Panasonic Arc IV Nano Shaver (ES8243) Review

[rabiddecoder]

Owen, welcome to the Panasonic Posse.  There are but a few of us, but we understand the great cosmic powers of the Panasonic Linear system.

I'm making you a co-Guru! 

Red

The Panasonic is the way for this SLY!  Can't say enough about it. 
-Owen

[rabiddecoder]

I've been using the Panasonic twice a day for over six months and it has totally exceeded expectation!!  About 10 days ago however, the razor started to migrate south and it seems like there's no way to turn back the call of the wild.  The LCD display is beyond FUBAR as it's continually in "((()))" mode, directs me to change the blades as well as clean it. The charge level indicator clearly displays signs of neurosis as it can’t decide if it needs a charge or it doesn’t.  The time used/remaining shows something similar to 8'88 but the so-called digits constantly change and look more like markings you’d expect to find on the side of an alien spacecraft and not like actual numerals at all – useless at best.   When the Shaver runs it seems to be cranking at full throttle; somewhere between regular and clean speed.  I've tried to reset the shaver by holding down the power button for over a minute and that has helped but, only minimally. 

I've never dropped the razor so I can't explain why it seems to be on its way out.  I contacted Panasonic and finally sent the shaver back for replacement two days ago.  I’ve been assured that a new razor will arrive back at my place within 14 days and to be honest with you, the customer 800-line was very helpful and apologetic!  In the interim, I’ve been using the Headblade but as my melon is still blessed with considerable thick turf, the razor dulls very quickly and doesn’t yield results anywhere near as close as the Panasonic.   With regret, I’ve decided to forego sly until a replacement Panasonic arrives.  I hate to say it but any day now, I’m going to be in the market for a comb!

-Owen

PS  I'll file a follow-up report once I hear from the Panasonic center in Texas.

[BaldWriterBob]

Thanks for the reviews.

[Timmer]

So...Wet/Dry.  Can you use it in the shower?

[buddha]

So...Wet/Dry.  Can you use it in the shower?

Yes, you definitely can. You can also rinse the blades in hot soapy water.

[rcg5227]

I've owned electric razors before. Two years ago, when I only shaved my head in the summer months, I had an electric razor. I had it for about six months. I used the electric razor for my face and a blade for my head. What turned me off of electric razors is because of the cutter and screen needing replaced. So I went to Wal-Mart and they had them in stock, but they cost almost as much as a new razor. They do work great, I have to agree. The only thing that turned me off of electric razors was the fact the replacement parts cost nearly as much as a new one.

[rabiddecoder]

PS  I'll file a follow-up report once I hear from the Panasonic center in Texas.


It’s taken about 3 weeks for me to receive word from the Panasonic Warranty Center in Texas.  This time frame is a week outside the 14 day response time I was previously quoted.   That’s not too shabby in today’s world but the frustrated professor in me is inclined to grade response time with a C minus.   Several weeks ago I was told by the 800 service rep that I would be sent a “NEW” Panasonic shaver in exchange for the broken one I returned that was still under warranty.  I was a little disappointed to discover that the shaver I received today has been “factory reconditioned” <Begin Procedure - Groan, roll eyes back and ponder reliability issues – End Procedure>.  Aside from the $14 postage and insurance cost incurred returning the razor back to Texas, the reconditioned razor arrived at my place free of charge.  I believe that the reconditioned razor is only warranted for the balance of the initial warranty but, the new razor looks and functions as new!

Sidebar…

In the past 3 weeks I’ve become fairly adept using the Headblade, the Mach3 and fighting off the siren-song of orphaned manual razors at Walmart in the hopes of finding a Panasonic-close shave.   The best results were attained with the Mach3 but unfortunately, the razor lasted three days at most and the cartridges are costly!! It takes a lot of money to look this cheap?? LOL  I read a review posted by another SLY about the Kmart Torque razor and decided to give that a try so, I gassed up the Wrangler and schlepped northward.   As luck would have it, the razor was completely out of stock at my so-called “local” Kmart – is the razor that good???!!   The next nearest Kmart would put me a little too close to the Canadian border and as I was fresh out of Loonies and Toonies and more than just a little tired, I decided to end my quest for the torque there and then.  

So, what’s the good news?    Beyond a shadow of a doubt, the reconditioned Panasonic razor produces fantastic results and I am once again, totally SLY!!  
-Owen

[Palin]

To anybody that may see this, it's Friday October 8th at 9:00pm.  This razor has just been put up as a "fill in" deal of the day on Amazon.com for $87.99.  Don't know how long they'll last...

[Kyle54]

Hey guys, I came across this post and this shaver sounds perfect.....but then I came across this one. The ES-LA93.

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-ES-LA93-K-Mens-Shaver/dp/B002N5MHLK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1310460891&sr=8-1

However, the head on this one looks quite large, but the 14000 rpm attracts me as I'm looking to get my head as close as possible as if using a blade

If anyone has tried this razor, or maybe both, any feedback would be great, I can't decide

[Kyle54]

Now i also came across this one that looks pretty good, The ES8249S.

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-ES8249S-Nanotech-Vortex-Rechargeable/dp/B0021AG0Z6/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1310490113&sr=8-6

[Kyle54]

now this one, I'm really confused now haha.

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-ES8228S-Linear-Vortex-Shaving/dp/B00176V2SK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1310496515&sr=8-1

I'm thinking i should just got with the original post for the es8243a, i think the head might be too big for my liking on the other ones