Mike_W
Joined: Dec 1, 2004
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Most of the time, Sears does not make complete changes to their vacuum cleaner line up. What they do is make subtle changes. There is a new canister with a slightly different body. Instead of a flatter top, the canister is more rounded. This new Panasonic-made Intuition has a change in the power nozzle that it is using also. It is called the Crossover power nozzle.
The power nozzle has a wall/floor brush attachment riding on the top of the PowerMate. The brush attachment is not made like their other brushes, but made out of the same material as the power nozzle cover. While vacuuming with the power nozzle, the vacuum can go from carpeting to floor in a simple step. Just step on a lever and the floor brush can be pulled from the top of the power nozzle, then clean the floor with out the use of the heavy power nozzle. There is no need to remove the power nozzle from the wand and attach the floor brush, because it is already attached. I have heard many say they want to just move the power nozzle onto the floor without having to put on the brush attachment. The problem with this is that the power nozzle can be more c u mbersome of floors. It can also scratch flooring. A good floor brush will clean floors much better than an upright or power nozzle. Now they will not have to change anything. I still believe that there will be those who still will not like this set up, because they will still have to attach the power nozzle when they are finished.
This Kenmore brush still utilizes the center brush strip instead of the common wrap around brush strip configuration found on other brands. Also, you will see a gasket ring around the suction inlet of the attachment. This is to create a good seal when the brush is attached to the power nozzle. The dirt that the power nozzle picks up, must then go up through the floor brush and the wand.
Looking at the Crossover power nozzle, you will say "boy, that is big". The power nozzle does carry a larger footprint compared to the other Kenmore canisters. They have the same width, but the nozzles are longer in depth. They are about 2"-3" longer. The user, on first look, will think that this is going to be heavier than the others, but it is not. They weigh about the same. Having this power nozzle and the regular one, side by side, I was able to get the feel that they were about the same.
Since the power nozzle and the brush are as one, they will have the same movement. The elbow of the floor brush will move up and down and swivel side to side. The same is true of the power nozzle. I have to say I like the way this machine swivels. It swivels like a power nozzle should. Not like another brand that does not do what it is advertised to do. When the power nozzle swivels into a hard to reach area, it should be able to be pulled back the same way. Because there is some weight to this nozzle, it can be done.
The vacuum cleaner does well vacuuming carpeting. It has a very good brushroll, to get alot of that hidden dirt.
This model has decent-quality attachments. Looking under the trunk, you will find something different. Not only does it have the regular attachments, but It also has a long dusting brush. Some may have seen them from Wessell-Werk or seen them under the dyson name. It uses natural-hair bristle, which is a big plus when using this or any dusting brush. They are much softer. I saw something that brought me back to the General Electric vacuum cleaners. The attachment is held on by the button-lock, but the attachment can be locked into place from many angles and not just one.
After opening up the vacuum cleaner, to get to the bag compartment, you see that it uses the same type of bags. What is different is that it uses a type of "bag cage". It is attached to the inside of the compartment. This allows more airflow through the bag. Otherwise, what would happen is there would be less airflow around the bottom with the heavy dirt filled bag.
I cannot see paying $600.00 for this machine. Even the sale price of $499.99 is high. What will happen, as does happen with many big box brands, is that the price will go down with time. The vacuum cleaner is not noisy, but I think it could be made quieter. It comes with a long hose, which is important when vacuuming. Who wants to have a vacuum cleaner biting at your heels when you pull it? I also see confusion when the user steps on one of the levers, on the power nozzle. There are three to choose from and they all do something different.
Date Purchased: March/2008
Price Paid: $0
Recommend: Yes |
Pros:
Very Good Performance
Very Good Filtration
Long Hose
Long Cord
Very Good Attachments
Very Good Swiveling Power Nozzle
Cons:
Expensive for what you get
Could be quieter, for the price
Should have a longer warranty
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This message was modified Apr 1, 2008 by Mike_W
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