androoos's Full Review: Braun Syncro 7526 Electric Shaver
I have to be honest. I bought something because of a commercial I saw on TV...the Braun Synchro System 7526 electric razor. I was pretty impressed with how this razor supposedly cleaned itself, plus I found a pretty decent price on it at Wal-Mart. It turns out that yes, it's a cool toy, but a darn functional toy too. It's a beauty to shave with and the job it does hasn't gotten any complaints so far. I am switching from a blade razor to an electric. No more cuts (and no more temporary toilet paper bandages that I forget to take off before going in to work!)
The Box
When you open the package for your new Braun Synchro System 7526, you'll notice a nicely packed assortment of shaving goodies. First you notice the large 'cleaning basin' which is responsible for keeping your electric razor in tip-top shape. There is a cartridge of cleansing solution neatly sealed and awaiting insertion into the basin. And last, but not least, is the travel pouch which, inside, houses the electric razor and its power cord. Of course you have the myriad instruction manuals and warranty/product registration cards too.
The First Charge
Now the instruction manual says (yes, I did read it) that for first charging you must simply plug the cord into the shaver (not into the base) and charge it straight for four hours. After four hours, shave at least once. After that, you can put the shaver in its base and watch as magic is performed in 15 minutes.
It Cleans?
When you put the shaver in its base, the head is clogged with whisker shavings. Put the razor in its base, press a button and 15 minutes later your shaver will be magically devoid of whisker shavings! Simple as that, right?
Yes, it really is that simple. No more little black brushes with flimsy bristles that don't do jack when you try to clean your razor. I had a knack for losing the little buggers too. No more. If you lose the cleaning basin, you ought to be ashamed...it's pretty big and odd-looking.
Really, it cleans?
Yes. The fluid contained in the cartridge is a combination of alcohol and lubricating oil. The basin pumps the alcohol through the shaver head, thus cleaning out all of the whiskers lodged inside it. After giving the shaver head its bath, the alcohol mixture is pumped out of the cleaning basin (back into the cartridge) and a small fan located in the side of the basin turns on and blows air through the shaver head, drying all of the alcohol out of it. Voila, clean shaver.
The Basin
The cleaning base has three buttons on it and three indicator lights. The button on top of the 'stem' locks in your shaver for cleaning/charging and releases it when it's finished. A small round button above the indicator lights switches between functions: cleaning, charging or cleaning and charging. The large button on the left side releases the bottom of the base, exposing the cleaning cartridge. The power cord that comes with this package is 'universal' meaning it can be plugged into the basin or plugged directly into the razor when you're traveling or don't have the basin with you.
Now, the good part. The razor itself.
When you hold the razor, you'll notice it fits beautifully in your hand. You can tell this is an exceptional piece of machinery. There are no screws, no assembly parts exposed. This razor looks like it was made as one piece. The head has two micro screens on it and a cutting blade in the middle to get thick or long hairs. There is also a sideburn/long hair trimmer on the front side of the razor underneath the 'on' button. The razor itself has three settings. Setting 1 is razor on-full pivot. The shaving head has a side-to-side and front-to-back pivot system for getting difficult-to-shave places. Setting 2 is razor on-locked head. This holds the head still, it doesn't pivot. Setting 3 extends the sideburn/long hair trimmer and turns it on. When the razor is switched on, it hums with a much less irritating sound than other electric razors I've heard and used. You can tell that it's used for cutting hair, not grass. This razor is downright quiet compared to some of the antiques I've seen.
Smart? Logic? In a razor?
This Braun razor sports a new 'Smart Logic' battery charging system. Braun touts that it 'learns' your shaving habits and charges the Nickel-Metal Hydride battery according to your usage. Braun gives the example of someone who shaves often and recharges often. The Smart Logic will decide a time to fully drain the razor battery and charge it from dead empty all the way to full. This conditions the battery and prolongs its useful life since this is how NiMH batteries are supposed to be used. You won't experience batteries that last long initially and then gradually die off, leaving you with batteries that hold a charge for 10 minutes or less in a few years. Charging the battery takes one hour, a simple cleaning takes roughly 15 minutes, and a clean-then-charge takes 1 hour 15 minutes, naturally.
The benefits of a self-cleaning razor
What are the benefits of a shaver that cleans itself? Well, like I said before, no more little brushes. Aside from that, since the shaver is getting lubrication pumped through it, it will perform better over a longer period of time, just like getting your car's oil changed every 3000 miles. The lubrication also helps the shaving blades resist corrosion, which in turn makes your shaves more pleasant and keeps your equipment working much better and smoother over a long period of time. The cartridge will empty out in roughly one month, the base has blinking lights to alert you to a low fluid level. Refill cartridges cost $10 for a pack of two and can be found in just about any drug store. Also while on the subject of replacing parts, Braun recommends that you replace the shaving blade element and screens every 18 months. This doesn't strike me as a bad thing since I was buying a new set of Gilette Sensor Excel refills (at about $1.25 each razor refill) every two months so I think this Braun beauty will pay itself off very quickly. And its cleaning process is cool to watch too, what a bonus!
In The End
If you can get by the price of this razor I think anyone who decides to use one will be pleasantly surprised. I didn't think an electric shaver could get close enough to satisfy me or those close to me. I was wrong. Braun has certainly made a quantum leap in the technology of shaving.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 120 Noise Level: More quiet than most
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