As close as a blade!

Author's Rating:

Pros: Very close shave, easy to use and clean.

Cons: None that I can think of.

The Bottom Line: 
If you ever consider switching to an electric razor, you owe it to yourself to try this one out.

Author's Review
I recently was hospitalized for blood clots in the lungs. Needless to say I was very lucky to be alive today. However, I was told that I will have to be on Coumadin (blood thinner) for the rest of my life.

This poses a problem with shaving - I was told NOT to use any standard razors any more because if I cut myself shaving, I would have a hard time stopping myself from bleeding. Having had a Norelco triple-head razor years ago and dumping it for my trusty old Gillette 2-blade razor, I was not looking forward to buying an electric model again.

All of that aside, I started doing my homework and researching the top-of-the-line razors. My choice came down to the Panasonic Vortex and the Braun 360 razors. I like the fact that both could be cleaned and renewed every time I shaved.

Though the Braun was considerably more expensive, I was determined not to allow price alone to dictate what I bought.

After a thorough search, the answer was obvious - I bought the Panasonic because it is completely waterproof (it can actually be immersed completely in water) which means that one can also shave wet. There is a distinct advantage inasmuch as there is much less irritation to the skin because the shaving cream (and gel) products on the market today are designed to protect the skin

I purchased the Vortex on sale at Best Buy for $129.00. Upon unpacking it at home, I was not only impressed by the feel of the razor in my hand, but also the fact that the head can "float" back and forth and from side to side thus allow for different beard growth patterns.

The overall design of the razor and charger base is pleasing and takes up very little space in the Bathroom on the counter. The razor has several lights which will indicate the battery charge level and the charging base also has a series of lights as well as a selection button for the different choices when done shaving (more on that later).

As with all rechargeable items, the instruction manual advised me to fully charge the unit before first use. After plugging it in and setting it in the charger (it snaps into place), it immediately began to charge. Full charge was accomplished in less than one hour.

While it was charging I read the instruction manual to find out how to clean the razor as well as using it properly to ensure a clean, close shave. Panasonic offers a 30-day money back guarantee of satisfaction. They claim that it can take up to 30 days for a beard to adjust to ANY new razor and if the consumer is dissatisfied, there is a process to return it to Panasonic. I thought that was a really great way of instilling customer confidence.

The next morning, I got up and washed my face with very warm water and then lathered up with my Gillette sensitive skin gel.

As I pulled the razor out of the charging base and turned it on, I noticed how quiet it was. At 13,000 RPM, it makes a quiet humming noise - unlike electric razors in the past.

I put the razor to my face and started. I was truly amazed at how it slid across my face with no discomfort to my skin at all. As the head became packed with shaving cream, I rinsed it under the faucet and continued the shave.

Well, I didn't need 30 days to make a decision.... the shave was as close as my traditional razors and without any nicking or blood (I guess the styptic pencil will go in the trash). Every crack and crevice of my face was clean shaven and I had no red-rash area on my neck where other electrics and traditional razors had produced.

After completing the shave, I placed the unit in the charging/cleaning base. I pressed the large white button on the right-hand side to choose charge, clean and dry.

Immediately the unit began to draw water from the rear tank that I had filled with plain tap water. I assume that it pulled the water over the cleaning cartridge because it appeared just a tiny bit suds

As the unit cycled through the cleaning stage, the razor would turn on to the high-speed cleaning cycle. After a series of cleaning and then pausing, the internal fan took over and began to evaporate the remaining water and dry the razor. Upon completion, I was blown away at the fact that it looked and smelled like it had just come out of the box. You know how older razors would start to smell funky?

I have since used it 4 times since purchase and am more pleased by the day. Panasonic really did a great job of designing this razor and they paid close attention to the feel of the razor (it is well balanced in the hand) as well as the efficiency of the foil heads and cleaning system.

Panasonic recommends cleaning the razor after every use and replacing the foil and/or blades on a yearly basis. The cleaning cartridges are supposed to last for about a month each with daily use. I bought an extra pack at Best Buy that had 3 cartridges and it only cost $14.00.

I cannot comment on the battery life without charging (for example, if you are traveling and don't want to cart the base around), but I read from other users that it will last several days on one charge.

In the end, I am glad that I was forced into using an electric because I was beginning to get frustrated at the way my regular razor was beginning to irritate my face and neck.

I am happy with my choice of the Panasonic over the Braun. The Braun supposedly does a great job, too, but isn't waterproof and its replenishment supplies (cleaning, heads and foil) are expensive.

I will be sure to post follow ups to this posting from time to time and let everyone know about the durability of the unit. However, I have a feeling that my only comments will be positive ones.

Bravo, Panasonic - you have done it again with a great product!