This Vacuum is a Home Riccar
Written: Oct 02 '06 (Updated Jul 20 '07)
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Pros: Lightweight. Easy to push and maneuver.
Cons: Very, Very LOUD! No onboard tools.
The Bottom Line: This is a vacuum to consider for someone whose priority is a light machine. I wouldn't buy it otherwise so my recommendation is conditional.
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| nagels's Full Review: Riccar SupraLite RSL2 Upright Vacuum Cleaner |
If our vacuum cleaners determined where we lived, I’d have a comfy home in Eureka Village or the Hoover Commons. In fact as cheap as I am, I might even have a little place on Broom Street. The more upscale neighborhoods would be on the other side of town, places like Miele Manor, Kirby Estates, Electroluxury Condominiums, or Riccar Ridge. These are the areas I’d slowly drive past with curiosity, admiring some of them and wondering why others demanded such lofty prices. When given a chance to visit one of these higher priced spreads I seize the opportunity, and thus when a friend allowed me to vacuum her house using a Riccar SupraLite SL2 there was no hesitation on my part.
Most average consumers are probably not familiar with the Riccar© brand and most likely have never even seen one. I recalled the name from the Consumer Reports listings, had seen them in the local vacuum cleaner store, and even heard a pitch for one from a gushing salesman. Still numb from having seen the Riccar price tags, I didn’t hear much of what Mr. Vacuum said.
Riccar is manufactured by a California company that has been in business for fifty years. Their production facility, Tacony Manufacturing, is located in St.James, Missouri. The company also produces sewing machines and the Simplicity Line of vacuum cleaners.
Riccar is only sold by authorized dealers who can offer follow-up-advice, service, accessories, warranty work and other brand specific services. Riccar vacuums range in price from the very high 200’s to the thousand-dollar range. This premium brand is comparable to Miele, and the SupraLite model has been compared to the more familiar Oreck light vacuums.
Nuts and Bolts
At around 8 pounds the Riccar SupraLite upright vacuum is a featherweight compared to the more common and less expensive 20 plus pound uprights. The RSL2 model is difficult to locate, and at this writing is not even shown on the Riccar site. Between the RLS1a and RLS3 models, this one more closely resembles the RLS1a model.
Features:
Light in weight
Ergonomic looped handle
On/off switch located on handle
Soft rubber wheels
Chrome handle tube
Bright xenon headlight
30-foot cord length
2 ply antimicrobial electrostatic bag
5.5 amp motor
Two-year warranty
Soft furniture guard
Standard circuit breaker
Polycarbon bottom plate
Edge cleaning feature
Automatic carpet height adjustment
Manufactured in St. James, Missouri
From the Riccar web site: “ Riccar SL1A outperformed the Oreck XL2 Ultra by 38.84% in Intertek Testing Service’s test of imbedded effectiveness conducted on November 19, 2004.”
It may be of interest that the Riccar SupraLite SL3, with an approximate retail price of $350,is ranked number 8 among uprights in the March, 2006 Consumer Reports issue.
My Eureka, with an approximate retail price of $140 and weighing more than twice the Riccar, is ranked number 4. In the October 2006 issue the Riccar SupraLite falls in the rankings to number 12. Ear protection is recommended for the user.
Consumer Reports rankings are not gospel and should be taken with a grain of salt or preferably lots of salt grains on a dish of fries.
Vacuuming with the Riccar
When my friend said she had paid 300 dollars for this little Shlep of a vacuum, I thought she had taken leave of her senses. Not dazzled by its looks and taken aback by its incredible lightness of feeling, I couldn’t imagine why this machine would be so expensive. I had to see for myself.
The on/off button, conveniently located at the top of the handle, can be activated with the flick of a thumb. Consumer Reports mentions in its article that the Riccar is loud enough to warrant ear protection, a seeming exaggeration. It is no exaggeration. This is by far the loudest vacuum cleaner I have ever heard. Hearing it for the first time gives one quite a jolt, and it almost compelled me to go out to the car to fetch the ear protectors I wear when using the chain saw. Conversation is impossible while the vacuum is running unless you enjoy screaming really loud. Thus whenever I wanted to share an observation about the Riccar with its owner, I had to turn it off first. At times I felt like I was using a gas powered leaf blower/vac inside the house.
My friend actually thought of returning the vacuum to the store because of its raucous roar. The salesman told her that these little guys are just that way, noisy. Her particular Riccar is not unique or defective.
Part of the reason this vacuum is so light is its diminutively sized cleaning width of 10.5 inches and its lack of onboard tools. Many seldom use these tools anyway and have a second vacuum for those circumstances requiring tools.
To lower the vac’s handle one steps on the right hand side of the base while pulling back on the handle. Oddly there is no button or lever to trigger for this operation, just a flat spot on the vac’s body. The handle will lie totally level with the floor for vacuuming under furniture, not that I could bend down that far anyway. Pushing the SupraLite is almost effortless and certainly doesn’t tax the endurance or muscles of the user.
It’s ideal for someone elderly or with physical limitations. Even Mrs. Spudman with her back problems would have no problems pushing this mushroom weight machine.
As I pushed the vacuum I could hear the dust and dirt being sucked up into the machine; the carpet had that clean, just vacuumed appearance also. Usually doing the stairs with an upright is problematic because of its size and weight. Even using the onboard tools, it’s a cumbersome task with my heavy Eureka. The Riccar made quick work of the stairs with ease. Impressive.
I opened the soft, blue bag using two zippers so I could have a look at the filter bag. It had the look and feel of a quality accessory, thick and sturdy. It was simple to remove the bag and replace it to the connection near the top of the handle. With two shedding dogs in the household, much of the bag contents consisted of dog hair. A large mass of it was at the top of the bag. After a few shakes the hairy mass dislodged itself and fell to the bottom of the sensible, top-filling bag.
The bottom plate of this vacuum snaps off easily giving the owner tool-free access to the roller and belt. Changing the light bulb is a bit more complicated requiring the loosening of two screws and the removal of the nozzle housing.
I noted that the bottom cord holder is made of substantial metal. This feature and the metal handle tube gives the Riccar a look of quality and substance. The top cord holder is designed for quick release.
As mentioned previously, the Riccar’s handle bends back all the way to the floor with no stop in between as in most vacuums. Normally to get over an obstruction one leans the vacuum back onto its back wheels and simply rolls over the high edge or cord or molding. Since there’s no midway stop on this vacuum one has to lift the entire machine to get past an obstruction, not a Herculean chore but certainly a nuisance.
The Verdict
It is important to note that this model does not have a motor bypass feature. Vacuuming up a stray penny could be costly.
I think three hundred dollars is too much to pay for a vacuum with no tools, even one that seems to do a good job with carpet cleaning. The jet engine/ chain saw decibel noise level of this vacuum would also be a deterrent for me. Be sure to listen for yourself before committing to purchase.
However, for someone who must have a light, capable, clean, easy to maneuver vacuum, and values the personal service available from a small vacuum shop, this is a viable choice.
Just don’t forget the ear protectors.
My appreciation to Helen for adding this product.
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Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 300
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