In the vacuum cleaner market that, in our opinion, is dominated by poor product design, plastic parts that break easily, motors that burn out, belts that stretch and break, expensive bags that fill up virtually instantly, and a very short useful life, our Dyson has acquitted itself rather well.
Many of the other favorable comments about this Dyson apply and will not be repeated here.
We would add that Dyson has good telephone customer service as well as an on-line diagnostic guide.
We note the following negatives:
The "off the floor" hose suction is not as strong and is much more awkward than with a "tank type non upright" cleaner. If you are doing mostly off the floor cleaning, probably no upright is recommended.
-While it is NOT in the instructions, customer service will tell you that vacuuming up powder (plaster, carpet cleaner, carpet deodorant) will clog the hepa filter and eventually destroy the machine. If you plan to do this kind of work, get something that uses disposable bags.
-It is also not in the instructions, but DON''T run water thru the fully assembled canister to remove dust and dirt. The air flow will eventually gunk up and make the vacuum unusable. Use a compressed air can to blow out the dust or occasionally remove and clean the lower section (see below).
While the parts that you can access are easy to remove for cleaning and unblocking, there are some critical non user serviceable parts on the Dyson. Even the drive belt and hepa filters are supposed to be changed by a service center. So keep the box in case you have to ship the machine back to the company and hope you never need to use it
The problem, however, is really not with this Dyson DC07 (and probably other models as well) when it is under warranty. It is after the two year warranty expires and you are dependent on their expensive and sparsely located dealer network. I would guess that with parts and labor, a major repair could easily be between a quarter and half the price of a new machine.
We believe that Dyson should do a much better job in providing owner repair instructions, especially for machines that out of warranty.
In that light, we are providing information on two common repairs that the owner can perform. We would hope that at some point, Dyson would provide information on other repairs:
The hepa filter, which is supposed to last the lifetime of the machine, doesn''t. But it can be removed using a screwdriver to release the cover catches on both sides and replaced by the user (special replacement filter must be purchased from the company or from a dealer). We found it necessary to replace the filter (ourselves) when the machine constantly cut off due to overheating.
However, you may also come to the point, as we did, where the cylinder gets sufficiently clogged that there is suction to the intake (which means the motor is working) but there is no suction to the hose or floor and the vortex dirt isn''t spinning.
Customer service will first tell you that you have to bring or ship your Dyson to a dealer who will charge for parts and labor. Alternatively, a new canister will be $86.00 including shipping from them.
Forget it. You can clean the unit following these instructions (note; this probably will make little sense UNTIL you have the canister in front of you when it will become more obvious).
Be aware that you may well void any warranty if you do the following and, in any event, you do so at your risk but if it works, it can save you from an expensive dealer repair or part replacment.
-Remove the canister and clear plastic bin. Remove the bin and set it aside.
-The "cage" (part with the little holes) and the part with the vanes are held on with the black rubber ring at the bottom of the canister. The vane piece has to be removed before the cage by first easing out the rubber piece. Note the orientation of the rubber piece for reassembly. Removing the ring, vanes and cage is NOT dependent upon removing the handle (see next step below).
-Using a torx (star) #15 screwdriver, remove the 3 screws on top of the canister handle.
-Reach through the bottom of the unit and note how the long rod that opens the base flap fits through a guide slot.
-Pull out the handle assembly that includes the long rod. Do not remove the rod completely. Also, do not damage the large O-Ring and note, for reassembly, that there is a "flat" side to the handle assembly. Ignore the 3 screws inside the canister; they don''t seem to do anything. Also, the upper and lower plastic parts of the canister cannot be separated.
-Wash the canister unit using a high pressure hose or faucet and a bottle brush. Wash thru all the vortex openings at the top, the cage, the vane part and everywhere else. Run water through the unit until no more fibers, dirt, etc. come out and then a little longer. You will be amazed at how much stuff can accumulate in this canister.
-Allow everything to dry. When reassembling, make sure that, by reaching though the bottom of the unit, you guide the rod through the rod slot.
If you cleaned out all the accumulation, the air flow should work almost like new after the vacuum is reassembled.
Notwithstanding the above, the Dyson DC07 is probably a better and more reliable machine than anything else available (which, as noted, says something about vacuum cleaners in general), so with reservations and the hope that Dyson starts treating its customers like adults by providing information about user service, we recommend it.
I used to volunteer with the local Police department and soon became familiar with an interesting trait of unfortunate victims of crime: Ten people might witness a bank robbery and give stunningly different descriptions of those involved. One would see a red car, another a white car. One would see 3 people, another 1 person.
So it is with vacuum cleaners.
Like many readers, I read through every Amazon review before purchasing the ''yellow'' Dyson DC07. I resisted writing a review until now, using the vacuum approximately twice per week for the last 6 months. The summary? The Dyson''s ability to pull dirt and hair from carpets and floors is simply stunning, something you have to try to believe. I have found some drawbacks, and if you''ve read other reviews, they may look familiar. Some of my negatives:
When trying to clean under the 4 inch overhang on my floor-level kitchen cabinets or furniture, the DC07 does not reach under it very well. This ''yellow'' Dyson did not include the ''low reach'' accessory which would help with such a situation. I tend to use a mop or occaisionally my Sears shop vac which stands at the ready. This Dyson does have an attachment to reach this kind of area, but assembling it all isn''t worth the time it takes to simply grab my shop vac. Some people may find the DC07 models to be a little inconvenient in this regard.
Sometimes the 25 foot cord requires you to flip it around as you move the vacuum about. At the same time, the cord is very convenient as I can almost vacuum the entire home from one outlet. I just imagine myself as Bob Barker flicking my microphone cable around the contestants.
The Dyson DC07 also doesn''t pick-up the last 1 inch or so of dirt from the "head-on" direction. You need to run the vacuum sideways along the wall to maximize pickup. Again, you can attach other tools to target these areas, but I dislike removing the wand from the upright frame of the vacuum as it requires some twisting to both remove it and later replace it.
The positives? The Dyson is absolutely the best vacuum for suction that I''ve ever used. I have two Rottweilers (which if I may are the most misunderstood dogs in the world...what a couple of babies). These dogs shed hair constantly. When I read reviews about people vacuuming their home 2 or 3 times per week, I realized that''s what I needed to do but didn''t have time for. The Dyson changed that. Not only is the vacuum extremely effective, but it needs only 1 pass to clean a section of carpet. It rolls very smoothly, and vacuuming takes half the time it used to. Suddenly I found myself vacuuming two times per week.
The chamber that picks up hair is extremely easy to empty. I have never owned a bagless and wasn''t sure if I''d like emptying the collection container two or three times per use. This became a non-issue. It is extremely easy -even therapeutic -to see all that dirt and hair emptied. The workability of the parts is another plus. You may have to refer to the owner''s manual once to figure out how to operate some of the features, but it really is all very simple.
The permanent filter is nice and few competitors offer this. I never gave much thought to a HEPA sealed vacuum, as I have no health condition that necessitates it, but now that I have one it would be hard to imagine going back.
I had always wondered why a few reviewers hated their Dyson, or suspected that all-positive reviews are being written by Dyson employees or dealers (always a possibility).
One gentleman mentioned how he tried 3 different Dyson''s and none seemed to pickup any dirt. I suspect the vacuum was being used on carpet but set to it''s "bare floor" setting, something I once inadvertently did myself and it certainly doesn''t work well...until you change it to "carpet"!
Some, like myself, weren''t thrilled with the almost all-plastic construction. After using it for several months, I am now convinced the Dyson is well made. The molded plastic is the kind that seems to slightly pliable and tough. Not the brittle plastic seen on cheaper vacuums. There are thick rubber gaskets on pieces that handle airflow which make an excellent seal.
Others complained that when you empty the collection chamber, a plume of dust can thrust itself back towards your face as it drops into the garbage can. I don''t agree...this is completely avoidable if you simply push the chamber further into the garbage can, or empty the can first to make room for the waste, so it doesn''t drop so far.
Others lamented no light. The only vacuum I used with a light had no extra utility added by the light. Indeed, such lights tend to burn out quickly due to the vacuum''s contant vibration, but of course you may feel otherwise.
Some said the Dyson is heavy, and is hard to carry. We are all different, but I do not find the Dyson heavy. To give some benchmark, I''d suggest that if you find the Dyson heavy, you probably also have difficulty removing groceries from your car. It''s true that picking up the Dyson requires you to grab it in certain areas. An apparent "handle" on the collection chamber seems tempting to grab, but if you do the chamber can come off unexpectedly.
As for being a Dyson employee, my review probably lists enough negatives to indicate I''m not. I would even say that any number of vacuums may be a better choice for you. For example, if you want to clean your stairs and cannot easily lift a vacuum, perhaps one of those "stick bug" vacuums is what you need. If you''ve always bought Hoover and have never had a problem with them, or want a built-in light, buy a Hoover. The "Hoover" reviews suggest they still work well for a lot of people.
Some say for the price, the Dyson should not have any of the above problems. I liken it to the Concord, the (previously) most expensive way to fly across the Atlantic. Its seats were tiny, and it threw passengers back into their seats, all at a premium price. But it got you where you wanted in the shortest possible time. If the Dyson DC07 has some limitations at its price, it is still without a doubt the best vacuum for cleaning carpet and bare floors that I''ve ever owned. I rate it superior to three different Kirby''s I''ve tried from my friends. If you want maximum cleaning power, the Dyson is it. Some of the new DC14''s seem to have features that get around some of the above problems, so check them out too (of course they''re slightly more expensive).
For me, Dyson seemed to appear out of nowhere here in the US. It was all Hoover, Dirt Devil, etc., but now virtually every major consumer goods store sells them, and at a starting price of $400 USD, yet people flock to buy them. I figured there must be something to it. If you''re still not sure, try it out! Many stores (Target, Sears, Linens N Things, Walmart, Costco, there''s too many to list)...they all carry Dyson and allow returns. Try the vacuum (perhaps pick a store that does not have restocking fees) and see. But be warned if you do, you''ll probably wont want to take it back...
Buy Dyson DC07 All-Floors Cyclone Upright Vacuum Cleaner Now
Dyson is a great product but it''s certainly NOT perfect. The ''Never lose suction'' tagline is a marketing ploy, since Dyson too will get clogged and lose suction if not properly maintained. All other vacuum machines will NOT lose suction either if the filter bags are replaced often enough.
Overall, however, its performance beats all other vacuums (including the over-hyped Oreck, which is simply a rip-off) hands-down.
Every few months, the user must clean out the central cylinder of the very fine dust, or it will get clogged and lose suction. The way you do this is by removing the dust collector and then separate the core cylinder from the glass casing. Use another vacuum to suck dirt out of the little holes on the side of the cylinder. Also, if you look up the cylinder from the bottom, you''ll see caked dust collected at the top of the cylinder. If you gently bang the cylinder (upright) on the floor, you''ll be shocked how much fine dust (about two cups worth) will fall out of the cylinder. Use the other vacuum to suck them away. Also, take out the ''permanent'' filter and wash them. They, too, get clogged with the very fine dust.
The machine is very heavy and bulky, and it''s quite a chore to transport it between floors. The hose extension is very awkward to use because the point of bending is near the tip. The high profile of the vacuum head makes it impossible to vacuum under the bed, couch, etc.
The instruction manual is poorly written, and setting up and maintaining the machine takes a steep learning curve. Dyson should include a video instruction.
I, too, and concerned about how much carpet fiber the Dyson is tearing off the carpet, which you can clearly see in the dust collector. However, you can also see the amount of coarse and fine dust it''s picking up as well. One impressive feature of Dyson that lived up to the hype is that it will pick up much dust from carpet that was just cleaned by a regular vacuum machine.
Dyson rarely goes on sale, but I bought mine at Sears, which had Dyson on sale last year for $379. Also, buy the regular Dyson and avoid the ''Animal'', which is a rip-off. The rotating brush that comes with the ''Animal'' is air powered and is too weak to work well on the stairs.
Summary: If you have a large house with a lot of carpeted areas, then Dyson is for you. You may also build some muscle by carrying this behemoth up and down the stairs. However, you may need another vacuum for the stairs and also for a quick clean up in the kitchen.
Read Best Reviews of Dyson DC07 All-Floors Cyclone Upright Vacuum Cleaner Here
It''s great, unless it breaks down.
Dyson customer service is determined to avoid product warranty claims.
See if you can get a straight answer on warranty coverage!
I was happy with my Dyson, until the clutch broke after a few months. I called Dyson, took it to their "authorized" repair center for repair, and got it fixed under warranty. The repair center said that Dyson had a period of quality problems with clutches.
The clutch broke again only a few weeks later (making horrible grinding sounds). This time, Dyson claimed that the unit was no longer under warranty (less than a year after I bought it), while the repair center claimed that it was.
The same repair center ("Dyson Authorized"), told me that Dysons were poor quality, that they got several in every day for repair and that Dyson often tried to get out of paying for warranty repairs. Then he tried to sell me a competitor''s vacuum.
I''m still fighting with Dyson to get the $150 repair covered. They claimed first that Amazon was not an "authorized" dealer. When Amazon disputed that, they then claimed that Amazon had sold me a used unit as new. When I pointed out that it had Dyson sealed packaging and a warranty book, they then claimed that Amazon had sold me a "reconditioned unit" (for$400?), which Amazon says in not true. Every time I call, I get a different excuse.
So, enjoy the Dyson, it works well. Pray that it doesn''t break while under warranty!
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I''d like to compare the Dyson DC07 to a sports car, like a Nissan 300Z for example, rather than a fine luxury sports sedan (i.e. BMW 3-series). Like everyone raves, the DC07 has truly great performance with stylish, contemporary design (beauty is in the eye of the beholder?). Two days after vacuuming my home with a one-year old Sanyo model and a relatively new bag, the DC07''s dust canister resembled a sand hourglass. The amount of unseen dust it sucked up made old carpets feel like new again and there are no pets, smoking or shoe-wearing inside of our home. The vacuum operates loudly like other vacuums, but with a bit of a high-pitched whine also.
However, when the novelty of the sucking power wears off, one can''t help but notice the build quality and lack of features the DC07 has for the amount of money paid:
Heaviness: the four pounds of force advertised by Dyson to maneuver the vacuum seems to be way off. The heaviness of the DC07 can be felt from the wrist to the elbow on either bare or carpeted floors.
Cheap-Feeling Construction: touching the DC07 would seem somewhat delicate if one didn''t know it was constructed of "crash helmet" plastics. It just doesn''t have a quality feel to it like the satisfaction of closing luxury car doors compared to an economy car. In all likelihood the materials used probably saves weight that the hefty 30-pounder already takes up. Nevertheless, the plastic tabs used for the clear canister and electrical cord storage seems rather flimsy and easy to break. One could expect these to break under normal wear & tear conditions.
Lack of Cord Rewinder: despite arguments for weight saving measures, I am very disappointed that this expensive vacuum doesn''t at least come with an automatic electrical cord rewinder.
Plastic Wheels/Castors: the use of hallow plastic wheels, along with the brush bar not being raised up in "bare-floor mode", leads to a noisy operation (even when rolling an unpowered DC07 bare floors). I worry that downstairs neighbors may submit a noise complaint to the condo board one of these days. Dyson should have used a rubber or heavy vinyl coating on the wheels to help minimize noise.
Hose Extension: the 17-foot hose extension''s elasticity is so tight that working with the wand tools can be somewhat cumbersome and tiring.
Trapped Dust: emptying the dust canister over a trashcan isn''t as neat and simple as demonstrated by Dyson. Usually dust gets trapped between the rubber seal and plastic canister rim and therefore requires an additional effort of a wipe down.
Lack of Dirt Sensor: a dirt sensor would have been nice to help validate that the floor is clean, but not really needed because of the extreme suction, I guess.
In spite of my criticisms I still feel that the DC07 is a very good vacuum cleaner, albeit a very expensive one. If I had not been able to purchase this on a rare sale, I probably would not buy the DC07 at regular advertised price. The floor tool is a worthwhile option to purchase separately, as the brush bar housing is pretty thick and bulky.
