Norelco 8894 XL Spectra shaver Limited Edition, includes Automatic Charging stand with clock, 8894XL
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Norelco 8894 XL Spectra shaver Limited Edition, includes Automatic Charging stand with clock, 8894XL
Customer Review: Overall very Good Shaver
Summary: 4 Stars
I purchased two 8894XL's from Amazon. One I keep at home and one I travel with. These were upgrades from 5885XL's. Battery Life: I've read the reviews about battery issues. I contacted 2 Norelco Service centers and both (one on each Coast) have seen no pattern of battery problems (other than battery replacement on some of the oldest 8894XL's since it has been out a while).
I followed the instructions for a dead battery (on a new shaver it is completely discharged), and charged for 2.5 hours. Then I popped the head open and ran both shavers. They didn't run for 100 minutes. They BOTH RAN FOR 315 MINUTES until discharged!! I then repeated the 2.5-hour charge and again got 315 minutes on both shavers. I don't expect to get that much time on the battery with the shaver head closed as the cutter drag will reduce total time, however, I plan to use until the shaver stops rather than commands a recharge so as to reduce battery charge cycles (which should help extend battery life).
I only noted one problem. One cutter on one shaver was defective. The plastic spindle was slightly out of round causing the cutter blades to vibrate within the cutter. This could be felt by "touching" the cutter and feeling a vibration or buzz. Rotating cutter sets around made the vibration move with the cutter. I replaced just the one cutter and problem solved.
Rinsing with hot water is very effective and easy. The shaver head is designed to be removed so do not shake the shaver to remove hair or water unless closed, as the head will pop off. (This is mentioned in the directions). Personally I preferred the grip on my 5885XL as while holding the shaver it "feels" like it might slip out of my hand (it hasn't though). This is just something to get used to after one type of shaver for 7 years.
I used the live Norelco chat for some questions and got connected right away. I also used the e-mail feature of Norelco to ask a question and got a response within 48 hours as promised.
Overall.. 4 stars (5 if the head didn't pop out so easily). Well done and I intend to send one more as a gift later in the year.
Amazon doesn't carry the shaver Norelco lubricant only cleaner solution. This is my only negative comment with Amazon.
Customer Review: Spectra not Spectacular; Only its Price
Summary: 3 Stars
I bought an expensive Norelco "Spectra" about eight weeks ago. I don't find it better than my last new and expensive Norelco, a "Quad Action," or whatever last year's "Razor-du-Jour" from Norelco was called, and I'm really disappointed. Each year the Norelco offers less and less value. (Ratio of quality to price.) It is not as close, and it takes longer to shave. The only difference I can see is the little adjustment wheel, which they've had before in different forms, the pretty pearlized colors, and the the holes versus slots moved to a different location on the perimeter of each of the three circular heads. The holes are much closer shaving, as they have always been on foil razors. Norelco claims that the slots are better for "longer hairs," but if you shave every day, why would you have "longer hairs" on your face? The bottom line is that this model is NOT faster or closer than the previous one, although it's a bit smoother, but it IS more expensive. I keep buying these in the hope that each successive one is actually an improvement, rather than a marketing device with marginal changes. (And the "James Bond" tie-in promotional gift is simply, well, juvenile. Anyone old enough to shave can see this is useless and unrelated. A small package of pre-shave, a shaving stick, or cleaning/soaking fluid would make more sense.) But the truth of the matter in my experience is that any of the past three major models ("Spectra," "Quad," "Reflex," whatever) are comparable if you use an appropriate pre-shave, clean the shaver often, and replace the heads as needed. (The ability to rinse the razor clean WAS significant, however.) The closest Norelco was the one with the micro-thin indentation in the center of each circular head around the perimeter. The fastest one had 36 (I think) cutting blades, instead of the reduced number now. (When I asked Norelco why they cut the number of blades, they said it had something to do with the "hair reservoir." What happened to the hair before?) I will continue to use Norelco, and I own three of them. I have used them for 48 years, and they're still the best rotary razor. But I wish they would wait for REAL improvements before releasing a new razor. (Maybe then the price wouldn't be so exorbitant, either.)Customer Review: Super comfort - nice features
Summary: 5 Stars
This top of the line Norelco has some very neat features:Polymer LED display - it times your shave for you; shows you exactly how much shave time left in the charge - in either minutes or bar graph; tells you when the head neads cleaned (although I clean it every day, so this feature is not seen.)
Aquagenic - makes cleaning SUPER easy
Sensitivity settings - controls the spring tension under the heads - you will easily notice the difference.
VERY quiet.
I received a Braun Syncro for Xmas - very nice shaver, but it did not shave effectively on the lower portion of my neck. And because I had made several passes over my neck, the Syncro caused significant razor burn. I returned it and picked up this Spectra. The spectra is very comfortable, and took care of all of the whiskers on my neck - long and short. It did not create ANY irritation on my neck.
The comfort settings are nice - I use the Normal setting during the week, taking my time and getting a baby smooth shave. On the weekends I use the Sensitive setting - making for a very quick shave, but not as close. You can use the sensitive setting, and after a few passes over the same area, end up with a super smooth shave, however.
I really liked the cleaning feature on the Syncro - it made the shaver look great and smell terrific. So, for the Spectra, after cleaning, I use Remington Shaver Saver Spray, which leaves a very similar scent (to the Syncro cleaner) and keeps the shaver lubed and running properly. So, if you are hesitant to switch because of the cleaner, fear not. The Shaver Saver spray is a great substitute.
The shave can be perfect, once you find the right method for your particular beard. I take my time, make a couple of passes, then go in a circular motion over my entire face, feeling for any residual stubble. This shaver has not created ANY irritation after multiple passes. It does not leave strays or longer stubble, and because of the head design, you can move it in any direction without risking razor burn. I shaved with a Gillette razor for the past 20 years - always with the grain to avoid burn and bleeding. This Spectra shaves my tough beard against the grain, making it baby smooth, and very comfortable. It is worth every penny. 5 stars!
Customer Review: Great shave!
Summary: 5 Stars
I picked one of these up 2 months ago after reading hundreds of reviews on Amazon.com. My previous razor was an extremely old Norelco 4816 XL. It did a great job for many years had a few major problems; the battery died and no longer would hold a charge, when my beard got long it would painfully pull the hairs from my face rather than cut them, it took longer and longer to finish a shave (I only replaced the blades about 3 times in ~8 years), and the blades would get really hot on my face causing a lot of irritated skin.
This new 8894 XL addresses all of these problems. The new 2-stage shaving (holes and slots) takes care of 99% of the painful pulling on my long beard. The floating heads and general quality of the product result in a shorter shave than before (8-10 mins is now 3-5 minutes). This along with the materials used helps to keep the blades from heating up and irritating my face. And finally, this won't be known for a few years, but hopefully the Lithium ion battery will hold up longer and perform better than my old NiCa battery. I've already noticed that it doesn't seem to slow the whole shave down to a crawl nearly as much as the old one (when it's getting low).
Finally for some things that I was always happy with; the pop up trimmer still comes in very handly. As some others have stated it does seem to fold back and forth sometimes when you don't want it to, but you can get used to it. It also seems to be much more effective than my old trimmer ever was. Both razors fit very nicely in the hand and the new one even seems to be better contoured. Also I love the freedom of shaving in any direction since I have facial hair going in all directions. This was one of the major things that made me stay with Norelco rather than trying out one of the straight-line foil razors.
Unlike many other men who love their old blades, I've always been a big fan of electric razors and have detested using a blade. So when it came time to buy a new razor I was looking for yet another that I was confident that I could use for 5-10 years to come. I feel very strongly that I made the right choice with this razor. I have recommended it to a number of friends and family already.
Customer Review: EXCEPTIONAL PRODUCT
Summary: 5 Stars
FINAL UPDATE: I have had this razor for more than one year now. It continues to do an excellent job and the battery capacity gets better each time the unit is charged. I just charged it this morning and the final charge capacity read, "121 minutes"! THIS IS AN UPDATED REVIEW. I HAVE NOW USED THIS RAZOR FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 1/2 MONTHS. The second full charge provided shaving from 16 SEP through 27 OCT. The initial charge ran from 10 AUG through 15 SEP. That's a total of 2 1/2 months worth of shaving on only two charges! When I recharged the unit for the third time, the screen once again read "103 minutes". I would not have thought it possible, but the shaves are even better now.....very smooth and fast! This is an amazing product! BEGIN ORIGINAL REVIEW: I purchased the 8894XL Spectra razor from Amazon.com and received it on 10 AUG 04. I almost did not purchase the unit because of several negative reviews about possible battery problems. However, there were so many positive reviews that I decided to take a chance....and I am VERY happy I did. When I received the razor, I followed the directions about charging the unit. When it was fully charged, the screen read "100 minutes" of shaving time. I first used the unit on 10 AUG and the first battery charge lasted through 15 SEP, 37 days of shaving! I gave the unit a 1-hour charge today and the screen read "103" minutes. So much for the alleged battery problems! I transitioned to the Norelco from a Braun screen razor and the difference is amazing. The Norelco is MUCH more quiet (you can hardly hear it) and the shaving is much more comfortable (from the first day of use). The Norelco is also MUCH faster. Shaving times range from two to three minutes each day. Some people who have purchased this razor have complained about the plastic cutter protector not staying on the unit. I originally thought the same thing, but have solved the problem. Just keep rotating the plastic cover around the head until you find the side with the tightest fit. After that, just place the plastic cover on your sink counter so that you can put it back on the razor the same way. BOTTOM LINE: Buy this unit....you will not be sorry!