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: Powerful and comfortable
Summary: 4 Stars
This is my third Panasonic electric razor over the last ten years and I've liked them all. I have an ES8066 that I would still be using except that it was time to replace the foil and cutting blocks and I found that for just $15 more I could get this model brand new from Amazon. (I paid $57 a month ago but the price today is up to $85! Check often because Amazon prices fluctuate a lot.)
I've had two different Brauns, but the motors were just too weak. My second Braun would actually freeze up on my face while shaving because it just wasn't strong enough to cut through my beard. Never any problems like that with Panasonic. Maybe Braun has upgraded their motors by now but it's too late -- they already lost me as a customer and I see no reason to leave Panasonic.
This model, the ES8043, gives the same great, quick, close shave as my other Panasonics. Wet/dry is the way to go. It's also easy to clean -- just open it up and run some water over it, no brushes or fancy docking stations required. The floating head is a little odd as it rotates side-to-side and not front-to-back. It's good around my chin and jaw but I find I get a better shave elsewhere if I just lock the head so it doesn't rotate at all.
I would give this razor five stars except for one thing: the trimmer is too thin and located in a weird spot. This trimmer is around half the width of the trimmer on the ES8066. More importantly, it pops out from the side whereas the trimmer on the ES8066 (and other Panasonic and Braun razors I've used) can be aligned with the foil and can be used at the same time as the foil cutter over your entire face. That makes it easier to shave when you haven't done so for a while and your beard is grown out. With this 8043 model the trimmer works fine for sideburns, but you can't use it on the rest of your face or neck.
BTW, don't take Panasonic's recommendation to replace the blades and foil once a year too seriously. You can use them for longer.
Customer Review: Excellent razor for MRSA
Summary: 5 Stars
I have an unusual shaving situation. I have MRSA, which periodically creates facial lesions. Shaving with a blade in these circumstances can be quite painful and often causes a lot of bleeding.
So I decided to switch from the best of Gillette's systems to an electric razor. I have used Remington and Norelco before and have not been satisfied with them. I weeded down my choices to a Braun at the same price level and the Panasonic razor. I decided not to get anything with a charging stand or a self-cleaning system, since these appeared to be something of a nuisance, cost more, and did not add to the overall performance.
I finally picked the Panasonic. The reviews were somewhat more positive, the shaver was somewhat higher in the popularity ratings, and the shaver design was distinctly more stylish.
I think I made the right decision. This shaver is not only a great value, but it shaves extremely well for an electric shaver. In dry mode, it is about as good as a generic three-blade system such as that from CVS. In wet mode with shaving gel, it is almost a match for Gillette's vibrating razors; there is somewhat more skin irritation in this mode, but it's not to an unusual degree. The Panasonic shaver is clearly the winner hands-down on economics. Blades just cost too much right now, and they don't last long enough.
I have used the shaver on beards ranging from one day to three days old. It performs well in all these circumstances. Heavier beards might require a bit more time, but I have not found this to be significant.
I agree with other reviewers that the speed and pivot head are advantages; the speed in particular makes for a very comfortable and fast shave. Unlike some others, I do not find that hairs are left requiring a blade razor. The lack of an LCD screen showing remaining charge is pretty irrelevant--I might as well ask for one showing weather reports.
Customer Review: not a magic wand
Summary: 4 Stars
I got this item for shaving my head, not my face. I had never used an electric shaver before but I had decided I wanted to go beyond the burr haircut I had been giving myself for years. And the couple of times I had done the deed with a razor and soap or foam, it was messier than I wanted to deal with.
I have tried this unit with soap and shaving foam also. But the best results for me have been to use it dry. The instructions sort of plead with the buyer to "give it a month" to develop a personal technique and somehow let your scalp and the razor get to know each other. I've developed a technique of working out from the top of my head, where I'm already bald for good, in circular motions and doing those circles in both directions to work against the grain whichever way it goes. It also helps to pull the scalp against the grain in order to stand up the stubble better and let the razor get a better bite. After about 15 minutes, the job is pretty well done.
I want to stick with the "chrome dome" look so I'll keep using the razor that I paid $60+ for. But it's not like zip, zip, zip and you're done. And really, even if I do a very good job and the result is very smooth, within 5-6 hours, the hair is growing back and noticeable to the touch. Just like a beard.
The razor has no issues with being drenched and it charges up quick and holds the charge for 5-6 (head)shaves. I haven't used any soap to clean the blades but I take off the thin screen after each shave and run really hot water over the blades and through the screen and it's cleaning up pretty good like that. I'm kind of curious about how a rotary would perform because I ended up doing a rotary thing with mine manually. But the Panasonic seems solid and until it screws up, I won't be getting another one.
I think it does what it claims to do. But it doesn't do it without some significant cooperation from the operator.
Customer Review: The best shaver yet
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this shaver 4 weeks ago and I am still amazed at its speed and the quality of the shave. My wife gave me a Norelco Spectra 8892 xl as a Christmas gift in 2002. It seemed like an upgrade compared to using a razor blade and only shaving 2 or 3 times a week. It was a good starter electric shaver until I found out she spent $180.00 After it started to die and after replacing the heads a few times I decided to part with it. So here we are in 2008 and found myself struggling to shave without major touch ups with a disposal blade. After reading the reviews I researched Panasonic linear shavers. The one reviewed in Consumer Reports as a "best buy" was unavailabe at the time. I won't say I settled on my Panasonic it is more than I dreamed. First cleaning is a snap, no messy expensive alcohol cleaners, just soap and water. Second speed, this thing vibrates rotates at an unreal speed, giving a quick shave. And third this thing shaves my face as close as a blade. I still have the occasional hair that will lay down and not get cut, for that I still use my thirty cent Bic.I don't think an electric shaver will ever be made that won't require some touch up with a blade. But after owning 4 electric shavers the Norelco being the only other shaver I used on a daily basis this shaver blows them all out of the water. Forget the fact that this model costs around $65.00 it is three times cheaper than the Braun, it is $115.00 cheaper than my Norelco and it works great. It has become a pleasure to shave daily. I had charged it out of the box and that charge lasted 3 weeks. If I have any complaints they are the fact it doesn't have a digital display to let you know how much charge is left. I also don't like the fact you can't shave while its plugged in. But like I said those are minor complaints I now overlook due to the fact the shave is so darn good. I would definitely reccomend this shaver for quality of shave and it's cost.Customer Review: The best shaver I ever had
Summary: 4 Stars
I am NOT new to the electric shavers. I have had a braun for almost two years. Then I switched back to razors for almost 5/6 years because my Braun was not wet/dry. Then I decided to switch back to a wet-dry electric shaver because I shave in the shower. I have less time to shave also. The wet/dry is a huge deal for me. Man, I am so glad I did switch. It does an excellent job. The shave is so close, you feel like you just used a mach 3 only without the clutter in your shower (you have to invest in a shower mirror though). It does a clean job on the neck areas.
I almost bought a philips rotary shaver that also dispenses gel. But after looking at the reviews in Amazon, I was convinced to buy this shaver. You can use any shaving gel (my favorite is the Nivea alcohol free gel) with this shaver. The battery is superb quality. One one-hour charge lasts a week! That is a whole week!!! Can you imagine that. Maan, you don't have to plug in the thing every time you shave. It cleans itself using regular shower gel or hand soap in seconds.
The only con I can think of is that, being a linear shaver, the in-grown hairs on my under-chin area needs a pass or two extra. But if you consider the time it saves me, that extra pass is nothing.
I did not want to invest in a seperate body groomer. Now I do not have to worry about shaving other areas in a seperate time with a dry-only groomer. Surprisingly, it does not try to cut a chunk off from your sensitive areas. It is very assuring to have this thing handy in your shower. I have had the shaver only for a little over a week. The pop up trimmer is the secret for the under arm and groin areas.
I am OK with the one year warranty that comes with it. I think, if it lasts a year, I have my money's worth. I had a $20 gift card from Best Buy. That made it a good buy. I'll be back to update the review if things pop up.