Machines that go Bing!: Miele S4812 Hybrid vacuum cleaner review

Machines that go Bing!: Miele S4812 Hybrid vacuum cleaner review


Miele S4812 Hybrid vacuum cleaner review

Posted: 28 Feb 2010 03:31 AM PST

Original article: Miele S4812 Hybrid vacuum cleaner review
From Machines that go Bing

Miele have launched a ‘hybrid’ vacuum cleaner. No, it doesn’t have a gasoline engine but earns its ‘hybrid’ label because, like your laptop, it can be powered either by the mains or by a lithium-ion battery — and switches seamlessly between the two.

Miele hybrid vacuum cleaner

I was introduced to the Miele S4812 vacuum cleaner at the new Miele Gallery in West London which is a promotional venue for the company where the Miele vacuum cleaner was put through its paces on an assault course of dirty carpets, food-covered car seats and a stair-case covered in a variety of small household objects.

Concept

First, the hybrid label is nothing to do with the S4812’s ‘eco’-credentials. It’s not about saving electricity as you vacuum your home by switching power sources. The ‘hybrid’ nature of the Miele cleaner is to provide convenience for the user: extending range and allowing the cleaner to be used where no power supply is available or just to prevent power leads from being trailed across the house as you clean.

The Meile S4812 is therefore able to replace conventional full-sized vacuum cleaners as well as miniature ‘dust-devil’-like portable models.

Miele hybrid vacuum cleaner

Where the S4812 can claim to be environmentally-friendly is in the newly designed vacuum head which has been optimized for low-wattage cleaning, and a variable suction control so you only use as much power as you need for each floor surface.

Miele hybrid vacuum cleaner

The Miele S4812 is base on the S4 vacuum cleaner but with the addition of lithium-ion batteries that can run the cleaner at 600W for up to twenty minutes (compared to 1800W normal operation). This allows you to pull the chord out of the AC supply and carry on cleaning beyond the range of the mains lead (9m). When the cleaner is plugged in again the battery recharges and the user can switch between power sources any time the mains lead is plugged in.

Batteries

The batteries are made to last about ten years and charge in about three hours. Recharging is automatic and there is no need for an external charger. This function is assumed by the so-called AutoLoad function: As soon as mains power is reapplied, the electronic controls check whether the battery is fully charged and, where necessary, begins recharging. A charge indicator provides information on the recharging progress. The battery power remaining is indicated by a series of lights.

Lithium ion batteries are not prone to the memory effect we all know and love on mobile phone batteries so that batteries can be recharged at any time and are always ready for use.

Durability

The casing of the Miele S4812 is of ABS plastic and is said to be able to withstand a load of 100Kg. This was demonstrated to me by a sales representative standing on the casing with no ill effects (although she didn’t look anything like 100Kg!).

The hose is made of a memory material that even after severe stress (see video above) returns to its original form afterwards and does not split even after knotting.

Safety

The underside of the hose handle has an integrated metallic strip which is in direct contact with the hand when cleaning. This is an anti-static strip which prevents the user from receiving static shock from charges that build up from moving the cleaning head back and forth across a carpet.

Cleaning

Cleaning is initiated by pressing the power button on the casing which is large enough to be operated by foot. If the cleaner is plugged in to an AC mains supply the S4812 will operate at 1800W. If it is being run off the battery, 600W. If pushing the head over the floor becomes difficult because of the suction this can be dialled down by rotating a simple control on the back of the casing.

Miele hybrid vacuum cleaner

The head of the S4812 has a foot-operated switch which deploys a brush for use on hard floors. This lifts the metallic parts of the head above the floor to prevent scratching. The brushes themselves have a ‘castellated’ profile to allow air to pass under the head and into the cleaner and prevents the cleaner from sucking itself rigidly to the floor!

Miele hybrid vacuum cleaner

When you’re done cleaning and un-plug the mains a button on the casing quickly reels in the power lead.

Attachments

The Meile S4812 hybrid vacuum cleaner comes with the following attachments:

  • Dusting brush — lampshades, blinds, picture frames, pelmets
  • Crevice brush — narrow places such as between sofa cushions
  • Upholstery brush — furniture, curtains, car interiors

Miele hybrid vacuum cleaner

Filtration

The Miele hybrid is filtered courtesy of AirClean’s latest generation of HEPA filters. Theses filters have 9 layers of filtering material to minimize amount of dust and pollutants that pass through the system and back out into the room.

The bags are FJM and have an integrated mesh that protects the bag material from sharp objects and prevents splitting.

If that wasn’t enough the bags also incorporate air flow guides so ensure that air and dust reaches all four corners of the bag so you don’t have to change them so often!

Miele recommends changing the filter once for every five bag changes.

Noise

Maximum sound levels are 77 dB and 69 dB for AC and battery operations respectively.

Price

The Meile S4812 will go on sale in March 2010 and is expected to sell at prices from £499, € 770.

Conclusion

The Miele hybrid is based on the Miele S4 vacuum cleaner and inherits the S4’s compact design and relatively low weight. Thanks to hybrid battery and switching technology, Miele’s hybrid is a fully fledged vacuum cleaner when connected to the mains supply but also offers all the freedom of a battery-powered unit in one package. The duration of battery operation depends on the power setting and offers a maximum of 20 minutes of vacuum cleaning.

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Posted: 27 Feb 2010 06:09 AM PST

Finally Paypal gives hope for all the paypal users of India to transfer cash back from their Paypal account to their respective bank accounts.Paypal says they are ready to resume bank transfers by March 3rd.I got a mail from Paypal mentioning the same.Check it out below.
Dear Siddanth
We have been diligently working with the RBI and our business
partners to resume Indian bank withdrawals for the thousands
of Indian businesses who depend on PayPal to sell their goods
or services in the global marketplace.
Today, we are happy to announce that the RBI has allowed us
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of goods and services.  We are currently making changes to
comply with Indian regulations for settlements for exports of
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As part of the changes, you will be required to fill out a
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On Monday, March 1st, we will be back in touch with specific
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Moving forward, the RBI has told us that PayPal needs specific
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currently do not have.  Until we get these approvals, personal
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You can check the PayPal blog for additional updates.
www.thepaypalblog.com
We thank you for your business and for your patience during
the past few weeks.
Sincerely,
PayPal
So as per the above mail , any local bank withdrawal would need to have an "Export Code" field filled out before the transaction is completed. This will enable the bank to identify the cross-border transaction's nature. The necessary details will be provided in an email again on March 1st.So once the approvals are done between two parties RBI and paypal we might be able to resume personal payments too.Lets hope for the best.
 Paypal resumes Local Bank withdrawals in India

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25 Creative And Impressive Ice Sculptures (25) 1(Image credit: icesculpture).

25 Creative And Impressive Ice Sculptures (25) 2(Image credit: blahmni).

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25 Creative And Impressive Ice Sculptures (25) 7(Image: Credit).

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25 Creative And Impressive Ice Sculptures (25) 9(Image credit: eskimoice).
25 Creative And Impressive Ice Sculptures (25) 1025 Creative And Impressive Ice Sculptures (25) 11(Image credit: icesculpture).

25 Creative And Impressive Ice Sculptures (25) 12(Image: Credit).

25 Creative And Impressive Ice Sculptures (25) 13(Image credit: iceimpressions).
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25 Creative And Impressive Ice Sculptures (25) 20(Image: Credit).

25 Creative And Impressive Ice Sculptures (25) 21(Image credit: iceimpressions).

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25 Creative And Impressive Ice Sculptures (25) 24(Image: Credit).

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