Revolution In The Air

Not just another Vacuum...

I know it's a leap to call something revolutionary. Especially when the Dyson vacuum line has not received top honors from independent testers (two models scored in the upper-middle of a certain non-profit publication). But ten years ago when you were vacuuming, whether you liked or hated your actual vacuum model, did you once think that maybe vacuum cleaner technology in general had not come as far as it could have? I don't mean the act of vacuuming, but the appliance, the machine. Hoover had been around for more than 75 years, and there were plenty of imitators. Hadn't they had time to get it right? I'll bet if you had a vacuum cleaner made since the 90's, you were probably more than content with the basic idea if not your model.

I doubt even manufacturers thought about it. People were still buying vacuums right? Maybe to the industry, loss of suction was just one of those pesky, quietly-kept, little secrets that we had to live with. Was it a manufacturer conspiracy? (Like cigarettes? Only much less serious??) I'll leave that to the theorists. But think back, almost all vacuums available before 2001 had the same basic function, and roughly the same performance; give or take a motor size or a HEPA filter.

Then the Dyson came out with its 'Root Cyclone Technology'. It had form, function, and yes.. really great marketing. Even if it wasn't the absolute best overall performer initially, it looked great, and it had a great story. I believe that because of this vacuum, we the consumer began to consider whether there was a problem with existing vacuum technology. Now I can't say for certain that Dyson was the driver that changed the vacuum cleaner industry, but I can say that personally I've never used a better vacuum.


The proof is in cleaning

I contend that the Dyson was a driver for change. Why do I believe this? Not from clever marketing, not from a story line, not because it looks good, but from actual use. And because we received our Dyson as a gift, I don't have to pretend I like it to justify the expense. What I see every time I use it, is proof of its innovation, and proof that the design and thinking that went into this machine is unlike any other vacuum I've used before.


The Dyson DC14 All Floors

Our model is the DC14. This was not the original Dyson, so I have no first-hand experience with the earlier models. I have read a number of mixed reviews of the DC07, primarily involving the durability of the machine. While I cannot say whether the earlier vacuums worked as well or were as durable, if the DC07 did have problems, the DC14 is an incredible improvement. I can say that our model has been excellent.


Form

The Dyson DC14, is a yellow, gray, and clear plastic upright vacuum. It has a very modern design, with an interesting mechanical look to the main body. To me, the top part of the canister looks like a cross between a corn silo and a rocket booster. The canister also has a clear, yellow tinted handle on the top, and a long gray handle sticking up from it, which doubles as the wand extension. The dimensions are:

-Height: 44.86"
-Width: 14"
-Depth: 13.38"
-Weight: 18.56 lbs
-Bin capacity 0.71 gal
-Cord length 35.4ft
-Motor: 12 amps

The cord is wrapped around the back of the machine, and has a notch so the plug can be secured back to the cord when it's wound up.


Features

Large Wheels

Two large, plastic, wheels are positioned towards the rear of the upright. They are positioned just behind the center of gravity, so that that the machine is easy to tilt backwards, and roll in any direction.


Carrying Handle

There is a clear yellow-tinted handle at the top of the vacuum canister. It is positioned so that a person of average height can easily transport the vacuum while standing, without having to bend over too far, or lift the vacuum to raise it off the floor.


Quick Release Canister

The dirt canister is really the heart of the vacuum. But more than just the technology for spinning the air, someone quite intelligent designed it.

First, there is a quick-release button on top. The button faces out, and is just stiff enough that you won't accidentally push it, but is easy to push it when you want to. When depressed, the canister quickly detaches from the machine.

Once the canister is detached, there is another button, colored red, which had been hidden when the canister was in place. This button is red for a reason. When you push it, the bottom of the canister completely opens, allowing you to dump out the dirt.

With the canister out, there are also two more releases other than the dump release that become exposed. The first is at the top of the canister. With this release the canister handle lifts up, to expose the washable HEPA filter. The other latch is on the canister itself. When opened, the clear plastic portion of the canister detaches so it can be washed independently of the top.

To reassemble these pieces, all the components easily snap back together. It takes almost no effort to figure out how to reassemble the canister. The parts snap back quickly and securely.

Finally it should be noted that there is a 'max fill' line affixed to the side of the canister. This is very handy for giving you an approximation of when to empty the canister. The only problem with it is that due to the spinning air, I find that much of the dirt gathers in the rear of the canister, which is not near this line, so you still have to guess a bit.


Accessories

The DC14 has 3 attachments:

-High velocity edge/corner attachment
-Upholstery brush
-Carpet brush

Each of the attachments has a holder formed into the top of the canister, and each attachment fastens into its slot easily, and securely. (Every now and then I'll knock one out by accident).


Leading Edge and Agitator

The front of the vacuum has leading edge brush 'whiskers' that help brush the carpet against walls or in the corners. I find that the suction at the edges is strong, and with one or two passes, visible debris along the wall is picked up.

The front edge and agitator portion of the machine are on a hinge that allows the entire front section of the vacuum to move independently of the wheels in the rear. This allows the spinning brush head to automatically adjust to the height of the surface you are rolling over. When crossing from carpet to tile, the proper height of the agitator is maintained.


HEPA Filter

The Dyson DC14 comes with a washable HEPA filter. After detaching the canister (described above), the top cover is easily opened, revealing the filter. The filter can be removed, and instructions for washing it are clearly marked on the filter itself. The filter is supposed to be lifetime, which I can't comment on given we have only had the vacuum for a year. After a few washings, I haven't noticed any degradation in appearance of the filter. I'll update the article if that happens.


Function: Vacuuming

Adjustments

There is really only one adjustment on the main portion of the vacuum. Since vacuuming height is always constant regardless of the surface, there is no need to adjust the brush height. Instead, there is a round switch at the front of the vacuum base that allows you to turn the carpet beater on and off.


Light Weight

At 18 pounds, the vacuum may not be the lightest vacuum out there, but it's not the heaviest. However it doesn't matter a great deal because you never really notice the weight. With the ideal placement of the carrying handle and the positioning and size of the wheels, carrying or rolling the DC14 is easily accomplished.


On Carpet

The DC14 is not self-propelled, but it really does not need to be. The design has the perfect combination of wheel placement and weight to make rolling the DC14 on any surface very easy. As you move the vacuum back and forth, it glides easily. The handle on the arm combined with the independent height adjustment of the brush head is designed to maintain a constant angle, whether you have the machine close, or push it away from you. I've found that in either angle the head stays flush to the floor, and contact is constant.


On Flat Surfaces

The same features that allow the DC14 to work so well on carpet, work as well on hard surfaces. The vacuum is so easy to push that you may almost wish there was more wheel resistance. With the rotating brush turned off, the vacuum works well on tile, wood, or linoleum, (we have all 3 in our house). While I will say that the actual vacuuming action seems to work better on carpet, the hard surface performance is still very good.


The Extension Wand and Detachable Hose

The Dyson 'quick draw' hose is actually quite an intuitive feature, and it's what makes the extension wand work well. Everything is detachable. When the vacuum is set in the free standing upright position, by pressing in on the big yellow release button, the entire top assembly of the vacuum detaches. The extendable hose, which is normally collapsed onto a telescoping tube against the unit, comes out with the handle. You simply flip up the tube guard, and pull out the tube extension. The main handle that you were using to push the machine around, is now held upside down, and the entire assembly becomes the wand. You can attach any of the accessories to the end of the tube, and the whole wand assembly is light and easy to direct where you need it.

With the wand out, and the tube extended, there is another quick release function at the base of the wand. Two little gray buttons can be pushed simultaneously to detach the flexible hose from the wand assembly. The hose can now be manipulated without the extension or handle. Each accessory can also be attached directly to the hose, and depending on how far you insert the extension, there are small notches on the side to adjust the level of suction.

To re-assemble, you attach the gray hose to the base of the want extension until you the side buttons 'click'. Then you collapse the tube back into the hose, and slide the handle back onto the main vacuum until you again hear a click. Make sure you have the handle pointed in the right direction, because it is directional, and only re-attaches one way.


Noise

Even with a rather large 12 amp motor, when vacuuming carpet, the DC14 is one of the quietest vacuums I've heard. That's not to say that it's silent, or entirely quiet at all really, but compared to other machines, it's not that loud. My coffee grinder is probably louder.


Overall Experience

One run through the house with the DC14 and I saw a difference. We have a cat, and after a week between vacuuming, we get a 'carpet' of cat hair that forms in the canister after cleaning a couple of rooms. Even in the guest bedrooms where the cat is not allowed, carpet dust gathers quickly. This is remarkable because our home is very new, and even just once a week, in a room that gets almost no traffic, the Dyson sucks up things none of our other vacuums would have.


Durability and Maintenance

On a few of the other Dyson reviews, I've read that the company's customer service is bad. Fortunately for me, but unfortunately for this review, I can't comment because I haven't had to contact their customer service. In the year we've had it, our vacuum has been banged into furniture, knocked into walls, dropped from a short distance (accidentally of course), and the extension wand has just been generally abused. While the unit doesn't feel like the most solid piece of plastic you could buy, (some joints creak a little, and some of the plastic doesn't feel as sturdy as it could), we have had absolutely no problems with it. Should something happen, I will update this review. Perhaps Dyson worked out some of the problems between the DC07 and the DC14.


The Negatives, and Improvements

First, using the wand handle when removed from the main unit isn't the best positioned at all times. I find that using the handle doesn't give me as much control over the extension attachments as I'd like. Plus, my wrist actually starts to hurt after a while when using the handle. I find that I frequently just hold the main portion of the tube and bend over a little more, instead of using the handle.

Second, the carpet switch is easy to turn on by pushing down, I can usually do this with my foot. But to turn off I have to bend down and pull it up with my fingers.

Third, as I mentioned above, the max fill line is nice, but due to the spinning of the air, most of the dirt or hair (especially pet hair) gathers towards the back of the canister and builds up. You still have to guess a bit as to when the canister should be emptied.


Other Improvements

The wand assembly cannot be detached without completely taking the cord off the storage hooks. That limits the vacuum for quick pick-ups or little spills. You have to completely unwind the cord to pull out the wand, then wind it back up again.


Conclusion

If someone invents a new mouse trap and consumers take notice, then mouse trap makers take notice, and the mouse trap industry changes. Look around at the competition that has cropped up. Names like 'Vortex' and 'Cyclone' which sound like what the Dyson does are everywhere. Even pricing has been changed by the Dyson.

Of course what it all boils down to is that aside from marketing and new technology, it's quite obvious that the Dyson DC14 All Floors vacuum was created by someone that actually vacuums. It's very easy to use, it works incredibly well, it has multiple functions, it's intuitive, and it is simple to maintain. While it's not the cheapest vacuum out there, it most certainly is one of the best. In the very least, it got people thinking; and in the very most, it actually set a new standard for vacuums. In either case, to me that's revolutionary.