A very striking red colour is the first thing you notice when you take it from the box, the next thing is that there are just three items that will only connect together one way and as they click together you do not even require a screwdriver.
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click image to enlargeThis upright unit stands 1.1metre tall; the collection container is on the top end of the handle and is 10x12x30cm the last figure includes the motor unit. The cleaning foot is 27x12cm. This is a powerful - and noisy – cleaner.
The mechanism to control the amount of suck is quite simple an adjustment on the top of the connecting tube to let some of the air escape, the less you let escape the tighter the grip on the floor or carpet and indeed the harder to move across the floor.
There is a three position switch up is off, halfway down suction only, all the way down suction and the brush bar both working.
As I unpacked I noticed a long mains flex – something most do not have – and when I measured it I found this hard wired flex was 8 metres long and for me that means one central point can clean everywhere without having to find other sockets or add an extension lead.
One click will release the ‘Dust Bin’ from beneath the motor unit and of course as is the fashion now there are no bags so the clear Perspex container that is the ‘Dust Bin’ shows when it is getting full.
There is a 20 page A5 size User Guide but I doubt most will open it unless they hit a snag.
The Quick Start on page 6-7 has five diagrams to get you up and running. The last point (point 5) says ‘the upright stick vacuum is not free standing’ and that is true but the shape of the motor unit and ‘Dust Bin’ mean with a slight tilt from vertical it will sit on the edge of most tables. While I would not suggest it sits there for however long between cleaning cycles it is somewhere to leave it off the floor while you move furniture answer the phone or door and also when you reach my age you will have discovered that the floor has mysteriously moved further away from your arms so any chance not to bend that far is a delight.
You can remove the handle and foot unit and attach the crevice tool (supplied) to the motor unit and ‘Dust Bin’ and you have an easy to handle handheld vacuum. This lets you get to upholstery and curtains and while the box mentions ceilings I have so far resisted the temptation.
When used as a ‘Stick Vacuum’ the foot can be locked into what you consider the best cleaning angle and instructions are included into how to do this. This does make the unit more rigid and some may prefer the freedom of angle of movement by not implementing this option.
Full instructions are given on emptying the ‘Dust Bin’ and when and how to clean the filter between it and the motor unit, all in all a comprehensive and informative User Guide.
It is an ‘A’ rated energy device (the most efficient) but it is noisy at 86 decibels and you may prefer to have earbuds or headphones on while you clean as to me it sounds all of the 86 decibels stated.
It is an efficient cleaner that transforms from upright to handheld easily.
The Dirt Devil DDU03-E01 is available from the link below for £129.99 with free delivery.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01AFZTW5S?ie=UTF8&tag=gadge0a-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634
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