Opening
I've used an electric shaver since college. More specifically, I've used Braun products and gotten good results. I should preface this epinion by saying that each face and skin-type will "prefer" a certain type of shave. Some do better with rotaries, some prefer a conventional razor, and some prefer screens, like myself. Any change in a shaving tool usually means that one's face has to adapt over a few weeks. The reason I was able to upgrade from my Braun 7570, to the 8585, is because a friend of mine tried to go from a razor to an electric without knowing what he was getting into. After a month, he got sick of it and gave it to me. The fact that this is a self-cleaning razor alleviated the "ewwww" factor for me. Most of my impressions are based on experiences with the Braun 7570 which I was similarly impressed with.
The Shaver
The shaving unit is a utilitarian piece of German engineering, but still has a minimalist aesthetic. It's light and easy to manage and lacks the LCD display of the 8595 and the older 7570. The LCD screen had pros and cons, in my experience, and based on failure of the screen in my 7570, plus the ease of reading the LED indicators of the 8585, I don't miss it. It's honestly just one more part that can malfunction, or have its seams infiltrated by moisture.
The cutting block has not changed from prior year's models, but the cutting foil vastly different. Braun terms it a "smart" foil, but it's really just a screen that departs from the usual regimented array of holes, for something that I can only describe as "fractal" in nature. There are holes, but instead of being round, there are interlocking "flower" patterns that give the holes differing shapes, depths, and textures, making shaving more efficient and close. It is hard to describe, but the concept does work. I used the 7570 and the 8585 side-by-side for a month and I can attest to this enhancement. The 8585 and the 7570 had oscillating heads that move from side-to-side during shaving which further enhances closeness.
The 8585 has three shaving settings which is about all that anybody needs. Setting 1 allows for free rotation of the head to follow the contours of your face, while Setting 2 locks it in place. Setting three engages the clippers. All of the settings are noisy, as you would expect. There's no noticeable difference between the 8585 and any Braun I've used in the past 15 years.
The shaver can hold a charge for up to 2 weeks. I used mine for a week without charging it and it still did well. However, the AC adaptor can be used in both the charging station and directly with the razor. The AC adaptor is a wall-wart, but it has a transformer that allows it to take 110V/220V power sources--translated, it will work overseas without a bulky step-down transformer, just the right adaptor which any hotel or travel store will carry.
The 8585 naturally has a computer chip which optimizes battery life by controlling charging, and determines what level of cleaning is required (economy, normal, intensive). The "Smart Chip" can also discharge the battery to further maintain the unit's life.
The Base
In terms of the base unit, there are just a couple of changes. The plunger-type locking mechanism of the 7570 has been removed. During cleaning, a simple push of a button locks the unit in place and secures it during the cleaning cycle. The 8585's base is only slightly smaller than the 7570, and the color is gray versus black. The base unit still looks like R2D2 but on the 8000-series it is much more sculpted. The base unit has two LED displays: one that tells you the intensity of the next cleaning, and one that indicates the cleaning cartridge's fluid level.
Internally, there is a major difference between the 7000 and 8000 series razors. The internal fan on the 7000 series that dried the unit is now gone. Instead of using convective drying, the 8585 uses inductive heating to dry the razor. This means that the annoying 15 minute fan-buzz from the bathroom is gone. The vents on the 7000 series and fan blades got coated in dust, eventually, and needed cleaning.
The 8000 series bases have the ability to heat the cleaning solution during intensive cleaning and this makes a huge difference. I still share the concern about electricty and alcohol-based cleaning solutions causing a fire in both units. I have not heard of any recalls or fires. I have never tried to ignite the cleaning cartridges, since I trust the "flammable" sticker on them.
Both units are quite noisy during cleaning and the shaver switches on and off periodically during cleaning cycles. It's not really intrusive or bothersome. I usually run it before I live for work and miss the whole event.
Cleaning
Self-cleaning has always been the unique selling point of this razor and I really have to give Braun kudos on pioneering this technology. The razor really does feel and shave like new when cleaned. While this is a neat-knick's dream (I'm a neat-freak), it does mean that you have to invest in cleaning cartridges and properly maintain your unit. The 8585 I inherited had been sitting in a tropical (Hong Kong) environment and hadn't been cleaned in months. After a couple of runs through the intensive cleaning cycle and some surface cleaning, it functioned better than my 7570. And, as with the 7000-series units, the cleaning fluid also lubricates and maintains the cutting block. You still have to regularly replace the foils and cutting blocks which is expensive. This is probably the only weak point of the unit.
Closing Thoughts
Even though I inherited my 8585, it ran like new after cleaning and exceeded the shave quality and dependability of the 7570. The cost of the unit, cleaning cartridges (about 10 dollars for two which last a month each on average), and cost of cutting blocks and foils may put some people off. However, I've noticed that conventional razors are now adding four or five blades and battery-assist mechanisms that move just like the Braun. Using these can't be cheap and it may be best to invest in a unit that will last for years and self-clean, like the Braun. And if you do plan to switch shaving methods, give your face time to adjust.
I've seen the prices of the shaver and base drop to about 150 dollars, and there are occasional rebates that get the price down to 128 dollars.
