Excellent multi-cyclone vacuum
Written: Jul 20 '07 (Updated Sep 15 '07)
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Pros: Suction, dual cyclonic action, HEPA filter, power brush tool, auto cord rewind. Windtunnel
Cons: a little heavy, sort of dirty to empty, like ALL bagless machines.
The Bottom Line: If you want a great vacuum with Dyson technology, get this one. Hoover's really done a great job here. Give it a chance.
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| butanemopar's Full Review: Mach 5 Cyclonic Bagless Upright U5194900 |
9/15/07
I was at my local Kohl's store this weekend and saw a new Hoover model. It's called the "Windtunnel+Cyclonic" and is more conservative looking but with the same great technology as the Mach5. It is model: U5780900 which sells for about $200.00. Since this machine is virtually identical to our Mach5 with less flashy colors, I expect it'll be the same great performer. It gives people additional options for a different design as well as those who don't want to buy it from Wal-Mart.
It's a great design, I'm glad Hoover is expanding on it.
ALSO: I've noticed Hoover claiming that the HEPA filters in these machines are Lifetime filters that are washable. So this is different info that is good to know.
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I purchased this Hoover Mach 5 machine a few months ago, and I must say that it's the best vacuum I've ever used.
Thanks to the Dyson cyclonic patent being up, Hoover grabbed the design and did an excellent copy for 1/4th of the price.
FEATURES:
This machine comes with a boatload of useful features in addition to the unique filtering system.
- 12-amp motor (pretty quiet)
- HEPA filter cartridge
- Headlight
- Furniture Brush
- Crevice tool
- 2 extension wands
- Hoover won't tell you this on the box, but this Mach 5 does have Hoover's patented WindTunnel system in the floor nozzle.
WindTunnel creates two streams of air on both sides of the brush roll that channel away what the brush as scooped up. These "wind tunnels" carry dirt away from the brush, to prevent re-scattering of the dirt. First hand, it works great!
- Foot activated belt clutch. This allows you to turn the brush roll on or off for carpet or bare floor. It makes a difference on bare floors, because with the brush off, the suction can grab all the dirt without being shot out the back of the machine. It's a simple design that uses a tension cam to activate a 2nd relay belt. Just a few moving parts, no 2nd motor to burn out. The main motor powers it all. AND, interestingly, Goodyear in the USA makes the secondary belt!
- Air powered brush head. This comes in handy when cleaning couches or carpeted areas where the vacuum itself cannot fit like around entertainment centers or behind seating. I personally use this powered brush head to clean my car's interior. It works great.
- In-unit cord rewind. This is extremely unique because I cannot remember a vacuum with an auto cord rewind since the mid 90's. CAUTION. DO NOT let the cord snap back into the unit. When you rewind it, hold the cord with your hand and let it rewind with a moderate speed in your hand. You will break the springs in the unit if you just let the cord zoom back itself.
CYCLONIC SYSTEM:
The cyclonic system in this Hoover is Dyson's original dual system, and the patent has expired, allowing Hoover to now use it. Here's how it works:
Dust and debris are pulled through the WindTunnel head and enter the outer, low efficiency cyclone that separates large dirt and debris in a 25-30mph cyclone. The air, still containing very fine dust, goes through the shroud (conical part with holes) and enters the inner high efficiency cyclone. In here is where all the fine, powdery dust is separated in a 900+mph cyclone. The mostly clean air then leaves the cyclone unit and goes through 3 filters. A foam filter and an electrostatic filter that clean out any leftover super fine dust. After that the air passes through the motor and is pushed through the HEPA filter and out the machine.
MAINTENANCE:
The dirt bin needs to be emptied whenever the dirt reaches the FULL line on the cup. If you let it go too far, then stuff will start to clog the shroud, cutting down on suction. All machines have their limit, and this one WILL keep constant suction as long as you don't exceed the FULL limit of the dirt cup.
Emptying the dirt cup is fairly easy, but highly recommended to be done outside. You push the large orange button on top of the cyclone chamber to release it. Take the brush tool with you, as this is useful to brush off the shroud if need be. When you're at the dumpster, push the grey tab on the bottom of the dirt cut and the bottom hatch should open (sometimes it needs help) dumping its contents.
Look inside the inner chamber, you'll see the bottom of the high efficiency cyclone. It has a little cover on it, being held by 2 tabs. Sometimes dirt collects around those tabs and you must pull it off. Yes, it's a little dirty, but it will keep the efficiency up. That little cover is to prevent dirt being sucked up into the filters during the first fraction of a second when you turn the vacuum on and the cyclones haven't started yet.
You can twist out the cyclone chambers from the cup; the directions are in the manual, it's easy. You just twist them apart. Then you can brush off the holes in the shroud; sometimes they get covered in stuff.
The HEPA filter will last a year under "normal" use and is not recommended to be washed but to be purchased NEW from Hoover. It's not that expensive, and pretty much the only thing you have to buy once a year for this machine.
Right above the cyclone chambers when you pull them out is a little chamber where the foam and electrostatic filters are. These should be washed in warm (no soap!) water every 3 months. This is important to keep suction. Let the filters dry completely (24hrs) before reinstalling.
In the rear of the machine is a removable, clear cover where if something is clogged, you can remove it easily by opening the cover. It's attached with 4 Phillips screws. What's nice is it's clear, so you can see if it's clogged or not.
QUALITY/DURABILITY:
This machine, like almost everything today is made in China. I really like to shy away from Chinese goods, but I have to admit, Hoover has done a great job in oversight with the manufacture of this machine. The plastics used seem to be quite strong and durable. The colors are molded into them, so if they scratch you'll see more color underneath.
Everything seems to be well put together and fit nicely. Assembly was pretty easy (for an engineer) and will be just as easy if anyone knows how to screw things together. The manual and assembly instructions are quite comprehensive.
The motor in this unit is pretty quiet for a vacuum, telling me that it must be of some sort of upper quality. The rule usually is, the louder a vacuum, the cheaper the motor.
In the 21st century, sadly the day of 25-year-old washers and dryers, 15-year-old vacuums are gone, but I am confident that, with TLC, this vacuum should last at least 5 years without issues.
I just hope when it comes time for it to die, I can repair it or buy another one, because it's a great performer.
If you want to know anything else that I may have left out, let me know!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 180
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Epinions.com ID:
butanemopar
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Location: Illinois
Reviews written: 10
Trusted by: 0 members
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