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[Nickbat]

Vacuuming the car is a pain, what with having to get the extension lead out and then lug the machine out to the car. I don't mind doing it on occasions to get a deep clean, but with kids, I needed something small to keep on top of the crisps and crumbs (and road grit in the driver's footwell). I went to Argos and instinctively avoided the cheapest machine in favour of the RAC branded one.

Got it home to discover that it didn't have as much suction as I'd thought and then , to add insult to injury, it burned out after 10 minutes. I took it back and the lady at Argos asked if I wanted a replacement. I said no and got my money back. Then I thought, well I'll try their own cheapo branded one, just to get the worst of the crumbs out:

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/7403325/Trail/searchtext%3ECAR+VAC.htm

Amazingly, it's got better suction than the more expensive model I took back and has happily got rid of all the grit, crumbs, crisps and grass. The small extension tube is great for getting between the back of the seats and the uprights, where so much crud collects.

It's now staying in the boot, so I can give the car regular quick cleans to supplement the main valeting.

Of course, no 12v cleaner will ever be THAT good, but for £7.79, I feel I got a bargain and, judging by the majority of the reviews most buyers agree.  

It is an awful colour, though!    

[Pete Elite]

I'd have thought that waving that about in front of your face for to long would make yer sea sick .

[Pete Elite]

As for your main complaint Nick, it just goes to show that these days expensive doesn't mean best quality anymore .

  For example i bought an expensive Black & Decker cordless 18V drill which i only used a few times and then the battery wouldn't take a charge, and on the other hand i bought a cheapo Jigsaw off of one of the shopping channels just to cut out the hole in a worktop for a Hob and that was over two years ago, tried it the other day and still had a descent charge left .

[Nickbat]

As for your main complaint Nick, it just goes to show that these days expensive doesn't mean best quality anymore .

  For example i bought an expensive Black & Decker cordless 18V drill which i only used a few times and then the battery wouldn't take a charge, and on the other hand i bought a cheapo Jigsaw off of one of the shopping channels just to cut out the hole in a worktop for a Hob and that was over two years ago, tried it the other day and still had a descent charge left .

You're right, Pete. I think it all comes down to where exactly in China it was made.  

[Taxi_Driver]

Did you use the RAC vac with the car engine running?

[Nickbat]

Did you use the RAC vac with the car engine running?

No, just plugged it into the 12v socket behind the front seats. No key in ignition.

[Vamps]

I have tried a few 12volt vacs over the years, mostly naff to be honest, just as easy to get Henry out...........

[Taxi_Driver]

Did you use the RAC vac with the car engine running?

No, just plugged it into the 12v socket behind the front seats. No key in ignition.

Ah ok......the black and decker 12V vac ive got warns about shortened life if used with the engine running......makes sense i guess....12V motor being fed with 14+ volts....will probably not make it last too long  
Also warns about not using it for more than 20mins at a time....tho as its 75W....i can see a flat battery if the batt isnt in good condition  

[Marks DTM Calib]

Did you use the RAC vac with the car engine running?

No, just plugged it into the 12v socket behind the front seats. No key in ignition.

Ah ok......the black and decker 12V vac ive got warns about shortened life if used with the engine running......makes sense i guess....12V motor being fed with 14+ volts....will probably not make it last too long  
Also warns about not using it for more than 20mins at a time....tho as its 75W....i can see a flat battery if the batt isnt in good condition  

More likely to be ude tio the dam thing having shite ventilation for the motor so it over heats!

I have one of the 12V cordless BandD mini cyclone vacs (about 35-40 quid) and its excellent.

[Taxi_Driver]

Did you use the RAC vac with the car engine running?

No, just plugged it into the 12v socket behind the front seats. No key in ignition.

Ah ok......the black and decker 12V vac ive got warns about shortened life if used with the engine running......makes sense i guess....12V motor being fed with 14+ volts....will probably not make it last too long  
Also warns about not using it for more than 20mins at a time....tho as its 75W....i can see a flat battery if the batt isnt in good condition  

More likely to be ude tio the dam thing having shite ventilation for the motor so it over heats!

I have one of the 12V cordless BandD mini cyclone vacs (about 35-40 quid) and its excellent.

I used to have a cordless vac......but got fed up with it....as when i wanted to use it the battery was nearly always flat (you had to have it on charge at least for 12hours before you wanted to use it and warned not to leave it on permanent charge)

[Andy B]

Easier for me to just get the Dyson out!  

[Marks DTM Calib]

Did you use the RAC vac with the car engine running?

No, just plugged it into the 12v socket behind the front seats. No key in ignition.

Ah ok......the black and decker 12V vac ive got warns about shortened life if used with the engine running......makes sense i guess....12V motor being fed with 14+ volts....will probably not make it last too long  
Also warns about not using it for more than 20mins at a time....tho as its 75W....i can see a flat battery if the batt isnt in good condition  

More likely to be ude tio the dam thing having shite ventilation for the motor so it over heats!

I have one of the 12V cordless BandD mini cyclone vacs (about 35-40 quid) and its excellent.

I used to have a cordless vac......but got fed up with it....as when i wanted to use it the battery was nearly always flat (you had to have it on charge at least for 12hours before you wanted to use it and warned not to leave it on permanent charge)

The charger for this supports continuous trickle charge so no issues there.

It gets used around the house a lot!

I have an old Vax in the garage that gets loads of abuse adn never fails so that also gets called into action. I used a similar one at the weekend to hoover out the filter tray slots on the Class 47 loco.....I had to empty it twice there was that much shite in there!