Philips Norelco Shaver 8800 (Model 1290X/40) (Packaging May Vary)

Hey, I bought this razor about a month ago and I love it! Senso Touch makes shaving a pleasure and not a chore! Let me say this, I also own a Senso Touch 1250cc. You might ask me why I have two Senso Touch Razors? Well, the reason is that I'm a pastor and sometimes I live at my house and sometimes at the parsonage, so I have one for home and one for travel. They both shave the same and are Top of the Line Philips Norelco Shavers. I'm 48 and I have a collection of Norelco Shavers. I have been shaving with a Norelco ever since I was 16. My first was a two header from my Grandfather. All the men in my family have shaved with a Norelco. My Dad 68 shaves with the 1250x and he loves it! You do not really need the Jet Clean. 1250cc comes with a Jet clean and 1290x does not. Philips does sale a 1290cc in Europe with a Jet Clean for $700. Who wants to spend that for an electric razor? I clean my 1290x in the Jet Clean that came with the 1250cc. I do not see, as many people claim that the Jet Clean is bulky. It doesn't take up much space on my counter at all. The Jet Clean that comes with the 1250cc does not have the three settings as does the one that comes with the 1280cc. In my opinion, the three settings are unecessary. One setting cleans my razors well. The Jet Clean is really unnecessary. All you have to do is wash the razor out in hot water under the tap. Both the 1250cc and 1290x shave exactly the same. Now on to shaving. Personally, I like to shave with my razor dry, however I do shave with it wet on Sundays before church when I want to look my best and get a really close shave. For dry shaving, DO NOT put any powder on your face before shaving as I use to do with my other Norelcos. I did this when I first got my 1250cc and it ruined the blades. Philips Norelco was nice enough to send me another set. You can however use Willams Lectric Shave, but let it dry on your face before you shave and wash your hands after you shave because it can damage the apperance of your razor. This razor does take two to three weeks to adjust to your face. For awhile I got red bumps or rash just above my adams apple, but it soon went away as I adjusted to this shaving system. Stick with it and you will enjoy a close comfortable shave. Do not grind this razor into your skin! The best shave and the secret to useing this razor is a very light touch with circular motions across your face. When I shave with it wet, I like to use Barbasol or Nivea Sensitive Gel, both work well with this razor. 1290x and 1250cc both come with a nice travel pouch. The 1290x comes with the deluxe travel pouch and I really do not see much difference with either pouch. Senso Touch shaves almost as close as a blade or Gillette Fusion. It is an investment in shaving. The replacement heads sell for about $75, but you won't have to buy blades all the time as with blade shaving. Which one is best for you? It all depends on how much money that you want to spend on bells and whistles. The 1290x has a minutes display while the 1250x or cc has three bars that indicate how much shaving time is left. Both razors can be locked, but the 1290x automatically shuts off after it has been left on for five min. The 1290x has has touch screen on/off display while the 1250x or cc has a power on/off button. 1250x is exactly the same as 1250cc, but the cc means that a Jet Clean comes with the razor. I still have a 88994xl which is the James Bond Razor and it also gives a great shave. My Arcitec was a good shaver, mine needs new heads, by the way the heads on the Senso Touch can be used on the Arcitec, as I have read on other reviews. Senso Touch shaves better than Arcitec especially wet. The 1290x is metal design, while 1250x is plastic and as stated, both razors shave exactly the same. The 1290X is metal and definately feels heavier in yor hand than the 12050x/cc which is plastic. I have a heavy dark beard and Senso Touch gets the job done. I usually shave in the morning and sometimes in the late afternoon to get rid of any five o'clock shadow. Senso Touch is the only razor that I shave with. It surprises me that anybody would take ten to twenty minutes to shave with this razor. It only take me about five to six minutes with my heavy beard! I think it all goes back to guys grinding the razor into their skin! Again, you must use a light touch with small quick circular motions to get a smooth shave. Senso Touch is well worth the extra money, so why didn't I give Senso Touch a five star rating? The reason is it does not shave my upper lip very well. It leaves me with the appearence of a light light moustache, but overall it is the clodsest shave that you will ever get with an electric razor! Get Senso Touch either 1290x, 1250x or 1250cc and you will not be disappointed in your shaving experience. Now, be sure to register your Senso Touch on line and Philips Norelco will give you a two and a half year warrenty, which is great! They will send you another one if the razor stops working! Also, I am well satisfied with Amazon! I ordered the 1290x on a Mon. and it came Wed. If you have any questions then post a comment and I'll respond. Also, you can watch many great reviews and demostrations of Senso Touch on You Tube. Happy Shaving!-Michael, Baton Rouge, LA

This is an amazing shave and I find it better than a blade. My Norelco Nivea razor head broke after I dropped it (It was over 1 year old and I should have replaced it earlier) so I was without a shaver for 2 weeks (I live overseas right now) while I figured out a replacement for it. During that time I was using blades and hating every minute of it. First off the shave is incredibly irritating. Then there are many parts on my face that I could not get to (under my nose, below my bottom lip, etc). Next I cut myself on surface imperfections. The other thing is the blade basically only goes in one direction so while that direction is smooth; other directions are not. People claim a blade is closer and it may be in places you can actually get to but even then it is only in one direction. I always looked shaggy and my face felt miserable. Maybe I am just retarded when it comes to blades but I hated it.I received my 1290 and it is the best shave I have ever felt in my life. My face is very smooth after shaving with this razor my face and neck don't hurt. Also, because the blades spin around and you can move in a circular motion, I can get every nook and cranny on my face and it is smooth in all directions. The secret to a totally smooth shave with these razors is a little soap and water on your face. The razor cuts smooth without any but it cuts smoother still with a little soap. I use liquid ivory hand soap mixed with a little water. Very nice and refreshing.It was very difficult to tell what is different about the 1290 over the 1280. I got the 1290 because the cleaning system is completely unnecessary and they don't sell the 1280 without it. I did want the digital readout so I decided to go with the 1290. The 1290 give a couple of things over the 1280. The first is the frame is all metal which feels really nice in the hand. The other thing is the 1290 puts on a little light show when you touch it. This does nothing for function but is pretty cool every time you pick up the razor.The major 2 cons of this razor are that you need to take it off the charger after it fills up and there is no way to plug the charger into the razor. If you go on a long trip you are going to have to carry the stand. The first con I listed is inexcusable in a razor that costs this much. It should have smart circuitry in the razor to protect the batter. I can only view this as a money grab by Norelco to sell more razors. So if you get this razor, then make sure you take it off the charger once it gets to 60.Is this razor overpriced? One can look at the price of this razor and think it is overpriced and frankly it probably is. However, shaving is something I have to do everyday and anything that makes that experience more enjoyable is going to be worth it to me. To me there are some things in life such as a bed and razor that are worth splurging on.Also, if you do a cost analysis between a blade shaver and the 1290 you can see the 1290 is not as expensive as it first appears. Below is a 3 year approximate cost for the Gillette Fusion, the 1290 and the 1250.Gillette FusionInitial Cost: Razor $10Annual Costs: Razor Blades $30 for 12. (Need 50/year) = $120/year + Foam $3-10 = $36 = $156/yearAfter 3 years, total cost is $468. After 4 years $6341290Initial Cost: Razor $280Annual Costs: Replacement Head $60/yearAfter 3 years, total cost is $400. After 4 years, $460If you don't want the digital readout then the 1250 is probably the way to go as you get the same shave just not the bells and whistles and feeling of luxury.1250Initial Cost: Razor $170Annual Cost: Replacement Head $60/yearAfter 3 years, total cost is $290. After 4 years, $350So you can see if you can use this shaver for 3-4 years then the razor is actually cheaper than a blade. It is a shame Norelco has gone to battery only as I prefer a corded razor which would last much longer.Pros:Amazingly comfortable and close shaveRazor feels very luxuriousRazor puts on a cool light show when you touch itConsIf you don't take the razor off the charger when it is full you can fry the battery. This makes the razor a paperweight. There is no reason a razor in this price range can't have smart circuitry installed to disconnect it from the power when it is full. This is a disgusting money grab as far as I can tell.No way to plug the charger into the razor. It takes about 2-3 minutes to shave each day so if you are going on a trip longer than 20 days you will need to take the stand with you.