Just not good at all
I'd been using a Norelco 5863 XL for years before this. When it finally kicked the bucket following an unfortunate water-immersion incident, I figured I'd go for its direct successor. Bad move. Norelco's manufacturing standards appear to have dropped precipitously over the last decade.<br /><br />Here's what's wrong with this shaver:<br /><br />1. It just doesn't shave as closely as its predecessor. Additionally, the springs on the floating heads seem to be a bit stiffer, or else the heads just don't fit together as well - the point is, instead of smoothly gliding from one position to another, the heads are noticeably popping into position as you shave. It's disconcerting.<br /><br />2. The trimmer is just godawful. It's now spring-loaded, which is as convenient to open as the old one with a manual level, but comes with a really severe drawback - you can only use the trimmer by pulling down across your face, not by pushing up. If you try to push, the trimmer will just close, since you can no longer hold it open by holding you thumb on the level. I don't know about anyone else, but pulling is completely useless for me, thus making the trimmer useless as well.<br /><br />3. The water-cleanable feature is a half-truth. Yes, you can rinse it out after use, but it still recommends you take it apart and clean with a brush once a month - exactly as frequently as the old non-water-cleanable model.<br /><br />4. It feels like light cheap plastic [...] in your hand.<br /><br />5. Sure the pictures on Amazon look ugly... but they really don't do it justice. This could very well be Darth Vader's shaver. If you've got a techno-dystopian theme going in your consumer electronics, then go for it... otherwise, you may want to reconsider.<br /><br />Mine is currently en route to Norelco's returns facility (at my own expense, naturally), after which I will wait 6-8 weeks and hopefully get a refund. Sorry, but Amazon's staff recommendation of this shaver is just not warranted.
Rating: 2 stars