
I chose this razor due to its self cleaning feature and guarantee to cut very close. Reviews prior to the purchase were excellent and it received high marks. Styling was attractive (compact and light - albeit flimsy compared to other brands in my opinion). It had plastic chrome with a rubber feel wrap/trim. To disassemble the foil from the unit to expose the blades was easy but putting it back took a bit more time to do correctly.
The unit could be charged in a docking station or through a plug.
It comes with a case, foil cover and brush. The power indicator was good although I really never depended upon it on a frequent basis (it was always being charged except for one 7 day trip). I have to say that the battery life was good (lasting 7 days without a charge). When the energy runs low, it doesn't have enough juice like the Panasonic Linear that it replaced. Operation is simple and the buttons are responsive.
The trimmer is quite effective and one of the only features to stand the test of time.
This was not a wet/dry shaver to my dismay (despite the 'wet cleaning solution'). You also had to be careful not to tip the base over or you would spill the solution on the vanity (not safe). I was shocked at how loud the 'cleaning process' was and how long it took (it must take 5-10 minutes which is excessive - and ineffective). It also tended to drop beard clippings all over the place (sink, vanity and floor) - messy...messy thing!
The case is big - a bit too big and the compartments are too confusing to see what goes where (the plug on one side and the shaver in the other?). It is a bit bulky for a 'travel' shaver, too.
THE HONEYMOON:
When I first used this shaver, I was impressed with how well and how close of a shave I received. It was truly as close as a real blade. It was one of the noisiest shavers I have ever used.
THE BATTLES:
After a month, I noticed it was not cutting as close but I put up with it.
However, despite the refilling of cleaning solutions and daily 'cleaning', I found that it was not cutting very close, at all, towards the 8-9 months of use. I never bothered to replace the blades since I had used Norelco's (2), 1 Braun and Panasonics (2 Linear) with no problems like this. Was this a function of rapidly deteriorating blades or an ineffective cleaning system?
Given the price, I would have expected this to be a wet/dry shaver which limited its versatility (it was replacing a 2nd generation Panasonic Linear). This was my 5th electric razor since I started shaving - and sadly one of the worst.
The 'cleaning system' consists of a small filter and volatile/oily cleaning solution that needs to be replaced monthly. Cleaning this unit is quite messy and I found that the blades still had lots of stubble despite cycling through a cleaning cycle. I find this to be the least effective methods of cleaning (nice concept and in theory). I hope this 'fad of self contained cleaning solutions' fades away.
IN THE END:
I even resorted to 2 months of using a disposable razor because of it. However, after two months of using a disposable, I bought a Panasonic Arc Shaver, exclusively from Sharper Image (look in the near future for a review on this model).
SUMMARY:
As for now, this shaver gets 2 thumbs up (out of 5 thumbs). I do not recommend this unit, at all. It is a poor value (for cost and maintenance) and a product of poor engineering. The thing that really sold me at the beginning (in addition to such poorly earned stellar reviews) was the name (to which it did not live up to - Titanium). It should have been named iron (to parallel rust) or silver (to parallel the tarnishing).
I do not recommend a 'self cleaning unit' that uses solution like this (especially, if you have pets or small children or careless cleaning ladies) from ANY manufacturer. The effectiveness of a close shave was short-lived.
NOT RECOMMENDED.
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Remington MS-5500 Titanium Microscreen with Bonus Nose and Ear TrimmerProduct Description: Titanium Microscreen shaver with bonus nose and ear trimmer!As always, includes a money back performance guarantee.Please note: Due to a recent labeling issue, the packaging for this product may reference model # MS-5700 - the actual product inside will be the MS-5500.
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