Top critical review
3.0 out of 5 starsExpensive but worth it? - when it works!
Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2012
I am a long-time blade shaver and just got this unit. Today was the first chance I've had to try it. I will rate this 5 stars and go from there if it gives me reason to change I will.
This razor has a solid feel and is very comfortable to use. It stands far above my old Braun shaver as well it should for the money. It is a bit loud but not too much louder than my Braun. So far nothing to dislike at all (except my shrinking counter space!) The razor itself has a pivot action switch near the head that has three modes: "free" (the head pivots), "lock" (no pivot), and trimmer (which pops up to trim beard, stache, side-burns.)
The power button on the front of the razor has a locking feature that prevents it from being accidentally turned on when traveling. Holding the power button for 2 seconds activates the "sonic vibration cleaning mode". A separate flyer in the instructions clearly shows how to clean using liquid soap but fails to indicate to use this mode (the instruction manual does, however.)
Unpacking this razor was nice - the razor comes with a plastic cover over the foil and packed in its own zip-up travel case. The base unit was packed separate from the AC power cord and detergent unit. The water reservoir pulls down and away from the back of the base unit and there is a plug at the top for the water fill and a fill-to line. The detergent unit was sealed in two places and installed easily under the base when the two seals were removed according to the tabs. Pretty simple to put together. The AC cord reaches from the power outlet all the way across our double vanity with slack to spare.
I removed the razor cover and placed it in the base unit, connected the AC cord to the base and left it to charge. In about an hour (I did not time it but that is about right) the unit was fully charged. The LCD on the razor shows the battery charge clearly and the time of usage. There are numerous other features of the LCD that I will update on as I experience them, for example a cleaning indicator.
The base unit has three operating modes one for charge, clean and dry in three different combinations. There's charge; clean, dry, and charge; and dry and charge. A Select button chooses the combination desired. The razor sets easily in the base and the three charge terminals on the razor clearly match the three on the base making it obvious how to place the razor.
The AC cord used to power the base can also be hooked directly to the razor to charge it, lightening travel needs. Combined with the "sonic vibration cleaning mode" this is a pretty nice travel package.
I did my first shave dry and it was very close, much better than my Braun, which was admittedly old and a bit neglected. I would say it was on par with my Shick disposable blades and look forward to trying it different ways, wet and with shave gel. I am also leaving the unit off the base to see how long the charge holds.
I am so far impressed and feel like I have received good value for my investment.
** Update 1/13/12
Dry shave was ok but decided to try it wet and all I can say is WOW! This is how you need to use this razor. I have a shower mirror on order but with my shave gel it's baby face time! Best shave I ever got. Shaving in the shower will shave (hah!) 5 minutes off my morning schedule so I'm psyched.
** Update 1/20/13
A year of use and the shave is showing wear. I just replaced the foil and blades as my shaves have gotten progressively worse - more stubble and less "baby face". They recommend a year to replace the foil but I feel that is too long and plan to replace more often.
That alone may not warrant me pulling a star off this but what happened next does. I now have to return the unit for repair as it the on-off switch has stopped functioning. It will turn on erratically if at all and I will not get to see how Panasonic's repair works. So far it looks like I have to return at my expense, but I have an email in to their repair for instruction. Fortunately their warranty is two years to I will not have to pay for the repair itself.
** Update 2/2/13
Sent the shaver alone back to Panasonic on 1/22 via UPS ($10 shipping.) 7 days later I received a boxed unit with a packing list indicating they returned a "new or refurbished" unit. Well it looks like brand new but I wouldn't know the difference between the two.
I charged the new unit last night and used it this morning. After using disposable blades for the last two weeks I can reaffirm my recommendation of this unit as superior to them. The shave is again smooth and close with no bites or problems with the unit.
I will update again should any further issues arise but Panasonic has done a good job of standing behind their product here. I cannot restore the star lost as the first unit did fail in normal use.
One word of warning: Should you need to return your unit, and if you recently replaced the blades and foils as I did (like two shaves worth) TAKE THEM OFF before you send it! Unless they are related to the problem you will likely get a replacement unit and your blade/foil replacement will have been wasted $$.
*** Update 11/30/13
Same problem turns up again - razor will not operate to shave - only comes on in clean mode. As good as the shave is (was) my disposables work all the time. And for the price of this razor you can buy a lot of disposables. I'm not sure I'd recommend this as now I need to see if I can have it repaired outside of warranty. Buyer beware on this one!
*** Update 1/8/13
Unit was still under the 2 year warranty so I was able to obtain a replacement unit. Customer service was good and replacement took a week. Can't say I'm unhappy with that but now that the warranty is up any other problems would be trouble.
