Dyson DC 17 Absolute Animal

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Dyson DC 17 Absolute Animal

by Myrt Thomas
(Homosassa, Florida)

I purchased the Dyson DC 17 Absolute Animal in May '08 based on customer reviews. I wanted a vacuum that would handle my chocolate lab's shedding hair, solidly built & last longer than my previous vacuums.

As for picking up dog hairs, this vacuum is superb. The vacuum maneuvers easily on bare floors, but I had some difficulty on carpet.

The Dyson DC 17 is too heavy to push for someone my size (5 ft female) so it takes me longer than usual to vacuum. The clear bin has to be empty often, but it shows how much hair, grit & dust was picked up so it was no problem to me.

I was very disappointed when the power switch had to be replaced last week only 4 months after purchase. Fortunately, a Dyson repair shop was within reasonable driving distance.

Before the power switch malfunction, the heaviness of the vacuum was my only concern. I am now not so sure about recommending the Dyson DC 17 Absolute Animal.

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Dyson DC 17 Absolute Animal

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Aug 14, 2010
Rating

not good!
by: Dave

Strange how there's either 5 stars or 1 star. You either love it or hate it. For me, this is a 1 star. The filter needs to be cleaned every time we empty the inner chamber. To get around washing it and waiting days for it to dry, I have resorted to going outside and slapping it against the street. It's heavy, doesn't pick up particulates in heavy carpet and has an un-flexible hose. Considering Dyson claims to have such fabulous engineering, this is disappointment. My wife and I are going out today to buy a cheaper better vacuum.

Aug 11, 2010
Rating

Hard to Push
by: Anonymous

I agree with the "hard to push" I have had my Dyson for 3 years and it was amazing. I raved about it for three years. Now I cannot even push it across the carpet floor, it is so hard. The only way I can vacuum is if I walk backwards. Dyson recommended cleaning the filter, but still no luck. Very frustrated and afraid to actually hurt my back. Repair booked, let's see what happens!! Wish me luck!

May 22, 2010
Rating

I wasted $500.00
by: Anonymous

After several recommendations I purchased the Dyson Absolute DC17 animal. We did not have pets at the time but anticipated haveing them in the future. It worked quite well until our lively, ever-shedding lab pups came to live with us about a year after purchase. This vacume, recommended for animals simply CAN NOT keep up with two now full size labs.
I have to empty the canister when it is only half way to the full line or I loose suction. The filter needs to be shaken out at least every week-actually it should be washed every week but then my vacume is out of commission for 24 hours. Dog hair gets jammed in the space below and behind the belt and renders the machine inoperable. I have to remove the bottom plate and take a screwdriver to clean it out. I use it once or twice then spend a half hour or so declogging it. My time is much more valuable. For $500 I could have bought a commercial vacume. I am very dissappointed with this purchase and would NEVER buy another Dyson. I had a Filter Queen for many, many years and it had amazing suction. Still does-the rotary floor brush attachment just gave out after about 20 years. My daughter also has a Dyson and one small Jack Rusell and has experienced her's loosing suction as well. I would define it as a very high maintainance machine. I have always taken good care of my vacumes so lake of care is not the problem. A product not living up to it's hype is the problem.

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May 22, 2010
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Submitted by: Anonymous

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Comment
After several recommendations I purchased the Dyson Absolute DC17 animal. We did not have pets at the time but anticipated haveing them in the future. It worked quite well until our lively, ever-shedding lab pups came to live with us about a year after purchase. This vacume, recommended for animals simply CAN NOT keep up with two now full size labs. I have to empty the canister when it is only half way to the full line or I loose suction. The filter needs to be shaken out at least every week-actually it should be washed every week but then my vacume is out of commission for 24 hours. Dog hair gets jammed in the space below and behind the belt and renders the machine inoperable. I have to remove the bottom plate and take a screwdriver to clean it out. I use it once or twice then spend a half hour or so declogging it. My time is much more valuable. For $500 I could have bought a commercial vacume. I am very dissappointed with this purchase and would NEVER buy another Dyson. I had a Filter Queen for many, many years and it had amazing suction. Still does-the rotary floor brush attachment just gave out after about 20 years. My daughter also has a Dyson and one small Jack Rusell and has experienced her's loosing suction as well. I would define it as a very high maintainance machine. I have always taken good care of my vacumes so lake of care is not the problem. A product not living up to it's hype is the problem.

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Feb 16, 2010
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Dyson DC17 Animal
by: Laura

I refer to my Dyson DC17 Animal as the "very expensive blower". When I try to vacuum up a crumb, piece of lint, etc., the vacuum basically blows the trash across my hardwood floor.

I have similar results on the carpet except it doesn't blow the trash, it just simply doesn't pick it up. Area rugs??....forget it! It doesn't remove the trash BUT it certainly unravels the rug???

How does that happen? I think it may be the very harsh brush that I didn't know about until I was using the "carpet" setting on my hardwoods and it destroyed the finish.

My Dyson is 4 years old and I have been waiting for it to break down so I have an excuse to go buy a $50 vacuum that really works. I have a cheap-o vacuum upstairs that I actually have to haul downstairs to finish the job that the Dyson just can't handle.

As others have mentioned, Dyson Customer Support is the worst! There are absolutely no pluses to this cleaner except that it makes you realize that expensive does not equal better.

Sep 26, 2009
Rating

love it
by: Anonymous

I love my DC 17!! With 2 dogs it is a blessing! Only problem I have is that my cyclone needs a good cleaning. I was wondering if I could wash it??? I live in a house that had a previous owner and she used carpet powder. The suction on this vaccuum is so awesome that it is getting old powder up from the padding that previous owners' vaccuum missed!! Hence, the cyclone needing cleaning already. If anyone has an answer, feel free to email me at michellie_a_03@yahoo.com Thanks

Aug 26, 2009
Rating

Dyson Absolute DC17 trouble!
by: Deborah Terry

The Dyson Absolute DC17 machine has been nothing but TROUBLE!!! First off, the attachments are ridiculously useless. Trying to reach up to get the cobwebs along the ceiling takes standing on a chair!!

Then is gets clogged often. Directions say to clean the filter every 6 months, but we have to clean it every month or it stops working altogether. I can't believe I wasted close to $500 on this piece of junk. I have been duped!

Aug 13, 2009
Rating

Hard to Push
by: Anonymous

My DC-17 was very easy to push, almost self propelled even, have had it for 2 years and a month ago or so it became very hard to push. Like pushing a cinder-block across the floor! Called Dyson, they said it was the cyclone (the rubber skirt at the bottom folded in on itself and screwed up the suction?) diagnosed it due to pet hair being on top the filter which is never supposed to happen. Anyway, got the new cyclone, cleaned it inside out, washed the filter and it's still very hard to push. Now have to ups the vacuum to Dyson (no one will repair in Wichita?!) for repairs so I'm w/o it for 3 weeks :-( If I buy another it'll be the ball one as it's supposed to be lighter. Prior to this the vacuum was phenomenal! Have 3 dogs. Still works but I'm going to have a stroke pushing it!

Jan 29, 2009
Rating

too heavy for 5ft female
by: Anonymous

i have had no problems with the dyson absolute animal. there is no way that its to haevy or to hard to use on carpet im 4 ft 11 and can move it with ease. by far the best vacuum i have ever owned.

Nov 16, 2008
Rating

Dyson DC 17 Absolute Animal
by: Anonymous

I don't think this vacuum is heavy at all. It certainly is lighter than my Hoover upright. I think the powerful suction does cause some resistance when vacuuming area rugs, but I bought this for its superior suction so it's to be expected. I'm ecstatic about this purchase-- it truly is a superior vacuum cleaner.

Oct 03, 2008
Rating

Disappointment in DC 17
by: Anonymous

This machine is heavy, hard to mauever - especially on area rugs - have to take out a reburbished Dirt Devil to get the large area rugs clean - way to much money for the performance