Suggestions for a good upright vacuum?

[CharleyDog]

14. a Roomba is pretty funny as an effective cleaning machine: the canister only holds about a half cup

We live with 3 dogs on a lake at the beach in the forest so we have dog hair sand pine cone bits and pine needles. I plan on buying a vac about every 2+ years. so, I buy the cheapest. I find the more expensive ones are no better. They don't clean better, they don't last longer. So for the price of one $150 vac, I can buy 3 and last 6+ years of good results (hint: I clean out the vac often).