Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Did they go out of business? GetHalo.com now sells only the vacuum cleaner bags...

Oreck has acquired the rights to the Halo technology. Whether they will simply market it as an addition to their line, or will incorporate it as a standard feature remains to be seen. The local Oreck dealer says they have improved the technology to a 98% kill rate with one pass. Halo could not generate enough sales apparently to ensure their viablity in the marketplace. It should be a boon to Oreck sales.

ORECK halo is a perfect fusion.  [No pun intended].  I can see the advertisement now.  A halo atop the ORECK icon!

Carmine D.

Hi,

I think the company went the way of all flesh as it were.  Despite the hooplah, the old hysteria play -- "Germs are gonna kill ya."  "That one iota more of dust is gonna kill ya." "Everything is gonna kill ya."-- is wearing thin.  Knowingly or unknwingly,most of us live in dusty, bacteria laden environments despite our best efforts and, to the dismay of many a manufacturer, are still alive.  And there's the problem for fear mongers on the make, people don't croak fast enough or in sufficient numbers to make their claims justifiable.

This is an uneducated guess but I think insufficient sales against the large sums they claim to have committed toward advertising plus possibly too optimistic production may have been the company's downfall.  My main gripe is that there was never any solid outside proof to the actual germ and vermin killing capability of this machine. What was given was merely a lot of talk about what might be the machine's possible potential.  If Halo had been able to forthrightly confirm that the cleaner per "x" passes per "x" square feet in "x" amount of time destroyed "x" number of dust mites and/or fleas plus "x" quantity of bacteria it might have gotten somewhere.  Ambiguity is boring.  There is always someone around ready to tell you you're going places though you're actually standing still -- and -- we're expected to believe it just because they said so.

However, if you'd like one both hard-bodied and soft bag versions are all over the internet and eBay.

Best,

Venson

Several miscues by Ken Garcia [former halo CEO] with regard to marketing did in the product.  Plus, the worse possible economic timing for a $500, China made, one year warrantied upright sold primarily if not exclusively thru big box retailers.  Even a "snazzy" Web Site that rivals the best designer made vacuum brand couldn't keep the halo from quickly dimming out of sight.  Let's see what ORECK can do with it? 

Carmine D.

Actually, Oreck did more testing than Halo did as far as germ/mite killing capability, which is how they determined 4 passes with the Halo was more than the avearge customer would do, and that it had to be reduced to one pass with equal or greater effectiveness. I don't think anyone questions the effects of dustmites and their 'residue' and as we make our homes more and more tightly sealed to have money left over for food after we pay the gas and electric companies the problems worsen. Athsma, CPD, breathing allergies of all sorts are being diagnosed in alarming and increasing numbers. I would have liked to have seen Miele acquire the UV technology and apply it at both the nozzle and the exhaust. It will be interesting to see what Oreck does with this windfall of exclusive (for 15 yrs roughly) technology

Trebor wrote:
Hi Trebor,

Problem one is that the general rule of thumb is that four passes per square foot of carpet constitutes "thorough cleaning" if using an upright vacuum.  A clearly established manner of use for effective use has to be established.  Dust mites and bacteria don't just sit and wait on top of carpet pile.  That said, there's probably a marked difference in effectiveness say when doing low pile as opposed to high.

I think the better remedy is regulllar thorough vacuuming with a high-filtration vac and treatment, also at regular intervals, with a vapor steam cleaner which should provide faster, deeper penetraion than a UV light.  UV sanitizing in hospitals usually involves bringing in UV devices and sealing the room being "sterilized" for x amount of time.

Venson

Hi Venson!

I hear you, and yet, how many actually do vacuum with four passes per area? A vapor steam cleaner is a novelty to most Americans, and those who have tried them have mainly tried the cheap infomercial variety. If a vacuum can provide a high kill rate of mites, fleas and their eggs, viruses and bacteria with a simple pass over the carpet, it will indeed provide a higher level of sanitation because it is not requiring any more work from the user. Kirbys and Rainbows are both high performing, durable, versatile cleaning devices, which are touted as labor saving as well, unfortunately, as with most technology of any sort, there is a learning curve to be mastered first, and most Americans choose to save labor by not bothering in the first place. A UV light bodes Oreck well for their sales. I remember the introduction of a new Lux brushroll. It had 8% less effective deep cleaning, but 10% better edge cleaning, 15% better carpet grooming, and 22% better edge cleaning. Sales went up immediately. Oreck's strong suit has never been deep cleaning, but light weight, ease of use, surface litter pickup, edge cleaning and carpet grooming. Sounds like they have a winner. The germ killing factor will give them a winning hand, straight flush it sounds like to me.

The mention of Electrolux brings to mind the near merger of Lux/Oreck or Oreck/Lux. Just before the sale of the Lux name back to Lux of Sweden, there was a very hush/hush big pow/pow in Dallas. James McCain, chief of ops at Lux, Bristol held the same position at Oreck. The two parties came to bed, but left with the union unconsummated because they could not agree as to who was going to be on top. Considering the personages of David Oreck and Joe Urso, I find that very believable.

The last version of the Halo with the tools on board has had Oreck added to the name, and the new  "Oreck Halo" is coming out soon.  And yes, the thing will be called the Oreck Halo.

Thanks guys.... And here it is Oreck Halo

Thanks Acerone,

The Garcia story really doesn't tell much but this approach is exactly what should have been done in the first place.  It is clearly stated that the more exposure, the better even though, in light-colored text, careful disclaimers make note that  the machine is not a cure-all for disease, including asthma or allergies.

The exposure issue may encourage buyers who feel there may be some value to the product either to vacuum often or longer.  Not a bad thing.

Best,

Venson

PS -- The caption "With the New Oreck Halo, you are vacuuming and killing many of the germs on your carpets and floors at the same time. No extra effort. No extra time. Just vacuum like you normally would! is contradictory.

I just toured the Oreck Halo website. WOW! Very well done! I predict big sales for Oreck on this baby! Now, if David Oreck were really smart he would make a P/N with the UV technology for sale as a retrofit for all those diehard Lux and Miele fans. Their web designer knows his/her stuff. Now, a few endorsements from pediatric allergists, a geriatric specialist, a skin doctor, and a veterinarian or two, and David Oreck might be rich enough to retire!

The regular Oreck website makes no mention of the Halo, and a search of the site turns up nothing. So for now at least it is a totally separate entity. Was the original Halo with OBT a 2-motor unit? The Oreck version is, and it has a height adjustment. Should reel in a few customers on the fence due to those issues.

I answered my own question by doing a search for Halo vacuum. David Oreck and co. decided to replace the clutch drive assembly for the brushroll with a second motor. The other major change seems to be in the lens that focuses and concentrates the UV-C light on the floor.

Now it's available for sale.

Thanks to everyone for the latest and greatest with ORECK Halo.  Glad to see the halo UV-C technology is still available in the industry.  It has a place.  Like to see it also on the robotics.  Maybe that's a venue for ORECK/iRobot in the future, depending on cost.

Carmine D.

As I am reading these comments, I find it humorous, as I approached Miele 3+ years ago about making and marketing a UV-C light for their vacuums. Simple thought for me, as I market and distribute UV-C light systems for forced a/c and heating systems for homes. O well, it vever got off the ground with Miele.

RAD1,

Proving once again that it takes a MARKETER to spot an idea worth grabbing onto!

David Oreck, with this new Halo acquisition, is selling the best vacuum he has ever offered. I do not know if Oreck was the first manufacturer Ken and Carrie Garcia approached, but they could not have done better. David Oreck is a household name. Name one person from any other vacuum cleaner company with as much recognition, other than James Dyson. David Oreck is an affable, grandfatherly gentleman projecting a trustworthy image, whose company is not hogtied with layer upon layer of decsion making process before it gets in front of the person who can actually say "Yes!"  I hope Ken and Carrie negotiated a spiff and a percentage for every unit sold. Way to go! The American Dream can still be achieved.

Dave is the lightweight vacuum man!  Now, he is the UV-C light weight vacuum man!

Carmine D.

RAD1 wrote:
Rad1,

How did Miele treat you?  Did you have to sign your life away...  sign their disclosure, which typically states your rights (of said widget) are covered by your patent only.    Thanks.

DIB

DysonInventsBig wrote:
DIB,
Actually it never really got passed "round 1" so to speak. I don't think they really saw a need, to be honest. I look at it like this...they had a better focus of the niche market and current core product and manufacturing a "specialty" vac - which is what the UV-C vac is - wasn't in their best interest. I tend to agree, really. Like I said, I distribute UV-C lights now - Believe me, people HAVE to be educated about these. It's not an impulse buy. Especially for $599 like the Oreck Halo will be. Plus, you are now talking about replacement costs on the bulb - which HAVE to be replaced every 1 to 1.5 years. This is where David Oreck will make money - in the replacement goods (besides the ridiculous mark-up in the vacuum itself).

RAD1 wrote:
Hi RAD1,

I've been trying to backtrack to learn who it was who made but htere was a UV set-up that was retro-fitted on re-furb Kirbys. The maker used a name all its own.  The product does not appear to have endured on the market but  It had to have come out some time last year when the Halo to-do began.

I peeked at a Consumer Reports on the rack at Costco and noticed that Halo, way down low on the list, rated as "good" for carpet cleaning but emissions scores were excellent.  Since you have some knowledge of UV lights, do you think they can last through the usual thumping and bumping most vacs endure and what's your guesstmate regarding price of replacement .

Thanks,

Venson

RAD1,

Thanks for getting back to me.  Hopefully you did not spend to much time on this project.

A prior to Halo concept was done (patented) in 1993...
http://www.google.com/patents?id=I3MfAAAAEBAJ&pg=PA2&dq=%22vacuum+cleaner%22+ultra+violet+kirby&source=gbs_selected_pages&cad=1_1#PPA1,M1

One of the earliest - UV in a vacuum patent...
http://www.google.com/patents?id=TodHAAAAEBAJ&pg=PA1&dq=ultra+violet+%22vacuum+cleaner%22&as_drrb_ap=q&as_minm_ap=1&as_miny_ap=2009&as_maxm_ap=1&as_maxy_ap=2009&as_drrb_is=b&as_minm_is=1&as_miny_is=1949&as_maxm_is=1&as_maxy_is=1776&num=100&source=gbs_selected_pages&cad=0_1#PPA1,M1



Venson,
Here is a Kirby UV patent...
http://www.google.com/patents?id=3z5VAAAAEBAJ&dq=%22vacuum+cleaner%22+ultra+violet


DIB

Venson wrote:
Greetings Venson,
Hygienitech was/is the "maker" (here in the states) of a business opportunity offering mattress sanitizing services. They use a Kirby retro-fitted with UV. Fairly simple process and they were making lots of $$$ with the biz opp. This was almost 5 years ago that I first cam across them. I decided that this could be a viable business and This is when I decided to approach Miele, but since that never got going, I shelved the idea. An Aussie company also wanted my company to be a dealer of these machines here in the US, but it didn't seem like a fit. An acquaintance actually did retrofit Kirby's with UV light as well - and it does, in fact work. As for replacment UV lamps, I know mine sell for anywhere in the range of $45-60 - but these are a High Output Germicidal bulb (much more effective than what I anticipate Oreck using). I am guessing in the $25-35 range for his bulbs. Plus, like you said, it depends on the housing they are in, so there is not any breakage of the lamp - as there is a small amount of mercury in UV-C lamps. Should be interesting.

Thanks RAD1 -- I could't recall the name and began to think I might have been hallucinting.  Also, I'm glad you mentioned the varying bulb strengths.

I've included a link to Hygienitech if anyone wants to take a look for themselves.  http://hygienitech.com/index.html

Best,

Venson

If the halo failure in such a short period of time proved anything it is that the UV-C light has only niche appeal and specialty interest, not mainstream. 

MIELE, and other high end value vacuum makers, would argue, convincingly I might add, that their vacuums already minimize the hazardous health effects of household germs for the vast majority of households with frequent and proper vacuum use.  They would say that UV-C technology is redundant for their vacuums.  Hence, the higher ORECK Halo price tag of $599 too, niche market.  The ORECK Halo will be pitched for the very few fastidious vacuum consumers who absolutely must have the UV-C light benefits and don't mind the corresponding drawbacks:  Replacement bulbs and proper bulb disposal. 

Plus, the ORECK HOME Clean Centers offer a viable option to ORECK customers to upgrade to the ORECK Halo at a reasonable and affordable price with an ORECK trade-in.  Halo, selling through big box stores right out of the gate without a network of dealers, didn't have this business advantage.  If the initial ORECK Halo consumers are pleased and satisfied, they will spread the word about the UV-C benefits and in turn this will lead to further interest and hopefully, from ORECK's perspective, more sales.  Unlike the halo scenario, which required successful sales from the starting gate, ORECK can pace itself and let the ORECK Halo find its own successful sales speed.

Carmine D. 

CarmineD wrote:
The basic thing is that this UV light thing isn't worth a hill of beans if it is not properly applied.  It is highly doubtful that users in general will use them properly but will buy them due to familiar Oreck name. Thinking of an ideal product for this particle sanitizing medium it would have to be of all things, the Roomba.  Roomba could be adjusted to travel at the slow steady speeds most conducive to best use of the UV light. 

That aside, I don't know how well the public has adapted to Oreck's other "borrowed" vacuums.  The company picked up the European Philips canister named it the DutchTech and slapped a Wessel Werks PN on it.  It's a good cleaner but I have heard little word of mouth regarding it or seen little ad action per Oreck on its behalf.  http://www.oreck.com/canister-vacuum-cleaners/dutchtech_series.cfm

Oreck might have been better served to work the UV light into the Oreck design we're more familiar with.  I think hte more familiar Oreck with a UV light worked would garner buyer trust more quickly.

Venson

Hello Venson:

IRobot and ORECK will probably have a meeting of the minds on the UV-C light.  I also wouldn't be surprised if the UV-C light is adapted to the familiar ORECK upright in time.

BTW, recall that after halo lost the grievance filed by BISSELL about the veracity of its claims [I believe with the FTC], Ken Garcia commissioned another study at a University.  His expectations were to show that frequent use with the halo vacuum and UV-C light was better for allergy and sinus sufferers than regular vacuuming.  Obviously, Garcia was attempting to widen his target market with over 30 million persons in the USA with respiratory issues.  I never heard the outcome of the study.  But, I expect if there is a favorable outcome to this hypothesis by studies, this aspect of the halo's technology will be used as a sales pitch. 

Carmine D. 

Hi,

Just got to see an Oreck Halo commercial on TV this morning for the first time. I have to say I was a bit put off with the statement that the vacuum was a product backed by forty years of Oreck technology or something to that effect, vaguely implying that the Halo is all Oreck's idea. (Aerus gets my goat for the same reasons.) Nonetheless, they are going gangbusters to get this baby on the streets.

Though the price is never mentioned during the commercial($600.00 per the website), you are made aware at least twice that Oreck will allow a whole year before payments begin with no interest. As well there's a five-year warranty on the UV lamp, three free tune-ups and plus a year's supply of bags. These are probably the most memorable parts of the thing . . .

The petri dish thing with "expert" included prevails throughout. An astonished mom with pop by her side states she never realized what was on her floors once informed by the expert, nearly clear petri dish in hand, that the Halo has removed 90 percent of invisible nasties from the floor that her bay is crawling about on. I may have missed it but no info as to use was supplied as to how to achieve the 90 percent level of clean. Anyway . . .

Looks they may be on a roll so more power to 'em. Do you think the manner of advertising is where the original Halo folks went wrong or that this is more a matter of the add-on of the Oreck name?

Venson

While I'm thrilled ORECK has the halo technology, and it's still in the industry, the ORECK halo, unless I'm wrong, is still a $600 vacuum made in China.  I'm not thrilled about the latter.

Halo was a $500 China vacuum with a one year warranty, marketed as a mainstream user with false and exaggerated product claims, through big box retailers.  At the worse possible economic time for new consumer products.  The combination of all these facts and circumstances did the halo in so quickly.

Carmine D.

Also at COSTCO, new [old] halo uprights for $99.

 

CarmineD wrote:
Hi Carmine,

Thanks for the heads-up. The price is nice and I would think for a hundred bucks it may be okay. The customer reviews at the Costco site regarding this machine were not great however. Only one of four reviews posted there favored this machine. (I think these reviews came in while it was being sold at higher price.)

Venson

Venson wrote:

I think the same.  Considering the prices that ORECK is selling these rebadged halos for, the $100 is a steal.  Perhaps a good option for Chris in the above thread.

Carmine D.

I have heard talk of a new Canister and Air Purifier with Halo ....Maybe Oreck will put it to good use.  i wasnt impressed with the Halo Vac as the suction isnt as good as my XL21 or that the fact that my vac virtually pulls itself along..As far a germ killing goes...if we dont ever have germs and get sick from time to time, will our immune systems ever have a chance to get stronger..Im sure its great for newborns and helth ridden children..but not for everyone.

From what I can see and hear, ORECK is not pushing the halo except in rare and limited cases.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:
Hey guys it's been a while but I thought I'd check in... I work at a vac shop and have seen a few of these units come in for repair. So far the failures have been cord, switch and brush bearing/hair issues. Unfortunately there are no OEM parts. And their customer service by phone takes 2 weeks for a response and email takes about a week. Aside from the failures mentioned the units seem to be very sturdy, but open the hood and whoa.. looks like a problem waiting to happen.

hoovergroover wrote:

Hello hoovergroover:

Thanks for checking in here and updating us on the failings of the halo.

I wondered if ORECK had purchased the liabilities for parts and warranty repairs on these halos when it bought the rights.

But it appears ORECK didn't burden itself with any of the past halo ills.  Smart move on ORECK to buy just the future rights.

Eliminates competition for ORECK brand.

Carmine D.

hoovergroover wrote: hi hoovergroover
so who makes the motor.....what is it you see that makes this a prob waiting to happen.