Braun Shaver Series 5 590cc
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List Price: Our Price: $143.38 You Save: $85.62 (37%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy 3rd Party: from $134.49 (click here) Category: Health Care See more product details |
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Product Reviews of Braun Shaver Series 5 590cc
Product Review: Best Braun Shaver Ever
Summary: 5 Stars
I have had this Shaver for a month now and I must say it is the best one yet of the 2 that I previously owned prior to this one. My last Braun one was a 9595 pulsonic model and it was great compared to the Norelco I had prior to it. However after 2 years the trimmer on it broke and then a year later the shaver simply quit. Norelco Shavers irritate my face, so I never considered another Norelco, but did another Braun because of the close shave they give plus they don't irritate my face.
Of the so many models that Braun offers (in fact too many models) it took me a few days to decide which one to get and I finally decided on the 590cc series one. Meanwhile I had to shave with a blade razor and of coarse it gave me a closer shave than my old 9595 pulsonic model even though my old 9595 pulsonic model gave a really close shave.
Well, to my surprise, my new Braun 590cc model isn't even pulsonic and it gave me a closer shave than my old 9595 pulsonic model did. Here is the unbelievable part about my new Braun 590cc shaver .... it gives me as close if not closer shave than my Gillette 5 Blade Razor did. I am overly happy with my new Braun 590cc shaver and really glad I picked this model.
Product Review: Best Shaver Ever
Summary: 5 Stars
This is quite simply the best shaver ever. I've used Braun shavers before, but none of them come close to the shave I get with the Series 5. It is nearly equal to shaving with a blade. Yes, the base is large, and the refills for the cleaning solution are a bit pricey, but it is totally worth it. The cleaning routine keeps the shaver in tip top shape. I highly recommend this product to anyone considering it. You won't regret it.Product Review: Best electric razor i have ever used
Summary: 5 Stars
I am over seventy years of age and have done a lot of shaving with a full face of hair. I had to shave every day for my employment, and that was a chore I really dreaded. The only razor that really got the job done in a timely manner was a razor blade. Electrics would just glide over the face cutting some here and some there. Over and over I would have to go, and then I would still miss some (which would show up at the next shave.)
The Braun Shaver Series 5 590cc is like mowing a lawn. I have never seen anything like it. I have had it for three months now and am not sorry that I bought it. In fact, I bought one for a son for his birthday and am going to buy another one for another son on his birthday. I normally would not have considered paying as much for a razor, burt at my age, I felt I had finally deserved a chance to try a highly rated shaver. I'm glad I did.
Product Review: Beware: No "OptiFoil" Replacement Heads, No Drying In Cleaning Unit
Summary: 2 Stars
Over six years ago, I wrote a rave review of Braun's Activator shaver here at Amazon. That review is still available at my profile page. I'm sorry to say that I can't repeat my enthusiasm this time for this Series 5 590cc shaver. Braun is cheapening its products, though not its prices.
First, I will say something positive. This shaver, with a new "OptiFoil" head, gives a very good shave. It's at least as good as the Activator with the "SmartFoil," though I can't say it's noticeably better. I think it IS better than the different cutter block in the 360 Complete series, which came between the Activator and the Series 5.
Also, the tapered, contoured shape of the new shavers is a definite improvement over the shapeless bricks that the older models were. The angled head makes it uncertain at first if you're holding it at the right angle to your skin, but it doesn't take long to adjust.
But there are two really serious problems with this shaver (and the similar 570/550cc). First, this shaver is being promoted by Braun for the supposed superiority of the new OptiFoil head. (See [...]. Amazon is mistaken on this page in showing this shaver with the older SmartFoil head.) This is fine, because as I said, the new OptiFoil is better than the one for the 360 Complete that replaced the Activator.
But you will only be able to enjoy the OptiFoil for about a year or so before it inevitably wears out and you have to replace it. And then, if nothing changes, you will find that BRAUN IS NOT OFFERING REPLACEMENT OPTIFOIL HEADS. The only replacement heads are the older ones made for the 360 Complete. I confirmed this with a manager at Braun Customer Service. There are no OptiFoil replacement sets available. You will have to downgrade your new shaver to the older, inferior, foil/cutter set.
I asked the Braun manager how they can sell a product without the correct replacements for its consumable parts. He said he would "convey my concerns" up the chain of command.
The second major problem is the new "Clean&Renew" system. The shaver goes head-down into a base with alcohol-based cleaning fluid, which is pumped through the head to clean and disinfect it. The unit that came with my Activator cleaned and dried the shaver in 30 to 40 minutes. The manual for the 590cc--confirmed by Customer Service--says that drying takes FOUR HOURS. I will repeat that: FOUR HOURS. Why? The new Series 5 Clean&Renew unit--unlike the old Activator--doesn't generate any warmth for drying. The shaver is simply air-dried.
I confirmed this. I took the shaver out of the unit after 3-1/2 hours because I had to leave the house, and it was cold and still wet. And Braun recommends that you do this EVERY DAY--so the open cartridge of cleaning fluid can sit there evaporating for 4 hours every day. You may as well just take the shaver out after cleaning, cap the cartridge, and let the shaver dry on the countertop.
If you want faster heated drying, now you must buy the much-more-expensive Series 7 shavers--whose claim to fame is that they vibrate! A definite downgrade of the mid-level product line.
My suggestion is that you use the Clean&Renew just once a week, cap the cartridge, and let the shaver dry outside the unit. Other times you can take advantage of one good new feature of this shaver--you can clean the foil and cutters under running water.
Some lesser issues:
Braun no longer gives you a protective plastic cap for the head.
The battery charge doesn't last as long as it did in the old Activator. This is progress?
The advertised "ActiveLift" part of the head, which is supposed to scoop up flat-lying hairs in problem areas like the throat, doesn't work very well. How could it, when the fins that are supposed to get under those hairs are recessed below the contact surface of the foil?
A common problem with these shavers--even the old Activator--is that there has to be an open area under the head for the fluid to flow through in the cleaning unit. As a result, some stubble debris falls out and gets on your chest.
The cleaning warning light comes on after only two shaves after a Clean&Renew bath, even if you've taken the foil off and tapped out the stubble. You can ignore this, but it's a nuisance. It's consistent with Braun's effort to have you use up and buy as much of the cleaning fluid as possible.
The cutter block, as in previous models, extends only about 3/4 the width of the foil. I wonder why.
Finally, Braun Customer Service is awful. I had to call twice, getting disconnected once and waiting on hold for at least 10 minutes, and then had to be bumped up to a manager before I could talk to someone who could do more than read from a script.
I didn't expect this review to be as long as it turned out, but I guess when you have as good an opinion about a company as I did with Braun, you are doubly annoyed when it comes out with something as disappointing as this. $177 is a lot to pay for just one year of good shaves.
If I had to do it over again, I wouldn't. Beware. Go into it with your eyes open, or wait until Braun puts out OptiFoil replacement heads.
But then there's that non-drying cleaning unit.......
UPDATE: Please see the comments. Optifoil replacement heads may be finally starting to be available. However, when I contacted the company that is showing the newer head in the picture on their Amazon listing, they replied that they did not have it in stock yet.
Product Review: Braun Series 5 590C brings a new level of comfort
Summary: 5 Stars
When my old Braun electric shaver died after almost three years of faithful service, I began searching the net for its replacement. I was very pleased to find the Series 5 and even more pleased when it arrived. It is lighter and is slighty curved along the verticle axis, which makes it much easier to hold. It provides a very comfortable shave. A significant improvement has been made in the cleaning method. You now have the option of using the shaver multiple times before cleaning in the base. You can rinse it out under running water. This extends the life of the cleaning cartridges and reduces the overall maintenance costs. I was very impressed with the fast delivery. My item arrived in perfect condition.