I bought this shaver after researching the reviews both here and on Amazon. My immediate need was for something that would take the place of my Mach 3 Turbo, as I had decided to go "totally bald." My first impression follows:
Physical Perceptions:
The clear plastic wrapping is that thick plastic most electronic items now seem to always have. Be careful when cutting it open such that you don't slit your hands with it because that is possible. The unit comes with a base charging unit, the shaver, and a nice fabric travel bag.
The unit feels quite nice in my hand. The design (similar to the "phaser" seen in more recent Star Trek shows), is pleasing to the eye and feels very solid. I expect the unit to hold up for quite a while.
It is totally submersible and appears to be unlikely to rust in any way. The unit quickly charges using an induction adapter. As it charges, one of five respective charging lights flashes (for those worried, the instructions state it is impossible to overcharge the unit). As for maintenance, the manual states the foil should be replaced every year and the blades every two years (sounds reversed, doesn’t it?).
The shaver head pivots left and right with a spring action that re-centers it. The three blade units (two foil with a center "cutting" blade) move independently of each other. These, along with the entire pivoting head, also spring in and out from the unit. A lock can stop the left-right pivot.
The charging base is simple in design and offers more than you immediately notice. I placed the shaver in the unit while on my lap and immediately had the shaver fall out of the charging position, into the sofa. In looking at the base more closely, I found that a plastic support lifts up to hold the shaver in place and that the base is steadied by a twisting arm assembly.
The noise level is around a “high C” note, but quiet. There is no noticeable vibration and no “gyroscopic” feel from the 13,000 RPM it provides (I had wondered if such speed might make moving the shaver more difficult). Pressing on the ON/OFF button for two seconds activates a special 17,000 RPM speed with reduced motion for cleaning purposes. I don’t expect many will need to use it, though.
The instructions state you should let it charge for eight hours prior to its first use, but the instructions also say a full charge should happen in a bit over an hour. After a brief charge (about ten minutes), I decided to take it into the shower for the real test.
Usage Perceptions:
I lathered up with a thin layer of shaving gel (Old Spice Beard-Reducing Gel) over my whole head and proceeded to shave. I started slow, going against the hair. I could tell the shaver was individually cutting every hair because the unit moved somewhat more slowly against the pressure I was giving it. My growth was from three days of not shaving at all; I imagine it will go faster tomorrow when I start using it daily.
There were no problems at all with any "flatter" areas on my face or head. On areas that were more rounded, I used the side-to-side motion talked about in the other reviews. That did the job, but I was left with a slight redness on one part of the front of my neck on which I pushed harder. I had no such redness on the crown of my head, but did also feel a slight amount of burn on part of the back of my neck.
By the time I got to my face proper, I decided I needed to lather up my face a bit more and chose to do so with some Zest soap. As I finished my work, the razor foamed up my face. It went even more smoothly now.
I cannot describe how impressed I was of the total result. Honestly, the shave was as close as that from a Mach 3 Turbo, having gone both directions with it! I had no cuts but virtually all of my head was smooth. (One place, on the left side under my chin, has the very slightest roughness when feeling against the nap of the hair. I chalk it up to my fault for now, as I got everything else totally smooth by touch and it is, after all, my first time.)
Overall Perception:
I think this shaver must be about the best one could ever hope to find. Why is it so good?
- Wet shaving cuts hair more easily
- 30-degree internal blade edges both ways are the same as that of a safety razor (no other model or brand has this technology!)
- High speed keeps hair from ever clumping up any movement
- Very thin foil used for heads
- Entire assembly “floats” in so many independent ways
- Motor doesn't seem to slow down as charge diminishes
I have already told one friend of the incredible shave I got tonight. Panasonic says we need to give it a full month before we draw a conclusion, but if the first shave is this good, I don’t know what more one can expect. It is unreal.
More Information:
The Panasonic site for more information is available here:
http://www.panasonic.com/consumer_electronics/personal_care/men_shavers.asp
I will update this review if anything major comes up. (By the way, the warranty is only 90 days, so to be safe, get it with an extended warranty or use an American Express card for its free warranty extension.)
Click
here for my review of
DigitalFotoClub, the place from which I bought the shaver.
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Update:
Trimmer: Although the Panasonic web site claims a 3-position trimmer, there appears to only be two: retracted and extended. It does not turn on while retracted.
Shaving Experience: Since going bald two weeks ago, I've shaved my head twice with my Mach 3 Turbo and six times since then with the Panasonic. I cut my head both times with the Mach 3 Turbo (but otherwise had a perfect shave) and a total of twice with the Panasonic. I only know how to prevent the Panasonic "cut" (you are guaranteed the occasional cut with blades).
For the past three times with the Panasonic, I've had no cuts, burns or red spots.
First, be sure to always have something to slicken up the spot to be shaved. If you don't, you will not be able to easily move against the friction of the wetted, relatively smoother skin and you will "skip" the razor across the area to where it will next land. I know this caused my slight bleeding the first time. I was going more quickly and didn't bother to reapply soap or gel.
Second, be sure to not press too hard. There will be times you seek to just push hard because you don't think you can get hurt by the razor. Don't think this way! The razor has all sorts of "give" to prevent the effect of pushing too hard. Accept it.
I believe the two cuts were caused by the middle blade (meant to get longer stray hairs). Because the 3-head assembly allows an extreme amount of independent movement, this "trimming" blade (although still protected) can become more exposed under the aforementioned circumstances.
To get more difficult areas, be sure to move the razor in a circular or back-and-forth fashion and be willing to go more slowly against the nap of your hair. The shave is awesomely close when this is followed.
Finally, anything missed can be easily touched up later shaving dry.
Warranty: 1 year on parts, 90 days labor. Money-back guarantee: 30 days
Overall: I still believe this is the best choice to be made, for either the face or head.]
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Update as of July 24, 2004:
Using the blade and foil the unit came with, the razor continues to do a good job but is no longer "great". I continue to shave with it almost every day to maintain my bald "hairstyle" and a smooth face. However, I believe the foil or the blades (or both) should be replaced to get it back to its original quality of shave. For the foil to be rated for one year of use seems right, as I put it through a lot more shaving time than most men (I figure my head is worth another three faces's worth of stubble) and have been using it for eight months.
The battery lasts about 80% its original time. This, coupled with the foil having more difficulty pulling up my hair, means a full charge lasts just over half the number of "great" shaves I once had. This is still three or four days of complete shaves, though.
I will order a new foil or foil kit (w/blades) soon.
This shaver was an incredible investment. I would gladly buy another if necessary.
Update as of Nov. 3, 2004
In mid-September, my shaver started behaving oddly. It would turn off while shaving (on a full charge) or would shift speeds for no reason. Additionally, the battery charge light became wildly inaccurate and flashed in odd ways.
I sent it in to one of two US repair centers for repair under warranty (just within the year warranty). When I called in, they told me the repair would take several weeks, but that Panasonic had increased the original warranty to a full year of both parts and labor, so I didn't have to worry about any cost.
I received it back yesterday. When I called in, I was told it needed a new circuit module. However, it appears they replaced everything but my original casing.
In the meantime, I used a Shick Quattro, which was a solid replacement. For a month's worth of shaving, I only cut my scalp or face three times. However, my Panasonic performs better and I'm glad to have it back.
A note about the Panasonic models: The 8092NC and the current 809xNC line are identical save for color. Panasonic labeled its shavers as different models only for distribution purposes.]
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