Philips Norelco 7140 Cord/Cordless Rechargeable Shaver
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Customer Reviews of Philips Norelco 7140 Cord/Cordless Rechargeable Shaver
Customer Review: So far so good
Summary: 4 Stars
Update 20/02/10
After a year and a half of good service my HQ7140 would not start even with the cord plugged in, unless I left it connected for a couple of hours...Obviously not an option when you're trying to get to work. I was about to order another one, already cursing for having to go back to blades even if only temporarily; but before that I took it to a specialized shop; they opened it and showed me it was wet on the inside and told me the "circuit" was fried. I explained that I had followed the manual to the letter, cleaning the shaving heads and the hair chamber with hot running water. They suggested taking the shaving unit off when I rinse it, use only warm (not hot) water, and *not* cleaning the hair chamber with water... They essentially sold me a brand new Philips HQ7120 as a replacement to use with my existing shaving unit for a reasonable price; it looks exactly the same except it has a "Low" red light.
The interesting bit is that I had gone to them about a month ago to buy a new shaving unit and they told me the HQ9 heads would work fine with these models, not just the HQ8; the HQ9 feel even better, so much so that I would definitely buy the 8xxx series which use the HQ9... It was only when the 7140 failed that I realized just how much I depend on it and how well it has worked out - my technique still needs to improve and shaving still seems to take too long but no going back to blades for me!
As a wet shaving refugee I didn't know what to expect; I was just tired of getting cuts everyday, and paying an exhuberant tax to the wet shaver companies; I didn't want to buy a top of the line model in case things didn't work out.
This has been a very pleasant surprise, as I'm getting close shaves with less fuss and no irritation; I beginning to get the hang of this and even the neck area is doing well.
The battery's first run lasted for 4 days, but I may be taking a lot longer than normal while I learn. The battery light starts blinking when it's fuly charged, by the way.
I have the Philips branded verion of this and it still says Made in Holland...
Customer Review: Would Be Better With Low Battery Indicator
Summary: 4 Stars
I've been using this shaver for about a month now, and find its performance to be somewhat better than my previous Norelco shaver (5822) at this price point. Not having a low battery indicator is the most serious deficiency of the 7140.
The instructions state: "Battery performance is best if you recharge only when the batteries are (almost) completely empty."
If you follow this advice, it means you'll have a bad shave or two as the battery runs down, and then have to use it as a corded razor on the day it really slows down. At least the AC adapter bypasses the battery charger when using it corded, so this will not further degrade the battery. Another reviewer commented Norelco's web site says the battery is NiMH, which is supported by the fact there is no NiCd warning on the outside of the 7140 (like there is on the 5822). So fully discharging the batteries before recharging may not be that important.
This is my first Norelco with a washable shave head. I am so far very satisfied with this feature, and consider it one reason the shaver delivers consistently close shaves.
I would have deducted two stars for the lack of a low battery indicator, were it not for the apparent use of NiMH batteries and the effectiveness of wash-through cleaning of the shave head. Other than that, it is what I expected with respect to operating noise, weight, trimmer, etc. One thing to note: it does not come with a case of any kind; just a plastic blade protector.
About me: I have been shaving with electric razors for about 30 years. I started with Norelco rotary, tried Remington foil, Braun foil, and then eventually back to Norelco rotary probably 15 years ago. Therefore my face is well conditioned for this shaver. However, if I go more than a couple days without shaving, I "pay for it" when the electric razor has trouble with relatively long whiskers - a lot of pulling along with the cutting. I generally replace the blades once a year, and don't disassemble and clean them as often as I should (instructions recommend montly).
Customer Review: Not for shaky hands and takes too long to charge
Summary: 1 Stars
I have just "had it" with my second 7140XL. I bought both for $29.95 on sale at CVS. While it shaves good, there are two problems. The first is that the "charged" light does not go on when fully charged. Morever it does not hold a charge very long.
The major problem involves cleaning this razor. I have shaky hands and fingers. Other than rinsing with hot water, one must remove the top lock and then clean each head. With my first copy, I could not get the top lock back on. Moreover two of the plastic circles about the heads fell off. So did two wires that fit delicately into plastic parts on the lock.
I finally threw it away. I have been a Norelco user all my life and this was the first time encountering such a problem. My friends could not put it together again. On Sat. Dec. 29, I turned the lock to release it. In doing so, two of the protective plastic circles again fell off as did one thin small wire clip. I could not put the razor together again.
The second razor is less than five months old.
Those with steady hands and fingers can do better. This particular unit seems to be too cheap vs. other models. There are no Norelco shops within 150 miles. I am going to try and get CVS to give me a refund. Then I will look at a different brand. The basic Braun unit has the heads
on so only the metal cover needs to be lifted off, a simple process.
If you have shaky hands or fingers, think twice. Also, the indicator when the razor is fully charged should go on. In such cases, Buyer Beware!
Customer Review: Quick, close shave...excellent value for the money
Summary: 3 Stars
The Norelco 7140XL is an excellent electric razor. Compared to more expensive models, it seems to be a great way to go. Made almost entirely of virtually indestructible plastic, the 7140XL's light weight gives it a somewhat "cheap" feel. However, many months of everyday use have proved to be confidence inspiring. This shaver is easy to recharge with the included plug in cord and the charge lasts about 2 to 3 weeks which seems to be a long time considering how easy it is to recharge...simply plug it in overnight, and when it's done an LED in the front will blink to signal that it is recharged.
The shave is close and fast and you'll be done in no time with no fuss or mess. Each of the three rotating heads flexes individually plus the entire head assembly flexes in the middle allowing it to follow the contours of your face. The only negative I have found is it doesn't shave hairs that lay flat against the skin like some of mine on the lower neck near the adam's apple. Maintenance is really easy, too...pop open the top, rinse under water, shake off excess water and let dry.
The Norelco line has many models, and the heads are a significant part of the price of the shaver (like most parts that require periodic replacement). By the time the heads need to be replaced you will have had ample time to decide if this is the shaver for you. If shaving is a chore, you might as well decide based on quick, easy and convenient...on that basis Norelco is a reliable consideration.
Best of life to you.
Customer Review: Cassidy vs Cassady (a quick review of American pop-culture history)
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a pretty glamorous shaver, but as I write, Amazon has it priced 20-30% higher than the more "efficient and advanced" Norelco 7240XL. Not that this one is expensive, but the 7240XL is an outstanding deal at present. Basically, the differences are purely external and cosmetic. The 7140 is blue, the 7240 is grey; the 7140 has a catch-as-catch-can grip, the 7240 has an ergonomic pistol grip. If you're Hopalong Cassidy, the 7140 designer blue is your defense against the enemy of errant forestry; if you're Neal Cassady, the 7240 is your "Further" for flying across the free and flagrant fields of stubble and heath.
[Footnote to the grandchildren of the boomers: "Further" was the psychedelic school bus Ken Kesey created for Neal Cassady's travels, celebrated by Tom Wolfe in "The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test" (like Norelco electric shavers, still selling quite briskly on Amazon after all these years. Moreover, unlike the hippies of the sixties, the Beatnik generation from whence Cassady came actually shaved!). Hopalong Cassidy (aka William Boyd), on the other hand, was a screen cowboy--a contemporary of Roy Rogers and Gene Autry, distinguished from them by his white hair matched to his white horse (whereas Trigger and Champion were colored). Also, unlike Roy and Gene, Hopalong didn't sing.]