Panasonic EW1270AC Portable Oral Irrigator
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Customer Reviews of Panasonic EW1270AC Portable Oral Irrigator
Customer Review: Been using them for years . . .
Summary: 5 Stars
An honest review, from 2 satisfied, long-term customers . . .
Same as flossing, only different. MUCH better.
My wife and I have used 5 of these over a 10+ year span (some were an earlier model, round & small). After about 2-3 years of use the motor brushes wear down, and after a few fits and starts a replacement is ordered. Amazon has always had them for $30, so, it costs around $1/month.
If you have braces or any dental work, you should just flat-out get one.
The "20 minutes" spec is how long a pair of AA batt's will run the pump at full strength. So, 40 seconds of use each day will run them low in a month or so. You can keep using them, they're just weaker. We recycle batteries.
I cannot imagine going anywhere without it. I have another at work for use after lunch.
You'll stand agog, watching 'fresh garbage' tumble into the sink. You don't want this gunk in your mouth; you know what it turns into (and smells like). You just never got to see it up close until now. Whether to refill it or not depends on whether it's still pulling chunks of food out of your mouth. Meat, bacon, popcorn, fish, seeds, nuts, candy, spices, veggies, etc., no longer held in limbo.
Don't touch the plastic tip directly to your teeth to completely eliminate any scratches. It is considered a 'personal' device, but we both use the same one. 1-year warranty.
Rechargeable Ni-Mh batteries at 1.2 volts have less 'oomph' -- an Akaline's voltage is 25-30% higher, so the pump works harder. Your choice.
So, if using alkaline batteries makes it too strong for you to take, switch to rechargeables or some weak alkalines (and NEVER mix battery types). Later, when your gums are healthier, you can step up to a stronger stream. The purpose of the EW1270AC is to clean and strengthen your gums, and I find it does a super job.
If you'll take my advice for a terrific toothbrush, I prefer the Cybersonic 2 (or #3) Oralcare System Toothbrush ($30 or $50, 110V charging stand, Amazon). We've had 5 of these things over 10+ years (we have a #2 and a #3 right now). Got our first one as a birthday present. I was amazed the first time I used it - got a funky taste in my mouth that got stronger and stronger after 2 minutes of brushing as it pulled off crud that my old toothbrush had left behind. Been using Cybersonics ever since.
Imagine a powerful tuning fork with an ordinary brush humming on the end. Two fresh snap-on brushes arrive in the mail every 3 months (for $5, which also pays for the warranty coverage). You'll find that ordinary electric toothbrushes cost a lot of $$$ for complicated replacement brushes, so they don't get changed.
After about 5 years, the internal batteries won't hold much charge, it's sealed watertight so you can't replace them. Your warranty buys you a new one; you pay $10 S&H. For fresh brushes and the cleanest mouth I could possibly have, the two together cost 10 cents/day (with high power Ni-Mh). Cheap. I hope they make both of these for a long, long time.
We can not imagine going anywhere without both of them (read, they both travel very well on vacations). And my hygenist isn't flirting with me -- my mouth really is very clean. She always hands me a complimentary toothbrush and travel toothpaste, and I always hand the toothbrush back.
Customer Review: 3 1/2 Oral Fixation
Summary: 3 Stars
It seems that nobody can get these "oral irrigators" right. The Waterpik portable device is a disaster; the batteries are gone within a year. THis Panasonic model does hold a charge (so far); it certainly lasts longer than the few times that one reviewer reports.
PROs
On the positive side, Panasonic designed this so that you can fill it horizontally--no more struggling to angle the device (as with the Waterpik) to get enough water in it. One tank lasts about 35 seconds, enough to quickly do one's mouth. However, for a more thorough job, you'll probably want to fill it twice--not a big deal. It does a fairly good job of cleaning, more on that in the next section.
CONs
Pressure, Pressure, Pressure. As others have noted here, this model does not deliver the water pressure of many of the Waterpic models--even the horrid portable Waterpic delivers more power. THerefore, after a few weeks using it, my impression is that it does not blast away particulates, etc. as well as one should reasonably expect. It gives a nice massaging feeling, and those with sensitive gums might appreciate the lower pressure, but it only does an adequate job as a flosser. Of course, you should ask your dentist! FOr the money, not bad, but the Waterpik "Ultra," though more expensive (over $50) may be the better buy in the long run (please see the many reviews for it here at Amazon.com).
For now, my recommendation is to wait until someone builds a better irrigator, especially if you don't have the space or the money to spend on the Waterpik Ultra. Reach makes a very good, very cheap flosser that's a handle with disposable flossing units that snap into it: http://www.amazon.com/Reach-Access-Flosser-Family-Refill/dp/B000GGKPRQ/sr=1-13/qid=1172205923/ref=sr_1_13/002-5549519-4589615?ie=UTF8&s=hpc. Unlike other handheld flossers, the string doesn't break in your mouth, and it's very easy to use.
Customer Review: Product Good; Panasonic Bad; Amazon Great
Summary: 4 Stars
Had owned previous model, EW176WC, which performed well but collected mold from time to time. Left it somewhere while traveling, so ordered two of the new ones (EW1270AC). Much improved, runs longer on a tank, but water stream is slightly thinner. Better materials, better design. No mold.
Received intact on or about 1 July 2006. Opened one upon receipt, saved other for future use while traveling or at work. Opened second one yesterday, 9 August 2006. Nozzle was missing. Called Panasonic today. Got the runaround. We can't do that, call this number. They can do it. After several phone calls (seven with people) they finally said they would not send the part!
They insisted I contact the seller. So now I have contacted Amazon. I told them I don't want to return the item; I just want the nozzle. (Have not heard back yet.) How much does it cost, you ask. Five bucks. Fine. If I need to, I will order the part. But you can believe without doubt I will not buy a Panasonic product for the rest of my life.
P.S.: Had a similar experience with a Panasonic fax machine about two years ago; thought I had learned my lesson then. (I went through 4 or 5 of them before the warranty ran out.) But how hard is it to screw up such a simple product as an oral irrigator?
See the review by Charles Hine, dated 16 May 2006, below.
11 August 2006: Wow, Amazon is sending me a new irrigator along with a prepaid return label for the incomplete one.
Did I say I would never buy a Panasonic product? Well, I take that back. I might buy some more irrigators -- but only from Amazon. (I have no affiliation with Amazon.)
14 August 2006: Received replacement irrigator from Amazon, complete with nozzle. They sent me an email explaining that their only possible recourse was to send the complete item.
Works for me.
Customer Review: Panasonic Customer Service Lacking, but eventually responds by USPS
Summary: 1 Stars
The original review below was written in mid May 2006. Approx. June 5, several weeks after I expected a reply, I received a reply to my snail mail inquiry to Panasonic. The reply informed me how to return device. Tried Irrigator one more time before shipping it back to Panasonic, and the device worked. A plastic piece has dropped out of the resevoir, so I don't know how long the Irrigator will now work, but I am going to give it a try. When the Irrigator works, it is good value for the money, and seems to be effective.
Written in Mid May 2006
While of good design, don't buy this product unless you can afford to discard the Irrigator if it breaks. I have wasted hours of my time trying to deal with Panasonic Customer service, far more time than is justified by a $35 device. The Oral Irrigator failed within 30 days of use, but I didn't get around to dealing with it until after the Amazon 30 day return period.
The Panasonic website doesn't work, email to an address from the website is returned undelivered, phoning customer service means in indefinate hold, and if you finally do get someone, they are useless, and you may be summarily disconnected. Mail sent via USPS to Panasonic personal care division is not answered. Phoning Panasonic's corporate offices in New Jersey is a worthless exercise.
I have tried all of the above multiple times. And finally when Panasonic sends you an email, after multiple phone calls and prolongued discussion with Panasonic in New Jersey, the website to which you are referred by the email doesn't work.
I have owned many Panasonic products, as they have been a preferred manufacturer for me. That has now changed.
I suggest to Amazon that, if my experience is repeated more than once with other customers, Amazon consider not carrying any Panasonic Personal Care Products.
Customer Review: Fast, convenient, portable and stores anywhere.
Summary: 5 Stars
Yes, this thing has power. Not as much as a plug-in WaterPik, but unless you also use your Oral Irrigators for hydro strip mining gold, the Panasonic will do just fine. I accidentally turned it on once and the water stream shot clear across the room! Doubles as a high-powered squirt gun in a pinch!
How long does it take to get a bulky WaterPik plugged in, assembled, filled with water, used, cleaned, disassembled and stored away again? The Panasonic takes only 10-seconds from storage to working. Refills due to the small water reservoir? Less than 5-seconds, making multiple refills a non-issue really.
Let's face it, the more time, mess and hassle we know a task will take, the less likely we are to do it. That's just human nature in the busy world we live. Fortunately the Panasonic rids you of these subconscious roadblocks in this QUIET, compact and convenient machine. Use it for travel or bring it to work for after lunch clean-ups. I doubt the WaterPik can make the same claim.
Yes, you'll need to recharge your 2 AA batteries often, but if you don't already own rechargeable batteries/recharger, then the Panasonic is a great reason to start! They get 1000 recharges per battery compared to buying hundreds of expensive alkaline batteries... you do the math!
Bottom Line: If you're a person who never flosses and isn't convinced their water irrigator is effective unless it's loud and leaves all their gums bleeding, choose a WaterPik. But judging from their reviews their quality and longevity have been suspect at best.
P.S. I have no stock in Panasonic nor do I work for them. I just really like well made, quality products that make my busy life a little simpler. :)