Edited to Add: I did call the company before posting this. They say “It’s out of warranty!” They’re pretty sure it’s a circuit board and with shipping, it will cost me about $40. Vince can change the circuit board. That may or may not be the problem and I cannot return the circuit board if that isn’t the problem. So . . my review below is based on my overall experience with this iron.
When I bought my Digital Velocity Steam Iron in September, 2010, I wrote this review and promised followups. I loved this iron. It steams like crazy and while I know some don’t use steam, I do and I love lots of it.
Today when I went to the sewing room to turn it on, the switch appears dead and it does nothing! I tried unplugging it and plugging it into another socket that I knew had working things plugged into it, and still nothing. Dead! Considering that for about 6 months or longer during this time, I wasn’t sewing at all and this iron only gets used for sewing, that leaves me not liking this iron a whole lot right now.
I will pull out one of my older irons and use it while I stew about whether or not to order another of the Digital Velocity irons. In the long run, as much as I liked it, if I have to replace it every 12 – 18 months, maybe that’s still better than using an iron that lasts longer but I only halfway like. But, I expected more.
When things slow down for Vince, I’ll see if he’ll take it apart and see if he can fix the switch but if I ask him to do one more thing right now, well . . I’m just not going to do that!
quilterbee says
Did you email the company and tell them about this? Maybe they will replace it.
JudyL says
I called the company before posting this review. I’ve edited to add how that went.
Jean in MN says
You have probably tested for this, but I have had at least two irons where the wire broke inside the cord near the plug. So, when the cord is plugged in and the cord hangs naturally from the outlet the power connection is broken. Support and wiggle the cord on the off chance this is your problem. The fix could be as simple as cutting back the cord past the break and replacing the plug, (though the replacement plugs are pretty ugly.)
Debbie says
This is timely for me as I’m cursing my cheapo Sunbeam up and down right now. It just leaks and leaks. Not all the time but most of it. I’m really stumped over these irons. My last 3 were expensive Rowentas that just bit the dust.
Decisions, decisions!!! 🙂
Linda in TX says
So I have one that I bought and used briefly. Didn’t like it. If you’d like to have it, let me know and I’ll ship it to you. I haven’t used it in more than a year but maybe it would be good for parts if nothing else.
Sherry Moran says
I have a B& D that I love, but it does leak some, so
I just use Best Press. I was looking at the Velocity, but
maybe I’ll hold off. I heard the Oliso is also one
which is good for awhile, and then the lifter gives out.
What’s with these irons!!
Marky says
My old Rowenta quit working back a couple years ago–no power to it when it was plugged in to an outlet I knew worked. I discovered the wires had snapped inside the cord. If I wiggled the cord just right, I saw a spark within the cord and could get a connection momentarily. I was pretty sure the break was from the cord being bent at the outlet when plugged in. You know how when you bend a wire back and forth it will eventually break. I was able to fix the problem by cutting the cord just past the break and installing an inexpensive plug replacement part I got at Wal-Mart. Wouldn’t it be nice if that was all that was needed to get your iron working again?
I appreciate what you’ve written about irons in the past several years as I know the day will come when I have to replace my beloved Rowenta and it sounds like they don’t make them the way they used to. I will look for one made in Germany, not in China, and hope that makes a difference.
Marilyn Smith says
I just bought an Oliso in January at Road to CA…so far we love it. Lots of good steam and is a heavy enough iron for us. It replaced my old Rowenta which I also loved. Our water is hard. I am also faithful about the cleaning part. Bur, we iron alot, both clothes and fabric. I have kept the old Rowenta for backup. This one never leaked but was about 8 years old.
Janet says
I use the ‘ole spraybottle-with -water technique. This way I get as much steam as I want, and never have a leaking or dripping problem.
Erin says
wow..I guess that “Reliable” it is not! I just read some of the reviews of it on Amazon..it is now a 3 Star Iron..for the price of it now..I would want a better than average review..I am so sorry that it is not working for you. That is frustrating. The company should have done something. It is really not that old! Service..good old customer service..what happened to it?
Lee says
It’s interesting you post this today. It seems longevity is not something a consumer can expect any longer, which is very, very sad. Earlier today a friend had posted on facebook how she had gone to Best Buy to price some new electronics (TV/DVD player). She stated that she was TOLD by whomever was helping her that TVs are expected to only last 5 years, and DVD players only 2 years. I find that absolutely disturbing and revolting. I guess this is all part and parcel to ‘planned obsolescence’. I had one TV (small flatscreen) that lasted 1 year…just past the warranty & would cost more to fix than I paid to purchase! Makes me want to get on a soapbox!! but I won’t. I sure hope things work out with Steam Iron.
Marsha says
We bought a new printer today. It was cheaper to buy the printer on sale than to go to the third store to find the ink cartidges. With the price of gas that is sad.
WiAmy says
It seems like it is a disposable world now. Our landfills are filling and it is sad that there is little pride taken in making a quality product that lasts. Based on your experience, most likely I would not even consider buying one of these.
JudyCinNC says
Thank you for this report on the Reliable Velocity iron – I was just getting ready to order this as my Shark iron has just bit the dust – three Rowentas down and dead – certainly did not say much for that brand with same leaking problem in each of them. Each one only lasted about ten months, so each year for three years I was getting a new one under warranty. Now I am thinking my dry iron from The Vermont Country store and a spray bottle might just be the ticket. Thanks from Judy C
Kelly Ann says
Just reading your post on the iron…mine has started to spit…didn’t expect that for the price.
Carol says
I’ve had my Digital Velocity iron about 6 months and I love it! I sew clothes as well as quilts, and nearly always use steam for pressing. This iron will make steam even on the lowest heat setting, and has never leaked or spit. I just hope it continues to work! Hope Vince can fix yours. It’s a shame that things aren’t made to last any more.
Mary L. says
Several years ago my husband bought me a cordless Panasonic steam iron. I use it for clothes and for quilting. Not once have I had a problem with it. I would recommend this brand to anyone.
Cheryl L says
I thought I had posted a comment on this, but must have failed to hit the submit button. Kind of ironic, because it was a favorable comment on this iron…..until last night! I plugged it in, turned it on and went to press some fabric, when I got one huge (bigger than normal) burst of steam and the iron shut down. No more heat. Nothing. Dead. I pulled my light weight trusty go-to-in-an-emergency cheapo Black & Decker iron out of the closet and finished the job. I have bought my LAST expensive iron. I paid wholesale and it was still almost $100. It lasted just until the warranty ran out. No more! As long as I can find an iron without auto-shutoff I will just buy cheap irons and replace them when they die. Better yet, I think I will start searching out flea markets and garage sales for one of the older all-metal ones. They were the best. My last one like that lasted for years!!! So, I give this iron a thumbs down! 🙁
Sharyn Hutchinson says
I bought this iron after reading good reviews. Mine also stopped working. It would light up so I knew it was getting power but it never got hot. When I called the company I was told I had just missed the warranty period. How frustrating….and it was really expensive.
I will never spend that much on an iron again. If it is going to die that quickly, I would rather have a cheaper iron.