Review (3/5): Not Good for Travelers but Great Shave
I Travel so much that I keep a suitcase semi-packed all the time. I keep one Norelco shaver in the suitcase all the time.
What I dislike most about the 8890 Spectra is the power supply cord. Previous Norelcos (including my 5821 Reflex)have a simple power cord with no transformer - the transformer is built into the shaver.
With the Spectra, Norelco took one giant leep backwards by placing the transformer at the plug end of the cord, and, the prongs do not even fold in like most modern power supplies. And, it is huge! The Spectra with its recharging cord take up twice the room in my already stuffed suitcase as my Reflex. Additionally, the "Stand" is a useless piece of cheap plastic - I have thrown mine out.
On the plus side; the Spectra gives an excellent shave. It is very quiet and the floating head design is better than my Reflex.
Summary:
1.Power supply takes up lots of room packing.
2.Plastic "stand" is useless.
3.Shaver is very quiet and "conforms" to face very well.
4.Shave is excellent but no better than my 3 year old 5821XL Reflex with new blades.
Personally, my next Norelco will not have all the little unnecessary goodies (or external power supply)and I will still get an excellent shave.