Review (4/5): Better than average at MSRP, a great deal for $100 sale price
I've recently tried the following razors pretty much back to back in search of something that would give me the best bang for the buck.
*Braun 8985 - very good shave quality, no irritation, mimimal passes, never pulled hair, easy to clean, nice travel case, rediculous charging station / cleaning stand
*Norelco 8240 - poor shave quality, irritating, pulled tons of hair, easy to clean, quiet
*Braun 9585cc - excellent shave quality, no irritation minimal passes, only pulled once or twice in a month, easy to clean, very nice travel case, very high quality obvious everytwhere, expensive, loud, rediculous charge atation / cleaning station.
*Panasonic ES8243A - shave quality equal to Braun 8985 but just shy of Braun 9585, can be used wet (tried it once, no biggie), easy to clean, quieter than 9585, much less expensive then both Braun's mentioned when on sale, no irritation, minimal passes, simple charge cord, cheapo travel case, lcd tells you exactly what's up with battery.
Basically the high end Braun is like a loaded Mercedes and the Panasonic is like a loaded Camry. Both are very nice but the Braun has an edge in the "cache" factor and in it's superior hexagonal foil pattern. It seems to shave easily in all directions whereas the Panasonic has a less advanced circular hole foil pattern than seem to resist (drag ever so slightly) movement a little in different directions, particularly on the upper lip. However, the 4 foil Panasonic resulted in slightly fewer pass than the Brauns and the Pana felt a little better in my hand. The ability to shave in the shower may be the clencher for some folks as the Braun cannot do that at all. I tried it once and the shave was exceptionally smooth but the shave cream was hard to keep in place without a mirror, no biggie either way. I really like the 9585 and would have no qualms about keeping it. However, the Braun was not twice as good as the Pana and was not worth twice the price at the time of my purchase. I'd pay 20 or 30 more for the Braun due to it's warranty and the travel case but no more than that. I've used the pana for 1.5 months and am 95% statisfied with my purchase. If it had the Braun's more advance foil pattern it would be by far the greatest shave out there. As it is, I'd say its a tossup between the 9585 and the ES8243A with consideration to be given to how each will be used in light of each razors strengths and weaknesses. For me it was the Pana.