Thread Number: 5948
Equator TL H-Axis Machine
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Post# 122907   4/18/2006 at 12:39 (6,576 days old) by srswirl ()        

Seems Staber will have some competition. Very interesting design...and a 220V machine. I wonder if the Whirlpool patent that Foraloyisus originally showed us (below) has expired. It seems to be the exact same design.

Interesting...


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Post# 122932 , Reply# 1   4/18/2006 at 14:26 (6,576 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

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Well butter my butt and call me a biscuit!!

That's a nice machine. And what's even better, it's a big 220V combo! Interesting! Very interesting!!


Post# 122936 , Reply# 2   4/18/2006 at 14:53 (6,576 days old) by dadoes (TX, U.S. of A.)        

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Yeah, but doesn't Equator tend to have some service (and customer service) issues?

Post# 122941 , Reply# 3   4/18/2006 at 15:10 (6,576 days old) by srswirl ()        
Quality and Customer Service

Dadoes...that's the same thought that crossed my mind when I found this. One can only hope that if they really have had top-notch engineers involved and have spent a small mint on the R&D necessary (and perhaps even purchased the rights to the WP patent)...that they have gotten serious about quality. One can also hope that, to that end, they will make the effort to get serious about C.S. as well.

If they can accomplish this, I believe they will have a winning machine. It speaks volumes to TL fans and combo fans...and anyone desiring the larger capacity. Since it is VENTED, it will also dry like a conventional dryer...which means one will not have to wait as long as a traditional condenser combo to get laundry done. Also...since most people already have ONE 220V line for their laundry...no need for a second (or splitters and such) as with other 220V machines. Also ideal for limited space. And...for heating wash water faster!

Interesting... One to watch...perhaps...

Downside for FL lovers...no action to be seen. :-(


Post# 122945 , Reply# 4   4/18/2006 at 15:30 (6,576 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

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The good thing is that there is a 220V combo again on the American market. It may inspire other manufacturers!

Post# 122947 , Reply# 5   4/18/2006 at 15:31 (6,576 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

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We need at least a picture of it in this thread ofcourse!

Post# 122953 , Reply# 6   4/18/2006 at 16:15 (6,576 days old) by dadoes (TX, U.S. of A.)        

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I know someone who'd be interested in this kind of machine, but not for $2000!

Post# 122969 , Reply# 7   4/18/2006 at 17:30 (6,576 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

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TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS?! Oy vey!

Post# 122971 , Reply# 8   4/18/2006 at 17:33 (6,576 days old) by brisnat81 (Brisbane Australia)        
Thats what a Speed Queen

A Mid Model Miele, Asko and a Duet cost in Australia. Without the dry function.

Aren't most FL machines in the US in that regard about $800 each, therefore isnt it only $400 extra compared to buying a seperate washer and dryer?


Post# 122977 , Reply# 9   4/18/2006 at 17:45 (6,576 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

frigilux's profile picture
My bad. I didn't realize it was a combo unit. Once again, I have to remind myself to READ THE PRIOR POSTS!

Post# 123032 , Reply# 10   4/18/2006 at 20:32 (6,576 days old) by launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        

launderess's profile picture
If Equator cannot seem to build their front loading washers to any decent quality standard of late, I'd stand way at the end of the queue for this unit until after a year or so of reports come in.

Real question is whom is building this unit for "Equator" which is owned by the same American importer group that owns Asko brands as well. Have not heard of Equator or it's owner building any new plants in the United States, but the PR states the unit is built domestically. Maybe Staber?

L.


Post# 123205 , Reply# 11   4/19/2006 at 07:51 (6,575 days old) by vivalalavatrice ()        
Finalmente!

Here in Europe we already have TL H-axis washers, dryers and combos too! Now even on US market you have them... IT WILL BE THE WINNING MACHINE! YEAH!

Good Bye
Diomede


Post# 123244 , Reply# 12   4/19/2006 at 09:50 (6,575 days old) by designgeek ()        


Hmm. Hmm, again.

Visually it has the look of something from 1950s "the house of tomorrow," especially in that metallic color. They should include a clear window in the lid of course.

The auto detergent dispenser (that holds a full bottle of detergent and dispenses the right amount in each load) should have a way of dealing with "normal" vs. "ultra concentrated" detergents, otherwise you might end up with a surprise.

I don't think the name "Cobra" will go over well. Poisonous snakes, eww. At least find a non-poisonous animal to name it after.

Internet connectivity for diagnostics is cool. Though, don't leave it connected all the time, or the New Inquisition might start snooping your laundry to be sure you're not living in "sin" or "doing" anything the government doesn't approve of.

I'm always skeptical of computerized controls. But putting the entire user manual online via a touchscreen is cool, might be cool enough to justify the computerized controls:-).

The specs say it holds 22 lbs. OK, now most w/d combos only dry half as much as they wash, so does that mean 11 lbs. if you're going to go full cycle, or does it have a way to dry a larger load?

Another good place for glass: the very front of the unit, and another piece of glass in the side of the outer tub. You couldn't see the clothes sloshing around but you could see the water and suds in the space between the inner and outer tubs.

I don't think Staber is involved in this one. A core element of their design philosophy is user-serviceability, and this would be a 180-degree reversal because it's obviously a complex mechanism.

Also I don't think it would have been necessary to buy out the Whirlpool patent to do this one. That patent was for a pulley & drive system, not for the entire design concept of the H-axis TL, which has long since gone generic.

So... cautious optimism here, points for some innovations, and let's see how well it works when it's released to the market.



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