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147 of 149 found the following review helpful:
 Shaves As Close As A Blade Sep 15, 2010
By Boilermate
I assumed this would be a nice razor, I just didn't think it would be this good.
Packaging:
The first thing you notice is that this razor is severely over packaged. First is the main box, which has two hefty seals that require a sharp object to cut them. Inside is a plastic clamshell containing the razor and the anti-theft devices. A sharp object is also needed to open this. Next is the big box that has the stand (wrapped in foam), cleaning brush, power adapter (one end wrapped in plastic), and the blade cover. Another box has the soft carrying case, which is in a plastic bag. Finally there is the box with a corrugated insert that contains the wash unit, which is wrapped in foam and in a plastic bag.
First Impressions:
Nice touches abound. The cord for the adaptor has a Velcro wrap. The stand has suction cups on the bottom to keep it in place. The razor is nicely balanced. Everything has a quality feel to it. The manual is extensive, but for those who can't wait there is the "Quick Start" card...which is all pictures. Reading the fine print, I find it is made in the Netherlands, not China.
Reading the Manual:
Sorry guys, I had to do it. The manual says it takes about 50 minutes to fully charge and you get about 50 minutes of shaving. It only charges in the stand or the wash unit. You cannot plug the razor in directly. If you let it run out, you can put it in the stand for 3-5 minutes and get 3-5 minutes of shaving. Norelco says not to leave the charger plugged in after charging fully, but doesn't say why. It has a neat LED "gas gauge" on the front to tell you the charge remaining.
Like most electric razors, it says to use it for about four weeks to allow your face to "adjust" to it. Norelco gives you a 45 day money back guarantee as well as a two year warranty.
When the battery will no longer hold a charge you have toss the razor...the battery is not replaceable. This is a huge negative in my opinion.
Shaving:
I compared this razor to the Remington Flex 360 I tested earlier and to my old reliable blade, a Schick Quattro power. I shaved half my face with each and had a two- to three day growth each time.
Norelco vs. Schick Quattro: I expected it to be no contest here, because everybody knows a blade shaves closer. The manual says I can use shaving cream with this razor, so I lather up with Proraso Shaving Cream using my trusty badger brush. Darned if it doesn't work! Just like with a manual blade, you have to rinse frequently, but it works great. The shave was very smooth, even against the grain, and much better than expected. There was a bit of irritation under the chin on the Norelco side. When done shaving, just open the rotary covers, rinse with hot water, and set in the stand to dry.
The WifeTest: As is the norm in these shaving comparisons, I asked Mrs. Boilermate to judge which side is smoother. She said both sides were smooth, but, to my surprise, she said the Norelco side was "a bit smoother!" After two days I thought the Norelco side was a bit "skritchier" but Mrs. B, said there was no difference.
Norelco vs. Remington: The Norelco feels more balanced than the Remington, which feels a bit top-heavy. The Norelco weighs in at 6.1 oz. vs 6.5 for the Remington. Both felt smooth and both irritated a bit under the chin. The Norelco's three separate heads make it easier to see what you are doing vs. the one big enclosure on the Remington. The individual heads allow you to get a bit closer, as well. The trimmers on each were easy to use, but the Norelco's is narrower and it sounds like something is loose when pressed against my face.
Again, Mrs. B deemed the Norelco shave slightly better.
Cleaning:
Both the Norelco and Remington rinse clean with hot water. To clean the Norelco, just open the three head covers and rinse with hot water and put in the stand with the heads open until dry. (It looks a bit like a Transformer in this mode!) The trimmer rinses clean as well.
Every now and then you should run the razor thru the Jet Clean wash unit. The actual cleaning takes about five minutes, and about two hours to dry. It will charge the razor during the dry cycle. the manual gives instructions on how to disassemble the heads for cleaning as well.
I prefer the Jet Clean system over the Braun's, mainly because the cleaning fluid is in a bottle instead of special refills. First of all, you get about two complete refills from a bottle for about the same price as one Braun refill. You can also empty the reservoir into another bottle and cap it between cleanings. That way it doesn't evaporate between cleanings and if you are short on counter space (as I am) you can put the wash unit in a drawer. I filter the fluid thru a coffee filter when reusing it. Norelco says you get about 15 cleanings per fill-up.
Conclusion:
This thing is like a riding mower for your face...a John Deere, not one from WalMart, and that is a good thing. A good riding mower cuts as good as a good push mower but does it a lot faster. Yes, it cost more and requires a bit more maintenance, but to those who have one, it is all worth it.
The price not withstanding, this is an awesome razor. It is well balanced and well built. It shaves as close as a blade, especially when used with shaving cream, and it covers a lot more territory so you are finished sooner. That being said, is it worth a nearly two hundred dollar premium over the Remington? Well, the Norelco comes with more: a stand, a carry case, and a cleaning system. So there is clearly added value. For the blade shaver who only occasionally uses an electric, it's hard to justify. If you use an electric regularly you can't go wrong with this one.
UPDATE 1/13/11
Four months later and this razor has become my daily driver. I use it with shaving cream and get a quick smooth shave...even under the chin. And no more nicking the corners of my mouth trying to get close under my nose. After 40 years as a blade shaver I am a convert!
50 of 51 found the following review helpful:
Ive spent years looking for this shaver! Sep 16, 2010
By W. L. Holder
Let me start by saying I detest shaving in the mornings, Im always rushed, its a hassle. Because of this, Ive always loved the idea of an electric shaver, unfortunately, after trying literally dozens of them I have never found one that worked well, until now that is.
This thing is amazing. Admittedly, it is very expensive. I have to admit I probably wouldnt have tried it if I was unable to get this shaver as a sample, but after trying it now, I would definately spend the money.
Be warned, it even says in the instructions that it could take a couple weeks before your face gets accustomed to the process and you get good results. This was definatley the case for me, I had some nasty razor burn after the first few uses, but it lightened up every time and now I get a smooth, painless shave every time.
--SHAVE--
This unit provides a smooth comfortable shave, with few passes required. It does not shave you smooth in one pass, I think that is fantasy land for electric shavers, but it does shave in fewer passes than any other model I have tried. The final result of the shave is the best I have ever had with an electic razor, rivals the shave I get from the cartridge shavers (Mach4, Fusion, etc). The head is very flexible with little pressure required to make it conform to your face, this allows it to reach all the tough spots relatively easily. The shave head also has different types of openings, allowing it to cut different hair types properly, no more leaving the thick or thin hairs behind, this one gets them all.
Additionally, the unit is sealed so if you are inclined to do so (like me) it funcitons well with shave lotion or cream for an even more comfortable shave.
--CLEANING--
This could be this units claim to fame. The shave heads easily pop open to allow cleaning and removal of the hair debris left behind. Most gets washed away if you rinse under the water tap, but occasionally it needs cleaned out. Additionally, the awesome little cleaner station is amazing. Not only is it a kick to watch it work, as it moves automatically, raising and lowering the shaver into the solution, turing the shaver on and off automatically, but it also WORKS. After you run the shaver through the included cleaner station, it is like it is new. Cleaning solution could be a little cheaper to replace, but considering you dont need to use it very often it should be a minor expense in the long run.
--ACCESORIES--
I already mentioned the cleaning station, but its worth mentioning again. The cleaining station is great and does a fantastic job. The shaver also comes with a nice carrying case, power cords, shave head protector, and convenient charging stand.
OVERALL
After years of dreaming of finding an electric shaver that actually works, Philips Norelco finally made one. While they obviously arent afraid to charge for it, it is worth the money. Dont wast $50 or $100 on other shavers, they dont compare, this is the shaver you want. Please look at my other reivews if you have doubt, I have reviewed several electric shavers and they have all gotten poor reviews from me, this one is the real deal shaver.
48 of 51 found the following review helpful:
The closest electric shave I've ever had Aug 23, 2010
By I. R. Smart.
"Tzu Crazy"
If you're a (hairy) man, you're more than likely always trying to find the next best shaver, but hate to spend a fortune on one that may not do the job...
Enter the Philips Norelco SensoTouch 3D Electric Shaver with Jet Clean System (black!). Hopefully it does the job, because it sure as heck costs a fortune!
Firstly, this is without doubt one of the nicest electric shavers I've ever seen. It comes boxed very well (perhaps a little too well - annoying blister packaging for the shaver itself = argh!).
Inside the box you're greeted by a small charger, the Jet Clean system (which is also ANOTHER charger in of itself), the small bathroom-friendly plug, a little cleaning brush, instruction manuals, a little cover for the shaver's heads, and the cleaning solution for the Jet Clean System.
Charging the shaver is not your typical 16-hour affair as is normally the case with shavers. One hour will see your shaver from dead to full. Very nice. The instruction manual does recommend the shaver be removed from the charger when it is charged. I don't really know why, as most "intelligent" devices stop charging after the device is charged anyway to prevent overcharging and lessening battery life. I'm not sure what this Philips Norelco does in this regard, but again - it recommends removing the shaver from the charger when charged. I suspect it should be fine to leave it in the charger when you're done shaving.
So how does it feel?
Well, I have to say the first time you push the shaver against your dry face, it's like it's gently massaging your skin.... until you realize it's also removing hair at the same time. Woah! It's a really fun feeling, but it definitely takes a while to get your entire face shaved depending on how much stubble you have there. I won't lie - it's the absolute closest to a razor I've ever experienced from an electric. It really gets that close if you spend the time to be careful!
That's not say it's perfect. I definitely rubbed my face a little too much in the process the first time, and I did feel a tad sore at the end, but I suspect this will ease with time. In fact, the manual suggests you use ONLY this shaver for 3 weeks so that your face can get used to it. I'll update this review in a few more weeks!
When you're done with your shave, you can use the Jet Clean System, which I think is super cool. You fill (the first time) or empty+fill (subsequent times) the little tray in the bigger charging unit up to the marked line once every two weeks (if you use the shaver every day), and then when you're done shaving, you stick the shaver's head upside down into the Jet Clean System, hit the power button, and then the shaver automatically dunks itself into the liquid/foam/lubricant, runs some on/off clean cycles, and then lets itself dry over the course of two hours. It's definitely very futuristic, and saves having to scrape out hair and gunk like you would normally have to do.
So far I'm VERY impressed.
Pros:
1.) Slick-looking device
2.) Not too noisy
3.) Not too much hair debris everywhere at all - surprised by this!
4.) Very fancy-looking charging LEDs on the shaver itself
5.) Very fancy magnets hold the shaver in place when it charges
6.) Has a nifty slide-out trimmer for below your nose or straightening out your sideburns
7.) Comes with a nice, zipped carrying case for traveling with your state-of-the-art shaver!
8.) Visual indicator when you need to replace the shaving heads
9.) Two-year warranty
Cons:
1.) Definitely will take a bit of an adjustment period if your skin isn't used to such a close shave
2.) The mini-charger doesn't take up a huge amount of room, but the Jet Clean System is definitely not something that could be called subtle... so plan accordingly!
3.) When using the slide out trimmer, it can be tricky to see where you're trimming with the shaving blades in the way
4.) Have to buy Philips Norelco's special cleaning/lubricating liquid for the Jet Clean System
5.) Non-replaceable battery
6.) Just under an hour of use from a full charge (not necessarily a bad thing?)
Despite the few cons, this really is a great electric shaver, and definitely the best I've used. I hope it gives me much joy and trimming for a good while to come!
4.5 stars out of 5!
***EDIT August 28, 2010***
So I've been using this all week, and just as the manual suggests, it's getting easier on my skin every time I use it.
ALSO, I have found it is safe to leave the device in the charger when it's charged. The unit actually shuts off the charging circuit when it's fully charged (all the LEDs go out). So despite what the manual says, it IS safe to leave the shaver in its charger when it is fully charged.
Loving this shaver. :-)
51 of 56 found the following review helpful:
 Philips Norelco 1250cc SensoTouch 3D Electric Shaver - A Great Shaver For Daily Use, But Not Good With Longer Hairs Sep 15, 2010
By Mark
"Technology, Music and Movies"
The Philips Norelco 1250cc/42 SensoTouch 3d Electric Shaver with Jet Clean System is a very good shaver. Like most high end electric razors, a great investment is required to get the most out of the unit. The product includes a lengthy instruction manual that documents the recommended use and maintenance of the product. After using this product for the recommended 21 days, I am pleased but am still left disappointed in several of the key features. Most importantly, this unit is not good at shaving intermediate and longer hairs.
PROS:
++ The product consistently produces a close shave with daily use
++ The operation is smooth and quiet, especially compared to other electric razors
++ Charging is quick
++ The unit holds a charge very long, so it doesn't die during a shave
++ The unit can be used wet or dry
++ The shaving heads can be easily opened and cleaned under water
++ The jet-clean system lubricates the blades as it cleans, keeping them working well
++ The included case and blade guard are great for travel use
++ The separate charging base is compact and includes suction cups for easy mounting
++ The device is attractive and sleek
++ The included manual covers everything you would want to know, from usage to maintenance and even parts replacement
CONS:
-- Leaves many longer and intermediate sized hairs behind when shaving
-- The detail tool functions poorly and irritates the skin more than it cuts hair
-- The cleaning unit is difficult to maintain, with a testy dual-button release that results in spilled cleaning fluid
-- Recommended annual blade replacements add significant cost
-- Only 1 power cable is included for both the charging dock and the cleaning station
-- The internal battery is not user replaceable and will limit the unit's life
-- More basic models provide a comparable shave for a more reasonable investment
NEUTRAL
~ The cleaning fluid is meant to last 15 days, but I'm nervous about hygiene if it sits there for 15 days; The included bottle will last a few uses, so you must purchase replacement fluid almost immediately.
SET UP AND USE
The unit does not come charged and requires that you hook up the charging station right out of the box. The cleaning station can be used as a charging station as well, but the shaver must sit in it inverted. Charging was quick and easy, done in about 1 hour.
This unit is designed to be used wet or dry. I tried both and ultimately chose to use it dry. The first few times using this shaver resulted in some discomfort. I was also surprised that the shaver nicked my skin, proving that the blades really do lift the hairs as they are shaving. I found that the initial discomfort lessened after a few weeks of use.
The cleaning station includes a container for the fluid, and I found it best to fill it to the bottom end of the range. Changing this fluid is difficult to do without spilling some.
This is a great shaver if you use it daily. The shortcomings I noticed from day 1 never really changed. If you allow your hairs to grow too long, it leaves a lot of the longer hairs behind, especially on the neck. The product really provides a very close shave on shorter hairs, but the channels for longer hairs simply do not work as advertised.
CONCLUSION
Ultimately, I would recommend users explore one of Philips alternatives, like the Philips Norelco 1150x/40 SensoTouch 2d Electric Shaver, Metallic Blue. For a much more reasonable investment of time and funds, you can have an almost equivalent shaving experience. I found that model to produce a shave that was almost as good.
I still recommend this unit for those who want the Jet Clean system. Other than changing the fluid, the system works very well. In order to obtain that system, you have to get one of the higher end models. For those who are very demanding it is worth the investment. But for most users, the 2D model will work sufficiently well.
Enjoy.
8 of 8 found the following review helpful:
When an expensive razor... feels worth it! Sep 11, 2010
By R Schmidt
Let me be frank. Spending $100 for an electric razor seems excessive. I mean, all it takes is one drop, and your investment is gone, right? It's easier to buy two $100 razors than one $200 razor.
Or so I thought.
This "Philips Norelco 1250cc/42 SensoTouch 3d Electric Shaver with Jet Clean System" has a long name, but here's what it really is:
- QUIET! It is, hands down, the quietest razor I've ever used. In fact, that's almost a problem. Your mind says, "This razor is so quiet, it probably isn't working." I guess I'm used to a chain-saw. It IS working... cutting your facial hair like it is designed to do.
- I suspect that every face (okay, maybe only mine) has one or two hairs that seem to resist normal cutting blades. Every so often, you see or feel a longer hair. "Hey, that one's escaped the zoo again." This Norelco gets it every time.
- It ALMOST feels like a face massage. You will never get that feeling from other razors, at least in my price range. And your face is smooth afterwards. The three cutting heads move with the contours of your chin, your neck, and your jaw. You just have to remember that you need to keep moving the razor over your face... there are gaps in the spacing of those cutting heads, so you can't hold the razor in the same orientation throughout.
- I have a sensitive neck. It is normally easy for the hair follicles to become irritated. This puppy? Not once after three weeks.
On the down side, I'm disappointed in the trimmer. Your old trimmer? Don't toss it away. This one is small and a bit awkward to fit into any position. And I keep being worried that I'll knock this razor over as it sits on the sink, breaking something. I wish the stand had a bit wider base.
This is my first razor that uses a cleaning system, with fluids, noises, and sneaky motions. I think I'm going to just rinse it after a shave like I normally do, until the razor feels different. Then I'll give it the big clean and try again. I don't want to waste electrons.
This is a very, very nice gift to give to that special person. They probably won't buy it for themselves, but they will appreciate this one. That guarantees they will be thinking of you at least once a day!
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