Philips Norelco T970 Accu-Vac Beard and Moustache Trimmer

by Philips

Product Features

• Stainless Steel Self Sharpening Blades offer lifetime precision cutting
• Patented zoom lock locks into 9 different settings for your desired beard length
• Rechargeable, Cord / Cordless for use with our without a cord.
• 1 hour charge time, battery level indicator
• 60 Day Money Back Guarantee

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Step up to a new level of precision and comfort with the Norelco T970 AccuVac Vacuum Trimmer. The unique design incorporates vacuum suction to capture and direct cut hairs into the integrated hair chamber so there is no mess to clean up -- no matter what angle you're trimming.

The advanced technology of the AccuVac System, the most effective integrated vacuum available in a trimmer, effortlessly captures and directs cut hairs into the Hair Chamber so there is no mess to clean up.

The precision zoom lock locks into one of nine different settings to easily achieve a precise, even trim. View larger

The unique AccuControl trimming system adjusts to all facial contours. View larger

Meanwhile, the T970's "AccuControl" trimming system features a flexing guide comb that adjusts to facial contours for precise, even trimming every time. Simple to Maneuver, the AccuControl system easily trims difficult to reach areas such as the neck and chin. The trimming unit also locks into one of nine different settings for your desired beard length. The trimmer cuts precisely and evenly no matter what look you're after: stubble, goatee, or a medium to full beard.

Norelco's revolutionary "SteelWave" technology adds another dimension of precision with wave-shaped, self-sharpening blades that channel and cut hair. There's even a specialty mini-trimmer attachment that clips on for precise trimming of your mustache, sideburns, or beard line.

In addition to great trimming performance, the T970 is designed for longevity and comfort. The stainless steel self-sharpening blades offer a lifetime of precision cutting and no lubrication is ever needed. The ergonomic design provides total control over the trimming process, while making the trimmer easy to use, comfortable to hold, and simple to maneuver. The transparent hair chamber makes it easy to see when the chamber needs to be emptied to maintain optimum performance. And a five-LED battery charging level meter provides you with accurate battery power status. In addition to a full two-year warranty, the T970 comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee.

What's in the Box
Norelco T970 AccuVac Vacuum Trimmer, travel pouch, power cord and AC adaptor, and cleaning brush. View box contents

Product Description

Norelco's AccuVac Beard and Moustache Trimmer offers the best of both worlds; precise even trimming with no mess. The Accu Control System is a Norelco patented flexing guide comb which adjusts to facial contours for precise, even trimming every time. Along with this goof proof feature, the AccuVac System has superior vacuum suction that captures cut hairs so there is no mess to clean.

Product Details

• Item Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0001HYJW2
• UPC: 075020189707
• Item model number: T970
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (130 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #115,812 in Health & Personal Care (See Top 100 in Health & Personal Care)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

419 of 434 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I don't understand the complaints...., November 30, 2004

By 

E. N. Cook "linedrivehit" (Montgomery, Alabama USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Philips Norelco T970 Accu-Vac Beard and Moustache Trimmer (Health and Beauty)

I have been trimming my beard for over 25 years, and this is a great trimmer. I don't understand the complaints. If you gave some people $1,000 worth of silver, they would complain and wonder why you didn't give them $1,000 worth of gold. I have no complaints about this trimmer. Look at some of the complaints of others. Some said it didn't vacuum ALL the hair, and some said only 1% of the hair. I would have to say that has to be "operator error" because I have very little or NO hair left when I trim. My wife is extremely happy with the clean sink. Another reviewer said it was "noisy"....compared to what? It was not as loud as a hair dryer, and what did the reviewer expect - a completely silent vacuum? I mean, a clothes dryer is louder than a clothes-line, but I doubt many people would prefer going back to the days of hanging their clothes out to dry. Someone complained that it took two hands to turn the dial to the beard length position you wanted. Let's see, you hold the trimmer with one hand, turn the dial with the other....hmmmmmmm. Actually, I consider that a strength, because I have had trimmers that have accidentally slipped into another position and messed up my beard. Someone else actually complained that they couldn't open the package it came in with their bare hands....well, I have a pair of scissors at my house. I didn't know being able to open the package with your bare hands was a qualification of a good beard trimmer, but I could be wrong. Well, I guess you get my drift. The beard trimmer works great, the vacuum when used properly is great, and as I said before, it is the best trimmer I have ever used. If you are looking for a really good beard trimmer that will be a lot easier to clean up after, I highly recommend this trimmer.

46 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, all-around device for facial hair & hair on your head, September 17, 2004

By 

AaronR (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Philips Norelco T970 Accu-Vac Beard and Moustache Trimmer (Health and Beauty)

I keep my hair and goatee very short and I have been trimming my own hair for 10 years. I am not an expert on hair trimming products but during the past 10 years I have used Wahl, Oster, Conair corded trimmers. I have also used Braun and Norelco cordless shavers. I purchased this product because I was looking for a product that could trim my goatee and serve as a travel trimmer for my hair. Although I intended to order it from Amazon, I needed it more immediately and therefore purchased the T970 from a Target retail store for $39.99 (on sale).

I normally do not write reviews but I was surprised at the disparity of reviews for this product. Most people either loved it or hated it. I also became skeptical of some extreme reviews (positive and negative) when I saw the same exact reviews found at places such as Target.com. I hope the following will be helpful to others:

I recommend visiting a store (e.g., Target) such as I did to see the competing products from Walh and Remington. Both offer vacuum trimmers that are priced a little less than this product. In the store, I confirmed my initial decision to buy the Norelco T970 because of the smaller form factor, the 2 year warranty and the no-hassle, 60 day money back guarantee from Norelco (used or not).

The product comes with a cleaning brush, travel bag, thorough instruction pamphlet and heavy (though compact) AC wall adapter. The unit is reasonably well constructed. It is likely the lightest trimmer or cordless razor out of any I have used. The hair trimmings compartment is easy to remove but did not fall out during usage. The dial to adjust the trim length is easy to use (but does take two hands to turn). It has 9 settings and #1 is the shortest. The guard does come off for close-up trimming but did not come off unintentionally during usage. I charged the unit until the top (of five) LEDs began to blink fast to indicate it was finished charging. This took 55 minutes.

I turned on the unit and was ready to begin. It is definitely the loudest trimmer I have used secondary to the vacuum component. It is probably has about 1.5x to 2x the noise of my current Oster or Conair corded trimmers. I doubt this will matter to most people.

I was impressed by the precision of the device. It can cut your facial hair and hair on your head very short and even. I typically use the "blending" guard on the Conair trimmer for my goatee. The #3 setting on this device left my hair about the same length. The #1 setting is extremely tight and will give you a 5 o'clock shadow look. I used the #4 setting on the rest of my head without difficulty.

The vacuum component was definitely not perfect and I needed to take the guard off once to unplug the opening of the vacuum with hair trimmings. However, the vacuum compartment did get about 75%-85% of the trimmings. You will still need to wipe the sink (and take a shower if you are doing your entire head) but clean-up is easier.

Summary:
The advantages of this unit:
-60 day money back guarantee (used or not) from Norelco
-Lightweight and decent design
-Easy to use and very precise trimming
-Ability to use corded or cordless
-Quick charging time of about 1 hour for 40 minutes of use

The disadvantages of this unit:
-Ni-Cad battery (therefore battery "memory" and shortened battery life if you forget and leave it plugged in or use the cord while trimming)
-The battery is not replaceable
-Relatively noisy compared to other corded trimmers and cordless razors
-No stand or hard case (it does not rest well on a flat surface)
-The vacuum feature does not mean you can stop cleaning the sink. It just means clean up time will be shorter.

The VERDICT: For $39.99, I am satisfied with this unit. I give it 4 out of 5 stars. I would probably recommend this device to those that need a good, all-around device for trimming their mustache, beard, goatee in addition to something that can pull double-duty and cut short hair (on your head).

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Don't buy it for the vacuum, September 24, 2004

By 

JM (CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Philips Norelco T970 Accu-Vac Beard and Moustache Trimmer (Health and Beauty)

This popped up in my gold box, and I decided to give it a whirl since the idea of trimming my beard with no mess had a lot of appeal. The vacuum does half work. Unfortunately, catching half the mess won't change the need for clean-up--there's less to clean, but you'll still need to do it. So my main recommendation is that you shouldn't let the vacuum "feature" be your reason for buying this. If anything, it's a slight negative, because the opening for the vacuum gets in the way when you are doing edge trimming without the attachment.
The next down-side is the "memory" rechargeable batteries. Basically, unless you let the batteries completely discharge before recharging, they will hold less and less charge each time. This is mentioned in the folded up piece of paper that passes for a manual--you will want to read through that. Which leads me to my final gripe: That piece of paper is extremely poorly done--diagrams with no explaination, unclear instructions, etc. So you do have to read it, but you're going to spend some time trying to puzzle it out before you actually figure it out.
For all my complaining, the trimmer isn't completely without merit. It does do a decent job of trimming my beard, which is of course the main point of the thing. I also didn't have any real noise complaints, which seems to be an issue for other reviewers.
On balance though, my main recommendation would be don't pay for the vacuum, because you won't be getting what you paid for.