Black & Decker CHV1400 14.4-Volt Cyclonic DustBuster
by Black and Decker
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Black & Decker CHV1400 14.4-Volt Cyclonic DustBuster
Customer Review: Great hand vac for a cordless
Summary: 5 Stars
Black & Decker CHV1400 Hand Vac
I am very impressed with this hand vac by Black & Decker. We have had two other models from B&D, including the first model they came out with. This one is by far a superior appliance - mostly due of its power. Although it has a two-speed switch, I generally use the full power setting (perhaps the lower setting is to prevent cloth or upholstery from being sucked in). Unlike the previous models, this one has plenty of power - enough to even suck up 3-penney nails (larger nails are too long to turn the corner inside the nozzle). You can see typical debris (not nails, though) being sucked into it when the nozzle is about an inch away or two away. It is reasonably light and has a nice balance to it in my hand. Although I rarely have to use it, it has a long nozzle attachment which is stored right on the bottom of the vacuum (opposite the handle), which is great for reaching hard to reach areas and for getting into corners. It is a cinch to empty - just press a button and the front section that stores the debris separates from the main unit. Just pour the contents into the garbage and snap the front back on again. Although I never had to replace the filter yet, it very easy to do. Just pop off the front piece (as explained above), give the filter a little twist, and the filter pops right out. The batteries hold a sufficient charge to allow me to do the entire job at full power. Recharging is easy - just set it on its wall-mounted cradle which has a built-in charger. An indicator light shines to verify that the vacuum is charging. I always place the vacuum back on the charger after each use, yet in the 10-months that I owned it, overcharging does not appear to be a problem, nor has there been evidence of battery "memory loss" due to not using it long enough to drain the batteries before recharging. Although I have never used this feature, there is a dial on the unit that allows you to occasionally direct the debris to various sides of the filter, thereby preventing one side from getting clogged prematurely. It probably is a good idea to do so to extend the life of the filter. I highly recommend this vacuum for quick pickups and small jobs.
Customer Review: Dust in Afghanistan
Summary: 5 Stars
I ordered this product to help keep my floor clean during my stay in Afghanistan; the dust here is a continuous and penetrating nuisance. I am pleased with this product. I must note that the dust in this area of the world is very fine and quickly covers or gets into everything. I am probably putting this model of dust buster through one of the toughest operational tests that could be imagined and I'm sure that I am using it beyond its intended abilities. The directions state that you have 12-15 minutes of use per charge depending on the suction setting you use; this has proven accurate so far. The suction works well and is strong enough, even on the lower setting, to pick up very small pebbles or rock fragments. The higher suction setting must be used if there is anything that needs to be removed from a floor mat, if the surface area is porous, or if plan to use it to remove dust from walk-way carpets. The power of the suction is directly related to how well (and how often) you clean the filter - I clean the filter after every use. The directions for cleaning the filter provide a basic guide but do not stress the trouble that a very dusty environment can bring. I am in an area where I do not have the facilities to wash the filter and must rely on hand cleaning. There is a wheel that can be turned to manually remove dust from the filter, this is a great idea for low levels of dust but you will have to turn it forever to get the finer dust off the filters surface. I have found it easier to remove the dust bin, remove the filter housing and turn the filter by hand inside of its housing. Hurray baby-wipes! The rubber seal is holding up well with all the extra cleaning, better than I expected. I clean the dust from the seal at each cleaning and am very careful when reattaching the bin to the motor housing. This product would more than satisfy the average household clean-freak, and if maintained properly will satisfy the cleaning needs of anyone living where dust permeates everything.Customer Review: Quite a bit more powerful than you'd expect
Summary: 5 Stars
The power of a handheld vacuum is measured in the same way as that of a powerdrill - the amount of voltage the motor uses. The CHV1400 is one of the more powerful models with 14.4-Volts.
But numbers don't mean much if the power isn't delivered properly. Thankfully, this product does its job very well. It is about as loud as a regular vacuum cleaner, but that's to be expected. It sucks about as good as a full size vacuum - in fact I used it as my sole vacuum until I found a good deal on a full size one!
It handles dirt very well. It will suck up practically anything. I use it to clean up under my baby's high-chair (the parents among you will understand), my stairs (where I don't/can't use the full size vacuum), and in our cars. The on-board crevice tool is great for corners, and for the nooks of carseats.
It holds a charge for about 40 minutes - and I've worked it till it completely discharges. It has two settings, full and less-than-full (no name), and it is set by using the slider button on it's top. I don't see a reason why you would want to use the less-power setting!
It cleans very easily. The clear nozzle comes off, and then the filter and it's holder are taken apart easily. I hand wash them and leave them out to dry after each use. I can put it back together in about 1 minute.
I hung the charger on the wall, and it holds the vacuum securely while hanging.
I recommend this product fully.
Customer Review: Nice addition to your cleaning lineup
Summary: 5 Stars
Kudos to Amazon; I bought this product and got free shipping (5 to 9 shipping days, estimated). It arrived next day! Impressive.
As to the product, it has worked well thus far. Don't expect this little guy to replace your regular vacuum cleaner as some reviewers do. It plays a specific role in your cleaning arsenal. It knows its role well and performs as expected. Nothing more.
The CHV1400 works best for light cleaning. I like to use instead of a dustpan after sweeping with broom. Much easier. It's also great for cleaning along the baseboards and corners when you don't want to mess with getting out the vacuum's attachments.
I haven't had any trouble with running out of charge. Manual states the 14.4V model should last 12-15 minutes per charge. But that is constant use. Usually cleaning consists of only a series of quick uses with this machine, so the 12-15 minute estimate may be a bit misleading. Nice for cleaning up in a car, but if you're going for a deep clean, it would probably be better to drag out the full size vac for the job. But for picking up a few crumbs quickly, this machine will do the job well.
Overall, if you don't already have a cordless, handheld vacuum, this one is worth the money.
Customer Review: Finally some real power in a cordless vac
Summary: 5 Stars
So I'm trying out the new 14.4V Dustbuster I got for Christmas when my 11 year old son walks into the room and before I can blink he is hurtled across the floor sucked up by the Dustbuster. Well I looked down and saw the power switch was only on the slower speed, who knows what would have happened to him had I been on the higher speed.
Ok, so maybe I'm exaggerating just a bit, but man, this vac has serious suction. I've owned a number of these cordless vacuums and have never been impressed. This unit is in a completely different league. To date I have still not used the higher speed.
I read that folks complain about the batteries loosing their charging capacity way to soon, I have a suggestion to solve this problem. When you finish using it, don't put it back on the charger. Keep on using it until it starts to loose power. At this point set it aside and leave it running until it completely stops, and then charge it. When it's put back on the charger after every use the battery starts to loose its full charging capacity. By the way I have been using it regularly for a couple of weeks off the charger and it hasn't even begun to slow down.