Thread Number: 37364  /  Tag: Brand New Vacuum Cleaners
Shark Navigator Lift-Away worth it?
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Post# 398668   9/23/2018 at 22:34 (2,013 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA)        

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Earlier today, I was at Walmart with my mom. I went to the vacuum aisle to see if they had belts for my Hoover WindTunnel 2 Rewind Pet, but couldn't find any.

Anyway, we decided to take a look at the vacuums, and the Shark Navigator Lift-Away caught my mom's attention. She wants something lighter, as her Dyson DC07 Animal is too heavy. She lives in a small apartment with no pets, which is mostly carpeted.

The Shark costs $150, and gets rave reviews online. Would it be worth it for this situation?


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Post# 398694 , Reply# 1   9/24/2018 at 12:16 (2,012 days old) by panasonicvac (Northern Utah)        
I wouldn't go for one

panasonicvac's profile picture
Had one of these before, never liked it. Hard to push on carpets, emptying it was a nightmare, and the filters are a mess to maintain unless you don't mind wearing gloves and not breathe in all of that dust. The thing that I hate about Shark is that they don't sell replacement parts. They don't want you to fix your vacuum, they just want you to throw out your old one and go buy another one from them. Recently we threw away some Sharks that were in for repair because of that issue. You might consider looking into the Hoover versions such as the React or the Air.

Post# 398713 , Reply# 2   9/24/2018 at 21:44 (2,012 days old) by Rivstg1 (colorado springs)        
Well summarized

rivstg1's profile picture
Panasonicvac, sad but true. Just found out mom got a Shark rocket duo clean ( looks to be a stick ), she’s under the disallusujn that It’ll do a whole floor of the house , thinking a second ) upstairs vac) is in order

Post# 398724 , Reply# 3   9/24/2018 at 22:29 (2,012 days old) by Evilvacuumman (Los Angeles)        

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No matter what shark it is they aren't worth anything. I can't stop recommending the sebo Felix to people who need a new vacuum. Since I got mine I haven't used any of my other of my vacuums. I love it so much. You can get the dart for $500 and it totally worth it. It's also a perfect size for any home. It not big so you can get around furniture great and not so small that it takes for every to clean. You have to at least check it out.

Post# 398726 , Reply# 4   9/24/2018 at 23:23 (2,012 days old) by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana)        

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I bought a retail salvage NV60, it has an issue with the trip switch that tells the vacuum when it is upright and when it is down to shut the brushroll off. It worked for maybe 4 hours then it stopped working, if I can figure out how to crack the chassis open to access and fix the tripswitch it will work again.

But the short time I used it, I loved it. It got a lot of fine particulate out of the carpet and I never found it hard to push. If you have dense plush carpet, every non-propelled vacuum will be hard to push due to the intense suction, it is the fault of the carpet and not the vacuum.

Never tried the Lift-Away but I believe ibaisaic on YouTube recently reviewed the newer model with the headlight on the hose nozzle and he said it was a great vac.


Post# 398810 , Reply# 5   9/26/2018 at 17:45 (2,010 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA)        
Hmm...

niclonnic's profile picture
This changes my feelings about the Shark. Maybe I'll skip it.

Post# 398812 , Reply# 6   9/26/2018 at 18:13 (2,010 days old) by HonestJoe68 (Mansfield, Ohio)        

I agree on the last statements and definitely agree that Roger Lang’s, ibaisaic videos are a huge help if you just want to see how a vacuum performs and cleans diffent types of flooring and learn about a LOT of things about that vacuum, you just won’t find on the box or in the online description. Not just because he is my personal friend, but I say this as fact.. Roger’s videos are unbiased, thorough and to the point about what most people “should” be concerned about when buying a new vacuum cleaner.. does it clean well!! Sadly, you can have a $800 machine like my Miele Upright fail in the first 3 weeks of ownership and require service or a $70 dollar vacuum last for 8 years (like my Grandmas). Sometimes price or manufacturer doesn’t always determine reliability. Also, it’s easier for some people to simply go buy a new cheap vacuum at Walmart, than take the time to maintain and service a lovely high end vacuum. Because come on face it.. MOST people who don’t collect vacuums like we do, mistreat and disregard their vacuums in a horrible way, not maintaining filters, bags, belts, etc. Just an observation and my humble opinion.

I really appreciate all the effort Roger puts into his videos to be more about the functionality and cleaning abilities of it, and less about name brands and reputations. Everyone can find vacuums to hate or love and most of us agree we probably have favorite brand names of our own. But I would never discount or dismiss a vacuum simply on it’s brand name.

Some situations don’t require a high end, $700 vacuum.. but rather something maybe lightweight or easy to use and maintain. And to be brutally honest, these days a LOT of Vacuum Consumers buy a vacuum simply because of price and could care less if they wastefully throw it away in a year or two and think nothing about our already overburdened landfills.

I also know that some people are not worried about the filtration level or how effectively it cleans if all they want is something inexpensive and easy to use.... sadly, a lot of younger people (I’m 50) don’t take the pride or time to keep a house clean to the level I do or someone of say my Moms generation. But that doesn’t mean one or the other is correct, it’s just a sign of the times.

Fads and Gimicks will always be something we see in most appliance sold, especially vacuum cleaners. It all boils down (Sadly) to ONE thing.. MONEY.. Vacuum companies will try to give what the Majority of consumers want and it’s got nothing to do with what cleans most effectively or what’s most energy efficient.. as until we in the USA have what the UK has regarding ratings and decibel levels.. Vacuum companies will make whatever type vacuum they think will sell the most and make them the most Cash!

Thanks and I love all the input regarding this topic, you guys all have great points.. so Thank you!

Patrick


Post# 398823 , Reply# 7   9/26/2018 at 21:11 (2,010 days old) by MadMan (Chicago, IL, USA)        

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I mean... I like *my* Shark Rocket Professional, kind of like it a lot, actually. But the one in the picture looks kind of cheap by comparison. Plus, I think it's kind of hit or miss with Shark, my friend has a Shark Rotator, and it's a bit of a turd. It looks like it's supposed to be their high-end model. The suction is probably the same as mine, but the dust cup / dust screen design is awful and it seems much heavier and complicated than mine, for basically the same machine.

Post# 398833 , Reply# 8   9/27/2018 at 00:14 (2,010 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)        
Hey

lesinutah's profile picture

 I disagree

I have 2 shark rockets one is duo clean I got off eBay open box 110.  I really like the rocket.  It is like a shop vacuum.  I can suck up anything and doesn't ruin vacuum.

The rocket pro does top notch on non carpeted surfaces.  It's carper is good not great yhe thicker the pile.  GetttGelab hair on wood floor under furniture is a breeze.  Thick nap carpet it struggles.  With furry dog it's emptied often.  

The shark pro duo clean is best hard surface clear period.  It gets everything.  I can use it to clean dog bed instead of washing it.  Thick pile carpets above average.  Thick nat b grade.  The stairs you take off middle section and power nozzle.  It is amazing almost as good as Kirby but much easier.

The lift away is good on hard floors.  It 

Is easy to get under furniture.  Rigs it's b+.

You spray out dust bins air dry and filters get wet like a sponge air dry and 24 hours good as new.

I love the shark for hard flooir. 

People complaining about filters have a point but I bought shark lift away pro at thrift store.  I paid $10for it.  I used another vacuum there to suck out dirt bins unclog hoses and clean filters.  

It's no Kirby y or even riccar but low end vacuums it can't be beat.  I suck up all sorts of screws nails etc.   Don't want to ruin nicer vacuums.  

There great machines my rocket pro duo is awesome.  The lifyaway pro duo clean is probably better on carpet than rocket.  

I spent $25 on lift away pro andarocket pron $110 for duo clean.  I would not spend  $300 on a shark.  Buy thrift or bargain eBay.  

You can't expect a shark to beat mieles or Kirby's it will beat pants off Dyson.  

Don't hate sharks they function well for what they are made for.

Les


Post# 398866 , Reply# 9   9/28/2018 at 01:15 (2,009 days old) by Rivstg1 (colorado springs)        
good info Les,

rivstg1's profile picture
I'm surprised you bought that machine(s)...would have thought you only preferred older stuff. What did you mean by ' Rigs it's b+" ?? I cannot figure that out

Post# 398936 , Reply# 10   9/29/2018 at 11:56 (2,007 days old) by myles_v (Fredericksburg, VA)        

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I have one of the powered lift away models and it's excellent for the price, Walmart sells it for $200 right now and I bought mine refurbished from Amazon for $80. Good suction, grooms carpet nicely, and the filters are easy to access and clean. My grandmother has one of their Rocket machines and shes a fan of it but I'm not. I recently visited her and used it for the first time, I wasn't impressed in the slightest. The suction was poor and the brushroll wasn't very effective, it took multiple passes to get everything up off her carpets. I was surprised by this because she has been raving about it since she bought it about a year ago. It's unfortunate; she has gone from a Rainbow to a Thermax to a Kirby, then a few years ago she bought a Bissell because she couldn't deal with the weight or attachments of the Kirby. Now she has the Shark.

She's been talking about ripping up her carpet and refinishing the hardwood underneath, if she goes through with that then I may have to buy her a Miele :)


Post# 398980 , Reply# 11   9/30/2018 at 12:29 (2,006 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)        
Hey

lesinutah's profile picture

My tablet auto corrects itself.  It was supppe to mean rugs b+.

My wife bought one original navigator.   She bought 2 rockets.  I bought 2, thrift store vacuums.  I am into vintage the fact the vacuum can suck up screws only costing $10 was easy.  I bought so I could vacuum not ruining my Kirby's.  

So I like shark there suction power is okay.  Deep carpet clean I use kirby.  The shark we have 2000 sf and onlt 400 is carpet.  I use shark for hard wood floors and tiles.  I bust out sentria for carpets.

I see them as good 2nd vacuum that with ability to pick up everything including metal.  I don't want to ruin Kirby when I got a $10 vacuum and not ruin either vacuum.

I bought shark because I love my Kirby's too much when I can use cheap vacuum.  If I break $10 

Les


Post# 399174 , Reply# 12   10/4/2018 at 16:16 (2,002 days old) by Ultralux88 (Denver, Colorado)        

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Blech! You couldn’t give me one!!!

Post# 399218 , Reply# 13   10/6/2018 at 09:20 (2,000 days old) by suckolux (Yuba City, CA)        

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I don't own one, but have unclogged and used a few, I agree with madman, hit or miss. Some are ok to use, others a pain

Post# 399253 , Reply# 14   10/7/2018 at 09:29 (1,999 days old) by myles_v (Fredericksburg, VA)        

myles_v's profile picture
Hit or miss would definitely be the best way to describe their vacuums. I've heard good things about the "DuoClean" brushroll system.

Post# 399255 , Reply# 15   10/7/2018 at 10:00 (1,999 days old) by vacuumdevil (Vacuum Hell )        
They are the disposable lighter of vacuum cleaners!

vacuumdevil's profile picture





Post# 399257 , Reply# 16   10/7/2018 at 10:23 (1,999 days old) by Ocscott3085 (DMV)        

I'd say hit or miss sums it up best. I've actually owned three of the models and liked the first two. I had the original Shark Rotator Professional pictured in the video clip above. It worked pretty well for the first two years before it began losing suction. The second one I purchased from Costco when they rolled out the Powered Lift Away. It also worked well for a couple of years. I will say the filters definitely get dirty but for most people, they seem to serve their purpose. I did purchase the Shark Apex with Duo Clean when it first came out because I have a ton of hardwood floors and thought that soft brushroll would be nice. It is a nice machine but fairly unwieldly to maneuver and kind of has a mind of its own. My cleaning lady said it was too top heavy for her so we returned it and purchased a Sebo Felix that is used in conjunction with our MD central vac.

Interestingly enough, I live in a pretty affluent neighborhood and on our Facebook neighborhood page there is currently a thread about Dyson vs. Shark vacuums. Hands down people are raving about their Shark vacuums. People own several for each level of their home. These homes are between $700,000 - 900,000 (with many central vacs) and clearly could afford a nicer machine but most people seem to be Pro-Shark with a few recommendations for Miele. Just goes to show you, the average consumer is very much into buying disposable machines with their disposable incomes.


Post# 399259 , Reply# 17   10/7/2018 at 13:10 (1,999 days old) by myles_v (Fredericksburg, VA)        

myles_v's profile picture
Many people seem to be completely unaware that there are vacuums that cost more than $400. I hate seeming those Dyson vs. Shark threads on Facebook, Dyson and Shark are almost equally crappy in my opinion. If someone is set on purchasing a bagless vacuum then I always steer them toward Shark, at least they're not overpriced like Dyson.

Post# 399270 , Reply# 18   10/7/2018 at 15:53 (1,999 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA)        
Well...

niclonnic's profile picture
I'm actually reconsidering; I just watched a video by Roger Lang (ibaisaic) of the UK version of the Shark Navigator Lift-Away. It looks like a good performer!






Post# 399293 , Reply# 19   10/8/2018 at 00:23 (1,999 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)        

Sharks may be good performers---but for how long??when the belt wears out or breaks in the powernozzle you are forced into buying another nozzle-if you can get one-or a whole new machine.No thanks.Would rather have a quality bagged vacuum that can last you for YEARS and changing the bag only takes a moment and you don't get dirty-and no messy filters to clean!!I see too many dead sharks in the vac shop dumpster out here!Helpted the store operator clean out his junkpile-guess which is the most common vacuum in that pile---Sharks!!!They makes such a satisfying sound when thrown into the dumpster!

Post# 399294 , Reply# 20   10/8/2018 at 00:49 (1,999 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)        

IN the little video clip--those filters!!!!As I say before when folks out this way buy a vacuum-Dysons,Sharks,whatever--the owners book is thrown in the garbage with the box.So the user is unaware of those filters that need cleaning or replacing.See MANY of these vacuums taken to the vac place out here--the user says--"No longer picks up" you find the powernozzle neck is clogged,filters plugged up,and in a few the motor is burned out.The relief won't save the motor-when you hear it come on-you have to dump the bin,and clean,replace those nasty filters.-even the HEPA one!Too many folks since they didn't read the book-they use the machine like a bagged vacuum and dump the bin when it gets full-proper use of ANY bagless machine requires you to dump it after EACH use.And the screen in the cyclone needs cleaning too,after each use.It WILL clog!Usually the clog is due to long dog,cat or people hair!

Post# 399296 , Reply# 21   10/8/2018 at 03:39 (1,999 days old) by speedqueen (Harrison Twp MI)        

I work in a shop, they come in all day long, only about 50% we can fix. On many models, NOTHING is available in the way of replacement parts. The engineers over at Shark even figured out how to make the brushroll motor overload protection circuitry a big mess, instead of a simple circuit breaker like Aerus/Electrolux has used since the 1950s in the PN-1, they have a board with a full bridge rectifier, a mosfet, and other crap to drive the LEDs. This is an AC 120v motor, it is ridiculous. We had to figure out how to bypass the board if necessary to get the cleaner working. If you bust a plastic latch on the bin, it is game over, they don't sell new latches, your only hope is that some local vac shop has a bunch of Sharks laying around to rob parts from.

Get a Sanitaire S634 you want a lightweight upright that will last. Probably lighter than the Shark, and easier to use, too.


Post# 399303 , Reply# 22   10/8/2018 at 12:51 (1,998 days old) by Mike811 (Finland)        

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I have 2 Shark uprights. NV500 and NV340.
They perform better than many would expect and maneuverability is excellent.
I really like using them.
However motor tone is very high pitched. Especially in the NV340.
Well picture says more than thousand words.
Motor is incredibly tiny.
It runs extremely high rpm and puts out a lot of heat. Can't be good for the lifespan of the motor.


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