Eureka 4870GZ Boss Smart-Vac Upright Vacuum
by Eureka
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List Price: Category: Home See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Eureka 4870GZ Boss Smart-Vac Upright Vacuum
Customer Review: Good Choice for a Good Price
Summary: 4 Stars
Review of Eureka 4870GZ
I used Hoover vacuums for years, but before I purchased this Eureka, I had purchased a Hoover Wind Tunnel Self Propelled which turned out to be defective and I ended up returning it to the store where I purchased it. For me the issue with Hoover is a lack of authorized repair shops to cover warranty issues. I live in Indiana and if I wanted to utilize the warranty on the Hoover I would have to ship the vacuum to Kentucky which is ridiculous. Eureka seems to have more authorized repair shops available which is a big plus if I should ever need repair work.
Pros of the Eureka:
Attractive design, functions well, is quieter then my previous Hoover that I used for several years, great with pet hair, is a consumer reports best buy (which is part of what helped me make my decision on this purchase). Some folks comment that this is a heavy vacuum, but since my house is only one story I never have to lift it up so was not a concern for me. The tools are easy to get to and positioned well on the vacuum. The cord seems to be a decent length. I did have to call Eureka's 1-800 number when I first got the vacuum because I had some questions and they were very helpful and friendly. Parts are fairly easy to get for this vacuum and you might even find some good deals for parts, bags, etc. on ebay. Amazon shipped this vacuum out very quickly and it arrived in perfect condition.
Not really Cons, mainly just general comments:
The plastic wheels on this vacuum are kind of noisy. Not sure if that is normal or not, but when I am moving the vacuum from room to room (most noticed when the vacuum is off of course) the wheels make a sound almost like the vacuum has marbles underneath it (not quite sure how to explain it) It may be just the nature of plastic wheels. This does not cause any issue for the actual use of the vacuum though, but it is just slightly annoying to me.
The vacuum is mostly plastic, but it seems most vacuums are these days.
The plastic lever for switching between carpet and bare floor is a bit tricky. You really have to make sure the lever is snapped back in place for bare floor use. (You'll know the lever for bare floor is in place when you hear a click and it does take a little effort when it is new) The lever is just tight when it is new but seems to get easier to use as time goes by.
The foot pedal is also a bit tight when the vacuum is new but gets easier to use as you use the vacuum more.
Overall, I would say this is a good choice and for a great price.
UPDATE (2/24/09): It has been over a year since I bought this vacuum and so far it is still working fine with no problems and no broken parts (knock on wood of course). I make the effort to keep the brush roll clean of hair that gets wrapped around it which helps the belts last.
Customer Review: Only thing it needs is better instructions!
Summary: 5 Stars
Like some other people here, my family was confused as to how to use the bare floor mode since we never really thought to push that switch quite that hard.
So I thought maybe the switch was broken when I flicked it to Bare floor then tested it on the bare floor...only to find that it hadn't done anything (since it hadn't locked in). The noise was pretty horrible from the brushes going nuts on the floor.
Luckily these other reviews have also let me figure out just how to use bare floor mode, so yay to Amazon reviews.
Some of the reviews complain that it's too heavy-the vacuum isn't too heavy, and if you truly think that it's too heavy it might be time to join a gym. However, the high speed spinning of the brushes and the suction do combine to make it SEEM like it's really heavy when you're going backwards on the vacuum since it's trying to claw itself forward.
However, if you read the manual (and I know I'm not the only person here who didn't really read the manual first) it actually does provide a solution to this problem-just drop back the carpet settings until it stops pulling itself quite as hard.
Personally though, I like the pulling feeling-it sounds silly but it's great to FEEL just how powerful this vacuum is, and know that the brushes are going nuts on the carpet cleaning every last bit.
The first time my mother tried to use the vacuum she left it on hose mode but tilted it back. Which apparently made the brush start spinning like it normally would but also made the machine divert the suction to the hose...the resulting mounds of dust that came out of the hallway carpet was literally frightening (my brother was shocked that he had been living with all that dust around). I heard the frightened screams of horror and ran over to find the selector on Hose mode, and once it went into floor mode the vacuum cleaned up the mess easily.
So, to summarize:
1) It's insanely powerful
2) It's not actually that heavy but the insane power makes it feel like it
3) The bare floor selector button needs to be pushed very hard (read the manual first too), so does the button to tilt the vacuum
4) This vacuum basically needs the manual to explain a little better how the bare floor selector button works, and maybe the explanation that you have to push hard on the buttons on this machine.
5) My only real complaint is that the tools don't quite store as nicely as on my old dirt devil (one of the brushes is already somewhat bent due to this-I think someone got confused while trying to store it), and the extra power brush doesn't have a storage place at all on the machine.
Still, you simply can't beat the value of this machine! And the HEPA filter works great as far as I can tell-the air doesn't have a nasty dusty smell anymore!
Customer Review: Eureka sucks....and not in a good 1 Stars
"I have had nothing but problems with my new vacuum!Even on Day 1 with new vacuum, right out of box, the bristles wouldn't rotate, there was a burning smell and had to replace the belt. I have had the same continuous problems ever since.....can't get the switch to move from carpet to bare floor, have to have the carpet height selector set on 2nd to highest to get the bristle roller going even thought I have low nap berber carpet, can't even use the upholstry nozzle as there is always a burning smell. I have replaced the belt at least 6 times in the past 10 months, have taken it in for service at least 3-4 times...is this the experience I am supposed to have with my brand new vacuum? Just called to have it replaced...was told to drive it to Chillicothe, OH, to a warranty store (um, that's 4 hours away!)...the fedex option sounds like a big hassle when I have already wasted so much of my time on this vacuum. Called Eureka back, told them that their website lists a warranty station just 5 minutes from my house. Told to take it there for service or replacement...why would I want this lemon fixed?....Called the warranty store and was told that they did not have any authorizatiion to replace, just to fix. So Eureka, your Warranty clearly states that my vacuum cleaner is warranted to be free from all defects in material and workmanship for 1 year.....will REPLACE a defective cleaner. So please honor my request and just go ahead and replace my new vacuum, I don't want the original one fixed again just to break AGAIN after my warranty is expired. You either stand behind your products or you don't. Please don't make me the consumer, chase my tail in circles, taking it back to the repair store for addn service. Just send me a new one and YOU can take it to your service dept and figure out what is wrong with it! I have been a loyal Eureka customer for years...have a 10 yr old cannister vac that I have never had a problem with....so do the right thing and stop wasting my time with this obviously defective new vacuum. I am done calling your customre service dept only to be told that I have to get it fixed. I am a busy mom and just need a working vacuum. If you really don't want to keep me as a customer, just refund my $$ $175 and I can take my business to Hoover. And I will use all my free time not fixing my vacuum cleaner...starting a new blog about my horrible experience with eureka. PLEASE SEND NEW VACUUM ASAP! My warranty card is in your warranty dept!"That was my plea....and no it was never fixed or replaced. Eureka clearly knows that it is selling a piece of crap and would go bankrupt if they had to back up their warranty.....so they just give you the run around. So please don't waste your time and money. Just bought a brand new Kenmore...and I love Review: A vacuum that would make June Cleaver proud
Summary: 5 Stars If you really want to get your house clean, get this vacuum! My carpets have never been cleaner, and I was amazed to find how well it works on my hard (vinyl) floors too. It's absolutely incredible. But still, my big *WOW* moment was the first time I switched over to use the hose attachments. My lord, the attachments will actually suck things up! The day I got it, I ran all over the house, joyfully vacuuming vents, blinds, corners, floor edges, & furniture like a woman possessed.
Pros:
1. Incredible all-around suction power for carpets, hard floors, & with attachments.
2. Intake path (the route the dirt/debris has to take to get from floor to bag)is well-designed; dirt/debris travels on a direct, straight route up through intake tube to bag. Trust me, this matters. My old vacuum's (smaller) intake hose required the dirt/debris to pass through several U-bends before entering the bagless bin, and it plugged up constantly.
Also, the intake tube is big enough that stuff doesn't get stuck. I've successfully vacuumed up pine needles from our Christmas tree, gum wrappers, bits of uncooked macaroni (yup, got kids). Watch out for gerbils, hamsters, & lizards.
3. Nice long cord.
4. Quiet for a vacuum.
5. Filtration actually seems to leave air cleaner.
6. Attachments are on board & easily accessible (except PowerPaw).
7. PowerPaw great for pet hair on furniture.
Cons:
1. As many people have mentioned, the handle release pedal is ridiculously hard to push down. I've found it helps to turn on the vacuum first before trying to push it. Wear shoes, preferable army boots.
2. The little lever used to switch between carpet (brush roller on) & hard floor (brush roller disengaged) settings is also a bear to work. If you push really hard, it *will* snap into place, but you need strong fingers. Must do this w/ vacuum on.
3. If you've been using the hose and then switch back to vacuuming the floor, BE SURE TO SET THE DIAL FROM "HOSE" BACK TO "FLOOR." If you don't, when you begin vacuuming the floor, after a few seconds dust will begin to spew out into the air in noticeable quantities. Reset the dial, and all is well.
4. Hose is a bit short.
5. (Very minor) Little clip on cord plug (used to hold plug in place during storage) is too small to clip onto cord.
The pros far outweigh the cons IMHO, because the vacuum is so effective at what it's supposed to do: clean. The cons are minor inconveniences that the company should be able to fix in future versions.
Customer Review: Perhaps i got a dud?
Summary: 2 Stars
I have two cats and a semi-allergic husband, so i needed a vacuum to perform better than my old Kenmore. I did lots of research and went with the Consumer Reports pick, this Eureka Boss Smart-Vac. Performance-wise, I'm very happy with it. However, it's very heavy, bulky and not very easy to use.
First of all, the knobs and settings are near rediculous! The button to step on to unlock it requires hard-soled shoes or you can bruise your foot-very hard to push! The lever to switch from carpet to bare floors cannot be switched unless the vacuum is in the locked position and then it is often very hard to do. There are three position knobs/dials you need to always be aware of to ensure correct setting. If you were vacuuming the bare floors then used the attachment, then go to carpet, you have to remember to switch the top knob to 'floors', then the height to an appropriate one (not bare), and then the switch from carpet to bare.
Second, it is very heavy. i usually have to have my husband carry it between floors for me (especially back when i was pregnant) because it is so heavy and big, I'm afraid i'll fall with it.
Third, and most disappointing...the belt breaks CONSTANTLY! I've got to change the belt after every 3-4 uses! The last time i went to buy belts I went to 4 different stores to find them! I would think this is a popular brand (it was flying off the shelves at Lowe's when i originally bought it a year or so ago), but Target didn't have them, Home Depot didn't have them, Sears didn't have them...I had to go to a ma + pop vacuum shop to buy them and they were $10 each! I just found them here on Amazon, so now i'm stocking up. I took it in before the warrenty came up to have it looked at, but they didn't fix it. Kind-of a long story, but basically I took it there to complain that the belt was always breaking and that the motor seemed to get really hot and stinky when i ran it for more than about 10 minutes at a time. The guy took it apart and verified the belt was in tact, then put it back together. a couple days later they called my husband and told him it was okay, the belt just needed to be replaced. My husband went to pick it up before he told me what happened. At the time i was about 6 mths pregnant and didn't feel like bothering with it. So now i'm left with a crappy vacuum that eats $10 belts like candy.
Anyway, it does a good job of cleaning up cat hair....when the belt isn't broken!