After using my Braun 7526 (the last picture in this post) for close to 5 years, it was time to find a new shaver. The batteries gave out on it and I was looking at $27 for a replacement logic board/battery set and another $35 or so to replace the screen/cutterblock. So, about $60 to get it back into tiptop shape. I figured I may as well get a brand new unit for that price.

Welp, I found one and WOW is it good. I was somewhat hamstrung in the fact that I didn't want to give up the convenience of having a self-cleaning shaver. I saw that Panasonic is now offering a self-cleaning shaver. I've always heard good reports of their linear motor shavers, but never had a chance to try one. Well, I can tell you it provides a lighting-fast, extremely close shave...and it does it quietly! The Braun I had used a conventional motor with an eccentric crank to provide the head oscillation. That works, but it's slow and noisy. The Panasonic uses a linear motor that runs at 13,000 rpm and just doesn't bog down at all, even in the densest areas. It's also about half as loud as the braun. It gives a very comfortable shave...it made my Braun feel like I was taking a belt-sander to my face. It glides over your skin to the point that you might think it's not cutting anything except for the sound of the whiskers being trimmed off! The ergonomic design fits nicely in my hand and is lightweight. It's powered by Lithium-Ion batteries, so you get high power density, light weight and no memory effect. Yay!

Only drawback is the 3 hour cleaning cycle, but that's not that big of a deal breaker because after I leave the house, it can do that for as long as it wants. Cleaning cartridges are $9.95 for 3 and they last 30 - 40 days before they need to be changed, so not terribly expensive.

Best of all there's a $20 rebate going on until the end of the year.

So if you need a excellent christmas gift, ya might want to suggest this one!