Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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180 of 182 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Light and Quick, February 3, 2006
I have the identical shaver, the ES8077S. The difference between the two is that this ES8043SC model does not include a cleaning station.
I bought this as a replacement unit for my old Braun 5550, which after a few years of use has finally died.
If you prefer not to purchase the bulky cleaning station (from the ES8077S model), the manual suggests an alternative method to clean -- using liquid soap and water; this would be convenient when on the road!
Replacement Parts & Accessories (Retail prices & model # as indicated in insert):
1) Protective Cap (WES8044X7158): $0.62
2) Outer Foil (WES9085PC): $35.00
3) Inner Blades (WES9064PC): $21.95
4) Charging Adapter (WES8044K7658): $16.11
5) Self-Cleaning Recharger (WES8078H4218): $41.89
6) Detergent Cartridge 3-pack (WES035P): $9.99
Pros:
- The Panasonic Vortex is relatively light, and easy to hold/grip.
- Wet/Dry: One of the main features that won me over. I decided to get this unit instead of the Braun Activator because of this feature. I usually shave right after I take a shower, and my old Braun wouldn't cut cleanly until I fully dried off. First thing I did when I received this unit was to try shaving after a shower -- worked perfectly.
- Speed: For my old shaver, I had to take several passes, and yet still missed stubs here and there. With the Vortex, I was able to shave cleanly in one quick pass. I'm impressed!
- Head Pivots: The head of the shaver adjusts smoothly to the contours of my face.
- Battery: Right out of the box, I used my shaver for about a month before charging!
Cons:
- After my shave, my skin got a bit irritated at first use. After a few uses, my skin was able to adjust.
- Came with a cheap travel bag.
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Some reviewers have mentioned the noise of the unit. With any electric shaver, the noise is unavoidable. I didn't find the noise too annoying, though some of you may.
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68 of 68 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Better for me than Norelco, March 22, 2006
I've tried the Norelco Spectra series (now discontinued and replaced by an even newer series) but I've been much more impressed with this shaver. As other reviewers have said elsewhere, the type of electric shaver -- rotary or foil -- that works best for you will totally depend on your skin type and your beard. I can't tell you which one to buy. I can say that a foil shaver will be my choice in the futute, and this Panasonic has delivered impressive results for me.
My own beard is thick in places and the hairs themselves tend to be quite coarse. I have a long, angular face, and the skin on my neck tends to be quite sensitive. I always cut my neck when I shave with blades -- and I do mean always, even using the superior Mach 3 -- and the Norelco gives me a pretty good razor burn on my neck unless I'm very careful.
On the other hand, I had no problems at all with the Panasonic. I have nicked myself once or twice but not severely, and it's more of a fluke. There's no accompanying irritation or razor burn; I must just have held the shaver incorrectly. By comparison, the Norelco will really chew up my neck if I want to get a close shave. I think the Norelco worked well when I first bought it, but the "lift and cut" heads become clogged with hair fairly quickly and can be difficult to clean. The Panasonic seems much more straightforward: There are blades, they move, they cut your beard. As I said, I don't think I'll be going back to a rotary shaver again.
As others have mentioned, the 8043 is of the same series as the more expensive 8077 model with the cleaning station. There are a number of other models in the same series, such as the 8044. The bottom line is that the cutting head on all these shavers is identical. The replacement parts are the same and you will get the same shave. The models differ in terms of minor features. For example, the 8077, in addition to the cleaning station, has a more detailed battery-charge readout. The 8043 just has an LED that tells you it's time to recharge. I expect the battery life is longer on the 8077 as well, though the 8043 lasts several shaves on one charge and it recharges rapidly. The cleaning station itself is unnecessary; every model has a high speed cleaning mode and can be cleaned up with liquid soap and water.
All in all I've been very satisfied with this product in the weeks since I bought it and it's given me some of the nicest shaves I've had in a while.
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86 of 88 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Comparison Panasonic, Braun 360 Norelco Speed XL, , October 1, 2007
The following review is because I found it excruciating to find an electric razor that really truly met all my needs. And because I can't trust anyone's opinion that hasn't really tried a few.
To start I have very sensitive skin on my neck, the hairs lie very flat as well there...and my beard hair is freaking tough. Freakishly thick, evil little guys.
The contenders:
Norelco (Phillips) has been around for a while and is known for their 3 head rotary design. I got a SpeedXL, 8175XL. Claiming 50% more surface area than before with three rings on each head.
Braun a big name in the foil shaver market and apparently the top rated by a certain consumer mag. I got a 8975, 360 Complete.
Finally Panasonic "Linear", the lone entry as a wet/dry shaver, boasting "fastest speed" and "sharpest" blades. ES8043 was the model.
The lowdown:
Norelco...bundled with lots of extras. Best feedback with most LEDs. Very quiet, picked up the wonky hairs. But I wasn't happy. I had little control over where it cut and it was hard to address the little problem areas. Also it doesn't cut along a line well...so if you want a beard and to shave your neck, not a good chioce.
I realize others may not have that concern...so how about the actual cut? Decent, but I had an OLD Panasonic model which was right in the ball park...and I wanted to replace that one. Back to the store with you!!! The cleaning on this was also harder as the rotary area wasn't very streamlined.
Braun. After that first round I was done. I went for the top (well almost, mine didn't have the cleaning station). The 360 Complete had new Gillette tech, a really cool looking foil patter, and wow!! it was $140. This guy was a little heavier than expect. Fired it up...and loud, MUCH louder than the Norelco, even louder than the Panny...and it vibrated more in my hand.
Not too worried, more power right? First off...we have a contender. It cut fast, and closer than my previous Panny, much better than the Norelco. Came with a nice little hard case for travel. Pretty much it was all good. I figured this was the same model as the one with the cleaning stand...so rinse clean right? NOPE. A three step process of open partly, shake out, open fully brush out, finally a drop or two of oil.
Hmm still it cut pretty darn nice. But it was very expensive. Better take one last look....I had a Panasonic, what do they have? Without returning the Braun I got the new Panny. Hmm..wet/dry, self cleaning "sonic mode" (add a touch of soap and cleans itself), 13,000 rpm motor. It was quiet, it was lighter.
Now I had the two contenders in hand, time to test on the 5 o clock shadow. Panasonic first. Quickly shaved one side of my face. Hmm quieter than the last...subconsciously thought might not live up. Felt that side of my face...HOLY &^*(& that is smooth, like perfect, blade-eque smooth, except one tiny ridge along the jaw bone I just missed.
Still this was the easy task...nice short hair, lets bring out the Braun again. It made quick work of the other side of my face as well. Well mostly...one spot stayed a little rough and I gave it multiple passes. Still very much acceptable. Before finishing up, I decided to run the Panny back over the area the Braun had some issues with. ...and some tell tale hair clinking noise....felt it. Perfect.
The easy winner: Panny
Done. Told my now exasperated GF I found it. My shaver. Fastest, middle quiet, cheapest of the bunch, able to clean itself with no special stand, and finally wet or dry capable. Awesome!!
Wrap up:
Norelco (Phillips) 8175XL:
Pro:
+Great accessories
+Best LED feedback
+Li-ion batter (pretty sure)
+Quietest
+Best on slightly longer hairs that are laying flat
Con:
-Least close shave
-longest time to shave
-those longer hairs get pulled a bit (ouch)
-a bit more irritation (more passes)
-Hard to cut along a line (beard shaping)
-iffy sideburn trimmer (fell all the time)
Braun 8975
Pro:
+Almost as close a shave
+good sideburn trimmer
+Top rated makes you feel cool
+indicator for time to replace cutting block
+best pivoting head
+Hard Case for storage
Con:
-Loudest
-Expensive
-Didn't cut as well as the Panny
-No allowance to even get it slightly wet anywhere
-Only one with Ni-MH batteries
-Heavy
Panasonic ES8043
Pro:
+Least expensive
+great cleaning that can be done anywhere (so special stand)
+Best shave, close and fast
+Much quieter than Braun
+Light
+Li-ion battery
+Only with full, in the shower Wet capability (not even tested...still won)
+Great sideburn trimmer, now a solid flip up design
Con:
-Lousy soft vinyl case
-weird plug design...have to look when plugging in for charging
-same brand as before
So there you have it. I don't want to sound too down on the Norelco, it just was slow, imprecise and didn't cut as close...maybe with enough time training your skin it would be better?
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