Norelco 8894 XL Spectra shaver Limited Edition, includes Automatic Charging stand with clock, 8894XL

by Norelco

Product Details

Product Manual [678kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4 x 10.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 pounds
• ASIN: B000068PBJ
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (192 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #296,340 in Home & Kitchen (See Top 100 in Home & Kitchen)

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Licensed to shave closely and painlessly, this cord/cordless electric shaver is designated Norelco's James Bond model not only because it's high-tech but also because its heads can be adjusted to suit the sensitivity of 00-anyone's skin. The shaver has a comfort-control dial that varies the spring and pressure of the three floating heads through nine settings. Roger Moore might opt for a gentle setting, while Sean Connery surely would choose a firmer setting--and novices to grizzled veterans can please their faces as well. For this model, Norelco has also improved the lift and cut, below-skin shaving technology of its two-stage cutting system, which provides slots for longer hairs and holes for stubble while the floating heads are adjusting individually to facial contours. A full-width trimmer pops up for neat work on sideburns and mustaches.

More tech-chic comes in the form of a polymer LED display that tells how many minutes of shaving time remain when the shaver is operating cordless on its lithium-ion battery. The LED display also warns when the heads need cleaning (all it takes is a rinsing under running water) or replacing (replacement heads available separately). An audible alarm sounds when the shaver requires recharging on its storage stand. A six-minute quick charge is good for a single shave, and a one-hour full charge provides 100 minutes of cordless shaving. The shaver fits the hand beautifully and goes on the road stylishly in its leather travel pouch, while automatically adjusting to worldwide voltage variances. It carries a 60-day, full-satisfaction, money-back guarantee and a two-year warranty against defects. --Fred Brack

Product Description

Norelco 8894 XL - Licensed to shave closely and painlessly, this cord/cordless electric shaver is designated Norelco's James Bond model not only because it's high-tech but also because its heads can be adjusted to suit the sensitivity of 00-anyone's skin. The shaver has a comfort-control dial that varies the spring and pressure of the three floating heads through nine settings. Roger Moore might opt for a gentle setting, while Sean Connery surely would choose a firmer setting--and novices to grizzled veterans can please their faces as well. For this model, Norelco has also improved the lift and cut, below-skin shaving technology of its two-stage cutting system, which provides slots for longer hairs and holes for stubble while the floating heads are adjusting individually to facial contours. A full-width trimmer pops up for neat work on sideburns and mustaches. Also known as Philishave HQ8894 Sensotec

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

199 of 203 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spectra is the one to get..., December 13, 2002

By 

J. Coleman (Holmdel, New Jersey USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Norelco 8894 XL Spectra shaver Limited Edition, includes Automatic Charging stand with clock, 8894XL (Kitchen)

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.

74 of 74 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, September 22, 2003

By 

Aaron Heilbrun (Phoenix, Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Norelco 8894 XL Spectra shaver Limited Edition, includes Automatic Charging stand with clock, 8894XL (Kitchen)

Well, after having my last Norelco stolen from my luggage on a return trip from South America, I was looking for something to replace it. I've always had sensitive skin and my Dad had been using a Norelco model that was good but not adjustable (a dermatologist recommended that I use a razor that could be adjusted).

That made sense to me.

So, with it on sale and all the other offers, I bought it. Undoutedly, the most expensive razor I have ever purchased.

Now several months have passed and I can say that I love it. With the dial on the 'sensitive' setting (all the way to the S), it does a fine job in terms of shaving close, but leaves no razor burn. It is comfortable to hold. Only very rarely does it pull a hair. It can handle several days of stubble without complaint.

And the battery? Shaving several times a week I can go an entire month without recharging.

The sideburn trimmer is well made but it is just that, a trimmer. Don't expect it to shave your head.

The ability to rinse the heads under water is great. Easy cleaning!

I highly recommend this razor. I believe that it will continue to provide years of close yet comfortable shaving. Despite the price, it has proven an excellent investment.

42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Initial reactions, January 10, 2003

By 

Larry R. Harris (Manhattan Beach, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Norelco 8894 XL Spectra shaver Limited Edition, includes Automatic Charging stand with clock, 8894XL (Kitchen)

I have been using this razor for a couple of weeks, have loged about 87 minutes and it is going strong. There is little doubt that it will romp through 100 minutes in style. It is pretty much what I had been led to expect.
SPEED--The only thing slower than an old Norelco is 'stop'. The speed was significantly improved by the newer line, specifically the 5821XL. The Spectra is even faster, however psychologically, it seems like it could be lumbering along. Perhaps this is due to the razor being very quiet. It just seems a bit slower than my Grundig Avantgarde, but it isn't. Actually, it seems to get the job done about as quickly as my Panasonic Wet-Dry, which is faster than the wind.
CLOSENESS--It gives the illusion of not delivering a shave closer than the Grundig, but it does. In fact, my neck began feeling sensitive immediately due to the closeness (head pressure) of the shave. I completely acclimated after a week and this no longer is a problem. I probably should have put the razor on a more gentle setting but I just set it to N (normal...for the closest shave)and went about business. There is a 9 position setting that seems a bit over-hyped to me. I assume there are subtle differences, but after a short time, you will settle upon a setting and go from there. The wheel that sets this is almost impossible to read without a magnifying glass is not the most user-friendly thing I have seen, but in the long run is no big deal.

ERGONOMIC FEEL OF RAZOR--Excellent. The thumb naturally falls directly over the recessed electronic on-off switch.

DISPLAYS--Gives you elapsed time display of current minutes used as well as an overall display of remaining minutes is a very easy to read format. Occasionally a visual logo of a fosset appears that indicates when you should clean your razor under running water. This feature, called an 'Automatic Cleaning Indicator' seems to be hap-hazzard at best. There does not seem to be any correlation between amount of debris contained within the hair chamber and the display. Actually, just open the hair chamber (quick release button at the base of the head complex flips up the assembly) and give a quick blow after each shave and all returns to squeeky clean without having to resort to the Chineese water torture for the quick rinse off. Can't shave in wet, but cleaning is much quicker and easier to accomplish than for any other shaver I have owned, save for the Panasonic W/D.
PROTECTIVE COVER--Plastic, as per the industry. At best, they tend to .... This is not much better. Oh, it doesn't fall off all the time as does the Remmington Interceptor, but needs to be placed in a certain manner. There are 3 grippers on the cover. The slightly widest one goes to the back...that is, if you want a reasonable fit. I overcame this by puting a red mark on the obease one. Head covers are a big deal to me. That is what I like about the rather over-priced Grundig (built in and rolls into position).
TRIMMER--What can I say? It is a Norelco. You shave near your sideburns at your own risk. The good news however, is that the built in trimmer seems to get the job done better than most. The downside is that with other more conventional razors, we tend to do most of the dirty work during the shave proper, thus relegating the built in trimmer (worthless on so many makes) to a lesser usage.
RELIABILITY--Can't say after only a few weeks. Quien Sabe?, but if it is similar to other Norelco's, and I don't see why not, it should be very good. Certainly much better than the Panasonic line (especially lLinears)that sometimes die unpredictably. Once down for the count, they can't be repaired. If not under warranty, one is dead meat. The Spectra has a 2 year warranty coupled with a 60 day money-back guarantee (whatever that means...shipment costs, delays, etc.).

BOTTOM LINE--It seems well worth the money. I didn't give it a '5' because I don't view any razor as being worthy. I am still looking for my absolute favorite, the Eltron Universal to return to the market. Not as fast as some...a lousy trimmer, but man is it good to your face (provided you use the gold foil which has not been produced for many years). Not to be confused with the newer Eltrons, which are not even better (at least to me) than a Braun.

Addenda: It is now slightly over 1 month of usage. All is exactly as I found it initially. I have drained down to zero on the display on two separate occasions. Suggest you do that in order to properly condition the batteries. A full charge for me is aprox. 103 minutes. The shave is perhaps the most gentle of all my electric razors. Speed seems to be more than adequate.