The Best in the Division - But Is It The Best VALUE?
Written: Dec 31 '00 (Updated Jan 04 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Does damn near everything it advertises, easier to clean than other Norelco models
Cons: Shaves no closer than lesser Norelcos, expensive
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| driver4t5's Full Review: Philips Quadra 6885 XL Electric Shaver |
Enough slumming with the riff-raff. It's high time that I mingled among the rich and famous, if only for a few weeks. The Norelco 6885XL Quadra Action Razor is where the shaving elite meet. I gave my yeoman Norelco 5801XL the rest of the month off and afterward defoliated amongst the Beautiful People.
At what price beauty? I paid $165.84 at Target. Norelco gives a 60-day money back guarantee if not satisfied and to be honest, unless this razor could shave me hands-free or otherwise significantly show an advantage over the old guard, it was going back. Shopping around online a version can be had for around $135. Of course, if one has to ask about the price...
The 6885XL is Norelco's top of the line razor. The chassis is similar in exterior dimensions to the 58XX series while smaller than the Advantage line. Some of what you get for your $165 is:
* Pop-Out Trimmer defines beard, moustache and sideburns
* Corded or Cordless Operation
* 1-Hour Full Charge for approximately 45 minutes of cordless shaving
* 6-Minute Quick Charge gives a 3-minute cordless shave
* LCD Display showing remaining shaving time
* Cleaning Indicator
* Low Battery Indicator
* Ability to recharge from any 12V car or boat battery with separate adapter
* Voltage adjusts automatically from 100V to 240V AC/DC
Included in the kit are a durable plastic Travel/Storage Pouch, a head cap, and a Cleaning Brush
The cutting system is referred to as Quadra Action where the heads have both slots to shave longer hairs and holes to shave shorter hairs. This is a derivative of the old Reflex Action which used slots alone. Another difference is that the Reflex Action's heads have 15 blades while the Quadra Action heads have just nine.
The razor is attractive with a platinum finish and feels sturdy. The exterior is slightly textured which helps prevent sliding in wet/soapy hands. The fit in my hand was very good. The on/off switch is a pushbutton type. Below the button is the circular LCD display for the charge level, time left on charge, and cleaning indicator. An overnight charge is needed the first time to get all circuits ready.
The 6885XL is relatively quiet. While it makes a higher-pitched noise than my 5801XL, it does so at a lesser volume. I honestly wondered how the new heads would help make Norelco's claim of this being the closest electric shave yet. I couldn't see how the addition of holes would make any positive difference in shaving. The heads didn't feel any thinner than the 5801 either. It's one thing to guess how many teeth are in a horse's mouth from a distance. It's another thing to pry Ol' Paint's mouth open and have a look...so shaving I went.
One side of my face got the 6885, the other got the old guard. The 6885 felt more like it was pulling my whiskers rather than cutting them. While it wasn't painful, it did feel more draggy as compared to the relatively smooth travails of the 5801. After a couple days I got more used to the pulling though I feel it might have slowed my shaving slightly. Both sides when done felt comparably smooth. The real test would be 12 hours later as a surface cut and a cut below surface feel the same initially. After 12-14 hours both sides STILL felt very similar. I concluded that the shave from the 6885 was no better or worse than the old cheaper 5801, although both were excellent.
I then exclusively used the new razor for the next two weeks. I got used to the pulling of the 6885, though users with sensitive little faces might not. I'm not claiming I can take a point-blank Mike Tyson shot, but (probably due to lack of brain cells) I have a high threshold of pain and am pretty durable, so take my experience for what it's worth. The pop-up trimmer worked well with no complaints.
One item I wanted to see was the integrity of the charge. Once the initial charge is made, recharging is simple. The LED shows "FULL" in scrolling text when fully charged. 45 minutes is advertised, yet "FULL" drops immediately to 39 minutes. Strange. I drained it in successive days until the meter read 2 minutes, then started it and subsequently plugged in the cord. I heard no change in pitch whatever, which tells me that it was working just as well at the end of the charge cycle as at the beginning.
Cleaning was easier than the 5801. The shape of the cutting basin is smoother and has less crevices where nubs can accumulate. I also guesstimate that 9 blades catch and keep fewer particles which in turn prevents the heads from getting clogged up. This razor can be cleaned under the faucet which does make life easier. Despite this, do NOT use this in the bathtub or the shower! It it NOT made for prolonged water exposure.
This is an extremely good razor. I dare to say it's probably the best in the division. It's not, however, worth its price, so it drops appreciably in value terms. The other Norelco products offer a shave that is every bit as close, albeit with fewer amenities. I have also had very good reliability with the cheaper razors so I don't buy a durability argument for the 6885. Nevertheless, this is a fine product and the 4-star rating reflects one star lost for being overpriced.
If the user's life revolves around designer labels, conspicuous consumption, and how the boys at the polo club perceive them, then by all means get this razor. If a more value-based decision is desired (such is the mark of the commoners), stare admiringly at the 6885, then go with your brain and either pick the 58XX or the base-level Quadra-Action model - the 6826XL.
Related review - Norelco Reflex Action 5801XL
http://driver4t5.epinions.com/hmgd-review-CDA-A73A189-3945A2B4-prod2
Recommended:
Yes
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driver4t5
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Member: Jon Harney
Location: Lake Mary, FL
Reviews written: 147
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2000 - 2001 Epinions Fixture...Now living off of my Eroyalties Millions
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