Philips Norelco 1050CC arcitec Men's Shaving System Reviews

• Norelco 1050cc vs. Braun Pulsonic 9595

  
  By A870VXHJJQFA6 on 2007-11-01
  I bought the new Philips Norelco 1050cc Arcitec Shaving System, returned it for a refund after 30 days, and then purchased a the new Braun Pulsonic 9595 Shaving System. Since I've had experience with both now, I thought my experience might be of value to others. I've had 3 Norelco shavers over the past 20 years. The 9595 is my first Braun shaver.
  
  Shaving Closeness - The Braun definitely gives a closer shave and in less time, although the Norelco is acceptable. One reviewer commented about getting nicks from the Braun but I have not had that problem at all, even around the chin.
  
  Comfort - The Braun feels heavier (I didn't actually weigh them) but I found the Braun more comfortable to hold.
  
  Noise - The Braun is noisier, especially during the cleaning cycle.
  
  Status Indicators on the Shaver - The indicators are better on the Braun; however, I've since learned that's mostly because I had the 1050 model. I now see that the 1060 or the 1090 models would have been better and probably would equal the Braun.
  
  Charging/Cleaning Stand - The Braun is more convenient to replace the cleaning fluid but about the same cost (about $1.00 per week). Both seem to clean equally well. The charge and cleaning status lights on the Braun are easier to see and give better status information. But the big difference here is the way the charging system works. With the Braun, you simply place your used razor in the stand, push a button, and the cleaning & charging are taken care of. However, with the Norelco, there are a number of warnings in the book to unplug the unit after it completes its cycle. This is a major inconvenience if you have to hang around and remember to unplug the unit. Also, the lack of an on/off switch seems a poor and cheap design.
  
  Trimmer - To even off my sideburns, I found the Norelco somewhat difficult to use because the trimmer did not stick out far enough beyond the shaving head. This was not a problem with the Braun.
  
  Cost - The Braun cost about $20 more.
  
  Return Policy - 60 day money back with Norelco; only 30 days with Braun.
  
  Bottom-Line - I started with a bias toward the Norelco because of my past experiences but in my opinion, this new Braun definitely surpasses the Norelco in terms of shaving closeness and convenience. Braun is clearly worth the extra $20, although the Norelco is a decent product.
  
  
  

• I really wanted to like this shaver!

  
  By AZNUHQSHZHSUE on 2007-10-23
  It's one of the coolest electric razors I've seen. I bought the 1060 which is the same thing as this one except the display. I couldn't wait to get this one. I love Norelco's products. I bought this shaver and tried it for a couple of weeks and found it delivers a really harsh uncomfortable shave with lots of razor burn which I never got from my other Norelco. I think one reason for the harsh shave is that it doesn't have the floating heads anymore that easily give to the contours of your face, this seems to plow into curves instead and you also don't get the range of pivoting that the previous models have (I noticed this didn't surround my Adams Apple like my 9160XL does it sits flat on it). It gives a decent shave but not a great shave like I was hoping and you have to go over areas many times. I think who ever designed this razor just went for how sleek and cool they could make it look and the function came second. You can get as good of shave with a 8140XL SpeedXL which has the same cutting head technology and gain the comfort and save $120. It just won't look as cool on your counter. I've sent mine back and I just bought a Braun Pulsonic 9595 and it's the best shaver I've ever owned. Sorry Norelco but when I spend $200 dollars I just don't want something that looks good I want it improved too.
  
  

• Norelco 1050CC

  
  By A2LD7LIWQ738CG on 2007-09-07
  I have owned this product for 2 weeks. Works great and gives a close shave. The only thing I don't understand is the cleaning system. It is the same as the Braun shavers, but the instructions tell you to unplug the power after the cleaning stage so it will not affect the battery life. If you look at the instructions it takes 2 hrs for the cleaning and drying cycle to finish then your instructed to remove the power. After the cleaning cycle if finished it automaticly goes to the charg cycle. If you are like me I am at work by then in the morning. Come on Norelco, whats with this. Poor design on Norelcos part. The shaver does give a nice close shave and is great looking.
  I'll only give this product 4 stars because of the cleaning/charging system. How many of us are going to remove the power after cleaning. Are you going to stand there and wait. I don't think so.
  
  

• Why I Love This Shaver

  
  By A3HFS5AVK74GW7 on 2007-10-25
  First let me say that I have a physical condition with my hands that makes shaving with a any type of manual razor a real headache. Using a manual razor is near impossible for me and I always would end up with nicks and cuts because of my inability to properly handle the razor. To that end, I have even had my face lasered to decrease hair growth on my face so I would not need to shave as often. It certainly has helped cut down the hair growth, but no solution is 100%.
  
  In the world of electric razors I have tried them all. Braun foil razors refuse to work on my face. They cause massive irritation and don't give me a close shave at all. I've tried all of their models, the latest was the 360 complete. After spending money on that--I sent it back, convinced that foil razors would never do it. The only reason I liked the idea was that the foil was easy to replace with very little fine motor involved.
  
  Then, there are the Norelco razors. I have found that rotary razors give me a better shave, closer, and quicker shave than any other Braun. I had the smart touch XL, but the problem was that every so often the heads would need to be individually removed and there were 3-4 parts per head. Cleaning a razor like this or replacing the heads in this fashion is a real difficulty if you have fine motor issues like I do.
  
  Then I bought the Norelco model up from the SmartTouch XL that had the cleaning base, thinking that would solve my need to manually clean the razor heads, it helped, but, in reality the problem was still there and the heads would need to be cleaned and replaced, the problem still hadn't been solved.
  
  Finally after a while I began to search for another solution and thankfully I found this razor. What I like is that the heads are a single unit that can be opened and EASILY CLEANED without breaking into multiple parts like the previous models. This is what I had been thinking of and hoping might come along someday. Sure it may be a little pricer than most razors, but to me for the ease of cleaning and the closeness of the shave I love this razor.
  
  Norelco finally got it right. For someone like me, this razor is a godsend.
  
  

• Best Norelco I've ever used!!

  
  By A2PO8ISY9DJ6WT on 2007-10-23
  I've been shaving with Norelco Electric Razors for almost 40 years and this has to be the closest and fastest shave yet. I do not shave every day so I have a bit of stubble going on when I do shave. With a 2-3 day growth all my past Norelco's would have taken 4-5 minutes for a shave and I'd still need a steel-blade razor on my neck for it to be as smooth as my face. The 1050CC had my face and neck shaven smooth in about 2-3 minutes and that was with a 3 day growth. My last Norelco was a Spectra 8865XL, which I purchased 2 years ago and is still working fine (I replace the cutting combs-heads every year) but it could never get the neck area as close as the face. If you are a user of electric shavers then the 1050CC is the shaver for you!
  
  
• Philips Norelco 1050CC
  By A3Q6P1AJF2HH68 on 2007-09-04
  very nice get my neck close would be 5 star but it recharges every time after its done cleaning and the manual says run it down then charge or will shorten batt life amazing how the new head can move in all dirrections
  please note you cant take out the cutters in this model you have to replace the entire shaver head
  
  
• what a shave!
  By A37W8FOCPDIYJZ on 2007-09-14
  I've had Norelco's since I first started shaving many many many years ago. My last Norelco was huge disappointment, as I had to take a good 15 to 20 minutes to get a mediocre shave, often having to decide between irritated skin from endless shaving or settling for sandpaper skin. After reading the other reviews for the Norelco 1050cc Arcitec, I decided I had nothing to lose. First, the shave is FANTASTIC. No more than 3 minutes gets me a fantastic shave. Second, the head design is much more flexible which makes it easier to follow the natural curves of your face. Third, the ability to wet the heads (lightly dampen them) and shave makes for an unbelievably smooth shaving experience. Norelco, my skin thanks you. This shaver was done right.
  
  
• ok
  By A3RPSUMZ5VEK2 on 2007-10-10
  The razor is ok, I'm not blown away by how close it gets or how well it shaves my neck...I have a super sensitive neck and it does do a good job of less irritation, but it doesn't necessarily do the best job at removing all the hairs. Also, the fact that you must unplug the charger from the wall when you don't want the razor to charge is a ridiciously idiotic design flaw.
  
  
• BETTER than expected, very few issues!
  By A3E7GVSGHHDP0H on 2008-01-27
  Before purchasing the Norelco Arcitec, I read reviews on Amazon and on various review websites I found with a simple Google search. Some of the criticisms I've seen regarding the Arcitec are somewhat true, and many are not (at least in my case). All people are different, and as such so is our facial hair, so please keep that in mind when reading any of these reviews including mine.
  
  The Arcitec is my 2nd electric razor. I tried a Braun foil-type razor about 6-7 years ago. Basically the problem I had with the Braun razor is two fold:
  1) It didn't shave hair with any consistency, if at all. Getting a close shave was impossible.
  2) Absolutely tore my face up. Irritated my skin more than it shaved.
  
  At that time I decided to go back to a standard razor and gel and let technology catch-up to my "dream razor". I have zero problems with using a standard razor and gel - I'm able to get a close shave without any noticeable razor burn or irritation. I just like not having to pick up a pack of razor heads and gel all the time, my schedule is simply too busy to even make it to the store, hence I buy things online and have them shipped to me. I like having gadgets and hoped one day I could have a razor that worked well, looked great, and would provide a great shave for a long time to come without constantly needing to go get something for it or special maintenance.
  
  Fast forward to today and I'm overly surprised at just how good the Norelco Arcitec is. I'll go over the basics of the particular model I have (1050CC), the differences between the models, and what things I would consider pro's and con's.
  
  The Arcitec Razor
  First things first, this is an absolutely beautiful razor! It looks and feels even better in your hand than on pictures on the Internet. This is now the 4th day I've had and used this razor and feel I'm at a point where I can accurately describe my experience. My first shave took about 10 minutes with 2 days of growth. After my 4 day, I'm in and out in just a couple of minutes. Each day the shave is truly better and faster.
  
  +Pros+
  1) I'm able to get an extremely close shave. Easily rivals what I am able to do with a standard razor and gel.
  2) The hardest area to shave is the neck/jaw line. With a few days practice I have been able to get these areas quite easily.
  3) Norelco recommends using this razor by itself for 21 days for your skin and beard to become accustomed to using the Arcitec. I've had ZERO razor burn and/or irritation since the first day I've used it and yet somehow, everyday the shave is better, easier, and faster. It's ADDICTING.
  4) The trimmer on the back is not near as useless as other reviewers are making it out to be. Simply, the trimmer works well. The only downside is that the shaving heads can get in the way of being able to see what it is that you're trimming at certain angles. I have a separate cordless Norelco trimmer, but honestly as long as you're not doing ridiculously-extravagant facial hair, you should have no problem pulling out the trimmer on this product and cleaning up your sideburns, mustache, or other simple facial hair. It IS NOT a toy like some reviewers are saying, it makes a nice clean line and cuts real close.
  5) The Jet Clean system is absolutely awesome. I have no idea why other reviews have said to not get this. Keeps the razor looking and feeling brand new, everyday, with no effort. What is not to like? I went on an Amazon subscription for the Jet Clean solution, so they send me a new bottle for like 3$-4$ shipped each month and I don't have to do anything. This is reasonable. Unit does ship with 1 bottle of solution which will last a month if you follow Norelco's suggestion.
  
  -Cons-
  1) It's relatively expensive compared to most of the market. Amazon's got a decent price on it, I personally picked mine up on Ebay for a fantastic price from a well-rated seller.
  2) The only criticism, other than price which is completely subjective, that I have read on reviews that holds any truth is the charging method. Here's the deal if you haven't read this before: The Arcitec comes with two methods of charging. One is a travel case/charging pod. I have yet to use this, however I can say that it is a well-made plastic case that the Arcitec fits inside. On the outside of the case is a plug so it can be charged without having to take it out. Other users were somewhat disappointed that the case is somewhat large and takes up a bit more space that older models. Non-issue for me, honestly it's not that big at all and would easily fit in any bag I own except maybe my quite small Kenneth Cole laptop messenger bag that I use for work, in which case I'm working and not shaving. The 2nd charging method is the Jet Clean/charging dock. As mentioned previously the Jet Clean system works great, however the problem is that you CANNOT leave the unit plugged in. What happens is you shave, either blow/wash out/brush out hairs in the Artitec (very easy by the way), then you place it on the Jet Clean system/charging dock and push power. This initiates the cleaning cycle. It takes only about an hour to clean, then a 2 hour dry-time. PROBLEM: you cannot leave it in the Jet Clean system without unplugging the unit from power after the cleaning cycle is done because it will start charging automatically as soon as the cleaning cycle is done, and it will decrease the life or affect the health of the battery because you're supposed to completely charge, then use until completely dead (similar to other small electronic devices like cell phones, MP3 players etc). Why Norelco didn't fix this problem is beyond me. I plan on buying a power-timer that will allow me to finish shaving, put the timer to around 2 hours and then I'm free to leave without worrying about my Arcitec investment. I have the same problem with my Norelco trimmer, luckily both shave and trim well, which is what they ultimately need to do for me to be a happy customer.
  3) The 1050CC model does not have the minutes left of charge on the display of the Arcitec as the other models that don't come with the Jet Clean system do. Why is this? I would have liked to have had that, but I knew this prior to the purchase and I'm happy no less.
  
  All in all, I find no reason to not recommend this product. The Arcitec is the best shave I've had, it looks great (can easily be left on the bathroom counter, it's a work of art), the Jet Clean system and charging dock are well designed and work excellent, comes with everything you need, and Amazon's always looking out for me with great things like their new subscription service that will allow you to automatically receive things you need routinely around the same time frame, such as the Jet Clean solution. Something like $3 or $4 will have it automatically sent to you each month with no hassle and no time wasted. I think YOU will be happy with the purchase of a Norelco Arcitec as well!
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Best shaver
  By A17IISHOZDLOQQ on 2007-09-15
  Best electric shaver I've found with less irritation. Very smooth and comfortable and close shave.
  
  
• Just OK
  By A2V1J3JT5OOZFO on 2007-12-17
  I have used Norelco shavers for many years and prefer them to all other models I have tried. This review comes from much experience with the brand.
  
  This Arcitec design looks fancy and works well, but gets three average stars because it really works no better than the previous non-space-age, less expensive designs. The 1050, 1060, and 1090 all operate the same, they just have a different display: none is better than the other, and don't waste money on the Cleaner accessory. It is fairly comfortable to hold (I prefer the feel of the original model because this is one is smaller), and looks fancy sitting on the counter, but it does not do a better job. It requires cleaning after each use as there is no space for the hairs. I have always cleaned my shavers after each use anyway. Unless you just want the apperance, it is not worth the extra money.
  
  Technically: The triple-blade per round head (each cutter has three spinning blade areas) does not do any better than a double cutting blade. Kind of like a Saturday Night Live skit in the 70's, Jim Belushi said, "Buy a triple bladed razor. For those that will believe anything". Lift-and-cut is a ridiculous concept and a marketing ploy, but Norelco's do a nice job. Norelco went back to more diagonal openings with this model, which is good. Many other newer models have lots of little pin-holes which are worthless, as the hairs have no time to enter a small hole with shaving motion. You would have to set it directly on a hair to cut it. The less pin-holes the better.
  
  Feel: The head design feels better on the neck, and has not caused razor-burn if I do not stretch the skin tight like I need to with the original model. It takes the same time to shave as my older unit, and I get no better results, no faster. It takes the same time to get a smooth shave, and the same persistance in some areas.
  
  Function: It is a little bit easier to shave under the nose, above my mustache, but not a major difference. It is much harder to trim my sideburns with this unit as the heads almost cut my hair on my head above the ears the way it is shaped. Very poorly designed trimmer, so I use my older shaver for that.
  
  Battery: Early, new battery life is good, as with most new battery devices. But, it states to not over-charge. Meaning, you need to be around when recharging to unplug it after it is charged; not good for those that shave and must go to work. The other units would shut off after charging.
  
  Cleaner/Charger: Again, one needs to be around when it is finished to not over-charge. The cleaner is not necessary and a waste of time, money, and chemicals. I use a razor brush from an older unit, brush it out quickly over the wastebasket (one can't blow it out without getting hair dust all over the bathroom, and it can't be shaken into the wastebasket as easily as the older models), and I spray it quickly with Remington Silicone Lubricant (I can only find it at Wal-Mart, which is the only thing I ever go there for, by the way).
  
  Overall: Buy it for looks and keep your old one in the drawer for sideburns. Nicer on the neck.
  
  I would return it, BUT, it was a gift, AND I like the look of it. I know, I know!!
  
  Update 12-29-07
  I purchased a Braun 9595 through J&R on Amazon, and it has a 60 day trial return guarantee. This is the first micro-screen razor I have used and it is better in all respects to the Norelco Arcitec except for the fancy styling. It is fast and comfortable, and my face feels razor smooth. I was able to return the Arcitec and am really happy with this Braun 9595 model.
  
  
• First Rotary, I Like It A Lot
  By A1TGIJ41NLL4GI on 2007-12-08
  I've used Braun shavers for approximately 30 yrs. The quality has been dropping over the past 15 yrs, and the last one I had was just plain junk. I decided to try rotary this time around and after doing a lot of research, decided to go with the 1050CC.
  
  Initial thoughts were that compared to the several Brauns, it felt and sounded like a toy. It's extremely light and the sound it makes while cutting beard hairs sounds like a kid's toy shaver. Not that this is anything of substance, just a little strange for this first time rotary user.
  
  I have a long, thin face with a large Adams apple so the rotary is a much better fit than the straight Brauns. I took my time shaving the first 5-6 times to get used to the difference and it was worth the time invested. I am on week 2 of shaving with this and have received only one nick and a much closer shave than the last two Brauns gave me.
  
  The cleaning action works well; leaving no hairs and dries fast.
  
  The trimmer is very small and doesn't have a lot of cutting power, so I decided to buy a separate mustache/sideburns trimmer. To be fair, the trimmers of my last two Brauns were the first thing to break.
  
  The only thing I can think of to improve beyond the trimmer is to add battery monitoring to the charger. It will continue to charge the batts to the point of killing them unless you unplug it. It's a small pain, but most owners won't bother to read through the instructions to learn that they should keep the shaver constantly unplugged.
  
  I give this shaver two thumbs up!
  
  
• Great shave from an electric....solution to annoying unplugging.
  By A168BC6AQTVHBT on 2007-11-30
  This new Norelco Arcitec razor provides a great shave with little irritation. I had a Braun Syncro previously, and it would leave little hairs everywhere on my neck. This new designed head flexs and pivots in all different ways to have more contact with the skin.
  
  The jet clean station works good and is interesting to watch. It does a good job of cleaning the razor heads of hair and debris. There is however, one annoying issue. Norelco says you should not charge the razor until it needs it to maximize battery life. The jet clean system however, automatically goes into the charge cycle after cleaning and a two hour dry time!! If your like me, you will probably be at work two hours after shaving.
  
  My solution to the unplugging is:
  
  I picked up a plug in rocker switch at Home Depot to go between the wall outlet and the Norelco Transformer plug. I then shave a little earlier in my morning routine and clean the razor in the jet clean system. I then turn the switch off while the system is in the 2 hour drying cycle. This is ok since the razor is basically air/drip drying anyway. If it needs charged, I turn the switch on while I know I'm going to be home for and hour then turn back off. This is a bit annoying, but if I spent almost $200 on a razor then I want it to last. You could also just unplug it during the drying mode, but I like the switch so I don't have plugs and cords everywhere.
  
  
• Pleasurable Shave
  By AQQM1VSJEGM2O on 2007-12-07
  This shaver is a gem of a design. It looks good and it feels good in your hand. As advertised, it shaves all the hard to get places around the chin and neck well. This is the best shaver I've used in quite a while.
  
  
• Excellent Device and Cleaning System
  By A35B9GV1R128OM on 2007-12-12
  The swiveling head and comfortable grip of the arcitec allow for a great shave.
  
  Pros:
  Battery life is phenomenal - lasted nearly a month on one charge
  Can charge product in the cleaning station or in protected case/pod
  Excellent contouring to the face for a great shave
  
  Cons:
  Cannot charge while shaving - must be in the cleaning system or charging pod
  Does not charge while cleaning - requires some battery and then charges the device after the cleaning cycle is complete
  Trimmer that pops out from the back-side is mediocre at best
  Expensive
  
  
• Somewhat underimpressed
  By AQMDSDO10OJN5 on 2008-01-01
  I got this razor as a Christmas gift after telling my girlfriend about it and it frustrated me a bit when it just didn't work as well as I expected it to. I thought I was going to have the most amazing shave of my life, and most convenient and comfortable to boot (especially for the price of this shaver). Well I'm sorry to say I eventually got a decent shave by the 3rd try, but as for my expectations well it just didn't happen.
  
  Some background, I used to use a really basic Norelco triple rotary head as my first razor when I got it in my early teenage years to get rid of my meager beard. That was about 20 years ago, and I long ago abandoned using an electric razor. So even though I don't normally use one, instead preferring to use a triple blade and shaving gel every 2-3 days, I knew what to expect. And after reading the literature, the description/outer packaging, and viewing ads on TV I thought this unit would be head and shoulders about anything I'd used before.
  
  I hate dealing with shaving and the possibility of any nicks/cuts/razor burn and ingrown hairs so in addition to avoiding that I wanted this for convenience and to save time, but the first problem I had with this shaver was that it took almost as long to shave using it as it would with my old razor and shaving gel. I used this Philips/Norelco 3 times to make sure I'd given it ample opportunity to perform and there wasn't any fluke, then if I still didn't like it I'd return it and go back to what I was doing or get something else.
  
  Shave #1 - Fresh out of the box. Had about a 2.5 - 3 day beard going (I have a medium growth of mostly straight hairs) Was impressed how it felt and balanced in my hand. Unique flex head didn't flex as much as I thought it needed to, but probably not much of a detriment. Not atypical for me, but a good amount of hair to get rid of for any shaver. Used it to shave with dry skin. Had to get used to the most effective way to use/hold it, but it did well near my cheekbones (the easiest part), OK on my moustache and goatee area, and so-so on my jawbone and neck. Hardest part was my neck but also near my jaw. Had to go over the same areas several several times using medium pressure - much more than expected. And since I knew it takes a few shaves for your skin to get used to it and there is much more likely to be some discomfort the first time I thought OK no big deal. But I could tell there was a lot more "chafe" on my face than I expected and the neck area had quite a bit of razor burn / redness even though I really wasn't pushing hard or using it at what I would call a bad angle. Did not really cut the sideways hairs as well as I expected, since they advertise it will obliterate those and I have quite a few on my neck. Rinsed the thing under water, dried with towel and put it away. Put a bunch of lotion on my face to help, still feeling some light discomfort / itch all over immediately after.
  
  Shave #2 - 2 days later. Opted to go with some water on my face since that is how I'm used to shaving and normally expect to get slightly better results, and a bit less irritation. It worked pretty well, but the shave still took around 8 minutes or so, a bit too long and I still needed a mirror the whole time. My face wasn't quite as irritated as the first time, meaning slightly less chafe and razor burn on my neck, though a few ingrown hairs had made themselves known directly under my chin from shave #1 and I did whatever I could to get rid of those with a tweezer beforehand. Sideways hairs still wouldn't cut quite as well as I expected, though I didn't quite have to go over my neck and rear of my jawbone quite as many times as the first shave. After this shave I still managed to have a few stray hairs that either would not cut easily even after 5 or 10 direct passes or (for a few) if they were facing sideways, then not at all. I went back with the tiny but fairly effective trimmer and knocked these out, but didn't expect to have to do this and added another minute or two to the process. Not much razorburn this time, put a normal amount of lotion on my face and I was good to go. Pretty good shave. Emptied the heads into the sink and rinsed and dried with water.
  
  Shave #3 - 2 days later. Easily the best shave of the three, which was what I was hoping for. Still went with the wet shave, meaning I made sure there was plenty of water on my face to start. Again upper cheek was the easiest and took almost no time, then moustache, goatee, jaw and sideburns, and then neck. Initial shave took roughly 7 minutes. Not as bad but not what I would call super fast. The rotary heads got almost all the hairs this time, except for 1 or 2 stubborn / sideways hairs on my neck near my adam's apple. Some hairs / areas took 5-10 passes with the shave head but went away with the appropriate pressure/motion. Almost no razor burn on my neck and a pretty low amount of chafe. Was impressed how it got the hairs right under my nostrils this time, due to my practice and the shape of the head. After the shave, I had to go back to get about 3 hairs that didn't make the cut (literally). This again added 1-2 minutes of shave time. I applied the usual amount of lotion and rinsed and dried the heads. The weird thing was this time, for some reason due to the water when I opened the heads to clean it, there were almost no hairs inside. Usually with a dry shave and 2-3 days of growth the heads get pretty full quickly. But in this case there was none, and not many showed up in the sink or countertop either. Weird, I guess the water had some strange effect where they either disintegrate into much smaller hairs and/or made them fly out somewhere I couldn't see. Either way I was done. Still, I didn't think this performance was quite up to my initial expectations, or the billing that Philips/Norelco gave it as their "most advanced shaver". But, it was "close" to a wet shave with a blade. Maybe a 8 / 10 this time. However I didn't like having to use a mirror the whole time still. And for the price, especially since it's described as waterproof shouldn't you be able to take it in the shower for the ultimate convenience? I dunno, I figure with a top-of-the-line shaver from this company, you should.
  
  I didn't bother with the cleaning / charging compartment since I didn't know if I would keep the razor or return to the store, and didn't want to learn something I wouldn't need to know, nor use up any of the shaving fluid or dirty it up if I planned to return. Just more hassle. I really think it's a little pointless to do this full cleaning process every time, maybe every few shaves but that's just me. Water works OK and the blades are billed as self-sharpening which means less worry and as long as you pat dry after the clean it should be OK.
  
  The carrying case is the alternative charging mechanism, and you can take it with you on the go. It also comes with a slide-on head cover if you're just going to put the unit away say in a drawer until the next use and don't need to charge it. One problem, the plastic head cover that slides on doesn't work with the travel / charging case. Why they made it so this won't fit, I don't understand. You're prone to lose or break it I think if you can't keep it inside, and why else would they give it to you if you can't take it with you in the travel charging case?
  
  My take is this shaver probably works best if you have a light or medium beard and you shave every 1-to-2 days. Otherwise, stick to a blade and heavy shave gel if possible.
  
  Strengths:
  - Good overall shave and closeness, with patience
  - Reasonably comfortable shave
  - Flexible head, very unique design adds an extra dimension
  - Strong trimmer for the size
  - Very quick 1 hr. charging in either the cleaning unit or travel case
  - Works with wet or dry skin (warning: not designed to work in shower or submerged)
  - Good for people with light to medium beards that shave every day
  - Self-sharpening heads
  - Motor seems strong and good RPM
  - Cleaning unit makes maintenance a bit easier and worry-free
  - 2 year warranty
  - 30 day money back guarantee / trial
  - Made in Europe, not China
  
  Weaknesses:
  - Price / Value
  - Too many passes to get all hairs = longer shaving time
  - Had to use a mirror entire time to get accurate shave
  - Trimmer is absolutely tiny and I'm not sure how sturdy over time
  - Plastic head cover doesn't fit in travel charging case, or have a home when not in use
  - Doesn't cut sideways hairs near as well as advertised
  - Charging and cleaning processes require more attention than desired
  - Not good for people with very heavy beards who only want to shave every 3 or 4 days
  - "Clean shaver" icon is not smart - it always appears even after rinsing heads under water
  - Can't use in shower
  - Overall, just not quite as 'advanced' as advertised
  
  Time for me to bring this back and try another high-end shaver from another european-based company which should remain nameless.
  
  
• Good Razor for a 15 year old.
  By A2U7CZ3VE954H9 on 2007-11-18
  I have been shaving for over 17 years now and this razor would be good if you just had peach fuzz and don't get a 5 o'clock shadow by noon. I used this razor for a week thinking I would give this a try with the money back offer. Here are my opinions:
  
  It feels like you have a piece of plastic in your hand instead of a sturdy shaving system. You cannot get a close shave on the neck. Even after grinding the shaver into my neck for several minutes it still looked the same. Forget about using the trimmer I could do better with my nose trimmer for my sideburns. Price...for what it delivered it was not worth it.
  
  Pros: I liked the cleaning system, but that is about it.
  
  Needless to say I switched to another brand (it was just as expensive) and have been very happy.
  
  
• Great
  By A1JBSJAICMRFX7 on 2008-04-08
  This works as described. First, the razor is great. For the first time I use an electric razor that does not make my face burn after use. It is very light and smooth, but my facial hair is a little thick so after shaving you can feel your face still a little rough (this is why I gave it 4 stars). Not too concerning for me, because it still looks good. Second, the cleaning system is something new to me. It is a little bulky so is not very convenient for traveling. It does what is supposed to, clean the razor. The soap is good for 2 weeks and each bootle is only good for 2 uses, so you have to get a new bottle every month. Third is the charger/carry case. This is slightly larger than the razor and is for traveling. It is very hard plastic so I would not worry about my razor while in it. You don't have to use the cleaning system to wash your razor, but all you do is set the razor on it and push a button, rather than opening up the shaving head and rinse with water for a few minutes.
  
  
  
• What Happened to NORELCO!?
  By A1X8TUTTIXIBD7 on 2008-04-07
  What happened to norelco?? I have had a norelco power shaver for years! and it has been great. It just lost its recharge ability and I think the blades are now just a bit dull, however, always a quick, close shave. This new, HIGHLY OVERPRICED shaver is TERRIBLE! Its quickness is like that of a snail, its shave is like that of a choppy lawnmower, and its charge is like that of an old used duracell! this is supposed to be the revolution in shaving!??? I think not. The only reason I bought it in the first place is because I had been so happy with my old shaver, at least 10 years old not, I expect this one to last a mere few months, if that, and never even come close to the shave of its predecessor. Shame on you Philips Norelco, you should pay some real designers to try and mimic all the designers you obviously outsourced to INdia. Lame......
  
  
• Overall a good buy.
  By A172GH1J8PWPAN on 2008-04-25
  I had the SpeedXL prior to this and dropped it just after a year of owning it so I upgraded to this razor. It looks sleek and professional and has the quality of shave to back up the price. I have owned this razor for just about a month now and last night was the first time charging it since it's initial charge. I have also travelled with it and the travel pod is a nice secure place to store it in your suitcase. The very flexible shaving heads get really close behind my jaw and neck area where there is the most curves. Running warm water over it after every shave is good enough to keep it running at peak performance between charges. When I charge I run the jet clean system. I am very happy with this razor.
  
  
• flimsy junk
  By A34DROUCT259IZ on 2007-12-26
  this beautiful electric razor never had a chance. when opened christmas morning we tried to set up the razor on the charging station. the place where it should sit was loose and when we pushed the razor into place on it, the razor sprung off onto the wooden floor and then one wheel flew into pieces. it's all plastic toy pieces! I hate to think what would have happened if it had sprung onto a hard bathroom floor.
  a big disappointment.
  
  
• Charging Issues
  By AFONH6CHKI66X on 2007-12-31
  I love the razor and cleaner. The only issue I have is that the if you let the cleaner go through the entire cycle it will charge the battery even when you are told in the instructions to fully discharge the battery before charging. The problem is easily solved by unpluging the cleaning stand right after cleaning is complete. When fully discahrged I let it run the full cycle. The razor shaves as promiced and gets places that I couldn't with my spectra!
  
  
• Poor shaver
  By A2EWW36N9Z53D6 on 2008-01-09
  I have owned Norelco Shavers for over 30 years. This model was painful to shave with. It took excessive pressure against the skin to shave. The trimmer does not pop out far enough to be useful. The only thing I liked that I didn't think I would like was the cleaner. My older Norelco shaved closer, did not miss hairs, and was comfortable to use. The shaver does look pretty and inovative but dosen't shave worth a hoot!
  
  
• Great Shaver
  By A2EAFNJQLBV84O on 2008-01-18
  I gave this as a gift and have been told that it is the best shaver they have used. It is easy to use and clean and now think that I will buy one for myself. Great Product
  
  
• Not easy to operate
  By A36IBUGM0L3MCP on 2008-03-08
  This was a gift for my Day. Just opening the storage pod is difficult and putting it back in is almost impossible. I was surprised that there was no place to put head protective cover. Since you don't us it while self cleaning and it doesn't store in the pod it is sure to get lost. My dad wanted something that was self cleaning because he has a tough time putting the older units together afterward. I suspect that this shaver will just sit in a drawer regardless on how well it shaves.
  
  
• This is a close shave and worth it!
  By A2L2EFOI4VGDUD on 2008-04-10
  This expensive electric shaver is worth every penny. It gives the best shave I've had in 78 years (including a few early years when I didn't even have peach fuzz). The cleaning attachment appears to work well, based on a month's experience. I have had many electric shavers dating back to Sunbeam days and through earlier Norelco models and this is far, far superior.
  
  
• Norelco 1050CC
  By A1DPQMWV06D6Y7 on 2008-04-27
  Great shaver. Cleaning machine works well but is very heavy - not practical for travel.
  Pod intended for travel protects the shaver very well, but is very heavy. Unfortunately, the shaver must be in the pod or cleaning machine to charge it. The good news is that you can go a long time between charges, so for a short trip you just take the shaver.
  
  
• Honest Review here
  By A2WKYDLBGCZFVJ on 2008-04-29
  i purchased this norelco from best buy it looked cool and was the most expensive one there so i figured it has to be good. came home was very excited opened it was very stylish i had a light 5 ocklock shadow going on so i decided to shave it. i had to go over FIVE times to cut most of my beard off and it left behind many little hairs. very sloppy job.i spent a little more and got the BRAUN shaver which is 10 times better even though it doesnt look as stylish and is bigger.
  
  
• Not thrilled so far
  By A2GI2GFR6166LA on 2008-05-23
  I just picked this up this evening and unboxed it a few minutes ago. I'm already a bit disappointed with it so far. I had read the reviews here on Amazon, and knew that some people were finding a rough shave with it. I haven't had a chance to try that yet ... but the cleaning system is a bit of a disappointment.
  
  First off, the cleaning solution that they provide contains no alcohol. My Remington with cleaning system had an alcohol-based solution, and I was always sure my razor was clean and sterilized. But this? No alcohol? Hmm.
  
  Secondly - my Remington (and the Brauns, too) had a small filter packet that was supposed to catch all the little bits of whiskers that were going through the cleaning solution. This one? No such thing. So you mean weeks-old whiskers are going to be floating around in the non-alcohol based cleaning solution? No thanks.
  
  The "unplug after it's fully charged" thing will probably be a bit annoying - but I have a feeling some people are worrying a bit too much about this. I left my Remington in the stand constantly for 5 years. Eventually the battery burned out - and I realize it was probably my fault (I didn't read the manual) but I don't think you need to get obsessive like some reviewers have here and get it unplugged *immediately* after it's done with its cycle. When you get home from work in the evening would probably be find. Just give it a full charge once every several days.
  
  Even though I haven't even given it a full charge yet, I have a feeling it's going to be going back and I'll be buying the Braun instead - even though my face seems to prefer a rotary.
  
  
  
  
• Great Shaving System
  By A37Q8KLNF8E0VT on 2008-06-30
  My husband loved this. Great Shaver....great cleaning system. Performs as advertised.
  However, he will keep his old Norelco for traveling. New one would be bulky to travel with if he took the cleaning system with it.
  
  

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