Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Happy Monday . . .

Rowenta has entered the cordless stick vac market with a new model, the Air Force. As with many Rowenta past vacs, it bears a wedge shaped nozzle for getting you right into corners. The claims here are stronger suction equivalent to a regular canister machine and up to 40-minutes of runtime. Sounds like a go -- if it works.

http://living.scotsman.com/features/Gadgets-Rowenta-Air-Force-Wireless.6642531.jp

http://www.homeandcook.co.uk

The following link is to a sweet and to the point YouTube video from Which?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-K_B_yeo6I8

Venson

CarmineD wrote:
Carmine. According to Which tests, the Vax Life/Hoover Linx runs for 40 minutes to an hour and only takes 3 hours as opposed to the first 16 hours on the Rowenta and 8 hours thereafter. Also the Life/Linx has a 1 litre capacity dust bin compared to the Rowenta's slightly smaller 0.9 litres.

vacmanuk wrote:

Thanks Vacmanuk.  I presume the difference in runtimes and charge times [according to user reviews in the USA HOOVER LiNx normally gets 20-30 minutes run time] is due to the current differences between USA and UK.  Perhaps that is the reason that the UK model sells for $320 and USA model sells for $160-$170.  Plus, perhaps the euro vice dollar differences.  On the dust bin capacities, not much of a difference of .1 liter.  I have not been able to officially confirm and/or verify the LiNx dirt bin capacity anywhere on line.  So... the question to a UK stick vacuum buyer becomes: Is the HOOVER LiNx worth the higher price than the Rowenta for the differences?  Perhaps on primarily carpet cleaning.  But for primarily hard surfaces?  The latter [Rowenta] may be a better buy and venue for Rowenta.  Have to factor in the warranty too, not just on the overall product but the battery pack too.  HOOVER LiNx is 2 years and Rowenta 3 years???

Several years ago I purchased a Dirt Devil Cruz for $100 [2 years on product and battery pack].  It routinely sells for $70 now.  Strictly straight suction with no revolving brush and no tools.  I use primarily on my ceramic tiles.  It has the triangular floor shaped nozzle like the Rowenta.  It has 30 minute run time.  I believe charge time is 16 hours.  It's been fine as a supplementary cleaning tool in my household cleaning arsenal.  But nothing close to the Rowenta Air Force and/or HOOVER/TTI LiNx. 

Carmine D.

I posted a pic of the HOOVER/TTI LiNx stick in the event it is not the same as the Vax/Life LiNx, which I'm beginning to think is a real possibility.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:
Nope. Sorry to report Carmine, it is indeed the same model: Taken from http://www.vax.co.uk/shop/catalogue/upright-vacuum-cleaners/life-cordless

vacmanuk wrote:

Don't be sorry, Vacmaunuk.  It's very useful.  Same model or is it?  Some key differences:  Most notibly price and warranty.  Here in the USA $160.  UK: $320.  Euro may explain some of price difference. 

Also, appears to be different tech specs for run time and bin capacity than you posted [from the link you provided]:

Carmine D.

Well, I think the U.S specs may be wrong. For a start there's no way the Linx/Life has a 1.4 litre dust bin. As for the rest, even Vax's own UK site has 1.0 litre/1L listed. This is why I've often said that you can't rely on stats alone to get the general opinion that a vacuum is good, regardless of how high tech it is.

The problem with the run time is dependent largely on the kind of surfaces that Vax or Hoover or even Which have tested this model on. We don't have to worry about different textures when using a mains powered vacuum for example because there's continuous power all the time. I'd suggest Vax have tested the Life on the thinnest nylon carpet against Which who may have tested it on thicker pile, thus the marked difference in run times. My own experience of a cordless upright vac rests with the older Electrolux Ergorapido/Pronto. The power brush roller lasted longer on thinner pile carpet against thicker pile carpet, obviously putting more strain on the brush roller which then puts pressure on the cordless battery to work harder than the thinner, easier to roll over nylon carpet.

vacmanuk wrote:

Vacmanuk:

The tech specs I posted are from the UK site for the Vax/Life LiNx, not US LiNx.  Soemthing just not kosher.

Carmine D.

Oh well, someone will just have to buy it and relay the info/usage on here. I think someone on here already confirmed the run time from personal usage.

vacmanuk wrote:

Thanks to Vacomatic here it is from May 2010 for the USA LiNx.  Now we could use the same for Vax/Life LiNx.  Except for dirt bin capacity which I mentioned I could not verify anywhere on line for the USA sold LiNx.  Except for price and warranty [and bin capacity] this looks almost same as UK specs for the UK LiNx.  And much different than the Which? info for the LiNx.  Rowenta Air Force still looks like the better buy based on this review.

Carmine D.

Linx is a lightweight "windtunnel" stick vac that does a decent light duty cleaning of carpets and floors. With battery and parked on carpet, it tends to fall over. A loud, grinding motor's unpleasant, and the Lithium Ion battery, while maintaining constant power, only lasts 10 - 12 minutes (recharges take 3 hours). Brush head's cog belt driven. Not a lot of airflow thanks to the very restrictive secondary filter. Vac's fine for small apartments and surface dirt on rugs/floors, but keep a regular canister/upright around for serious cleaning! Date Purchased: 10/15/09 Price Paid: $170 Recommend: Yes

Pros: Lightweight, easy to carry and push. Relatively constant battery output. OK at picking up surface litter. Brush roll can be switched off. Cons: Very loud motors. Tips over on rugs with batter installed. Short battery life: 10 - 12 min. max. Secondary filter messy to clean, clogs easily.

Well.. that's interesting info. If I get one to trial, I'll let you know all about the Rowenta.