"Dare to Compare"
OCommon Questions ....

"My current vac system, the overall size is ...it's big! Add this to the weight of my clipper.... How does Hanvey address this issue?"

Pictures says it all.   Hanvey Ultra-Lite(bottom) is the smaller, lighter weight aerospace aluminum head.   What do you think so far?

The Clipper Vac * head system, which you already have, is represented by the two larger units. Their Andis models are about the same length.   Romani's  Clipper Vac * recently introduced a black plastic swivel coupler (top) to replace the heavier "Cast Aluminum"couple(middle) in an effort to reduce weight but the size remained the same.

"What about weight?"

It takes over two UltraLites at 1.3 oz each,(including the plastic "Real Swivel" couple(not shown) and mounting base(not shown))  to weigh as much as the 2002 version Clipper Vac * head pictured. It takes over 2 1/2 Ultra-lites to match the weight of one complete Clipper Vac * head with the early 2002 & older head sets. Which vacuum head do you now own?

In Short..... the weight improvement is not slight... it's very, very noticeable to any groomer that has used a clipper vacuum attachment system.

Check out these scale comparisons!

The ArtMaster/TaxiVac head take comfort to the next level of design evolution.

Our special "aerospace" grade alloy is as light as plastic without the historical problems associated is breakable plastics. (The shown scales are for display only.  All parts were weighed on lab scales that have been calibrated with state of NC approved, traceable standards. Actual weight of head sets can vary +/- .2 oz)

<Competitor's Andis.    Oster>

"What about that loud sucking sound? Will the ArtMaster head allow me to talk on the phone without having to turn it off?"

YES! ArtMaster Ultra-Lite is engineered to be the quietest suction head on the market! No loud sucking sound to bother the dog. In head to head comparisons where both brands of heads were attached to the competitors unit (Mini and Tote *)and our ArtMaster Elite and Taxi Vac, our Ultra-Lite head was significantly quieter.  At the Hershey Groom Expo and the recent Atlanta Pet Fair we were often asked......"Is your system really on?" ArtMaster was so quiet most groomers could barely hear it. 

dB readings for the suction head range from 60 dB to 64 dB with Taxi Vac settings of 3 to 4 o'clock on the motor speed dial which is the typical setting for most groomers using the system.

dB readings for the Taxi Vac unit ranges from 62 to 65 dB at 1 meter from the unit with Taxi Vac settings of 3 to 4 o'clock on the motor speed dial.

Decibel reading can vary depending on distance from the sound generating source. dB reading can vary 2 db from one unit to the next due to variations in the motors.

"What do you mean by 'Smooth Transitional Interior'?"

   Look closely at the pictures. Notice how the other brand head goes right from a large rectangular area directly into a small hole. They call this a "Venturi" design but anyone familiar with the engineering aspects of a Venturi know that simply going to a small hole is not a Venturi. (to learn more about a Venturi, type   "venturi" into your web search engine.)

  The ArtMaster Ultra-Lite's interior gradually transitions from the inlet to the suction port. Even to the untrained eye, it is clear how this design improves the "ease" of flow for hair and virtually eliminates the "Gulping" effect you are already familiar with in the use of your old head system. This makes the unit quieter and less prone to clogs at the head. It also enhances the lift action for a smoother finish on the dog's coat since high speed air flow is not required for this design to function at peak efficiency.

"OK...but what about your hose? I'm tired of this continually breaking, heavy wire/vinyl hose!"

The ArtMaster Hi-Flex hose is 25-30% lighter than the traditional wire/vinyl!

Glad you asked!   At a recent trade show it became obvious that Hanvey is also setting the standard for vac hoses. In our competitor's booth, every vac unit displayed had the crush proof hose we introduced way back in 1995!  It took about five years to figure it out but now they know better. Bravo!  It's about time every groomer had access to the best hose available. The old wire/vinyl hose has finally gone into the history books. 

As for old vac hose system that you already have,  you most likely have the old wire and vinyl hose. Here are a few comparison points to consider before you upgrade. Your current, old wire/vinyl hose weigh 12-13 oz per 10 feet while ArtMaster's standard Hi-Flex Non-Crushable Hose weighs only 9.5 to 10 oz per 10 ft. Our Hi-Flex hose will last three to four times longer!

The flexibility of the ArtMaster/Taxi Vac clipper vacuum hose is a balance between semi-rigid and too flexible. Our design goal is to not allow the hose to be too flexible. Proper flexibility is required for the swivels to work properly and to balance the hose weight relative to the weight of the clipper.

"Wait a minute! Are you saying that by converting from my old clipper vacuum head and hose to your Artmaster Ultra-Litetm ..... I will lose over 5 oz of weight?!"

Depending on which head you now use, the reduction will range from 5 to 7 oz!

"Can the ArtMaster suck up larger clumps of hair? I'm tired of digging' hair out of my clipper vacuum head and hose!"

Notice the "hole" size on the hose end of both brands of clipper attachment.
You Bet! Take a close look at the picture. The holes you are looking at are the smallest part of either brand.  The ArtMaster's minimum inside diameter is larger. Combine this with a smooth transitional interior, NO SPRING to fall out or catch hair and ....Yes....ArtMaster Ultra-lite is designed to gently but firmly lift up and transport clipped hair in volumes that will clog and choke the competitor's vac head.

This choking and hair clogging in your older vac head or "Venturi" based head causes what our competition calls "gulping" action in the air flow.  You have heard it. This "Gulp" is what causes an uneven coat finish.  Yes, you have always wondered why some coats simply do not clipper vacuum as smooth as others.  Well.... we are now exposing one of our tightly held trade secrets of over six years in an effort to educate our competition.

The Secret......... The Ultra-lite is beyond comparison to any other clipper vacuum attachment when it comes to creating a smooth coat finish because every time you hear your old clipper vacuum attachment "gulp",  the hair under the blade at that moment will be cut shorter. When hair momentarily stops and then quickly sucks into the hose(GULP!), the hair is jerked hard at that moment and this hard jerk makes the hair cut shorter than normal at that location. This is why you have been getting a "choppy" look on the some of your dogs while using your old style clipper vacuum systems.

In short..... a "Gulp" = short hair at that spot.

"Does the Ultra-Lite head allow the hose to swivel?"

Listen UP!!!

Our hose can swivel at both ends of the hose with "REAL" infinite swivels  (turn forever in any direction).  Another Hanvey creation that is surely a target for future copy by our creative "Competitor".  As of 7/6/03, no one else has dual swivel action on both ends of the hose.   The pair of "Real Swivels" keep your hose from kinking and making figure 8's which cause the hose to "pull" and feel heavier.

"Do I have to have a suction head for each clipper I own?"

No! You only need one head with an Artmaster system or kit.  We do have two specialty clipper heads for experienced clipper vacuum users but ONE ArtMaster will fit any clipper that has one of our precision slide adjustable mounting bases on it. (picture at right) The mounting base is what customizes our suction head for each clipper brand you may use.

Not only will this feature save you the cost of additional heads but it also means that you can take the head all the way off the clipper when you are not using the vacuum system. The other brand's design leaves the head on the clipper all the time and you have to BUY a new head for every new clipper you buy. 

With our slide adjustment you can also fine tune the hair lift for each clipper brand to suit your particular clipping technique. (see picture to right >)

Ultra-Lite also gives you a choice:

1. You can disconnect the hose from the head in less than a second. This leaves the head on the clipper but allows for a quick disconnect for housekeeping purposes when you want to clean up your table top after scissor work.

2. You can take the head off the clipper with or without the hose attached in about two seconds by sliding the entire head off the clipper's mounting base. (shown in the pictures on right and left)

Clipper hose angle - Is it comfortable?   In 2002, when we changed to the infinite swivel at the clipper end of the hose, the angle of hose rise can actually be varied to suit your grip on the clipper and since the head's neck is so short, the angle of hose is virtually a non-issue.