choices, and the market would organize as each part would be it's own product.

For example: I'm still considering getting a Henry vacuum, but I would pair it with a pn, and probably wouldn't use any of the tools typically included with a Henry. I would add a Eureka crush-proof electric hose and a Eureka OR Electrolux pn.  This would mean the cleaner would need to have a receptacle added to plug in the electric hose.  Adding the receptacle's not a big deal to me, but for others, that may be beyond their scope.  

If the cleaners were simply equipped with a receptacle, the consumer could add what they want. 

In the UK, canisters with pns, are not as abundant.  If the consumer could buy a separate boxed pn and easily add it to their canister, regardless of brand, I would think there would be more sales, and certainly a happier consumer.  

Likewise in the U.S. and other places.  There are these quality floor tools from Germany, for example.  If the consumer had those options readily available, it would seem it would just be better all around.