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“I am from Amsterdam, Holland, and I repair machines...”

written by Gerhardus on 08/05/2007

Good Points
Generally positive comments on and experiences with a Henry have a reason: all vital parts are the same as found in professional machines. The durable motor, large cloth filter, accessory kit, cable reel, hose and cable length, wheels, paper bags and all the materials used are exactly the same as in its professional contractor's equivalent, the NRV 200-22. The motor, cloth filter, accessory kit and bags are even the same as in the expensive metal NQS-models. A cloth filter as large as possible, in combination with good paper bags, still remains the best options for long machine life and lasting suction, even with machine abuse and severe lack of maintenance as found in heavy commercial use. The 2006 Henry model has a 2-stage Lamb DL21104RT /305403 motor with a vacuum of about 2600 mm water column, a very good value for a mere 1200 Watts. It has good efficiency, about 300 air-Watts (the one and only true measure for the energy put in real air-displacement; the rest of the power consumption is radiated as heat); this makes for approx. 25%, the value of the renowned old Nilfisk GAD-motor. Having two centrifugal fan stages, the motor does not need to run at the ludicrously high rpm that a single stage motor has to, generating less heat and wear and tear on collector, brushes and bearings. The older Numatic machines used to have such a motor (such as the UD11054/205032), even the expensive metal ones; and only because of their quality, they lasted and lasted despite being single stage. Still, I consider the Henry fitted with a 2-stage motor an improvement on the older version, even it is my personal opinion from a principal standpoint of technical soundness. Although I am by no means paid by this factory or brand, I posted several reviews here and there on this product because I find it a decent option between all the rubbish generally available. I would rather see people spend money on this solution than on promising sleek designs hiding disappointing performance and durability.

Bad Points
The red square push button on top belies its true size, underneath is a rather small and flimsy looking switch mechanism, although it seems to keep working. The very latest version has a rocker switch for both hi-lo (green) and on-off (red), which to me seems an improvement. The hi-lo control is of an electronic solid state triac-type with one fixed setting for 70% of full-rpm, the design of which is alas too simple to upgrade it into a full stepless rpm-control. I tinkered with it once and found it too unstable. The thin plastic slider-fasteners with which the black motor head is attached to the (mostly red) bag tub, at first came across as far too simple to be sound and lasting, but they keep working fine. All Numatic tubs have their motors installed in their upper part; the Henry and its professional cousin NRV also have the added cable reel weight in their motor head and a rather lightweight plastic tub underneath, making them more top heavy than all metal machines. The NVR has a skirt around its wheels; the wheels themselves are a bit wider apart. That makes it better in negotiating doorsills without toppling over, than a Henry . Still the original rounded tub bottom design from 1981, without skirt and with slightly more underslung wheels, was maintained for the Henry home care product type, since home furniture is generally spaced a bit more tightly than office furniture.

General Comments
I am from Amsterdam, Holland, and I repair machines and am employed in facility management. We provide cleaning contracts and products like vacs for our offices, and I've seen the insides and the performances of many vacs. In Holland too, Numatic is a leading brand with cleaning contractors, most of them using the above mentioned NRV-types. I have a metal NQS at home, I found the extra expense worth it to have that old fashioned quality feel, but contractors rather write off and replace entire machines after a fews years in the cheapest way possible instead of putting repairs and maintenance into them, so such a philosophy renders metal casings unnecessary expenses. Hence cleaners mostly use plastic machines.

It was when I took a Henry apart that I discovered that they have most of their essential ingredients in common with the expensive range, making this model good value indeed. Since then, we bought Henry's for our smaller offices and they perform fine. A James would seem to be a better bargain still, but it has a single stage DL11103T motor with less metal content, it lacks the quality cable reel, it has less durable aluminium wands, less tools and has a slightly shorter hose. The lack of all this is not reflected in the rather modest price difference with a Henry. So when you also have an electric lawn mower and have become a genius at windings cords spaghetti-free and are fond of the storage space on top of a James, go for it. Otherwise, go for the Henry. Between budget and deluxe expense, it is the option with the best value.