Braun 8595 Activator Self-Cleaning Shaving System with LCD Display

by Braun

Product Features

• Easily removes any hair type on your face, even in problem zones
• Has a new geometry with different shaped holes
• Offers three different cleaning programs to meet three different cleaning needs
• This item is not for sale in Catalina Island

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Get ready for a shaving breakthrough. With the Activator self-cleaning shaving system, Braun brings cutting edge technology to the modern face. At the heart of the system is a revolutionary new "Smart Foil." This unique material has differently shaped holes that capture hair growing in any direction for a closer shave in fewer strokes-- even in problem areas like the neck. The other key feature of the system is called "Clean and Renew," an automated cleaning technology that keeps the Activator feeling like a new shaver every time you use it.

All in the Head
The Activator's unique head boasts a number of clever innovations, not the least of which is the smart foil. The foil is made up of differently shaped holes which, in combination with other Activator technologies, effortlessly shaves any hair type in fewer strokes. The holes within the foil vary in direction, size and shape-- much like the hair on the face. This variation allows more hairs to be captured on each stroke. The smart foil provides no less than 20 different hair-capturing opportunities compared to ordinary shaver foils that only provide one.

What's more, the shaver head also oscillates from side to side. These micro-oscillations enable the shaver foils to capture even more hair, and provide smoother gliding for maximum skin comfort, even in sensitive areas like the neck. Meanwhile, the Activator's shaving head adjusts automatically to facial contours, ensuring the shaver foils are always in optimal contact with the skin. This contour-hugging action can be switched off for facial areas where manual control is preferred. A three-stage cutting system is integrated into the head that works to deliver smoother, faster shaving results. First, the top foil shaves short hairs and stubble. Next, the Activator's high-performance middle trimmer effortlessly cuts longer hairs, before the second foil completes the shave for an exceptional finish.

Clean Living
The Activator's clean and renew system keeps it feeling like a new shaver. There are three different cleaning programs available, one of which is automatically selected based on how often the shaver is used and how much cleaning it needs. During the automatic cleaning program, a fresh alcohol-based cleaning fluid is pumped through the shaver head, so it quickly and hygienically cleans away shaved stubble. During the intensive cleaning cycle the cleaning solution is heated, so even the most stubborn debris and grease is removed from the shaver head. The alcohol-based cleaning solution is specially formulated for optimal hygiene. As an added bonus, the cleaning formula also lubricates the cutting elements for optimal cutting efficiency.

Once cleaning is finished, the shaver is silently dried using an inductive heating system. This thoroughly dries the shaver head to extend durability and maximize the shaver's performance. After drying, the shaver is automatically charged leaving it fully powered and ready to deliver peak performance at all times. Washed away stubble is retained in the cleaning cartridge, which can easily be disposed off with regular household garbage. There are no filters to replace and no cleaning of the unit required. Everything is neatly contained within the cartridge.

Brain Power
The Activator uses a special control chip to optimize battery life. This "Smart Logic" system is activated every time the shaver is charged, and maintains the battery at its peak. The new chip monitors the battery performance and services the battery when needed by discharging and recharging it automatically. This means the Activator is always ready for ultimate shaver performance whenever you need it. The Activator 8595 model also features an LCD panel that displays battery performance and clear, useful information on your shaving habits.

Fully charged, the shaver offers up to 50 minutes (2-3 weeks) of cordless shaving. The batteries fully recharge in one hour, and there's a quick charge mode that gives you enough juice for one shave after a three minute charge. The Activator uses Ni-MH batteries and features automatic worldwide voltage adjustment. If you desire, cord power can also be used with the Activator.

What's in the Box
Activator 8595, cleaning and charging stand, one replacement cleaning fluid cartridge, protective shaver case, power cord, user's manual.

Product Description

Ultimate shaving performance. Unique to you. The new Activator shaving system easily removes any hair type on your face, even in problem zones. The revolutionary foil has a new geometry with different shaped holes. This combined with the shaver head, which moves in 4 directions, ensures that any individual hair growth pattern is captured effortlessly in few strokes. The unique Clean&Charge system automatically selects the best out of three cleaning programs based upon how much cleaning your shaver needs. It automatically recharges the battery at the same time, leaving your shaver always fully powered and thoroughly cleaned.

Product Details

• Item Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0002Q67EA
• UPC: 301490100561 689076790550 069055833032
• Item model number: Activator 8595
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (192 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #107,251 in Health & Personal Care (See Top 100 in Health & Personal Care)
  • #88 in Health & Personal Care > Personal Care > Shaving & Hair Removal > Electric Shavers > Men's > Foil Shavers

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

277 of 284 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Shaver--This Applies to the 8595 and the 8585, October 21, 2004

By 

Mark L. "Markle" (Agoura Hills, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Braun 8595 Activator Self-Cleaning Shaving System with LCD Display (Health and Beauty)

The key thing in an electric shaver is getting the whiskers to the cutting blades. If the foil is too thick, or the holes in the foil don't get the stubby hairs inside, the shave won't be close. My whiskers grow flat along my skin in some parts of my face, especially in my throat area. The heads of most electric shavers just glided over them without picking them up. I could only get a close shape with a blade. My previous Panasonic wet/dry shaver had little rubber fins (like on some of the better Gillette razors) at the leading edges of the foil to lift up the flat hairs so they could go into the foil. That was the best electric shave I had ever gotten up to now. But Panasonic no longer sells any model with those fins, and the replacement foils with the fins for my shaver have been discontinued.

I looked around for current shavers that might have a new approach. Shaving with a blade every day is just too hard on my skin. I came across these Brauns 8595 and 8585. The explanation of the new foil design approach seemed to make enough sense to give it a try. The two models are the same, except that the 8595 has an LCD display for $40 more. The information on Braun's website sort of reveals, if you look at what the functions of the display are, that its main purpose is to nag you--time to clean, time to replace the foil, etc. So I saved the extra money and got the 8585.

I have been very impressed with it. The differently shaped foil slots/holes really do seem to pull in the hairs. No electric shaver is ever going to be as completely close as a blade--a blade scapes your skin; a shaver always has a foil between your skin and the cutters. But this is pretty near to it. It's at least as good as my old wet/dry Panasonic with the hair-lifting fins.

Here's a semi-undocumented tip. The instructions say that you charge the shaver by putting it in the cleaning/charging station. They also say that you can use the power cord for corded shaving if the battery is discharged, and that the battery charges whenever the shaver is connected to a power outlet. What they DON'T say outright is what these facts suggest and I discovered: you can charge the shaver by connecting it to the outlet directly with the power cord. You don't have to use the cleaning/charging stand. This makes it easier to travel with the shaver, since you don't have to take that liquid-filled cleaning stand with you.

317 of 331 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Next Stage in Braun Shaving Technology, August 23, 2004

By 

J. L. Webb (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Braun 8595 Activator Self-Cleaning Shaving System with LCD Display (Health and Beauty)

When the new BrAun 8000 series quietly debuted, I was curious as to what advancements could be made to a fine shaver like the BrAun Synchro 7000 series.
The answers are a whole new design, although predicated on the earlier 7000 series self-cleaning BrAuns, and most importantly, a new screen design that really does help capture all kinds of hair types as opposed to the standard Braun screen as well as the screen on most other shavers, this one features a screen of various openeing sizes that are a geometric pattern.
BrAun seems to have concentrated on keeping their expertise in the dry shaver market, as opposed to Panasonic who leads the pack in the wet/dry shavers, and it really shows with this shaver.
The unit is just as well thought out in design as the 7000 series although I personally find the 7000 series a better looking overall shell, with the 8595 featuring a shiney silver appearnace as opposed to the Titanium/Champagne and black of the 7000 series.
The Shaver runs just as smoothly as the 7000 series but the real leap in performance seems to be due to the screen design. After having used this new model for over a week I can attest to the fact that BrAun's claim of cutting and capturing more hair per pass on your face is valid. The shave seems a bit closer than the synchro 7000 series and certainly takes less time to get a better quality shave than the earlier 7000 series models and rivals that of the Panasonic wet dry models I have earlier reviewed. The clean and charge base is smaller than the 7000 series but does use the same refill cartridges as the earlier models and seems to be more efficient at the cleaning/charging duties as it automatically reads from the shaver what type of charge and clean is required, either economy, normal or intensive, as well as reading the cartridge fill level. Battery maintennace and health is a premium and is included on the 8000 series and will deep discharge the batteries once it "sees" the regular use requires it for battery health.
All in all BrAun is introducing a decided improvement over its venerable 7000 series and keeps it's claim as the premeier dry shaver in the world. On a personal note I never obtained world class results until I went from the Electric Shave type products, to a quality shaving oil such as The Total Shaving Solution, not sold by Amazon (but should be!). I use 1 drop and rub it in on my face, wait 30 seconds and shave and I have never had such a smooth, comfortable shave, even with my Panasonic wet/dry shaveer I have always been crazy about. If anything, clean up with the BrAun is even better than the Panasonic as I just splap it in the holder and push down the lock for a clean, charged and dry razor the next time my beard is ready!
If you are ready for an investmnent or upgrade from either the earlier BrAun models, or even the Panasonic wet/dry shavers, you will not be disappointed with the Braun 8595, a world class shaver giving world class results!

50 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Shave, November 26, 2004

By 

stuyhigh77 (Virginia Beach, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Braun 8595 Activator Self-Cleaning Shaving System with LCD Display (Health and Beauty)

Braun has taken the 7000 series shavers and gone a step further, to say the least. I loved my 7526 but was persuaded to try this unit. The new foil design is truly an advance. It makes shaving so much easier, especially for those wayward neck hairs that grow every which way. And I get virtually no irritation despite having sensitive skin.

On the down side the cleaning cycle is still noisy but not distressingly so, and the cleaning solution needs to be changed regularly, adding to the cost. Gillette/Braun has figured out how to keep us shavers buying consumables even for dry shaves.

The manufacturer claims that the foil and cutterblock should last 18 months but I found with the 7526 that 6-9 months was more realistic for maintaining shave quality. I suspect that this unit will be similar in that respect. This also adds to the cost but replacing them does give you a virtually new shaver.

The cleaning unit analyzes the amount of hair in the shaver after a shave and sets the cleaning cycle accordingly. It also analyzes battery usage and charges after each use. Periodically it discharges the battery completely to avoid battery "memory". It does this automatically. There is also a cord that can be used on extended trips and a brush for manual cleaning.

On the whole I am very happy with this unit and would recommend the Braun 8000 series to anyone comtemplating a replacement or a first electric shave system.