Dyson DC17 Absolute Animal Vacuum

Upright, Bagless, HEPA - MPN: 00103

Description: Like all Dyson vacuums, the Dyson Absolute doesn’t clog or lose suction. What makes this machine different is the new Level 3 Root Cyclone™, breakthrough technology that spins the dirt and debris out of the air through a series of three cyclones. This latest advance in o... read more

Like all Dyson vacuums, the Dyson Absolute doesn’t clog or lose suction. What makes this machine different is the new Level 3 Root Cyclone™, breakthrough technology that spins the dirt and debris out of the air through a series of three cyclones. This latest advance in our patented technology ensures the highest, most efficient pick-up across all floor types by dramatically improving upon our already superior dust separation system minimize

AT&T - Cut the cost, not the quality. FREE* Refurbished devices. 2 yr agrm't required on qualif'd voice & data plans. Add'l restrictions apply. Get a refurb.

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rodneyreview... from CA

Member Since
Oct 2003

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User has 1 Day of experience with this product

The DC17 Animal sucks! And I mean that in the best way!

Strengths:

1. Best suction even among other Dyson models due to new Level 3 Root Cyclone. 2. Excellent build quality. Each piece is not an after-thought. 3. Best design - shape, color, material and operation.

Weaknesses:

1. Price - but you do pay for the technology it has to offer. 2. Heavy! Well at least we know this will last for years and years. 3. The cones gets clogged from fine dirt in time.

Posted Jan 15, 2007 - This is arguably one of the best "bagless" household vacuum cleaners money can buy. Dyson's root cyclone technology really does perform. And this latest Level 3 Root Cyclone trumps even its other models. If you're serious about having a real clean environment, this is THE product to buy. I just moved into an apartment a month ago and they replaced the carpets in most of the area and steam cleaned the others that they deemed need not be replaced. I used the vacuum in both and I can tell you that steam cleaning old carpets may get rid of surface dirt and stains, but Dyson is your friend if you want to suck out most (if not all) the dirt hidden below the surface. I could not believe how much dust it was picking up in such a small area. The bin filled up pretty fast so I was on to round 2 in the same patch of rug. This time it was picking up very find dust. Dust that may have been stuck for years and was never sucked out from other vacuum systems. Round 3 time and you will smile when you realize there is nothing else that's being collected in the bin. As for the newly installed carpets, I could only collect find dust until no more could be collected. Unlike other vacuums in the market, this is one heck of a quiet vacuum in a relative way. Of course it's still noisy, but as with other brands this won't hurt your noise environment. In fact I am able to vacuum even at night with no fear that my neighbors beside and above my unit will hear me. You're not only paying for the suction technology, you're also paying for the build quality. Each part has quality reflected on it. While the design is modern. Of course nothing is perfect. This thing is heavy. DO NOT vacuum the stairs while the machine is on the top stair because if this thing falls on you, there will be serious injury and damage. The quick-draw expandable hose is a good idea. But it's also not as flexible as I would have imagined it to be. It's easy to expand and retract, but the long handle commands that the vacuum is at a distance from where you want to use the telescope handle if you want to operate it comfortably. Among other bagless vacuums, this is the easiest to dump the contents. But just like all other bagless vacuums, dust will certainly be flying away from the trash unless you have a very deep trash can. Plus the fine holes around the cyclone technology gets clogged from fine dust in time so you will need to clean those tiny holes from time to time if you want the Dyson to perform it's best everytime. The lifetime Hepa filter is a great addition below. They recommend only washing with water and drying at least 24 hours near a heater/radiator - and they really do mean 24 hours. It's big and thick so it won't dry out quickly. So if you find the need to frequently vacuum the next day, I recommend getting an extra Hepa filter to use. The motorized brush bar helps pick up stuff from the carpet. This can be turned off for delicate rugs and floors. Just like other vacuums, hair and other long items can be trapped around the brush bar and need to be removed from time to time. It is also belt-driven so this can snap and break especially if inadvertently caught on a loose item. So be careful of this. Overall, Dyson is a wonderful machine to have and will surely last longer if properly taken care of. If you are extremely allergic to dust, I believe a better alternative is to go with Oreck XL as it ensures you will not be in contact with the dust particles due to it's ingenious bag design that closes shut when removed.

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Kinsella5

Member Since
Nov 2006

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User has 10 Days of experience with this product

Dyson DC-17 is the best Dyson to date!

Strengths:

Extremely powerful upright, easy to dispose of dirt, actually expels clean air, overall design. A new 5 year warranty is included!

Weaknesses:

Would have like to have seen a headlight added to this new model

Posted Dec 10, 2006 - When I first saw the Dyson DC-07 model introduced, I thought that it looked way too robot-like. I had never heard of Dyson, and thought it was a fly by night company. I was wrong...very wrong. I started out with the Dyson DC-14 Animal, and had a few complaints about it, that I won't go into. Being a single guy, with no kids, and no pets, I really didn't need such a nice vacuum, but I enjoy keeping my house clean, and after using my brother's Dyson, I wanted one for myself. When I saw that a new model was coming out, the Dyson DC-17 Absolute, I wanted it because I noticed they made a few changes to it. Yes, I am one of those people who like having the latest model, pretty sad I know. Comparing it to the DC-14, the new DC-17 features Root 3 technology. I am not sure what that means, I would assume the DC-14 had Root 2, but the new model seems even more powerful. Looking at both units side by side, I noticed the colletion chamber on the DC-17 is actually longer and not as wide. Also, you now don't have to bend down to turn the power brushes off if you want to use it on hardwoods as the new DC-17 now features a button towards the top that turns them off. Another thing I like about the new DC-17 is that you no longer have to "grimp" the buttons on the top to get the extended wand out (Dyson owners will know what I mean by that). It simply pulls out with greater ease. These little changes are a big improvement. They also changed where the attachments store, as well as other little changes throughout. Design wise, it still looks like a Dyson, no complaining at all, as it looks very "techo" and not cheap looking or bulky as other vaccums appear, such as the R2-D2 spin-off put out by Hoover about a year ago. This is the easiest vacuum on the market when it comes to emptying the dirt collection container. Simply push a button, and it snaps off, and then push it again, and the bottom opens up. Sure, you can listen to Oreck's claim about it putting dust back in the air, which is true to a certain degree, but you can simply walk outside or in your garage to do it. One thing I was hoping to see on this new model is the addition of a light, as sometimes I vacuum at night and the light helps slightly. Overall, this is the best Dyson has to offer, and worth every penny.

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PeeCee70 from FL

Member Since
Apr 2007

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User has 3 Months of experience with this product

Definitely Revolutionary

Strengths:

The suction is incredible! Cleans better than any Oreck. Very well made. The quality is evident.

Weaknesses:

Big and heavy but worth it.

Posted Apr 4, 2007 - I bought this DC 17 in 12/06. I previously owned an Oreck XL which I considered to be a good vacuum. It still worked well, but it needed a new power cord and the outer part of the bag was torn slightly. I called Oreck to price a new XL. Oreck sells the XL with the "free" canister vac. I barely use the canister and the one that I have is in excellent shape. Oreck wouldn't sell me a new XL without the "free" canister which all in all was around $470.00. Since I was in the $500.00 price range I decided to research the Dyson. All the reviews were very positive. I had vacuumed that morning with my Oreck XL. (I have two kids and a shedding Dalmatian). The kids were still at school and the dog was out in the yard when I came home with the DC 17. I vacuumed my living room and the clear canister started to fill immediately! I ended up vacuuming the whole house and had to empty it twice. Not only did it have dog hair and loose carpet fibers in the canister, but it contained a large amount of fine dirt and sand and "God know's what" that had been residing in my carpet for years. The whole house just smells better since I aquired this fine piece. Negative points? The customer service reps could be more knowledgeable. I'm a guy with a mechanical mind and for me there's nothing more frustrating than calling customer service and quicky realizing that you know more than they do. My DC 17 apparently shipped without a very important seal in the bottom of the cyclone. The washable filter clogged up with dog hair in about a weeks time. The Dyson reps "fix" was to send me a new filter. I knew that wouldn't solve the problem. I needed to know why large particles and dog hair were getting past the cyclones and making their way to the washable filter. The whole premise of the Dyson technology is how it separates the dust and particles in the cyclone so that nothing gets to the filter to clog it and you don't lose suction. But on third phone call I was in touch a "smart cookie" and she knew right away that it was a seal problem. They sent me the seal and all is good! It's an expensive machine. But if you have kids and pets and enjoy a clean home, this is worth it! Plus you get a 5 year warranty! This machine and the mini-tools that come with it are very well made. The quality is very evident in the materials and workmanship. I must say that I was impressed! NOTE: This machine has TWO filters. One washable, user serviceable filter right below the cyclone canister. The HEPA filter is not serviceable. You can see it just inside the left side exhaust port of the motor where you feel the warm air coming out. Some reviews mention washing the HEPA filter, which is impossible.

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nssdiver from NY

Member Since
Sep 2002

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User has 1 Days of experience with this product

I CAN'T BELIEVE that I am actually reviewing a vacuum cleaner, let alone bragging about one!

Strengths:

An absolute, uncompromising terror on anything on, in or possibly even underneath your rugs. Absolutely no 'burning dust,' or other smells during use. Easiest vacuum on the planet to empty. 5yr wnty

Weaknesses:

(NOTE: All listed weaknesses are relatively minor compared to it's strengeth(s)) Turbine head looses 'oomph' during extended on carpet/sofa use; vacuum power wants to collapse extension hose lnghtws

Posted Dec 28, 2006 - Weaknesses, cont'd: due to length of 'wand' once extracted, you can't use it w/ the attachments to vacuum around in tight spaces, like a car. : WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENED: On Saturday, my OCD wife vacuumed our house from top to bottom with (what was at time of purchase) a top rated Kenmore by CR. Saturday night, I broke it. Sunday, we bought the DC17. Sunday night, I vacuumed our house from bottom to top. This included: one small living room, one small bedroom, one flight of carpeted stairs and one short hallway. I had to empty the DC17 TWICE to finish the house. Although we do have a cat, who has nothing to do all day besides groom herself, I never considered our house THAT dirty, if at all. I certainly considered it 'pretty gosh darn clean' after my wife vacuumed from top to bottom. I was appalled/astonished/mesmerized (sp?) by the amount of stuff it picked up. Cat hair, dirt, dust, carpet fiber, unknown and unidentifiable. Suddenly, the $550 we spent on it at Sears was a little easier to stomach. : The vacuum has been used enough to fill the canister 12-15 times so far and the HEPA filter still looks like new. : Weaknesses explained: The turbine head works on vacuum suction power, not with an additional electric motor in the head. It also needs to build up momentum. (This only takes 2-3 seconds.) Hence, when doing short strokes on stairsteps or chair/sofa cushions, it actually works quite well. What you can't do is use it continuously as a mini vacuum cleaner head w/o lifting it off the surface you're vacuuming. The extension wand/hose, which in and of itself operates easily, wants to collapse lengthwise once you start vacuuming. "Not a big deal," you say?! Well, if the DC17 is facing directly away from you, it is strong enough to pull/roll the vacuum right up to where you are standing. Even on a rug. If it's behind you at a 90 degree/right angle, it will start to tip over. If you're vacuuming your way up a flight of stairs, it's not an issue at all as the vacuum stays bumped up against the bottom stair. One other thing the hose does is if you are bending the handle at anything approaching a 90 degree/right angle, the hose wants to collapse width-wise (as if being stepped on). This again is only apparent at high suction levels. : Wand Length: The inflexible wand/handle length is just over 3' long. While this is great for vacuuming your curtain tops (like *I* ever do that) or using other vacuum attachments on the floor, it makes it almost impossible to vacuum in tight places like your car, under furniture (desk, couch), etc. Again, not a big issue, just one you can't tell by looking at a picture of the DC17. : The fact that you might get some dust in the air while emptying the canister almost isn't even worth mentioning. If you're that incompetant, empty the thing outside or in your garage. : I actually hate to give this vac only a 4 star rating, but although it's weaknesses are minor, they do add up. This would in no way stop me from buying one again, or recommending one to you. I know you want one, that's why you've read this far. So don't dwell on the bad, picture the good you are going to do yourself by owning a Dyson. : Addendum: I've heard fromm multiple sources now to avoid the Dyson BALL. (Incidentally, the model I originally wanted.) It has a smaller motor and canister (because of the size of the ball) and is feels heavier. Although it does handle like a racecar, it feels heavier when lifted(20lbs actual, DC17 not listed). I don't know if the potential tradeoff(s) are worth it. Decide for yourself. : A2: The Sears salesman admitted to me that the lifetime filter isn't really lifetime and not warranted for that long. How long it lasts depends on: 1- how well you wash/care for it and; 2- how fine the dust is that you vacuum. One lady tried to vacuum up ~5lbs of flour with one and although none of it made it through the vacuum, her HEPA did "bite the dust. . ."

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Fiscal Gear from PA

Member Since
Jun 2005

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User has 2 Days of experience with this product

Great but pricey

Strengths:

strong carpet suction, extension wand, bagless design, long power cord, automatic height adjustment, easy to push, five year warranty

Weaknesses:

weak upholstery suction power, hose a bit awkward, worthless manual, price

Posted Jun 30, 2007 - The Dyson DC17 is a solid piece of cleaning equipment. I have two cats, one long-haired and one short-haired, and had struggled with all the hair. I previously had a Hoover which worked well, but I found I had to go over the same area of carpet 3 or 4 times to get all the hair picked up. I decided to buy the Dyson due to its stellar reviews regarding pet hair. Strengths: 1. Suction on carpets: If you have carpet and have pets, you need this vacuum. I have tried both my Hoover and my mother’s more expensive Oreck on my carpets. They did not even compare to the Dyson. In one sweep, you can pick up 95% of the hair and all of the carpet fuzz, dirt, etc. My carpets look phenomenal after a quick vacuum and stay looking clean for a few days after, which is a lot better than previous vacuums. 2. Long wand: I use this for cleaning cobwebs from my ceilings, etc. Very easy to remove from the vacuum and very light weight. 3. Bagless: I love not having a bag and seeing what is removed from my carpets (is it mostly cat hair, carpet fuzz, dirt, etc). It is super easy to remove the canister and has a second latch if you can’t get most of the dirt out by simply pushing the main release button. I have to empty, on average, after 2 or 3 medium sized rooms (12x12) depending on when I last vacuumed. I don’t find it inconvenient at all as I usually only have to empty it once per cleaning. 4. Long extension cord: 30 ft. It’s awesome to be able to plug in one outlet and do multiple rooms. I have read complaints in other reviews because the cord is not retractable. I have never had a vacuum with a retractable cord so maybe I’m missing something, but I don’t mind winding it up manually. 5. Automatically adjusts to the carpet height, wood floors, etc: Since this automatically adjusts, you just have to plug it in and go instead of trying to determine what setting is appropriate for different rooms. 6. Easy to push: It almost feels like a lawnmower in that it is self propelled; you just guide it where you want it to go. 7. Five year warranty Weaknesses: 1. Suction on furniture: While I don’t think the Dyson has bad suction on furniture, it’s not as great as it is on carpet. I mainly use the three small attachments that are always attached to the vacuum for doing my furniture. To use the attachments, you have to first unsnap the vacuum wand from the hose and then push the desired attachment on to the hose. I reinforce that I say push as opposed to snap. I believe a lot of suction is lost as there is no snapping mechanism for these tools. Ideally, all attachments should snap on to maintain suction. 2. Hose is difficult to manage: The hose is long and compressed very tightly into the wand of the vacuum. While a long hose is advantageous, I find it very difficult to maneuver as it is very tightly wound. You really have to yank the hose with a lot of force to get it beyond 4 feet. When I tried to do a whole set of steps without moving the vacuum, my arm hurt terribly as I was trying to pull against great resistance. 3. Attachments: I have used the attachments that are not directly attached to the vacuum only a few times each. I didn’t think the turbo tool did a very good job of removing hair from my sofas and instead was very rough on the fabric. Also, the tool for the stairs did a terrible job on my steps, leaving lint, hair and dirt that my old vacuum never had a problem with. Likewise, if you clean the steps using the long wand as recommended by Dyson, I hardly removed any of the carpet lint. The combination of the poor cleaning of the steps as well as the super tight hose has made me bring out my old vacuum for my steps. 4. Upright release: This isn’t really a weakness, but was a bit odd for me. There is no lever that releases the vacuum from its upright position. I was used to having a foot lever near the back of the vacuum to do this. For the Dyson, you just put your foot on the front of the vacuum and then pull the handle back. 5. Manual: The product manual is very bad. There is very little text and the diagrams are hard to interpret. Likewise, I know there are other things this vacuum can do that they do not specifically outline in the manual. I always go to the website if I need assistance, but that too is not great. 6. Weight: The Dyson is heavier than my other vacuums. However, it does have a handle in a location that distributes its weight evenly. It’s not as difficult to maneuver because of this, but I still have a bit of trouble carrying it up the stairs. Again, overall, I would recommend this vacuum if you have a lot of carpeting and pets or other messy creatures. Really, its strength is making your carpets look fabulous; it’s pretty good on furniture, and terrible on stairs. I’d buy this vacuum again, but if you’re looking for everything this vacuum is hyped to be, you might be disappointed.

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dmringer

Member Since
Apr 2007

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Awesome Vacuum!!

Strengths:

Switching from normal use to on board attachments is easy; hose is easy to get out; Good suction power; easy to empty

Weaknesses:

concerned with how well plastic parts will hold up; a little hard to figure out how to put the attachments on hose; poor instructions

Posted May 4, 2007 - The Dyson DC17 Absolute Animal vacuum is a great vacuum cleaner. It pulled dirt out of carpet that the old one did not seem to find the night before. I would recommend this vacuum to friends and family.

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