Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Spectra is the one to get...
I've been delaying writing this review of the Spectra 8894xl as I really wanted to use it for a month or more before I commented on it. I'm happy to report that I'm loving it! The only real weakness is the long hair trimmer as it's marginal at best.I'm completely convinced that the Norelco rotary floating head system is far superior then the linear blade foil systems found on other razors like the Panasonic and Braun. I've owned them all. This is not to say they don't work well, but in my experience they are more biting and do a less then adequate job in the neck area. You can also get a circular rhythm with the rotary that you can't get with the linear. Some people complain there is less control with the Norelco, especially around the side burns. This is true, but I've found that once you get used to navigating the Norelco it becomes second nature. One thing that threw me off before the purchase was a complaint I read about this razor having slots and holes on the foils heads. More specifically, the complaint was that it took a longer time to shave with the Spectra then it does with the Reflex action and Advantage. I can't comment on the Reflex action but I can comment on the Advantage as I own one. There is some truth to this! The difference is the Advantage has many more slots and more blades as compared to the Spectra. The Spectra has 9 blades per head for a total of 27 for the three heads. The claim is that this gives it a more open structure and allows for a sharper blade angle that lifts whiskers sooner and higher for a closer shave. The Advantage on the other hand has 15 blades per head for a total of 45 blades. That equates to more coverage - 60% to be exact. This combined with the fact the Advantage foil has all slots explains why you can plow through more whiskers in less time. However, this notwithstanding, the spectra may take a little longer to shave but the configuration gives a much closer shave. The stubble slots also do tend to take care of the shorter whiskers by catching them and allowing the blades to cut them. Now a word on battery life and the LED; the battery life of 100 minutes is amazing, I've only had to charge the razor twice since I owned it. I'm a proponent of conditioning the battery by using the charge up until you really need to charge it. The LED is very cool as there is no more guessing about charge left and time used. The nine settings on the Personal Comfort level setting is a nice touch, but I've been using the razor on the normal setting with great results. At first I did set it back a few notches which led to less irritation at first, but now that my face is used to it the N setting works well without irritation. One other thing I've found that really improves the shave. Williams Lectric Shave Utlra Pre-Shave "GEL". This is non-greasy and much better then their oil based formula. It really, really makes a difference.
Rating:  - Good, but not quite as close as my 4yr old Braun foil shaver
Ok, it's a nice razor and does shave close. But no closer (in fact a little less close ) than a Braun foil razor I've had for 4 years, which I bought reconditioned. Caveat: I use the electric razor to shave my head. When I did half my head with the Norelco and 1/2 with the Braun, the Braun was closer-even if barely. The Norelco was on it's closest setting, too. Also, the Norelco's blades were brand new, and my Braun's were about 6 months old! This was most noticeable at the end of the day, when the Braun stubble was a little shorter. Also, when I used the Norelco on my face and the back of my neck, it gave me razor burn like I have never experinced with a foil razor. As another reviewer here said, change your foil and blades (for me about once every year or so) and that's the real key to good performance. Finally, it just makes sense to me that the thinner the metal between the balde and your face, the closer the shave. Foil wins!
Rating:  - P.T. Barnum was right...
I shuddered after reading the glowing reviews of this overpriced razor. A new razor is like a new car...what man doesn't love it? The real test comes years later, when problems occur. As a Norelco user most of my life, I sprung for this gimmick. The initial shaves were incredible, but I remained skeptical. After the initial 2 1/2 hour charge, it ran and ran. In fact, the LED readout was inaccurate, as it merrily hummed away, long after it displayed zero minutes available. The nine setting dial is a true joke. What were they thinking here? Some intricate scientific approach to shaving? Any man just wants the closest shave possible, so I dialed it up to the max. After usage when the blades wear, every man will end up doing this anyway. Like any electric razor, it is only as good as the blades. The LED gimmicks on this soon grew old. I just wanted it to fire up and annihilate my whiskers. After two charges, the shaves got worse and I had to finish with a disposable razor to scrape away the missed stubble. The replacement blades are overpriced to coordinate with this "exclusive James Bond" razor. Norelco is laughing it's way to the bank, as men buy into this gimmick. I'm going back to a basic electric razor and buying several sets of replacement heads. That is the key to economical close shaves.
|
