Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I purchased the first version on this vaccum in '99. It burnt out about a month ago, AND I used it all the time! It kept it's suction well, too. As long as I had it, it held its integrity. The ONLY reason I have had to buy another one is because I attempted to use the vaccum as a make/shift leaf remover on the lawn. Leaves are light, right? NOT! They clog easily inside the tubes. They clog the entrance into the filter unit. I should have paid attention to the motor RPM's increasing. I didn't. I was too busy shaking free the leaves inside the tubes and the openings AND continued to pick up leaves at the same time. I heard this high pitched, Wrrrr, then the motor froze up. The smell that comes from the smoke of an electric burn started. I knew what I had done. I didn't attempt to restart it after I let it cool down on the patio. I threw it in the trash to be picked up. I was angry at myself: Forestt Gump said, 'Stupid is as stupid does.' (I just wrote this confession to let everyone know that a 70yr old man doesn't have all the marbles inside the circle anymore. I did it IF anyone else has had this kind of experience to feel that they're not the only one. LOL....and I would like you to share your incident w/me, too....so I can laugh at you. ------- I have tried this unit. It is excellent. The plastic is as sturdy as the old one but not as heavy: thank you. Its suction is great. I have a cat window bed w/deep pile carpeting that has to be cleaned everyday. (She's an outside Service Feline: a calico. I have a pic of her on my profile if you wish to check this classy calico of 15 yrs. She's sassy, too; the way I like my women!). They have added a floor suction brush/vacuum w/the long handles so you don't have to been over in the long runs, BUT the free moving swivel is very difficult to handle because it is too loose so the floor brush/vaccum defeats its purpose, but you can use the hand vac unit which is motionless and you will get the job done. Now, that all said, I bought this because it is a hand vac; not a traditional upright vaccum. That's what it was created to be used as. I like this 2nd version. The suction is great and the filters haven't changed from the old unit, so if you have any filters left over from the old unit you will be able to use them on this one. Oreck as a new circular carryer for hand held vaccum's now. The price to buy this unit has been the least expensive I have ever bought. Think about it. 16yrs of use, 365 days, circa 20-30min and you are going to come up w/the best deal I think you can find. Oreck developed their vaccums for industrial use primarily and they have kept the same integrity w/their home versions also. I had one of those for 13 years. No, I am NOT a rep. No, I am ot being paid. I wish I was. Oreck, are you listening? P.S. The hand vaccum I have had since '99 came as a bonus if you purchased the upright version.