Black & Decker Platinum BDH2000FL 20-Volt Max Lithium Ion Flex…

Well Designed, Expensive, October 25, 2012

By 

C. MacPhail (Solana Beach, CA USA) –

  

  

  

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They got almost everything right. The best hand vac yet from Black & Decker. Suction is less than some other models.

It’s crazy expensive. I’d give it 5-stars if under $90. You could wait for a price dip (see Pricing below) or consider the more affordable FHV1200.

PROs:

* 18 minutes run time per charge (see Note 1)
– Tools: Nice! (crevice, pet-hair, flip-out brush) (see Note 2)
– Hose gives access to tight spaces – in car, for example
– Charging stand: Handy
– Li-Ion battery: Partial-charge friendly
– Constant suction strength as battery runs down
– Hose: Good quality (see Note 3)
– Lightweight: 3.8 lbs with nozzle
– Good ergonomics
– Good quality plastics
– Filter cleaning knob
– Dirt in chamber is visible but not staring you down
– Washable filter (see Note 4)
– 3 year warranty

OKs:

* Noise: Annoying, but not like the horrible PHV1800. Comparable to the B&D PHV1810
* Suction: Adequate, but it’s 37% less than B&D PHV1810. Rated “22 air watts” (see Note 5)
– Recharge time: 4 hours
– Charging status light: Shows when charging is done. Too bright?
– Draws 1 watt 24×7 when resting in charge stand (see note 6)
– Tool & hose replacements are available (from B&D only) (see note 3)
– Dirt capacity 17 fl oz. (over 1 pint)
– Black (No ugly colors)
– User manual is reasonably clear and helpful

CONs:

* Expensive
* Limited life – No replacement batteries available

– – – Dimensions – – –

Charging stand: 9.0″ x 6.7″ x 0.7″

Vac: Irregular. Height=10.0″ (includes charging stand)

– – – Alternatives – – –

– PHV1810 Pivot Vac (35 air watts)
– FHV1200 Flex Vac (25 air watts; 10-12 min run time)

– – – Pricing – – –

New model — How deep will price dips go? Check camelcamelcamel and set an alert.

– – – Cordless Vac Limitations – – –

– It will only last a few years. You’ll have to toss it when the battery dies.

– Cordless vacs can’t compare with plug-in vacs. Way less suction. Way more noise. But soooo… handy for quick clean-ups.

– – – Notes – – –

Note 1: Run Time – 18.3 minutes. I tested once with no load, and again with nozzle against carpet . Same result both times. Vac was brand new with zero dust in filter. (Test had rest periods every 5 minutes.) B&D says run time may improve after 5 charge cycles. But of course it will decrease with age.

Note 2: Tools – (crevice, pet-hair, main tool with flip-out brush) Well designed. Durable, but not unbreakable. Attach easily and securely. Flip-out brush on the main tool is good for dust, not for scrubbing. Skinny crevice tool — yes! (Skinny part is over 6″ long. Tip is appx 0.5″ x 1.1″) Replacements at B&D’s site at low cost but $10.99s&h.

Note 3: Hose – It’s very light, but it feels like quality. Not like the horrible cheap polyethylene hoses on some vacs. This hose is like a combination of rubber and plastic. Supple and stretchable.

Note 4 Filter: Washable. Replacements (PVF110) are about $8-10 but I’ve never had to wash or replace B&D filters. Just shake it out.

Note 5: Suction: Pretty good for a cordless vac, but about 37% less than B&D models PHV1800, PHV1810 and 12% less than FHV1200. An email from B&D says this model is rated 22 air watts. (see Note SB1) More suction would be nice for car interiors as an example, but it would mean less run time. I use this vac for light clean-ups, and it’s adequate.

Note 6: Draws 1 watt 24×7 when resting in charge stand. Maybe due to the excessively bright status light. One watt is only $1-3 a year, depending on your electric rates (see Note SB2). But you have 22 other things sucking power while they’re “Off.” Do you really want to add one more? Easily solved. Leave the vac off the cradle most of the time. This type of battery (Lithium-Ion) does not want or need to be continually topped off.

– – – Super Boring Notes – – –

Note SB1: I tested suction with carpet glued to a cardboard box. This BDH2000FL lifted about 7.9 ounces max. The PHV1810 lifted 12.1 ounces max. (Both using main nozzles of approximately equal size.)

Note SB2: Measured at about 0.95 watts. Assume electricity cost $ .11 to $ .33 per kilowatt hour.

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