I have a Beam...I love it. The 10" floor brush is adequate, and I don't think wheels are necessary. I find the motorized beater bar rug attachment indispensable, doesn't matter which style. Combo floor/rug tool is worthless, IMO, just get the beater bar thing and switch out from the floor brush when you are doing rugs. Wand that is easy to disassemble is most important. The other attachments I use most are the crevice tool and the little duster brush. You can get the hoses in different lengths. Make sure you get one long enough that you can easily reach everywhere you want from your vacuume outlets. If your house is on several levels, I would recommend getting a hose for each floor.

Thanks for your input. I was hoping not to have to buy a motorized beater rug tool since they are so pricey and I'll only have a couple of area rugs the rest hardwood.

I was hoping the floor/rug tool or just a rug attachment would be more useful. Anyone else have one of these?

You won't be happy with just the floor/rug head, especially if you are trying to get up hair out of carpets. It just doesn't do it, even on low pile carpeting. You won't be sorry you spent the extra money on the beater bar.

Ok, thanks for the advice. You both have me sold on buying an electric motorized beater head. I need to do some research. Any recommendations?? Do you have a website you like to buy your products from?

I'm really glad I posted here before I bought something I wouldn't be happy with.

Thanks.

Try www.builtinvacuum.com. There is a lot of info on this site. I have had 3 CVS in my last 3 homes and 1 in my hair salon. Read all of the comments on the various Electric power heads. Puchase a hose with 1 3/8 ID and you will have a greater air flo. The system I had installed in this place came with a air driven Turbo-Cat. I hated it from day one as it just skimmed over the carpet. I had always had the electric PNS prior to this. I puchased the electric the next week. That was a Hayden. The hose ID was way too narrow and reduced the air flow. I tried to use the Turbo-Cat on it and the turbine slowed the brush to a snails pace. I also have a Stealth and a Wessel-Werks. Both are great as they have a much higher RPM than most out there. The Stealth has a height adjustment and the WW does not. The WW is supposed to be self adjusting but it is not and in long pile carpet the breaker keeps shutting it down. They both have geared belts and should not have to be replaced unless the CB doesn't kick in fast enough. Seeing as you have pets the Rug Rat is a must! It makes quick work of pet hair on furniture and carpeted stairs and is a Godsend! Forget the wheels on the floor brush as after a few months they will not turn as they bind up with pet hair and you will be sitting there with tweezers pulling it out.. Been there and done that. Learn from the site and purchase on ebay and save some $$$. Good luck!

Thanks so much for all the advice. I didn't realize you could use non-Beam power heads on a Beam Central Vac system. That is good to know. I will look up the ones you mentioned and will also look at Ebay.

I appreciate all who took the time to respond.