hoovergroover

Strange that Oreck an american company can open the clean home stores, yet TTI at the same time closes Hoover Service Centers with I'm assuming now lower production costs. Mexican and Chinese made products VS. American. I guess one way to think about this is to use the same old 30 year design that is extreme simplicity to increase production and lower the time to piece, or to increase the complexity and effectiveness through technology while lowering labor costs (overseas) (TTI). The result a similar market approach.  Funny I think we / they are all in the same bed... Capitalism.. Yet if Oreck can maintain till 2010, it has great positioning.  Going to read Marx now bye..

(perhaps not perfectly stated but close.)

Ok I couldn't figure out how to embedd a pic. here is a link which shows graphically what Windtunnel is. It is somewhat difficult to see the channels in the plastics and the presence of the dirt duct, but you can see the airflow at least.

http://www.omahadoor.com/images/central_vacuum/Windtunnel.jpg

CarmineD wrote:

Hey Carmine,

I guess I may be splitting hairs.. But in this description:  Unique Wide Mouth Opening makes quick work of vacuuming cereal, pet food, etc.  Does this not modify the WT design? Should it still be called WT? Also where is the WT Duct cover which funnels debris from the front channel (tunnel) to the suction port? Where is the front channel (tunnel)? Where is the back channel (tunnel)? The only similarity I see and I'm looking at one now is the Helix brush design. This one feature alone to Hoovers own description of what windtunnel is does not cut the mustard. Although this cleaner works great and whatever, they can call it windtunnel like the monkier steamvac, The only similarity I see is the helix brush. we obviously have a case of  one foot on land and one toe in the water. Wt is brand awareness, great job on this WT Variant/Hybrid  though I love it.

Hoovergroover

CarmineD wrote:

Hey Carmine,

I am glad you love the WT. It too love the WT. Could Windtunnel just be a name like "SteamVac"? Does it make steam? Does the Windtunnel NOW/TODAY really make a "windtunnel? Does windtunnel refer to a design specification? I already answered verbatim what windtunnel means according to Hoovers own internal description. The friggin stick vac works great is it a WT, well give me about 49 days and perhaps I'll say more. Is it scaled, that means it'd look the same as the fullsized WT Upright "right?"

HooverGroover

TTIpowerT wrote:
Perhaps your confused about what windtunnel means. Windtunnel refers to the 3 disinct air pathways generated inside the agitator housing. The first being on the leading edged of the cleaner which travels the entire length of the agitator housing which picks larger litter. The second refers to the helix design of the agitator. As is spins it creates the vortex. The last steps in "windtunnel" is the rear air pathway which also covers the entire length of the agitator housing which picks the fine dust agitated out of the carpet. These 3 distinct pathways is "Windtunnel". The linx stick vac does have the helix brush, and as the picture shows it lacks the same front nozzle pathway and the rear pathway is different as well. Not to say this design isn't good, it picks up better than the Hoover flair. Not do to it's power (motor), but due to the nozzle design (center nozzle cut out) and the bristle length. However as a side note, which some of you may see a benifit to (finer carpets ie. wool/silk) the bristle tensile strength is not nearly as aggresive as the fullsized uprights or can powerheads which I am sure some of you did not like not because it didn't clean, but because the brush is stiff and perhaps wear certain carpets although I can't testify to that statement. TTI did do many many things correct. I'll name some just to be fair and in hopes that they read this although they already know. TTI had the hopes of being the most admired floor care company in the world. This was to be centered around genuine authentic people, innovative products and first class customer service. If a unit was a little out of warranty.. cover it.. if somebody lived to far away from a service center or authorized warranty center send them a new unit.. Customer is very angry.. send them a new cleaner.. Price not low enough.. lower it.. deal not sweet enough give them free bags or detergent. Their products ( ok some say and it may be so that they are copying some designs) were getting better. Evident by changes to the F7 series steamvac upper tanks, the Self Proppled actuator arm reinforcement evident by the double x's hot stamped on the bar and don't forget the S3670 (ok looks like a miele and some others..). The quality was and still may be there, and is getting better. Look at the new 3 and 6 years warranty..