The VS stands for variable speed.
This would be a good blender for someone in the market......WY

[secure.vitamix.com]

That looks exactly like the one we just got except ours is red and cost me under $400 for a refurbished unit. I love it.

coco Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> That looks exactly like the one we just got except
> ours is red and cost me under $400 for a
> refurbished unit. I love it.
I Love mine too. As George Malkmus said, we can't chew our food
well enough to extract most of the nutrients, whereas blending does.
I was noticing today that if one 'chews' the Green Smoothie, it adds
the necessary Saliva for proper digestion.....WY

Yes, looks cool - I love high speed blenders, maybe even more than my juicers.

Are variable speeds necessary? Seems like 1-3 speed settings on a knob & pulse would be enough.

id be happy with a 1-3 setting, low, medium, high... especially if it took a bit off the price...LOL

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oh, mirror in the sky
What is love?
Can the child within my heart rise above?
Can I sail through the changing ocean tides?
Can I handle the seasons of my life?

That would totally be enough most of the time. Really, it is a bit of overkill. Maybe it's in response to what the competition offers?

coco Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> That would totally be enough most of the time.
> Really, it is a bit of overkill. Maybe it's in
> response to what the competition offers?


I've always felt that way - a marketing gimmick...makes it look like you are getting something extra, but in the end...not really a usable (sensible) extra...

juicerkatz Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Are variable speeds necessary? Seems like 1-3
> speed settings on a knob & pulse would be enough.
Three speeds and Pulse would be enough. I start my blending
on Low (1)...then move to halfway (5)...then to High (10)...then to Pulse.
But as an artist from Maine said..."I use a few basic paints, but I want
them all on my Pallet, just in case.".....WY
P.S. Sometimes I toggle between 1 and 5 at the start to keep the mixture
from splashing to the top, and creating a mess on the lid.

Mine doesn't have pulse.

coco Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Mine doesn't have pulse.
It must be dead then...

sorry..I know...bad joke...I've been awake waaay too many hours today...

Wheatgrass Yogi Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> juicerkatz Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Are variable speeds necessary? Seems like 1-3
> > speed settings on a knob & pulse would be
> enough.
> Three speeds and Pulse would be enough. I start my
> blending
> on Low (1)...then move to halfway (5)...then to
> High (10)...then to Pulse.
> But as an artist from Maine said..."I use a few
> basic paints, but I want
> them all on my Pallet, just in case.".....WY
> P.S. Sometimes I toggle between 1 and 5 at the
> start to keep the mixture
> from splashing to the top, and creating a mess on
> the lid.


Yogi, I am not as patient as you, lol.

I put everything in, pulse a few times to start the liquefying process, then on to high speed.

Mine doesn't have that plunger that goes through the lid, although I know I can purchase an aftermarket one. Do you find a need to use one?

I guess it is not really a necessity unless one is preparing recipes that contain many dry ingredients...

juicerkatz Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I put everything in, pulse a few times to start
> the liquefying process, then on to high speed.
>
> Mine doesn't have that plunger that goes through
> the lid, although I know I can purchase an
> aftermarket one. Do you find a need to use one?
I never use the Plunger. I've perfected my Green Smoothies,
always using enough liquid, so as not to need it. I can see where
someone might need it for a Soup, or a Blended Salad, but I don't
have those.....WY

ROFLMAO jk! that was a GREAT joke hehehehehe

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oh, mirror in the sky
What is love?
Can the child within my heart rise above?
Can I sail through the changing ocean tides?
Can I handle the seasons of my life?

coco Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Mine doesn't have pulse.
Mine doesn't either. I meant to say 1 through 10 on the
variable dial, then High on the far left switch. The on-off switch
is on the far right.....WY
P.S. You're too sharp for me.

V funny. Ha. Ha.

I have used the plunger, it's handy when making thick stuff like hummus or a smoothie with not a lot of liquid in it.

coco Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have used the plunger, it's handy when making
> thick stuff like hummus or a smoothie with not a
> lot of liquid in it.
Then it couldn't be called a Smoothie...which produces
a pretty rapid Vortex, and doesn't need the Plunger. If you're
using the plunger, you're making either 'energy soup' (Ann Wigmore),
or a 'blended salad' (Gian-Cursio and Stanley Bass). Of the three,
I'll go with the 'green smoothie' as being the most nutritious (all
using the same ingredients).....WY
P.S. Btw, which model Vita-Mix do you own?....someone here might need
some motivation to buy a Blender.

juicerkatz Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I put everything in, pulse a few times to start
> the liquefying process, then on to high speed.
Do you have a Blendtec? I'm going to guess it has
2-speeds if operated manually....Pulse and High being the same,
and also a Low. I've given up Juicing (almost) and Solids, and do
nothing but Blending. It makes eating everything so simple now.....WY

You'd think it would say on the thing but it doesn't. I believe it's the 5200?
Anyhow, what we make is spinach and lots of juicy fruit. I do add liquid most of the time but a pure fruit slushy is fun too.

Wheatgrass Yogi Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> juicerkatz Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I put everything in, pulse a few times to start
> > the liquefying process, then on to high speed.
> Do you have a Blendtec? I'm going to guess it has
>
> 2-speeds if operated manually....Pulse and High
> being the same,
> and also a Low. I've given up Juicing (almost) and
> Solids, and do
> nothing but Blending. It makes eating everything
> so simple now.....WY


Nope, I bought the Waring; remember that whole conversation over a year ago, lol...

I like them all, really. I see good points/features in all of them.

BTW, I wear hearing protection when I bled - do any of you guys? These things just make too much racket for my sensitive hearing to be damaged!

You are correct - it has Lo & Hi, Hi being the same speed as pulse. I make our own mayo now & then out of nuts & other dry ingredients & I could use the plunger for that.

The few times I make it though, I just make do with a spatula, pulsing & pushing everything down into the blades.

coco...if your unit is used, meaning w/o a warranty...I would consider getting a pulse button installed - that is, if you feel you would like to have one.

It would be a very simile install for anyone who is somewhat handy with simple electronics. If you didn't want to modify it, you could also use an in-line momentary on/off switch, which would plug into the AC cord of the blender.

juicerkatz Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yes, looks cool - I love high speed blenders,
> maybe even more than my juicers.
>
> Are variable speeds necessary? Seems like 1-3
> speed settings on a knob & pulse would be enough.

More's the pity, the VM 5200 doesn't have a pulse or preset like the Blendtec. However, the Vitamix Professional 500 does, cheapest price I've found is $549.95
[gotgreensrevolution.com]

I've reviewed the VM professional before on this subforum. If I buy a VM, this will be the one.

Paul

juicerkatz Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Nope, I bought the Waring; remember that whole
> conversation over a year ago, lol...
How could I forget?...but I did. It seems like you agonized
for weeks before making a decision to buy the Waring.
>
> coco...if your unit is used, meaning w/o a
> warranty...I would consider getting a pulse button
> installed - that is, if you feel you would like to
> have one.
Her High switch acts like a Pulse by flipping it up
and down. I never use mine that way...too much speed too quickly.

pborst Wrote:
> More's the pity, the VM 5200 doesn't have a pulse
> or preset like the Blendtec. However, the Vitamix
> Professional 500 does, cheapest price I've found
> is $549.95
> [gotgreensrevolution.com]
> x-pro-500-best-price/
>
> I've reviewed the VM professional before on this
> subforum. If I buy a VM, this will be the one.
>
>
> Paul

Wow Thank you for mentioning the <a href="[www.rawfoodsupport.com]; rel="no follow">The New Vitamix Professional Series 500</a> thread. Took some effort to dig it up but I am glad I did as it definitely helped my overall understanding of the differences between commercial/home blenders and their features. IMO neurosport's "hijacking" of the thread was actually of benefit to me because of the back and forth dialogue, although I did feel pity for ya pborst, ended really nice with that sales pitch lol ouch.

Am considering this blender now as well. One thing I am wondering is (I am currently deliberating and agonizing over which blender to buy and have not been on the scene very long), why is the new Tubo VS a big deal? Looks like the Vitamix Creations 1 & 2 is variable speed..

I read elsewhere that with Blendtec blenders you can change the programs to be constant speeds from 1-10, so it should be easy enough to accomplish a low med high & pulse shouldn't it? Assuming you can switch to another program on the fly. I would really like to know if this is true or not.

The refurbished unit comes with the same warranty as a new one. And it's pretty quiet too, not nearly as loud as my old crap blender. More of a dull purr than a cacophony of sound!

adamlogan Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> pborst Wrote:
> > More's the pity, the VM 5200 doesn't have a
> pulse
> > or preset like the Blendtec. However, the
> Vitamix
> > Professional 500 does, cheapest price I've
> found
> > is $549.95
> >
> [gotgreensrevolution.com]
>
> > x-pro-500-best-price/
> >
> > I've reviewed the VM professional before on
> this
> > subforum. If I buy a VM, this will be the one.
>
> >
> >
> > Paul
>
> Wow Thank you for mentioning the The New Vitamix
> Professional Series 500 thread. Took some effort
> to dig it up but I am glad I did as it definitely
> helped my overall understanding of the differences
> between commercial/home blenders and their
> features. IMO neurosport's "hijacking" of the
> thread was actually of benefit to me because of
> the back and forth dialogue, although I did feel
> pity for ya pborst, ended really nice with that
> sales pitch lol ouch.
>
> Am considering this blender now as well. One thing
> I am wondering is (I am currently deliberating and
> agonizing over which blender to buy and have not
> been on the scene very long), why is the new Tubo
> VS a big deal? Looks like the Vitamix Creations 1
> & 2 is variable speed..
>
> I read elsewhere that with Blendtec blenders you
> can change the programs to be constant speeds from
> 1-10, so it should be easy enough to accomplish a
> low med high & pulse shouldn't it? Assuming you
> can switch to another program on the fly. I would
> really like to know if this is true or not.

Adam,

I currently own a Blendtec HP3A (e.g. total blender.. etc) with a 96 ounce carafe. And it works extremely well. And I hate it. The lid doesn't stay on (even if the liquid is 2 or 3 cups) just the vibration loosens it. (ordering a new lid). Yes, the equivalent of manual control are the variable speed buttons or the pulse (pulse is medium-low, ok for most jobs, but not for high blending). The presets are for 50 seconds. So if you need a minute and 30 seconds, you need to ramp up again. The smart chip presets are nice, a huge advantage over the Vitamix 5200. But then there's the problem, the Vitamix Pro 500 has 3 presets that can accomodate a huge # of recipies apart from the name of the presets (hot soups, frozen deserts and smoothies) so even if you don't make any of those, the presets can be used for recipes that you do use those for. Plus it has a pulse button and manual control. At $549, I'm sold on the Pro 500 and am preparing to buy one now after I deal my Blendtec on Craigslist. I will miss the capacity of the Blendtech (may just keep it as a spare for that reason alone), but not the noise. Vitamix is quieter, a better warranty, and more ergonomic. I picked up the carafe yesterday at a Williams Sonoma store when my wife and son and I went out to a local mall. Much better materials including more rubber on the handle and base to reduce noise vibration and harshness. Wonder if Toyota has stock in Vitamix. Vitamix is much quieter than Blendtec. Lid is much better designed. So in short I'm a Blendtec owner going rogue and ditching it for a Vitamix. But I wouldn't do that for a 4500, a 5200 or CIA (sorry WY). Only for a Pro 500 and only at $549, not a penny more. Shipping I will have to evaluate. Best.

Paul



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/25/2011 04:00PM by pborst.

One final analogy, do you prefer to drive a stick or an automatic? Vitamix 5200 is a manual. Blendtec HP3A is an automatic. If you need to stay there and use the variable speed, then the 5200 is your baby. If you want to set it and forget it, go Blendtec (just make sure your lid stays on or use a 2 1/2 pound weight to keep it on).

I find the transmission analogy helpful but incomplete. Vitamix has the greater reputation, history, warranty and in my view ergonomics. It's also quieter in general. Blendtec is easier to clean, offers greater capacity carafes, and greater convenience with its smart chip presets.

Vitamix and Blendtec, is like Honda & Toyota, Ginger and Maryann, Veronica and Betty, etc. The debate looms on. I just thing the Vitamix Pro 500 changes the game. Now I have Vitamix ergonomics, convenience, versatility, warranty and reputation at a price. Fewer presets is preferable to more. I still don't like the layout of my Blendtec HP3A as far as accessing the presets for doing specific tasks. For milling grain into flour or crushing seeds, I'd just go manual.. etc. And so the scale tips in my world. But if it were still 5200 vs. HP3A, I'd keep the Blendtec. As I said, the Pro 500 is a game changer for me.

Paul

good break down paul, thanks for your input, I think if I ever get a super blender I will probably go the same direction as you.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oh, mirror in the sky
What is love?
Can the child within my heart rise above?
Can I sail through the changing ocean tides?
Can I handle the seasons of my life?