Panasonic ES8043SC Pro-Curve Pivot Action Linear Wet/Dry Shaver, Silver
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Customer Reviews of Panasonic ES8043SC Pro-Curve Pivot Action Linear Wet/Dry Shaver, Silver
Customer Review: Better shave than a Razor (but I suggest getting the cleaning base too)
Summary: 5 Stars
I have to say that I have been converted. For over 15 years now I lived with a razor. I have a pretty thick beard and it grows fast too. I am the kind of guy that gets a 5 o'clock shadow at noon. I have used every single type of razor out there from disposable to the battery operated vibrating type and from the one blade to the 5+1 blade. I have tried all the brands and ended up feeling the Gillette brand is the best type of razor, but now I find it's not the best shave. I used an electric shaver several years back, it was one of the top of the line Norelco with the incorporated gel. It gave me a pretty bad razor burn and did not get all the hairs; I ended up having to shave as normal. --TRUE STORY-- I am a Manager at my job and on my last annual review the only item I was marked bad was my personal appearance. Not that I dress bad or not wear deodorant, but that they felt I didn't shave often. (I shave at the very least every other day, usually every day). So I felt I had to so something about it. I researched electric shavers thinking I could get a quick shave during my lunch hour in my car or at least on my way to work so it would last longer. I found that Panasonic seems to be leading the pack and was moderately priced and had all the features the expensive models had. The instruction manual is explicit in saying it will take about 30 days to get used to any new shaving method and they assure you will love the Panasonic shaver once your facial hairs get used to the way it is cut. I have been using it for almost 30 days now, and I will not live without it. I have NEVER had this close of a shave before. I can actually go 2 days without getting a shadow. My fiancé has found a new love for touching my face, and I seem to be getting more kisses too! During the first 2 weeks I had to get a couple of the missed hairs with my old Gillette, but today officially I was able to through my Gillette away for good. (My boss has even asked what I am doing different and when I told him, he went out and bought one too, he also loves it now. My fiancé said she would leave me if I stopped using the Panasonic, it's a good thing Panasonic has been around for decades) So, I am raving about his product, but every good has its bad... what the bad? Well, it gets a couple of weeks to get used to the shave, but for the amount of time I am planning to use it and the money I am saving from buying razors every month, I can handle that. The cleaning system is very good, but it takes very long to clean (2-3 hrs) and it is noisy since the base turns the shaver on and off during the cleaning cycles. The cleaning cartage is said to last 3 months whether you use it once a day or one a week. I have not gotten to that point yet, but it is very very easy to clean in the shower with some body wash. I just end up using the base for the drying cycle, which is an option. The batter is very good. In the month I have used it, I have charged it twice but it really didn't need it as it said the charge was good. Overall... excellent product. Could there be a better shaver out there, maybe, will I ever know... at this time, I am not worried about it, I am very satisfied with this Panasonic, and don't think it can get any better. This product does not include the cleaning base. I do recommend it as even if you don't use it to clean the razor, you can use it to dry it, it will help keep your blades in the newest condition and prevent them from rusting when air drying. But, if you are looking to save money and get an excellent razor, this is it!Customer Review: You want razor closeness, look no further
Summary: 5 Stars
This is an excellent electric razor. This review is also for all the head shavers out there that need a good quality razor for getting bald. How do I know this Panasonic is a good razor? Well a little while ago I began searching for an electric razor to shave my head, it had to be fairly inexpensive and able to shave razor close. I bought two different electric razors that were in my price range and tested them both out. And the Norelco was returned to the store for a refund.
I began using the Norelco 7735X Cool Skin, electric razor. It took another few days for my Panasonic ES8043SC to arrive, so I continued to use my Norelco to shave my head. Let me be honest, the Norelco Cool Skin works great and gets a good head/face shave. Then my Panasonic arrived and I wasn't very impressed with the look of the razor and was not expecting much. As soon as I did a dry head shave with the Panasonic I could see the difference! Quickly, I knew this Panasonic is a better all around razor and shaves closer than the Norelco. I can also shave faster with the Panasonic but the Norelco contours my face and head a little better.
Because of the speed of the Panasonic I can shave everyday. I like to keep my head shaved very close and keep it clean looking, the Panasonic is the best for this. My hair grows fast and I just shave my head in the shower every day. It's like mowing a lawn; if you keep it trimmed it is very easy to cut it the next time. I don't use any shave gel and I merely shave my head in the shower and rinse off. If there are any missed spots I usually shave them after the shower to clean my head up. It takes 5 minutes at most to shave my head in the shower with the Panasonic. And I'm getting quicker by the day. I actually think the Panasonic shaves my head better than my face. This is because of how flat heads are compared to faces. It can be hard to get to certain places on a face.
Actually, the Norelco contours your head better than the Panasonic, but the Panasonic shaves quicker and a closer. A strange paradox here. The Norelco does do a good job, don't get me wrong here. But the Panasonic is better. I'm really pleased with the closeness of the razor. Additionally, I shave against the grain on my head to get a really close shave, and this baby of a shaver does get razor close. I will repeat, razor close, completely smooth.
This Panasonic 8043 runs at 13,000 rpm and works excellent. Turbo Cleaning Mode (available on our Pivot Action Shavers) is used for quick and easy cleaning. Press and hold the On/Off button to shift from 13,000 RPMs to an impressive 17,000 RPMs in this mode. I will never use a Mach 3 again on my head because there is no need for one. This thing rocks! Great product, great feel, quick charge, excellent razor wet/dry close shave. Period.
*Updated on 10/7/2007
So after about a year and a half I bought a new razor. Remember, I do shave my head every day in the shower. I believe there was wear and tear from being in my shower over time. I did notice a big performance boost from my new razor and I am completely satisifed with the new purchase. Buying new replacement blades only worked for so long. Still a great shaver. Lets face it, head hair is tough to shave. I found its better to shave everyday and keep it trimmed. I do not see how men shave their heads with razor blades. Also recommended is baby oil or "King of Shaves" shaving oil for better performance.
Customer Review: I preferred my old ES-8066...
Summary: 3 Stars
After five months of use, I figured I could finally weigh in.
First, some background...I purchased a Panasonic ES-8066 in '01 to replace a single-head Braun whose battery had given out after six or seven years. I loved the dual-head 8066, and it stayed sharp and effective for five years on my medium beard. When the blades began to dull, I ordered new ones from an aftermarket company on Amazon. I was dismayed to find that the new blades were totally different than the originals on the 8066.
The original blades actually looked like blades. Each head consisted of an array of vertical blades arranged in parallel. The replacements looked like some sort of screen, with the edges arranged horizontally. They didn't work worth a flip.
Silly me, I thought, not buying new blades from Panasonic in the first place. So, I returned the first pair and bought a second pair, this time from Panasonic. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that the genuine Panasonic replacement blades looked exactly like the "screen" blade design of the first aftermarket pair. And they didn't work any better. In fact, they didn't work as well as the old dull blades in the 8066, which I re-installed.
I continued to use the old, original blades for another two years, (removing them daily and keeping them stored under a small pyramid, believe it or not...sounds weird, but those blades lasted seven years). Finally, when the screen on the 8066 developed a hole, I was faced with a choice. Either buy a new $32 screen for a seven year old shaver with tired blades, or buy a new shaver for $72.
Based on reviews, I went with the ES-8043SC, only to discover that the new shaver has the new version blades. Now, why Panasonic has changed their blade design, I'll never understand. I still prefer the old style blades and the feel of the 8066. It just felt like a closer shave.
Also, the 8066 rested in a basic charging base (not a cleaning unit, which I wouldn't care to mess with). The 8043 charging/storing method with a plug in the end is annoying, and I don't have room to leave it lying there plugged in. It makes about as much sense as having a Sonicare toothbrush that had a plug in the end rather than a charging base. And the narrow end of the 8043 makes it extremely unstable standing on the counter among the other appliances when not plugged in.
Also, the blades on the 8066 came off easily to clean, (and store under the pyramid). I still haven't been able to get the blades off of the 8043, and I'm afraid if I try any harder I'll break something.
The trimmer on the new 8043 is situated at a crazy angle, and is not as useful as the one on the 8066. The movable nature of the top third of the shaver doesn't do anything for me, and I keep it locked. The on/off button is right where my thumb usually rests, and I continually switch it off accidentally.
I give the 8043 three stars. It works fine, but is not as convenient. Though it's long gone, I still prefer my old ES-8066.
Customer Review: Better for me than Norelco
Summary: 4 Stars
I've tried the Norelco Spectra series (now discontinued and replaced by an even newer series) but I've been much more impressed with this shaver. As other reviewers have said elsewhere, the type of electric shaver -- rotary or foil -- that works best for you will totally depend on your skin type and your beard. I can't tell you which one to buy. I can say that a foil shaver will be my choice in the futute, and this Panasonic has delivered impressive results for me.
My own beard is thick in places and the hairs themselves tend to be quite coarse. I have a long, angular face, and the skin on my neck tends to be quite sensitive. I always cut my neck when I shave with blades -- and I do mean always, even using the superior Mach 3 -- and the Norelco gives me a pretty good razor burn on my neck unless I'm very careful.
On the other hand, I had no problems at all with the Panasonic. I have nicked myself once or twice but not severely, and it's more of a fluke. There's no accompanying irritation or razor burn; I must just have held the shaver incorrectly. By comparison, the Norelco will really chew up my neck if I want to get a close shave. I think the Norelco worked well when I first bought it, but the "lift and cut" heads become clogged with hair fairly quickly and can be difficult to clean. The Panasonic seems much more straightforward: There are blades, they move, they cut your beard. As I said, I don't think I'll be going back to a rotary shaver again.
As others have mentioned, the 8043 is of the same series as the more expensive 8077 model with the cleaning station. There are a number of other models in the same series, such as the 8044. The bottom line is that the cutting head on all these shavers is identical. The replacement parts are the same and you will get the same shave. The models differ in terms of minor features. For example, the 8077, in addition to the cleaning station, has a more detailed battery-charge readout. The 8043 just has an LED that tells you it's time to recharge. I expect the battery life is longer on the 8077 as well, though the 8043 lasts several shaves on one charge and it recharges rapidly. The cleaning station itself is unnecessary; every model has a high speed cleaning mode and can be cleaned up with liquid soap and water.
All in all I've been very satisfied with this product in the weeks since I bought it and it's given me some of the nicest shaves I've had in a while.
Customer Review: Pretty good.
Summary: 4 Stars
The idea of using an electric shaver is very appealing - the idea of getting a faster shave with less irritation and less blood loss has gotten me interested enough to purchase several shavers. I have two Panasonic shavers and one Norelco wet dry.
This particular shaver, I purchased from Amazon about a year ago after having tried other Panasonic shavers. Panasonic's product line can be broken down into three categories based on battery type -- NiCad, NiMH, and Lithium Ion with Lithium Ion being the latest and best. They can also be broken down based upon number of foils in which some have dual shaving foils, this one has three, and panasonic's latest shavers have four.
This shaver is a Lithium Ion shaver. It has no battery memory effect, it can be charged any time you want, and it lasts a good long time and does not lose shaving speed until the battery is fully depleted. It charges in less than an hour and has a charger that supports world wide voltage for charging when traveling.
At the time I purchased this product, it was the first least expensive panasonic shaver that had Lithium Ion batteries, triple blade shaving, and a 13,000 rpm linear motor.
The shaver is loud! But also it feels very powerful. Panasonic is one of few manufacturers that allow for wet dry shaving. If you get a lot of shaving irritation dry shaving, you can try some of the thicker soaps or shaving gels or try shaving while you are in the shower. Some people suggested Lectric Shave but I did not find it useful.
One of the big negatives is that it is difficult to shave around the neck line. It just does not pick up hairs that lay flat against your neck. I find myself cleaning up with a standard razor after finishing to get all that it missed. I wanted to be on a completely electric shaving system but at this time it's not possible. Panasonic just released several new shavers such as the Panasonic ES-LA63-S Arc IV which I would love to try and see how much improvement Panasonic has made in the two generations of shavers they have released since I purchased this unit.
Everyone's facial hair is different. No one shaver can be all things to all people. With that said, this is a good solid shaver at an affordable price and it's definitely worth looking at.