Review (5/5): Great Razor, but Pricey
I was very happy with my Norelco Reflex Action 5885XL, which died after about 6 years of use. I opted for a new top-of-the-line Norelco because I knew it would last me for many years to come. I originally hesitated... $180 is a LOT of money for a razor, even for a Norelco. So, I set my expectations high.
After a year-and-a-half of use, I can honestly say that it is a great razor. It gives me a closer shave than my old Reflex Action and is less harsh on my skin (note: I do like to use a pre-electric shave gel, which makes for a much smoother shave anyway). Prior to purchase, I was most anxious about the closeness of the shave. I wasn't disappointed.
Next to the shave quality, other features are much less important to me. However, the easy cleaning feature is extremely convenient and does save a lot of extra time. The battery life is nothing less than amazing, though perhaps a bit overkill. If you want to save $50, buy a lower-end Spectra and you'll probably have to charge it once a month instead of once every two months. Big deal. Personally, I opted for the flagship model because I know I'm going to use it forever.
This, all in spite of being initially turned off by the high price and James Bond tie-in (funny, when I was a Bond fan years ago I was too young to shave anyway). Overall, it's a great razor that's a good long-term investment.