Bosch BSG71310 Bagged Canister Vacuum
Out of stock |
Similar in Vacuums
- Weight: 12 lb.
- Design: Canister
- Technology: Bag
- Tank / Bag Capacity: 1 Gallon
- Overview
-
Reviews
-
Compare Prices
User ReviewRead All Reviews »
Bosch: Automotive Engineering in a Vacuum
Pros
Back-saving design. Lots of well-engineered features.
Cons
Bag full light activation; difficult to remove change accessories.
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
Highly recommended for ease of operation and well-engineered features.
Our other vacuum cleaner is a very old self-propelled Hoover upright that really doesn't perform well under furniture. Of an age where backs can't take much lifting and bending, we needed something that would slide underneath to suck up dust balls. The apparent solution was a canister vacuum with its snake-like tube and slender suction head.
To be honest, we bought this particular canister vacuum because Linen & Things offered a $100 gift certificate. Although the certificate was no easy task to collect, the vacuum became an immediate hit.
The floor tool consists of a telescopic tube that is easily extended so you don't have to bend at all while doing floors. I also found it much easier to move back and forth than the self-propelled upright. With the Bosch there is no bending over. The electric brush in the head can be switched on and off with a button on the handle, and the motor is turned on or off by stepping on a carrying handle. These are especially handy if you should accidentally scarf up baby's favorite "blanky."
The machine is also so quiet that you begin to suspect it lacks suction power.
Speaking of suction, when I first used the machine on a brand new carpet I ignored the warning prominently displayed in the owner's manual: "IMPORTANT - You have bought an extremely powerful device. The highest suction setting is therefore only recommended for heavily soiled durable carpeted and hard floors." After several turns on the new carpet, the machine suddenly ran out of "slurp." I held my palm over the nozzle, verifying that there was indeed no suction. When I removed the hose, however, the canister inlet had plenty. It turned out that the hose was clogged with linty fuzz. After fishing out the fuzz with a straightened coat hanger I made sure that the electronic slide control wasn't set on "MAX" when doing carpet.
Another feature, impossible to measure but proven effective, is the HEPA filtration. To receive the HEPA seal a filter must remove 99.97% of 0.3 micrometers airborne pollutants. (see my epinions on air purifiers). I'd always wondered how much stuff got circulated back into the room. With this machine I know we can all breathe easier.
In addition to the HEPA there is the usual dust bag and a micro-hygienic motor filter. The slip-in dust bag is much easier to change than the upright bag and has a cardboard slide that covers the hole to prevent spillage after the bag is removed--a major improvement.
The Bosch brand name brings to mind automotive parts (Danica's spark plugs, for example) that require a high degree of engineering, which can be seen in their home appliances as well. Open a small door on top of the canister and you will find all of the accessory tools conveniently packed for immediate access. A larger lid opens to the bag and filter compartment but cannot be closed without a bag in place. Two slots, one on the front and another underneath permit parking and storage of the floor tool. There are also two carrying handles, one for when the canister is in use and another for transport and storage. Tug on the electric cord and it fully retracts.
A couple of shortcomings worth mentioning may have more to do with the operator than the machine. I did not see the dust bag change indicator light come on "completely yellow" (per manual) when the bag was full. Instructions say that the floor tool must be lifted off the floor and the highest suction setting selected for this to happen, which seems unusual. The manual also contains instructions for more than a single model, making filter replacement a bit of a puzzle. How much would it cost to provide a manual to match the model in the box?
The biggest challenge we've had with the Bosch has been changing accessories. The tube fits so tightly that it is difficult or impossible (for some) to squeeze and pull apart—although with use, it has been getting easier.
The Bosch Motor is rated at 1400 watts, 12 amps, weighs 12 pounds/5.6 kilos, has an operating radius of 33 ft. (10 m), and comes with five-year parts & labor warranty.
To be honest, we bought this particular canister vacuum because Linen & Things offered a $100 gift certificate. Although the certificate was no easy task to collect, the vacuum became an immediate hit.
The floor tool consists of a telescopic tube that is easily extended so you don't have to bend at all while doing floors. I also found it much easier to move back and forth than the self-propelled upright. With the Bosch there is no bending over. The electric brush in the head can be switched on and off with a button on the handle, and the motor is turned on or off by stepping on a carrying handle. These are especially handy if you should accidentally scarf up baby's favorite "blanky."
The machine is also so quiet that you begin to suspect it lacks suction power.
Speaking of suction, when I first used the machine on a brand new carpet I ignored the warning prominently displayed in the owner's manual: "IMPORTANT - You have bought an extremely powerful device. The highest suction setting is therefore only recommended for heavily soiled durable carpeted and hard floors." After several turns on the new carpet, the machine suddenly ran out of "slurp." I held my palm over the nozzle, verifying that there was indeed no suction. When I removed the hose, however, the canister inlet had plenty. It turned out that the hose was clogged with linty fuzz. After fishing out the fuzz with a straightened coat hanger I made sure that the electronic slide control wasn't set on "MAX" when doing carpet.
Another feature, impossible to measure but proven effective, is the HEPA filtration. To receive the HEPA seal a filter must remove 99.97% of 0.3 micrometers airborne pollutants. (see my epinions on air purifiers). I'd always wondered how much stuff got circulated back into the room. With this machine I know we can all breathe easier.
In addition to the HEPA there is the usual dust bag and a micro-hygienic motor filter. The slip-in dust bag is much easier to change than the upright bag and has a cardboard slide that covers the hole to prevent spillage after the bag is removed--a major improvement.
The Bosch brand name brings to mind automotive parts (Danica's spark plugs, for example) that require a high degree of engineering, which can be seen in their home appliances as well. Open a small door on top of the canister and you will find all of the accessory tools conveniently packed for immediate access. A larger lid opens to the bag and filter compartment but cannot be closed without a bag in place. Two slots, one on the front and another underneath permit parking and storage of the floor tool. There are also two carrying handles, one for when the canister is in use and another for transport and storage. Tug on the electric cord and it fully retracts.
A couple of shortcomings worth mentioning may have more to do with the operator than the machine. I did not see the dust bag change indicator light come on "completely yellow" (per manual) when the bag was full. Instructions say that the floor tool must be lifted off the floor and the highest suction setting selected for this to happen, which seems unusual. The manual also contains instructions for more than a single model, making filter replacement a bit of a puzzle. How much would it cost to provide a manual to match the model in the box?
The biggest challenge we've had with the Bosch has been changing accessories. The tube fits so tightly that it is difficult or impossible (for some) to squeeze and pull apart—although with use, it has been getting easier.
The Bosch Motor is rated at 1400 watts, 12 amps, weighs 12 pounds/5.6 kilos, has an operating radius of 33 ft. (10 m), and comes with five-year parts & labor warranty.
