Great performer, good price (LG Cyking VC 716 HSL)

Member Name: digitaria

Product:	LG Cyking VC 716 HSL
Date:	24/02/03 (1327 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: suction power, appearance, build quality, ease of use

Disadvantages: floor head small, dusct container small, exhausts a lot of hot air

I had been looking for a new machine as the one we were using lacked power. In a spirit of contrariness as much as anything, I was determined NOT to buy a Dyson. If you want a good quality bagless cleaner, there doesn't seem to be much else on the market, but I don't like Dysons' ubiquity and relatively low-powered motors, despite the exorbitant claims of the manufacturer.

So having auditioned a Hitachi (good suction, light, compact but telescopic tube too short - returned it) I discovered the LG Cyking.

It's electric blue - which technically makes it a V-C716HBL, I think - and very unusual and quite attractive in appearance. It has a 1600W motor - Dysons are 1200 or 1400 - pah! The manufacturer claims 330 "air watts" of suction - which is almost as good as you can get. One of the nicest features on the LG is one I haven't seen anywhere else - there is a variable power control on the handle where you hold the tube, enabling you to vary the power and even turn the machine off without returning to the main unit. To do this, the manufacturer has had to spiral wiring up through the wall of the suction tube - but it works superbly.

The suction, one of the most important aspects - is excellent - you can see the carpet being hauled off the floor as the head passes across it. You can, of course, reduce the power, if you feel this is too much. The design is "cyclonic" - so similar to that of the Dysons. Dust spirals around a transparent chamber at the back of the machine and is intercepted by a filter. This filter - and the HEPA exhaust filter - are permanent and washable.

The cleaner has a good quality feel about it. The suction tube is telescopic - typically you'll keep this at full length, but it can be useful to shorten it for stairs or other awkward places and, of course, for storage. The cleaner comes with a "sani punch" head in addition to the standard one - this dev
ice is for vacuuming bedding and mattresses, for those who suffer from dust mite allergies. It's supposed to kick up mites and other debris by mechanical vibration of the surface being cleaned. Very strange. Haven't really used this feature yet. The other additional tools are stored on-board the cleaner and are of good quality.

Emptying the dust container is simple and not too messy, which is just as well, as it fills quickly. It reminds me of a coffee machine jug. The dust is stored beneath two hinged flaps which open when the container is inverted. A warning light indicates when the filter should be cleaned - haven't seen this come on yet. The main vacuuming head is a little small, which is good for tight spaces but means it takes longer to do an open stretch of floor.

The carpets do seem to be cleaner since this machine arrived and it has even encouraged me to vacuum, though that may not last. In summary, an excellent buy and a lot cheaper than an equivalent Dyson machine.

Summary: