Black and Decker CHV9600 9.6-Volt Cyclonic DustBuster
by Black & Decker
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List Price: Category: Home See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Black and Decker CHV9600 9.6-Volt Cyclonic DustBuster
Customer Review: This Dustbuster is one good sucker!
Summary: 5 Stars
I was very leary about buying a Dustbuster due to previous issues I had, but I must say that after using this vac for the last week, I am in love with Dustbuster again.
This Dustbuster has great suction and power. I really put this vac to the test by using it on various surfaces from ceramic tile to carpet to furniture. I didn't have very high expectations for carpet or furniture, but this little vac really surprised me. I used it to clean my stairs and it did a better job than our regular vacuum or Shark cleaner ever had. And with the help of the brush attachment, it worked great at removing cat hair from the furniture which is not an easy task to complete (those with pets know exactly what I am talking about). I even cleaned my car and my daughter's car seat with the attachments and it sucked up every crumb!
The only things that I have not liked are the weight (it is a tad heavy for long cleaning periods) and the noise factor (it is fairly loud and scares my toddler). Also the machine is a little bulky, so it doesn't fit too well into tight spaces without the attachments. But this isn't too much of a problem since the attachments are located right under the vac itself, so it is hard to lose and very convenient to use them.
You can clean this vac in a snap. I love the cyclonic filter that traps more dirt than the traditional Dustbuster. Even washing the filter is easy, it just comes apart and washes in warm, soapy water. And with the clear container, you know exactly when to empty it.
If you are looking for a powerful little vac that is versitile enough to use anywhere in the house, then I would highly recommend this Dustbuster. It really makes cleaning easier!
***Update 11/05/06: Well after almost 2.5 years of owning this Dustbuster, I am sorry to report that it is on it's last leg. The battery will not hold a charge for more than 5 minutes, but it still has good suction while it works. We put this Dustbuster through the ringer with 2 little messy kids and a cat. It was abused at times when my toddler got a hold of it...she dropped it many times by trying to help but it still continuted to work. It was used virtually everyday and it held up better than I expected it to. I doubt anyone expects a Dustbuster to last forever, but I was happy with its performance over the past 2 years. I would still recommed this product, but just be aware that it's life span is only a couple years at best. Happy shopping!
Customer Review: Top notch dustbuster with STRONG suction!
Summary: 5 Stars
Now THIS is the way dustbusters should be made! I've had at least 4 mediocre performing ones in the past, and this one, by far, is the best in every respect. The suction power is absolutely INCREDIBLE, so much so that I use this to clean pet hair and dirt off of stairwell carpets, as well as hard floors or tables. The product also has a clear bin, so you can see the cyclonic action, but more importantly, how full it is in order to empty the bin at the correct intervals. Nice thinking! It comes with an extension crevice tool as well. The rechargeable base is very easy to use, and I like the red LED light on the dustbuster itself, so you can see if it is sitting in its base correctly and in fact charging. Very nice touch. My only concern is how long the built in battery will last before needing a replacement. Since I have only had this product for about a month, it will be a while before I have an answer to that. Otherwise, this impressive dustbuster is a total winner! It is a MAJOR improvement over previous, non-cyclonic models. Buy with confidence.
Update 8/2006: this 'Frank from Toronto' above, who submitted a 1 star review, is delusionary! You know statistically, when the strong majority of the reviews for a product are positive, then come along 2 people who give out a 1-star review, that something is amiss. Maybe Frankie is disgruntled at Black & Decker due to previous bad luck with other B&D products (i've had good luck with mine), or maybe he expected the suction of a 20-amp upright, but it is way off the mark to give this excellent DustBuster such a bad review. And for his ridiculous comment on how there is just one reviewer using different pseudonyms to post many reviews here... clearly the dude forgot to take his meds the day he posted! Folks, don't listen to Frank's review. It is way off the mark and biased. I have had this product a long time now (over a year and a half), and i've NEVER had any problems with it, or the battery capacity or charge time. And I use it daily! This DustBuster flat-out KICKS SERIOUS ARSE!!!
Customer Review: Good For A Year...
Summary: 2 Stars
I've been burned by handvacs before, and you would think that by now, I would have learned my lesson. I bought this cute little vac on sale at Wal*Mart for $30. I was initially impressed with the compact design, the suction power, the washable filter, and the "cyclonic" action of the collection bin, which supposedly helps keep the filter clean. It worked VERY well while it lasted... Fast forward to one year later. The unit will no longer hold a charge or run for more than a few seconds at a time. Obviously one of the battery cells has gone bad, or the charger has become faulty. (perhaps both)? I've also noticed that the little red charging light on the vac no longer lights up either, which leads me to believe that there is indeed a problem with the charging circuitry on this thing. As many others can attest to, this seems to be a common problem with Dustbusters in general as they approach the one-year old mark. I don't know whether Black and Decker is aware of this issue or not, as they have almost non-existent customer support.(the number I called was dead). As a matter of fact, they aren't the same company my parents knew and loved. I've also been disappointed with with Dirt-Devil handvacs too, which have also let me down. (brittle plastic and broken nozzles) I am totally fed up with these throw-away toys. I think I'm going to swtich to a corded handvac instead, and hope I have better luck with those. There's obviously a serious problem with the charging circuitry & batteries on these things, as rechargeable batteries should be good for up to 5 years. I've learned my lesson. If you're not too concerned about the long-term, then I guess this isn't a bad investment. It *does* serve the purpose... Just don't expect it to last much longer than a year. Typical throw-away junk.Customer Review: Ignore All the Positive Reviews...
Summary: 1 Stars
Ignore all the reviews below. You'll notice a common writing style here. They're likely all coming from the same person using a pseudo name, no doubt. I too owned this vac for roughly six months, then out of the blue, it just died on me. Wouldn't hold a charge or run for more than a minute at a time. Thankfully, Wal*Mart took it back and gave me a replacement, yet here once again, I'm experiencing problems with either the batteries or the charger. I agree with what Bruce had to say here. All one has to do is read the reviews on other Dustsbusters, or talk to people that have owned them in the past. They have a SERIOUS design flaw with the batteries/charger. I remember when I bought my first Dustbuster back about 16 years ago. It lasted me 10 years, never gave me any problems, and had good suction. Every model I've owned since then has been nothing but trouble for me. Hard-to-find filters, mediocre suction, bad motors, faulty chargers & batteries, just too name a few. And it's not just Dustbusters either, but almost EVERY SINGLE Black & Decker product I've purchased over the years has been substandard. From shoddy wiring to defective parts, their quality control has REALLY gone down the tubes. I also bought a coffee maker that was broken right out the box! (Model ODC-405) I'm going to write a strongly worded letter to the company, and send it registered mail. I'm not only demanding my money back, but I'm requesting that they formally apologize for knowingly selling these faulty products to an unsuspecting public. Throw-away garbage is right. From the product lifespan, to the lack of customer support, they sure aren't the same company I remember from the '80s. Avoid them at all costs.Customer Review: Every home needs this quick pick-up!
Summary: 4 Stars
I've had a dust buster in my home for decades now. They used to have a notriously short life but they have come a long way. I was very pleqased with the Hamilton Beach wet-dry for the longest time, but it finally died. HB did not replace the item so I reluctantly went with the Black & Decker (they used to be the worst busters out there).
In addition to the charging station, this buster comes with 2 EZ to change-out on-board tools that are a great added benefit. The plastic on my original buster actually wore away b/c of use on a ceramic floor. This one has a little brush attachment that prevents this from happening. Also good for picking up pet hair. The other tool is a crevice tool, always good to have.
I purchased 3 of these last year at Amazon on one of their hourly super holiday specials. I paid $9.99 ea last year. What a bargain! All are as powerful as the day we charged them up.
- One in the kitchen for little messes,
- One upstairs for the same,
- My daughter uses hers for picking up cat litter. Terrific (just keep it clean).
It's possible the bad reviews on battery life are because these people allowed the battery to drain B4 they "seated" the unit in the charging station. If seated regularly, the life of the battery will be extended and you will enjoy your buster for a long time.
> When they say "portable" they do not mean let it die B4 recharging. As a rule, you should not let most rechargeable batteries go dead or the life of the battery can be shorten.
My experience now says I would pay up to $40 today for this item. Really!