An economical choice to try a wet shave.
Written: Feb 16 '03
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Pros: A smooth, close shave, especially when used with shaving cream. Easy to clean.
Cons: No low-battery indicator or carrying-case.
The Bottom Line: A solid, basic shaver that performs well wet or dry. An even better choice if found at a discount.
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| technofan's Full Review: Panasonic Sonic-3 ES 7003 Electric Shaver |
Curious to see if wet is better
I always wanted to try a waterproof electric shaver with shaving cream to see how it compares to a traditional blade shave. I was confident that using an electric shaver with shaving cream would be better than shaving “dry” with an electric. I knew from past experience with an electric shaver that I could get a closer shaver if I used a “pre-electric” lotion.
When I came across a refurbished Panasonic Sonic-shave ES7003S for $40 in the men’s clothing section of a discount store, I decided to give it a try. The unit was packaged in a blister pack, and didn’t include a carrying case or cleaning brush. But I thought the price was right.
Product Overview
The Panasonic Sonic Shaving-3 Wet/Dry Rechargeable shaver features:
· floating triple blade system
· stainless-steel foil
· fully immersible in water
· center slit blade
· red LED charge indicator lamp
· wide slide-up trimmer
· induction charger stand (charges batteries in about 8 hours)
· operates on 100-120/200-240 VAC 50-60 Hz
· 1-year warranty on parts, labor, and battery.
The Panasonic ES7003S appears to be an entry-level model in the 7000 series. In comparison, the ES7006 features a 1-hour charger and a low-battery indicator.
Performance – Wet
The shaver performed well right from the first day. Using a thin layer of shaving gel, I was pleasantly surprised to experience a shave that was comparable to a blade shave. My only complaint is that it takes longer than a blade shave. I have to go over various areas several times with the electric. And if I become too eager and push too hard, I run the risk of razor burn or even breaking the skin.
The shaver is relatively quiet, especially when compared to the old Remington shavers I used to use. Vibration is not a problem. However, I did find myself inadvertently pushing the wide edge trimmer up while shaving. From an ergonomic point of view, I’d like to see a little bit of rubber trim on the unit to make it easier to handle when wet.
The shaver is a quality product. The foil assembly fits cleanly on the unit and the silver plastic finish is smooth and appealing.
Performance – Dry
I can’t offer an accurate long-term assessment of the shaver when used without shaving cream/gel or some other type of lubricating lotion. I used the shaver “dry” several times. It provided a decent shave, but I found it take much longer than a “wet” shave. In short, I always preferred a wet shave.
Cleaning
The unit is very easy clean, since it can be immersed in water while running. The manual recommends applying a squirt of liquid soap on the foil and cutters while running the unit. The soap should then be rinsed off under running water. While this an excellent recommendation (I wish I could have done that with other shavers I’ve owned!), I usually pull off the foil assembly when I’m finished shaving and dunk both the assembly and the shaver in the water in the sink. I use liquid soap from time to time to thoroughly wash the cutter and foil.
Battery Life & Charging
The inductive charging stand, although small, works well. I average about 4 minutes per shave and have to charge the shaver every few weeks, typically after 12-14 shaves.
The manual indicates the shaver will provide about 14 3-minute shaves on a full charge.
Once the batteries are low, they run down quickly. I’ll be able to start a shave with some battery power remaining, but will not be able to finish the shave. Consequently, I’ll charge the shaver when I hear the batteries beginning to weaken and the pitch of the shave drops slightly.
Replacement Parts
Replacement foil assemblies are available online for about $25.
Replacement inner blades are available online for about $20. The manual recommends replacing the outer foil once per year, and the inner blades once every two years.
Recommendation
While this particular model doesn’t have many convenience features (such as a low-battery indicator, a quick-charge option, etc.), it delivers a very close shave. It’s well made and offers an economical entry point to the Panasonic line of shavers.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 40.00
Noise Level: Average
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technofan
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Reviews written: 8
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