vernacular_life | New Animal !!

I ended up getting the Dyson D17, but considered the Dyson D15 ( the ball), D14, and the Kenmore HEPA cannister. Looked at a few other uprights but really didn't like the way the hose came off and nixed them.

Background/Research: I paid special attention to the following when comparing

--Extending Hose: I'm big on pulling out the hose (baseboards, corners, behind the toilet, etc), and Dysons had, by far, the best hose-extender option, second only to a cannister.
--Motorized brush bar: Cannisters had this, and liked the one w/ the D17 and D15
--Suction: The D-17 has a a more powerful suction (3 suction chambers vs 2) than the other models. Blew all others, incl the cannister, away.
--Pushability: The 15 Ball was very cool, but I kind of felt like it was TOO quick and I'd miss sucking stuff up. The cannister was very easy and could fit under all but the lowest furniture.
--Price: cannisters had the edge here, but you had to buy bags. The ball was $50 more than the D17, and the D14 $50 cheaper than the D17. All Dysons I could use a 20% off coupon at bed bath & Beyond. (feel a little bad about shopping at Sears then buying elsewhere, but we have a Kenmore fridge, freezer, and W&D)

First Vacuum:
I expected to get a bunch of hair (and did!!) and carpet fuzz, but reallly didn't expect so much DIRT. I swear you could have potted a plant with the dirt that I got. First full house vac = 3 cannisters full (and we have a lot of hardwood/tile)

The most radical difference was noticed on a berber carper we have in the family room (i.e. where Sammy rolls around all the time). Judd thought I had spot cleaned it. Nope, just dysoned it.

I didn't think about the time that I usually took to switch the heads on the cannister from the carpet brush to the hard floor brush, but dont do that w/ the dyson - just turn off the power brush so I wont damage the hardwood.

I liked the pull out hose, especially as I could get down low without bending down (cannister hose had a metal end that's about 10 inches long; dyson's is about 2 feet) It was a little awkward on the wooden stairs, but will get use to it.

Overall, like it, esp as there's no 'hot dust' smell that comes from it when I'm done, and really notice the low carpets being MUCH less doggy.

Now, does it have more suction than my ShopVac? Maybe, but it def. cleans carpets better and is WAY easier to empty