Thread Number: 38180
/ Tag: Recent Vacuum Cleaners from past 20 years
Why I dislike Dyson |
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Post# 406593   3/12/2019 at 14:45 (1,842 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA)   |   | |
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I know this is a controversial topic to discuss, but I've decided to finally get this off my chest.
This is going to be a review on my Dyson DC07 Animal. I've told this story a few times before, but at the end of 2007, my dad purchased this vacuum from our local Target while the store was doing a sale on Dyson vacuums after Christmas. We used it as our daily driver for 5-6 years straight, and I thought it was a really good vacuum. But then, starting in the summer of 2013, my dad received these much cheaper bagless vacuums for free through Amazon Vine, namely a Hoover WindTunnel 2 Rewind Pet that same summer, and a Eureka AirSpeed Unlimited Rewind the following year. I began using those instead of the Dyson. In June of 2014, I lost the Dyson to my mom following my parents' divorce. Last month, I bought her a new Hoover Air Steerable vacuum as a Valentine's Day gift, and got the old Dyson back. In all honesty, I really don't like this vacuum anymore. It's overpriced, overrated, over-engineered and under-performing. Here's why: BRUSH BAR - It's decent; it has pretty stiff bristles, but not much agitation; you can barely hear it beating the carpet. It gets up surface dirt and pet hair with ease, but doesn't really dig deep into the carpet to get embedded dirt and grit out. I mean, it gets up quite a bit, but not all of it. Sometimes, with surface dirt, it can take 2 or 3 passes before it gets picked up. In addition, if you vacuum up cat litter, the brush bar flings it back at your feet. Because of the shape of the brush bar, long hair gets tangled VERY easily. Fortunately, it's simple to untangle it: undo the 3 fasteners on the bottom using a coin, remove the soleplate and use scissors to cut the hair off. Replace the soleplate, tighten the fasteners and you're back in business. But after the next use, the brush bar will just tangle up again, and you'll have to go through this all over again. Why spend time cleaning up a machine that gets the house clean? CLEANER HEAD - Due to the suction being at one side of the cleaner head, there's not much airflow to effectively clean carpets. Not to mention the head is gigantic, so it can't fit under most furniture. Also, the "automatic height adjustment" is quirky to use. Simply reclining the vacuum causes the head to be at an angle, where it won't pick up anything. You may have to put pressure on the head to get it to seal to the carpet and maximize performance. USING ATTACHMENTS - This is a fairly complex procedure. To use the attachments, you have to detach the wand, pull out the hose which resides inside the wand, remove the wand from the hose, flip the wand around, slide the cap back and connect the handle end to the hose. THEN you can put whatever attachment you want on the end of the wand. Once you're done, remove the attachment, take the wand out, turn it BACK around, hold down the hose release button, slide the wand into the hose, all the way down, and click it back onto the vacuum. That's a lot of work just to use the attachments. HOSE - The Dyson has a super-long hose, which is GREAT for cleaning stairs. With the vacuum off, it stretches to about 14 feet. But once you turn the vacuum on, the super-strong suction causes the hose to "pull back" during use; this results in you having to "fight" the hose while cleaning. In addition, the hose causes the vacuum to follow you around the hose while cleaning, especially on hard floors. But on carpets, the vacuum stays put. ROOT CYCLONE TECHNOLOGY - It's pretty neat and is a big selling point of the vacuum. It has NEVER lost its extremely powerful suction in its entire life. However, the 7 inner cyclones collect a lot of fine dust, which then cause the vacuum to smell bad upon the next use, even after emptying the bin. While the Dyson is a nice machine to use, the company itself has misleading advertising, for example: CLUTCH - While this seems like a great idea on paper, it is poorly engineered. The clutch utilizes two "fixed" rubber belts that DO stretch out over time, just like conventional belts. The clutch features a belt protection system where if something gets caught in the brush bar, the vacuum will make a loud, and I mean, LOUD ratcheting noise which is the most obnoxious sound you'll ever hear. It's just so scary and unexpected. Dyson says that the clutch is not designed to be replaced by the user. However, if you DO decide to replace it, it costs $30 to $40, and involves a degree in engineering (not really, just kind of a humorous exaggeration). It's a very complex procedure. The most difficult part of the whole operation is getting the brush bar back in, which is a massive pain in the butt, even after watching a video. "LIFETIME" HEPA FILTER - A sticker on the vacuum has some pretty bold claims about this filter. While it is a lifetime filter, in that there's no NEED to replace it, it DOES fill up over time, and WILL need to be replaced, just like any other filter. Getting to this filter takes a flat-head screwdriver; a new filter costs $30. "NO EXTRA COSTS" - Due to the cost of these replacement parts, the vacuum will end up costing MORE than the $400 to $500 you initially pay for it. However, the vacuum isn't all that bad. Here are the things I DO like about the Dyson: BUILD QUALITY - This machine feels SO much sturdier than the current Dyson Ball vacuums. However, the soleplate has a small crack on one side, but it doesn't affect performance. For an 11 year old vacuum, one that we used as our daily driver from 2007-2013, it has held up very well. Conversely, newer Dysons feel flimsier than this DC07, which is disappointing for such a pricey vacuum. LIFETIME WASHABLE FILTER - This is very convenient; the pre-filter just needs to be washed every 6 months under cold water and left out to dry after 12 hours. BIN EMPTYING - It's very easy to do, thanks to the release trigger on the top of the canister assembly. ATTACHMENTS - Dyson engineers have designed excellent attachments for this vacuum. The brush and stair tools have twisting heads that allow for easier cleaning. The stair and crevice tools have airflow vents to allow for better pickup without sticking to delicate fabrics. The turbo brush uses a "clean-air" turbine design, where half of the airflow is drawn through the brush bar, while the other half is drawn through the turbine. This means that the turbine won't get damaged from debris, and if you're cleaning something like a very dense fabric, the brush bar speeds up rather than slowing down. I once really liked Dyson. My opinion has now changed, due to mediocre carpet cleaning performance and misleading advertising. So, was the Dyson worth $400? Kind of; it's built like a tank and has lasted for over 10 years. Looking back, I wish we had gotten a newer Dyson, such as the DC14 or DC17, but I think Target was out of them at the time. My vacuum, being from late 2007, was one of the last DC07s made. So that's my review/rant on the Dyson DC07 Animal. The newer models may change my mind, but I have no desire to buy another Dyson at the moment. What do you think? |
Post# 406594 , Reply# 1   3/12/2019 at 14:54 (1,842 days old) by crazykirbydude (Lexington, KY)   |   | |
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Dyson vacuums actually void carpet manufacturer's warranties because it tears up carpet. Build quality is really shitty. We have a whole pile of dead ones at the vac shop where I work. They also clean worse than a $40 Wal-Mart Bissell. Do I even need to mention the fact that the Dyson V10 is literally a dead vac walking as soon as it leaves the box? The battery is built in, and when that battery wears out, it's the trash truck for that vacuum. I only use high quality bagged vacuums.
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Post# 406596 , Reply# 2   3/12/2019 at 16:15 (1,842 days old) by DesiredName (Utah)   |   | |
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I have a few Dysons, I collected them because I think cyclones are an interesting thing and I like the style of early Dysons. However, While they do produce good water lift, the airflow is very poor. Consumers are tricked by the high water lift and they think it is producing amazing airflow. I have put flour under a test section of carpet I have. Dysons can't suck it through the carpet. My Hoover Convertible and Kirby does.
There are videos of this same test on Youtube. Anyone can try it if they wish. Also, dysons use single stage motors and are made of plastic that is not very heavy duty. Early ones become egg shell weak. Especially when left in the sun. Overall...I feel they do lack the ability to clean well sadly. Improvements could be made but I doubt they will ever be willing to do what it takes to make a really good machine. |
Post# 406597 , Reply# 3   3/12/2019 at 19:06 (1,842 days old) by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana)   |   | |
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I am sure I said this before - but paying full price, it is a garbage vacuum for the cost you pay for it. Very creaky, fragile, and dumbly designed. If you can get any of them for less than $50 then you did good, and they are good vacuums. Just not worth $400.
The main problem is the brush is very stiff and very thin, so it can catch in the loops in carpet and rip them up like a cat with a toilet paper roll. The other thing is if the dirt in the bin gets just a millimeter above the fill line, it's going into they cyclone assembly. Also they are designed to thwart DIY Joe's. They have security screws, thread-locks, and hidden screws galore. I have several Dysons in my fleet, and I love them. Sure, they are quirky and clunky and cumbersome, but they are also interesting. I paid next to nothing for them considering, so I'm not mad. Now had I sunk thousands into them and got them all brand new, I would be rather cross, for sure. I'd never buy a new Dyson at full retail price. |
Post# 406599 , Reply# 5   3/12/2019 at 19:07 (1,842 days old) by kenkart ()   |   | |
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CLUNKY HEAVY AWKWARD PLASTIC TINKERTOY!! |
Post# 406600 , Reply# 6   3/12/2019 at 19:30 (1,842 days old) by human (Pines of Carolina)   |   | |
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Post# 406627 , Reply# 7   3/13/2019 at 09:28 (1,842 days old) by crazykirbydude (Lexington, KY)   |   | |
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You got screwed over with that Dyson Cinetic Big Ball. There's a reason they quit making it. Because it has no pre motor filter, dust would cake on the motor, causing motor failure in as little as six months! So many people complained about it that Dyson removed that model from production. Also, Dysons don't void all carpet warranties, but Dysons will void most warranties. Carpet manufacturers often have a list of recommended vacuums, and Dyson is almost never on that list.
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Post# 406632 , Reply# 8   3/13/2019 at 11:51 (1,841 days old) by kloveland (Tulsa)   |   | |
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Post# 406633 , Reply# 9   3/13/2019 at 11:59 (1,841 days old) by dysonman1 (the county)   |   | |
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The "unique to the US" model DC17 upright was my favorite. That's the only model I know of that carpet manufacturers have issues with. However, it's VERY stiff bristles clean like a dream - but they also remove a bit of nap every time. The DC23 MotorHead model canister cleans very well also.
I'm fortunate enough to have British-Built Dysons in my collection such as the DC01 Antarctica Solo as well as a DC02 ReCyclone. 240 volts of enormous power. My favorite way to use a DC02 canister is to hook it up to the Volt cordless power nozzle. What a cleaning beast. |
Post# 406637 , Reply# 10   3/13/2019 at 14:39 (1,841 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA)   |   | |
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Post# 406644 , Reply# 11   3/13/2019 at 17:32 (1,841 days old) by crazykirbydude (Lexington, KY)   |   | |
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The DC17 was one of the worst. It had a design flaw where the seal on the bottom of the cyclone assembly would slide up, allowing hair and junk to collect in the cyclones.
CLICK HERE TO GO TO crazykirbydude's LINK |
Post# 406656 , Reply# 13   3/14/2019 at 01:29 (1,841 days old) by broomvac (N/A)   |   | |
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Hi there!
The model in your link is not the Cinetic upright (UP14). That is the Ball Animal 2 (UP20) and does have a pre-motor filter. So, if you are worried about not having a pre-motor filter, worry no more. As someone who actually owns the Cinetic (UP14), I do not understand the sensation surrounding that model going on here in this thread. For starters, the model is not discontinued. You can still buy the Cinetic, even directly from Dyson’s website. My Cinetic has been working like clockwork for me for over a year. Its lifetime filters haven’t seen much of anything beyond the expected carbon motor emissions. Not only that, but the whole post-cyclone airpath has remained spotless so far as I can see. Swiping my finger inside the bin’s air outlet yields a dust-free fingertip. I’d say the Cinetic cyclones are doing their job just as they should and I have no concerns about unreasonable filter life. I’d encourage everyone here to vacuum more and stress less. |
Post# 406678 , Reply# 14   3/14/2019 at 16:04 (1,840 days old) by crazykirbydude (Lexington, KY)   |   | |
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I'm still weary of the Cinetic system. No cyclone, no matter how efficient, can remove all of the dust from the air. Couple this with the pitiful 52 CFM of airflow, and you have one piss poor vacuum. Dyson vacuums tend to be poorly designed in general. I'm not going to go into detail, as I would be here all day. I would avoid picking up fine dust in that Dyson if you can help it.
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Post# 406683 , Reply# 16   3/14/2019 at 16:31 (1,840 days old) by broomvac (N/A)   |   | |
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Post# 406700 , Reply# 19   3/15/2019 at 10:49 (1,840 days old) by ridgidwd0670 (se wood co ohio)   |   | |
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I prefer a old 1990s-era Hoover Elite anyday over a diesoon; the Elite cleans UNDER the carpet as well as the carpet surface
I bought the Elite new when I moved from my parents house & bought my own house; but I now use a 1980s-era Eureka ESP/Dial-A-Nap for vacing the mudroom & 'alley hallway' (gos from garage to main part of house) U cant tell how IMMACULATE that carpet is on top & underneath despite heavy traffic with dirty shoes thanx 2 the ESP & Elite |
Post# 406706 , Reply# 20   3/15/2019 at 13:43 (1,839 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA)   |   | |
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Hey, long time no see!
Despite my slight distaste for this Dyson, I'm still fairly impressed by what it picks up. My family has taken very good care of it. We never overfilled the bin and always emptied it when the dirt reached the MAX line. I forgot to add that my mom did have to replace a couple parts on the Dyson while it was in her possession. One year ago this month, the clutch somehow broke while I was cleaning the brush bar prior to her taking it over to a friend's house whom was moving to Hawaii. Mom said to me in a text message that she brought it over, but it somehow didn't pick up anything, and had to use the hose. Fortunately, the other people had a Shark vacuum; not sure what kind, but apparently it was very light and worked well. She jokingly asked if she could borrow one of my vacuums, such as the Fantom Fury I just acquired. But the next time I came over, we got to the bottom of this. We watched a video on YouTube on how to replace the clutch, and so Mom ordered a new clutch off eBay for around $30, and followed the video on how to replace it. She did it pretty well, but the most difficult part was getting the brush bar back in. Neither she nor I could get it back in, so she got her then-fiancé to do it for her. It was a pain in the butt, but this 11 year old Dyson is like a new machine again. I also advised her to replace the HEPA exhaust filter, as it smelled bad. Getting to this filter is easier than replacing the clutch; just take a flat-head screwdriver and pry up the 3 tabs underneath the bin, then the cover comes off. The original HEPA filter was BLACK. Fortunately, it didn't cause any overheating, but it was still a good idea to replace the filter. A new one was $30 from Amazon. Honestly, I feel it was worth putting money into this Dyson. It was certainly cheaper than buying a new vacuum. Last month, I gifted my mom with a shiny new Hoover Air Steerable vacuum for Valentine's Day. She loves how light it is and how much better it cleans compared to the Dyson. As a result, I got the Dyson back, and did a full refurbishment on it, taking the entire thing apart and washing most of the parts. Now the vacuum smells a LOT better than it did before! As for other vacuums, I just received a new vacuum for Christmas: a Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Lift-Off, model 2087Q. It's an amazing and versatile machine! I think I have found the perfect vacuum for my house, as this one really lives up to its name. It's now my daily driver. In addition, I still have my 12 amp Fantom Fury that I bought from electroluxxxx a year ago. Hard to believe it's already been a year since I was reunited with this vacuum! But I don't use it as much these days, since it's not very powerful and Fantom Technologies has been out of business since late 2001. The Fantom still does a great job of cleaning carpets, thanks to the good brushroll. Here are some videos on how to replace the clutch and filters on a DC07. |
Post# 406708 , Reply# 21   3/15/2019 at 14:21 (1,839 days old) by crazykirbydude (Lexington, KY)   |   | |
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Post# 406775 , Reply# 23   3/16/2019 at 18:09 (1,838 days old) by panasonicvac (Northern Utah)   |   | |
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Even though Dyson is not perfect, there were still a few things that I liked about them. I liked using the hoses on them, I would always be amazed by how much they would pull out from their Panasonic motors. I also liked some of the attachments that they've made, the mini turbine head from the DC17 for example was fun to use and it surprisingly does a really good job. And filtration wise when you take it out of the box and replace the filters often, I'd say they do an excellent job. I have a room with carpet that's very low pile similar to what's used in office buildings, one of my criticisms on that carpet is that it sticks fabric or strings on the carpet like someone'd put tape all over the floor. I used to have a DC17 in my house, the DC17 was still the only vacuum that did the best job out of all the other vacuums I've used on that carpet thus far. I would've imagined the DC27 getting the same results since that was another one I've had before as well but I've never used it in that room before. Between the two, I preferred the DC17 better because of the cyclone assembly, the wand setup, and the attachments. Also the DC17 was an Animal which included the mini turbine head. The only thing that I liked better on the DC27 was the filters. I kinda do miss those Dysons, but not for the price that they are worth for.
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Post# 406777 , Reply# 24   3/16/2019 at 19:15 (1,838 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA)   |   | |
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Has anybody had experience with the Dyson DC28? It was introduced in 2009 specifically for the American market, at a cost of $600. The DC28 was only produced in an Animal version. It was the first and only Dyson with Airmuscle technology, which claimed to pick up more dirt. However, based off my research, the DC28 was the most complex and convoluted vacuum cleaner in Dyson's history. Here's a video on the Airmuscle technology.
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Post# 406791 , Reply# 25   3/16/2019 at 21:25 (1,838 days old) by broomvac (N/A)   |   | |
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Funny you mention the DC28. I have been contemplating writing a thread about mine. Guess I should.
When I bought my Royal 1020Z from our local Goodwill recycling center, I actually rescued another vacuum along with it. That was a DC28. When I put it in the cart, I knew I was committing the vacuum cleaner equivalent of buying a used BMW 7-Series. I was buying an excessively complicated, once expensive piece of machinery of questionable reliability. Even though I knew that there was a moderate likelihood that this $10 venture end would end in $10 wasted, I still went ahead because I like Dysons and this one looked low-mileage. With a sigh of relief, I found the vacuum to be fully functional. Not only did the Airmuscle still function, but so did the other “notorious” systems: the brush roll penetration cam and the electric clutch. Yes, this vacuum has a clutched brush roll drive. This is not unheard of. However, what shocked me is that the clutch is ELECTRICALLY engaged and disengaged! I know of no other vacuum which has a system anything like this! Combine this with the brush roll which can vary its penetration into the carpet, and you have a very unique vacuum. The rest of the vacuum from the floorhead up gave me Dyson déjà vu. Here, it’s very similar to my DC33. They share the same cyclone system and bin, actually. Overall, I’d say that the DC33 has relatively more DC07 DNA, whereas the DC28 seems to have more of a DC17 flavor to it. Nevertheless, the two seem much alike. Look, the vacuum is not Dyson’s best. It’s overly complicated and its tech has been made obsolete by the latest “Ball” models, but it’s still a high-performing vacuum. I keep it as a novelty and because it’s seemingly one of the few fully-functional survivors! 😅 Keep an eye out for a DC28 thread in the coming weeks. |
Post# 406799 , Reply# 26   3/16/2019 at 23:59 (1,838 days old) by broomvac (N/A)   |   | |
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There's one more interesting detail about the DC28 which I forgot to include. Both belts--the motor-to-clutch and the clutch-to-brush roll--are toothed non-stretch belts, thereby resolving the belt stretch issue which every other clutched Dyson eventually suffers from. I've had good luck with the original flat belts in my DC33; after 5 years, they still aren't slipping detectibly. However, I'm certain that they will eventually. By contrast, I don't think I'll ever need to change the ones in my DC28.
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Post# 406809 , Reply# 28   3/17/2019 at 10:30 (1,838 days old) by Vacfan1982 (Cardiff)   |   | |
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Post# 406993 , Reply# 29   3/20/2019 at 19:06 (1,834 days old) by myles_v (Fredericksburg, VA)   |   | |
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Post# 421252 , Reply# 30   3/8/2020 at 07:32 (1,481 days old) by Rdwdcp (UK)   |   | |
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I think dyson is awesome I have a DC07 standard 15 years old still working like new. Brilliant cleaner. |
Post# 421295 , Reply# 31   3/9/2020 at 00:11 (1,480 days old) by Mike811 (Finland)   |   | |
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It's important that we don't mix airflow to the suction. All Dyson vacuums have weak airflow.
What I have seen so far being tested: DC14, DC25, DC65, DC40, latest ball models + more. None of these can't reach even 60 cfm from the cleaning head. Good bagged vacuums can quite easily get 70-90 cfm from the nozzle. Dysons usually have good suction and they have tried very hard to compensate weak airflow with the seals in the cleaning head. So weak airflow is the main thing why I don't like Dysons. However there is also things to like, but that's another topic.
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Post# 421318 , Reply# 32   3/9/2020 at 13:02 (1,479 days old) by Rdwdcp (UK)   |   | |
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Most of my Dysons have strong suction |
Post# 422794 , Reply# 34   4/4/2020 at 23:56 (1,453 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)   |   | |
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Post# 422801 , Reply# 36   4/5/2020 at 01:46 (1,453 days old) by repairman (Woodridge, IL)   |   | |
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When Dyson came out with the "lifetime filter" gimmick, it really meant that the filters were supposed to last the lifetime of the machine itself. |
Post# 422802 , Reply# 37   4/5/2020 at 02:07 (1,453 days old) by myles_v (Fredericksburg, VA)   |   | |
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Post# 423338 , Reply# 38   4/13/2020 at 08:00 (1,445 days old) by Shattered (Sheffield)   |   | |
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Well, I can say the same about Built to last phrase.. What does it mean? I'll buy a vacuum and it's gonna work until I'm 80? |
Post# 423579 , Reply# 46   4/15/2020 at 19:21 (1,442 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)   |   | |
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This is a rather long thread.
I'm not going into details but original poster of this thread is whom I'm suggesting this too. I think the vacuum worked fine it's the circumstance that followed using it for 6-6 years may be one of the reasons you spite it so much. I don't have much experience with Dysons so I can't say anything credible. I've had incidents in my life I noticed changed what I thought of certain items. Im suggesting and I may be wrong. There seems to be a lot of people agree with you. Les |
Post# 423597 , Reply# 47   4/16/2020 at 00:26 (1,442 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA)   |   | |
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Yes, my Dyson did work fine as a daily driver for the first 5-6 years of its life. It's one of those situations where you like a vacuum for a long time, but upon closer inspection, realize it's not that great despite the hype. Even when the Dyson was a daily driver, I was irked by some of the aforementioned aspects listed above, namely the subpar carpet cleaning performance, along with the dusty smell given off for the first 5 minutes of use, which would then go away. Even my mom, who took this vacuum with her right after my parents divorced, got annoyed with how heavy it was.
I'm surprised that this thread is still going, a year after it was "archived." I do appreciate reading everyone else's opinions. Perhaps I shouldn't have been too harsh on my review, but it took me a while to come up with my points of criticism on the Dyson. |
Post# 423827 , Reply# 49   4/20/2020 at 14:29 (1,437 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA)   |   | |
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For the record, I (or anyone else in my family) have NEVER vacuumed up anything wet with the Dyson. Even after washing the pre-motor filter and replacing the HEPA post-motor filter, the smell lingered until I washed out the cyclone assembly.
As I've stated in my OP, dog smells build up inside the inner cyclones, and cleaning them involves disassembly of the cyclone pack, which can be a pain. |