shop vac vs. Bissell LGM

[kaos]

Well, with all the great sales on shop vacs today and tomorrow, I was looking at picking one up. My question is, what works better for extraction, the heated LGCM or a 6.5 horse shop vac? I've seen bits of info here and there in various threads saying that people like one or the other, but haven't really seen anything by way of a direct comparison.

Will the high powered shop vac have more suction than the LGM? Does the heated solution ability of the LGM outweigh any difference in suction? Is raw sucking power not necessarily everything when it comes to carpet cleaning? Inquiring minds want to know.

Basically what it comes down to for me, in terms of price, is this: I can get a 6.5 horse shop vac (the one that I really want with the detachable motor that turns into a leaf blower), OR I can get a 5 horse shop vac and refurb ProHeat LGM for the same price. Thoughts?

 

[G35stilez]

Definately the LGCM.

I have used a shopvac in the past with very nice results...however, the LGCM sprays hot water at the surface leavinig it very very clean.

Check out the link in my sig for more info.

 

[Beemerboy]

I agree for the cost of a LGM you can't go wrong. I have had one for a few years now and have produced great results. The only two things that I find are draw backs are. The recovery tank is small so you have to keep emptying it and refilling the soloution quite often, about 3 to 4 times on a car or SUV. The hose is not very long so you are having to move the unit with you as you go threw the car, kind of a PTA. However these are in no way things that should keep anyone that is a weekend detailer from getting one.

 

[kaos]

Definately the LGCM.

I have used a shopvac in the past with very nice results...however, the LGCM sprays hot water at the surface leavinig it very very clean.

Check out the link in my sig for more info.

That is a very good write-up you did on carpet cleaning, however it doesn't mention the LGCM at all. Do I take this to mean that you now use the LGCM rather than the shop-vac? If so, do you still do it basically the same way, scrubbing with the oxy-mix, and then go over and extract with the LGCM? Or extract the oxy-mix dry first, then go over with the LGCM and hot water?

I ended up getting a heck of a deal on the big craftsman shop vac, so I had to pick that one up. Guess I'll go ahead and snag one of the refurb LGCM's from amazon.com, can't beat their price. $35 or so and free shipping.