Philips Norelco 1280X/47 SensoTouch 3D Electric Razor with Jet Clean System, Frustration Free Packaging

This is a ridiculously overpriced shaving system. You start off by paying over $200 for the system, but then you must continue to buy supplies for it. The shave heads cost $50 per and will last for less than 6 months. So, in addition to the starting cost, you can expect to pay an additional $100 or more per year for replacement shave heads. But it does not stop there. You also must buy the HQ200, currently costing $8 for 10 ounes, which will give you enough solution for MAYBE two weeks of use. The system will not allow the solution to be used for more than a week per filling; there seems to be a sensor on the solution that prevents it from lasting more than a week. And if your solution is out of date, the system simply will not allow the shave head to be cleaned. The sensor does eventually go bad, and then you will not be able to get more than a single cleaning from a solution fill, so you are replacing the solution on a daily basis. Overall, you are going to be spending at least $250 additional annually for the required supplies.This supply restocking reminds a lot of the way that printers are marketed. You can but a printer for as low as $30, but the ink restocking of it will cost you $50 - $100 dollars (for the cheap printers - that $80 laser printer could cost you $600 or more for toner) each time, and you do not get nearly the number of pages that they list on the ink cartridges when you do resupply. But at least the initial cost of the printer is low.I will admit that the initial shaves are smooth, clean and a joy, but the shave head quickly deteriorates and you will be feeling the heads pulling your stubble out of your face long before the six months that the heads are supposed to last is up.Supplemental:I have been a Norelco shaver customer ever since I started shaving, but with my experience with this shaver, I doubt that I will ever buy another Norelco shaver. I do not know where or when the quality left, but it is not there any longer. That is really too bad.

Great product but Phillips' is no longer producing the original razor heads. New replacement heads are getting trashed on amazon. This kills the product in my book. Shame on phillips for charging so much for a product and then not keeping it consistent. Sadly, I am stuck looking for a new razor after spending over 200 for this one.http://www.amazon.com/Philips-Norelco-RQ12-Replacement-SensoTouch/dp/B00M1E5F1W/ref=dp_ob_title_hpc

I bought this razor because I read several online reviews praising it for such a close, comfortable shave. It was quite expensive at the time. I remembered having a Norelco 3-blade razor (a much cheaper one) when I was younger, and remembered it felt pretty good to use. At the time, I had a Braun bar-style shaver and often gave myself bad razorburn with it, so I made the change.Not only does this expensive razor with expensive blades not really shave that close, it doesn't even feel that good. The floating head feels very articulated and responsive when you move it with your fingers, but once it gets on your face it still feels like you can't quite get the blades where they need to go without pushing too hard. And you still end up with too much shadow even after multiple passes.On top of all that, while the razor may not live up to the hype and price point, at least it works. The cleaning station is GARBAGE and doesn't work at all. It doesn't really clean out the razor. Even if you use it daily (and dump lots of expensive cleaning fluid into it), within 10 days your razor will flash the "I'm clogged - clean me!" warning and you'll open it to find it still crusted with shavings throughout. And, to add insult to injury, after about three months, it stopped working completely - permanently flashing the "I don't have enough cleaning fluid" warning no matter how much you put in, and refusing to cycle no matter what.

I have used traditional Norelco 3-head shavers for over 35 years now and have been happy with the various models over the years. My last standard shaped version finally became non-repairable and I was forced to consider the newer design that Norelco has been developing and improving for about 6 years now. I always thought it looked fragile and was simply playing to the "Ergonomic" crowd. I have the curse of a very wiry beard and sensitive skin, which was why I found Norelco razors more effective with less razor burn than several other brands. Even with the Norelco razors, I always needed a heavier After Shave Lotion to ease the razor burn. So I tried the 3D version of the new razor design and added the Jet Clean System simply to get the specific 1280XC version I wanted.First Impressions:I thought I was going to break it when I held it the first time. It is extremely light weight and, yes, it looks fragile. I was dismayed at the lack of the beefier feel of the older design and had trouble gripping the 1280XC at first. Shaving was awkward until I realized that this shaver is NOT meant to be used with a heavy touch. I always needed increased pressure when shaving to get the very tough beard to shave very close. Imagine my surprise when after simply wiping my face with this contour following razor that my beard was already gone! I STRONGLY recommend using the lightest touch possible until you become accustomed to this razor because with even the very light touch, the contour following heads will quickly complete your shave. And my razor burn is gone! Twice I have forgotten to apply the after shave lotion believing I had already done so and still no burn after a few hours.After Three Weeks:Shaving is a snap and takes half the time as before. I have adjusted my shaving technique to match the abilities of the Norelco 1280XC and could not be more pleased with my purchase. The Jet Clean System is very nice and does a very efficient job at keeping the razor heads clean. When used without the Jet Clean System, you need to hang the razor upside-down to drain the water after cleaning it. Not being an edged razor shaver, I have not used it in the shower with a foam or gel based shaving cream. Someone else will have to review that function, but the razor is completely waterproof.Cons about the 1280XC1. Price - But a good Norelco or Braun shaver is always higher priced than most other brands.2. Non-replaceable Cutters - The head is designed to be replaced as a unit as the combs are embedded in the 3D tilt mechanism, as is the drive gearing. Cost - About $60 vs. $40 for a set of replacement heads for my old Norelco.3. The trimmer - Its a slide-out design and the drive is either the trimmer or the shaver heads, but my biggest complaint is that when cutting my sideburns, it sounds like a wood chipper! Yes, it works, but very noisy compared to the popup trimmers on my older Norelco razors. The Model 1290 series has a separate Trimmer that replaces the 3D head when you want to use it. I prefer an integral trimmer to one that becomes another attachment to get lost while traveling.4. The Travel Bag - For the price, Norelco could have easily included a hard plastic travel case rather than the zipper bag one provided.All in all, nothing severe enough to reduce my 5 stars because the shave delivered is SUPERB! And for me, well worth the price for a much improved shaving experience!Pros - My Entire Review above!