Excellent shave, the cleaning system works, but it is a bit pricey

[12/9/05 - AN UPDATE TO MY ORIGINAL REVIEW WILL BE FOUND AT THE END]

I've been a confirmed user of Braun foil shavers for more than 15 years. After my 6-year old Flex Integral gave up the ghost (the pins that held the foil popped loose so the foil wasn't secure any more), I decided to see what Braun was offering now. I'd seen ads for the 7000 series shaver (Syncro) and had also read some reviews here on Epinions. After much debate, I decided to go for the new Activator series despite the price ($140 at Bed Bath & Beyond after using one of their 20% off any single item coupons). Before I get into my detailed comments, for those of you looking for a quick review: it's the best shave I've ever had from an electric razor, foil or otherwise.

And now for the details...

BASIC DESCRIPTION & OPERATION
For those of you who might have seen the commercials, the new Activator is a cordless foil razor that comes with a cleaning/charging stand. Unlike the 7000 series Syncro shavers, which had an arm that had to be lifted up to put the razor in the cleaning stand and then slid back down to engage the charging contacts (reports are that this arm would break sometimes), the Activator series is much more elegant. Two small metal contacts, almost unnoticeable, protrude from the back of the razor. When you put it into the cleaning stand, the metal studs come into contact with corresponding points on the stand, which then allows the razor to charge.

The 8595 razor (mine) has an LCD screen that informs you of how much charge is left, how long it will take to recharge (when plugged into the charger), and how long until the cleaning cycle is done. In a nice bit of user interface design, when the razor is in the cleaning stand (foil and blade down), the LCD displays the info so it's right side-up and easy to read. When you remove it, the LCD display reverses so when you hold it in your hand (foil and blade up), the text is still right-side up relative to how you are looking at it. The 8585 razor apparently just has LEDs that light up when the razor is fully charged or in the process of charging.

The cleaning/charging stand has several display lights that tell you how dirty the razor is (actually it tells you how intense the cleaning needs to be but it works out to the same thing - the dirtier the razor, the more intense cleaning will be required) as well as how full the cleaning solution reservoir is.

The Activator uses a new hole design on the foil. Rather than straight lines of holes into which the hair goes and is lopped off by the blades, the Activator series uses a new design that theoretically allows you to get at hairs regardless of which direction they may be pointing. The blade is also supposed to move in four different directions. If you remove the foil and turn on the razor (NOT RECOMMENDED - BE VERY CAREFUL IF YOU DO THIS!!!), the blade block goes so fast it's hard to tell what direction it's going. All I know is it gives me a very clean shave.

When you turn the razor on, you have a choice of three settings. #1 turns on the razor while the head can swivel back and forth to adjust to the contours of your face. #2 locks the head at a 45 degree angle (I think) for use on odd spots where you don't want to be bothered with moving the razor to adjust it (e.g., your upper lip). In addition to the foil and razor, the Activator (like most other Braun foil shavers) includes a "long hair trimmer" that is turned on when you move it to the #3 setting, which slides the trimmer blade up and next to the foil. It's quick and easy for getting odd, long hairs, or using it to trim the ends of sideburns. Don't plan to do any heavy hair care with it. It's not that large or robust.

A plus - compared to my previous Braun foil shavers, the Activator is relatively quiet when using it to shave.

The razor itself is moderately large, heavier and thicker than my old Flex Integral but I suspect that's because of heavier duty motors, the LCD and computer chips, and the larger capacity battery. I have the 8595, which is silver with grey highlights, which also serve as the rubberized grips. One complaint - there could definitely be a bit more of the rubberized grip and what there is isn't very tacky. Every now and then, I feel like it's starting to slip in my hand. The 8585 is entirely dark grey and I can't speak to the grips but it's the same size as the 8595.

The Activator's charging cable can either plug into the back of the charging/cleaning stand or plugged directly into the razor (for travel or if the cleaning system is packed away). The razor also includes a hard case that can hold the razor and a small cleaning brush (in case you are on the road and you need to clean the razor). A drawback - the case is just large enough for the razor and brush. It won't hold the charging cable so if you're traveling, you'll need to pack it separately. However, Braun claims that after it's fully charged, you can get 50 minutes of serious shaving time out of the Activator models so if you're traveling for just a few days, you might not need the charging cable at all. I can't speak to that as I typically throw the cable into my kit when I travel anyway.

THE CLEANING SYSTEM
While the stand can simply be used to charge the razor, it also serves as the cleaning system. A plastic reservoir of cleaning solution is placed in the base. When the razor is in the stand and you press the cleaning button to start the process, the cleaning solution is heated and pumped up around the head of the razor. The razor turns off and on, agitating the cleaning solution. As mentioned before, the razor's LCD will tell you the status of the cleaning process and how much time is left. The charging/cleaning stand's LEDs will tell you how intense the cleaning needs to be and how full the cleaning solution reservoir is.

I have to admit that I was a bit doubtful about the whole cleaning system. After all, for more than 15 years, I'd gotten by with the brush that comes with every Braun foil razor. You just unsnap the foil and then brush the blade block clean. Why would I need to do anything more? Well, one reason is the reason I was looking for a new razor in the first place - all that removing and replacing of the foil does take a toll on the razor and the foil. On both of my previous Braun razors, I'd needed to order new foils because either the plastic frames cracked or the foil ripped (exposing the blades below - not a good thing). Also, with my old Flex Integral, the small spring-loaded pins that held the foil in place eventually gave out and either popped loose or didn't have the tension to hold the foil in place. While you can still remove the foil and use the brush when necessary on the Activator series (when traveling for instance), you don't have to when using the cleaning stand.

And to tell you the truth, it really does get it clean and it does make a difference in my shave. The one time I let it reach the point where the indicator said it was going to need a heavy cleaning, the shave was still just as close but my skin felt much more raw afterward. Once I ran the cleaning cycle, there was a noticeable difference in the shave and my skin afterward.

A few things that the Activator commercials don't tell you about the cleaning system:

A) The cleaning process is noisy. If you've got the razor in the bathroom next to your bedroom, I'd suggest that you don't run the cleaning cycle when trying to sleep. Do it when you leave for work.
B) The cleaning solution is scented. I've gotten used to it but it would be nice if there was a scent-free version available.
C) You need to replace the cleaning solution every few months. I think it's about $10 for two reservoirs of cleaning solution.

OTHER TIPS
Braun recommends that you replace the blade block every 18 months (I think that's the time frame). Do it. Don't ignore the blades. Replacing them is a cinch - just remove the foil, pop out the blade block and then just pop the new one into place. You wouldn't ignore your regular razor when it gets dull - why would you let your foil razor get dull, too?

If this is your first foil razor, give yourself and your skin time to get used to it. It's very different from a regular razor or the Norelco style circular razors. You may have to go over a spot more than once to get all the hair but unlike an actual blade, doing so doesn't aggravate your skin.

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ADDITION TO ORIGINAL REVIEW
OK, I've been using the Activator for just over 1 year now and here's a quick update. It's working great, never a spot of trouble. The cleaning system (e.g., the need for light, moderate, or intense cleaning) seems to be based on how much time the razor has run, not actually how dirty it is. Admittedly, if you don't clean it and it reads "Intense" as the recommended cleaning, you've probably got a pretty good amount of stubble dust in there. However, after a week on the road, when I would pop off the foil and clean it manually with the brush, it's not that dirty but the system knows it's been XX amount of time since the last cleaning (and reset) so it must need the intensive shave.

Also, Braun says the blade block should be replaced after roughly 18 months. My Activator LCD began telling me I needed to swap out the blades after only 8-9 months. Either the 18 months is marketing spin, I use my razor a lot more than Braun's test subjects (I doubt it), or the Activator's timer/sensor was off. Still, I went and replaced the blades and it did feel like a closer shave. However, I was a bit miffed at the blades apparently lasting roughly half their advertised lifespan.

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FINAL COMMENTS
It is a pricey razor but you get a lot for it, including the best shave I've ever had from an electric razor. Even after 1 year of use, it's stil working great and overall, I have no significant complaints.