Christian, just based on what I read on the Festool website, I was concerned that the Festool hoses and accessories were entirely proprietary and not compatible with anything around. I think in this case it's different from the Metabo guide rail/Bosch router combo you mention. Pretty much all the locally available shop vacuums (I'm guessing this is true across the U.S., but I haven't been in all borgs) and their accessories are compatible within either the 1.25" or 2.5" domains. In other words, if I go buy a ShopVac brand vac with a 2.5" outlet, at any time if I need a particular hose or accessory for it, I could run to Sears and get a Craftsman 2.5" hose or accessory. Insert whatever brands you like for the ShopVac and Craftsman (those are two of the biggest sellers, I believe). I was just concerned because of the dimensions listed online (22mm, 27mm, etc.) for Festool, that they weren't playing the same game. Others have answered that question that Festool accessories are indeed compatible without a Rube Goldberg string of adapters.
As for the remark about the 120V/U.S. design, I was pointing out that where you are in Europe, 220V is the standard, no? So my though is that the U.S. market would get a different design from Festool anyway, why not tailor it a little more closely to the U.S. market? After all, Japanese automakers don't sell us very many right-hand drive cars (only in very rare exceptions), though that's the standard on their islands. In other words, they could have made the dust port on the tools themselves compatible with commonly available hoses in the U.S., without the need for their proprietary grommet.
Dennis, I know you were reviewing "just the vac" and its accessories, but I was trying to flesh out "value" and how it would commonly be used in a shop or with a pro (I would assume these are the bulk of the market Festool is targeting). I think these are both important considerations in the review of a tool, otherwise someone may buy based on a positive review that doesn't really offer applicability to real-world use, but be sorely disappointed when they find they can't hook it up to anything without a gazillion different adapters, because no real "as-it-would-be-used" test was performed.
John, you sound like you're saying "you get what you pay for." I've heard that a million times, and I'm not convinced it's universally true (I can't discuss everywhere it's not true, because we don't do politics or public education here) In the end, the Festool is a motor, canister, bag and filter, much like a ShopVac. Perhaps German engineering has tightened the tolerances, and delivered a longer-lasting motor, but the question remains whether that is worth the 300% extra. We've certainly heard many folks talk about getting 10, 15, even 20 years out of their old Craftsmans, so by the time 40 years rolls around, how many Festools will have been worn out (or 70 years in the case of Dennis' $59 ShopVac, mine was $100, but I'll bet it's a little bigger).
My, I have stirred quite the pot on this one..."Hey, guys, check out that SawMill Creek--those guys get passionate about their SHOP VACUUMS there!!"
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Originally Posted by Jack Hogoboom
As I see it, you offered up an *OBJECTIVE* review of the product, really no different than reviews on many other sites, magazines or other media. Yes, I am a Festool owner. No, I do not own one of their vacs. Did I find your review helpful in helping me get a better "feel" for the vac? You bet! As for a few of the "other" posts, I don't understand it. When people post gloats AND reviews on a new MM or Laguna or Powermatic this or that, the same doesn't happen, though a LOT more $$ is involved. When a Ford owner (Steve C. 
Anyhow, thanks much for your review (this and past ones) and, I for one, will miss them. 
