Braun Series 5 590cc BEST BUY

Braun Series 5 590cc BEST BUY, Works well, but if you're switching from a blade, take time to adjust
I recently stumbled into this shaver via Amazon's daily deal. I'd been looking for an electric shaver for quite some time to avoid purchasing replacement blades for my standard blade razor. Buying blades, as we all know, can become quite expensive. At $60 after a coupon, this seemed like a steal.

Having never had an electric shaver before, I found it surprising on-line to see all of the different ways in which people recommend shaving with one of these, and it seems the way to shave is different for just about any and every person out there. The other surprising part, which also has a disclaimer/recommendation on it included in the package is that you need to give yourself 2-3 weeks before deciding you do/don't like the electric shave! I always thought shaving was shaving but evidently shaving with a razor is a different way entirely, not just from a plug it in perspective, than electric shaving.

So what do I think of the Braun Series 5? Having shaved with it only 3 times thus far, I have to say I am still learning but am, even after only shaving 3 times, optimistic that I can get a clean, close shave.

First, I have to change my frequency of shaving. With a standard razor I was shaving every other day, not because I didn't need to shave but because, like most men, I just hate doing it. It seems the electric method really kinda requires an every day shave. No problem though, as it seems to take a LOT less time to shave with the electric (no lathering up, no stopping to clean the blade, etc). My shave time is down to 5 minutes instead of ~12 (yes, I've timed it) manually, however I have to shave every day, which means 10 minutes per regular razor equivalent. I save... all of 2 minutes! Woohoo! (not that amazing, but hey, it's something I guess)

Second, it's easy to use. Plug it in to the base station, plug the cable in for the power adapter to the base station (you can also charge the shaver directly for easy travel), plug it into the wall and let it charge. Full charge I believe the manual claims can be done in an hour, with each full charge lasting 45 minutes. Hopefully no one EVER needs to spend 45 real minutes shaving!

What I like is the ability to use the battery OR to use it while plugged in. When the battery inevitably dies and cannot hold a charge, it is nice to know I can just shave plugged in and don't have to figure out if I can replace the battery (every indication points to this NOT being possible). I would also prefer a removable battery, but this is where they skimp to save some money, make prettier design and lock you into purchasing a new shaver down the road.

One thing I really don't like, at all, is the blue light emanating from the base station at all times. Our bathroom is attached to the master bedroom, and as such if I don't close the bathroom door at night, I can see a mysterious blue light shining in the darkness. Not a huge problem, but I really should be able to turn the light off!

There is also a prevailing myth that electric shaving is cheaper in the long run to manual shaving. This is true, but I don't think the cost benefit analysis should be what sways a person to electric, as there ARE hidden costs that some tend to ignore. You will probably want a pre-shave alcohol based rinse (or equivalent) for a closer shave. $5-$8 a bottle. Supposedly this one bottle can last 1-2 months, so ~$4 a month average. So you POTENTIALLY aren't saving by not purchasing shaving cream for sure. Some can get away without the preshave, but most I've spoken to prefer the preshave rinse. You also have to take into account the $30-$45 for the replacement head/screen every 18 months as Braun recommends. At $45, spread over 18 months, you're looking at ~$2.50 a month. If you shave with a manual razor and buy replacement cartridges, you probably spend $2-$5 equivalent a month for a replacement blade (again, some stretch the 3 week recommendation to 6 months+, but most people aren't like that). In the end the cost is roughly the same, in so far as my math can put it into perspective.

And if you buy into the cleaning cartridge gimmick (it really does smell good though!), you probably won't be saving ANY money over a regular blade razor. In fact, w/ the cost of the shaver being a 3x - 20x price magnitude different than a standard replacement blade, you're certainly not coming out ahead in the long run.

PROS:

-Faster shave
-easy to use
-easy to clean (w/ or w/o the cleaning solution)
-no shaving cream to buy
-no replacement cartridges needed
-worldwide power adapter (works "everywhere" in theory, which is awesome for travelers)
-built in trimmer

CONS:
-Not as large a cost saving over manual shaving as many would have you believe
-Not as close a shave, thus far for me, as manual shaving
-Blue light on base station is always on
-Takes 2-3 week beard adjustment
-Need to shave every day (weekend is longest you probably would ever want to go w/o shaving, tops)

Over all I am happy with the purchase, thus far, but reserve final judgment for a few weeks time when I really get to use the shaver on a regular basis and after the recommended 2-3 week break in time. I will update my review accordingly then.

EDIT 1- 8/8/2011 - went all weekend without shaving. Shaved with the Braun this morning and... it was SWEET. The method I use is shave AGAINST the grain (for my face my neck actually requires a right to left motion near the bottom and an upwards motion for the rest of my face) and to pull my skin as "flat" as possible. I get a shave that is 99% as close to a regular razor as I've ever had.

Also, despite the extra days of growth, the Braun worked through the beard without issue.

EDIT 2- 8/10/2011 - I've figured out that if you're sweating, you shouldn't shave. So when you take a hot shower and don't let the room vent and start prepping for the day and you're sweating, don't shave with this (or probably any electric though I can't prove that since I only own this one). Even with Lectric Shave prewash, if you're sweating, the shave just won't get close enough to the skin.

EDIT 3- 8/21/2011 - I've been experimenting over the last 2 weeks with what works best for me. I've tried with and without Lectric Shave. I've tried with and without showering first. I've tried all combinations of w/ and w/o Lectric and showering and I've come to the conclusion that for me, showering first gives me a rougher shave. It doesn't matter if I use or don't use Lectric Shave, it still comes up a bit rough after a shower. Preshower, while not sweating, seems to work the best, with or without Lectric Shave. The Lectric Shave, for me, really doesn't seem to do much to get a closer shave. It does seem to keep the shaver's shaving element cleaner though as I don't seem to have the CLEAN light come on as frequently when using it.

EDIT 4- 9/6/2011 - Here I am, almost a month later. How do I feel about it, having given it the 3 weeks (and some) conversion? I'd say... I'm still learning. After much trial and error (and a nice comment in my comments for the review), I'm getting the hang of it, though it seems there is always a stray hair or 2 on my neck that just seems impossible to get right. I've changed the lighting in the bathroom (most of what we have is top lighting so seeing my neck can be troublesome) and that helps me not miss spots. It was easy not to miss while using a manual shaver, given you had to use shaving cream and if there was cream on your face you probably missed a spot.

Over all though, I quite like it. I feel stupid because I ended up ordering some of the cleaning solution, despite it being a big money grab (I can clean just as well as the solution using water, but I like the smell and feel of the shaver better after a "proper" cleaning.)

Thanks everyone for the recommendations and comments. This is probably the last update to the review, unless something happens. So far so good though.