Gizmo

By Andy Walker, Cyberwalker Media Syndicate

Vacuum cleaners haven’t changed much since the days of the Hoover door-to-door salesman.

They still suck away dirt. Panasonic has tried to innovate with the Panasonic Dual Sweep Vacuum Cleaner (model MC-V7505) and it succeeds modestly.

The upright vacuum cleaner has counter-rotating powered brushes on its business end to better pick up dirt. It did a nice job of my living room at least. Better than my old trusty upright Hoover, which to be fair, is a couple of years old now.

The decent sucking power comes from good air flow throughout the head of the vacuum. I’ve noticed some vacuum cleaners pick up well when the middle part of the head is over the dirt, but not around the head’s edges. This vacuum doesn’t suffer the same shortcomings.

Besides the new fangled airflow features, it has the same old features that most vacuum cleaners have. It’s got a 12-Amp motor, a HEPA filter bag system and tool caddy. Plus it’s pretty cool to look at.

Price: $299 Canadian, $199 US
More info: www.panasonic.ca, www.panasonic.com
Buy it: Available at most large retailers in Canada and the US. Canadians can call Panasonic at 1-905-624-5505 for their nearest retailer. Americans can call 1-800-211-7262. Dealers are also listed on the Panasonic Web sites. On-line at: Dynadirect