Bought this as a replacement for our old Panasonic vacuum cleaner which still works but wouldn't disgorge all of the cable - will now be used for car cleaning duties.
I looked long and hard before buying the MC-UL596, considering all makes including Dyson. What a fantastic product and, from Pana-Stores, a fantastic price (£120)! My wife and I couldn't believe the amount of dirt and dog hair that it picked up on the first couple of uses. It has left the carpets looking cleaner and feeling newer as it lifted the pile that had been flattened over the years. You will find that you empty it a lot on first use but this is only due its efficiency and the fact that you can see the dirt and fur/fluff.
The turbo brush works well on upholstery and stair carpets. The MC-L596 come with an extra attachment for hard floor cleaning which doesn't store on the machine itself but this doesn't cause us any problems. The only thing I do miss is the retractable cable of the old machine, but at least it can't jam!
The remarks of one reviewer regarding filter costs are not entirely accurate. The top filter does not need replacing often provided you keep it clean as per the instructions and, when you do need to replace, the filter can be obtained separately from the top cannister for considerably less than the £30+ figure quoted in that review. I know Dyson filters can be washed but the cost of the machines is prohibitive. Also, strictly speaking, the Dyson HEPA filters do not appear to meet the full HEPA standard.
As far as weight is concerned, yes, it is heavy but no heavier than our old Panasonic and, very importantly, it has a carrying handle that balances the machine when lifted, reducing the strain considerably. Also, when you use the extension hose, it doesn't fall over.
I can thoroughly recommend it.