Review (4/5): For the Price it could be Better!!
The Philips Norelco arcitec 1090 Men's Shaving System is long awaited upgrade from my old "James Bond" quadraflex system of several years ago. For the time they should have provided a better product than they did. The heads seem to be larger but the cutting surface is about the same as the old. It cuts as well but not better than the old system. It does make more noise so you might think you are using a chain saw at first. It is not a smooth as the Quadraflex system.
The egometrics leaves something to be desired as the handle is a bit small for my hand at least. Rather than hold it with my hand, I find I use two or three fingers. The design is nice looking and nicely crafted and put together with quality parts.
Cleaning is one area where Norelco has progressed most. Twenty years ago you couldn't get the razors clean without treating it very harshly and using solvents, scrubbers, high pressure air, etc. Today with this razor, you simply open the head covers and wash it out with hot water, and it comes clean. Surprise, Surprise. That was the best feature of the new shaving experience.
Overall, I felt a little cheated with the new razor, since for the price, it wasn't worth the wait nor price as the shave was not that outstanding. It was merely OK, not great as I expected. Had I received it free as a number of Amazon Vines members did, I would not have been quite so critical.
Bill Keasling
Newport Beach, CA