Review (4/5): Cost Cutting Makes This Otherwise Good Shaver Fall Short
For years I've had a difficult time getting a close shave and a shave with minimal irritation. I've tried several of the Mach 3 variants with little success. Against or with the grain the Mach 3 would miss random places on my throat (especially around the adam's apple). I quit the Mach 3 even though the shave was otherwise close because the irriation it left made me unable to make a second pass. My Norelco Reflex Action series left me high and dry. That's right, it didn't cut anywhere and left me burnt all over. Most days it looked like I didn't even shave.
Angered over years of horrible shaving, I decided I would treat myself for my birthday. I was seriously considering Brauns and Panasonic's high end razors but decided against it because there was no clearly outlined guarantee if it didn't get as close as I'd like. Norelco on the other had advertises their's quite well and after reading a few reviews, I decided (...) I would take the plunge.
Here is my take after using a dry electric shaver for the past 2 years plus a weeks experience with the 7735x:
Pros:
1. Gets darn close for an electric. Not quite Mach3 but more then satisfactory. It does miss a bit around the adam's apple but nothing I can't live with.
2. Leaves me with almost no irritation. In fact, I can shave 3 times a day with this thing if I feel like it! Very impressed on the combination of closeness and lack of irritation.
3. Very easy clean up - just run under hot water.
4. Nivea lotion packs are easy to load and administer while shaving. They also really contribute to the feel of the shave.
5. The shaver itself is well built and sturdy.
6. Quiet.
Cons:
1. Cost-Cutting abound!!
2. Cheap charging unit that does not automatically shut off after full charge is reached!
3. Ni-Cad batteries.
4. Cheap Strap for letting the shaver hang out and dry.
5. Cheap/useless carrying case.
6. The shaver's "cap" falls off too easily.
7. Norelco recommends you run the shaver to empty before recharging. This can be a big problem if the battery runs dry and you need to shave - there's no way to plug the shaver into the wall and use it.
8. I can't for the life of me (and after reading the instructions 5 times) figure out how to get the shaving head off to put the trimmer attachment on.
Despite its near endless line of drawbacks, you do get a good shave with the 7735x. I couldn't stop rubbing my neck and face after the first shave (and it seems the shave gets better the more I use it). Oh yeah and the shocking part, I look forward to getting up at 6am just to shave! Yeah!