Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I used the Panasonic ER411 for several years before the blades started hitting the top blade enclosure causing a loud clanky noise, so I had to find a new trimmer. I searched amazon.com for reviews of nose hair trimmers, and this product had by far the best and most reviews. I was suspicious that this was not a battery-powered trimmer like the Panasonic one that I loved (but that model was no longer made). But, since I live 55 miles (one way) from the nearest store that sells trimmers, bec. I didn't want to make a special trip JUST for a nose hair trimmer, bec. I REALLY needed to trim my nose hairs, and because this product had a lifetime guarantee, so if I didn't like it, I could send it back and get a full refund, and bec. with 491 reviews at the time of my purchase, with a breakdown as follows: 491 Reviews 5 star: (331) 4 star: (61) 3 star: (29) 2 star: (31) 1 star: (39) I decided to buy the Groom Mate Platinum XL and try it out for myself. To its credit, it arrived within 3 days of my ordering. I was very excited to test it. The compact and durable/solid/sturdy design is impressive and ingenious. BUT, I didn't like the Platinum XL nose hair trimmer and am returning it. 1. When I used it, I had painful tugs and yanks of my nose hair, something I didn't have when I used the battery-powered Panasonic ER411. Not all the hairs had painful tugs and yanks, but many more than the Panasonic. My guess is that the speed at which a battery-powered trimmer's blades spin and cut is MUCH FASTER than the speed at which a human using two hands can twist the Platinum XL. The slower speed makes the device tug and yank, causing pain. It's analogous to taking a Band-Aid off your skin: if you pull it off fast/quickly, the pain is over quickly; however, it you pull it off slowly, the pain is more severe. It was very rare for me to have any pain, tugs, or yanks with my Panasonic ER411. I do note that several commenters said their battery-operated trimmer tugged and yanked, but their XL did not. I envy their experience with the XL; it just isn't my experience. I'm wondering if the fact that I always used brand new, fully juiced (not old) batteries when I use my Panasonic trimmer helped me have pain-free and tug/yank-free trimming. 2. The XL does NOT cut the very base of the hair's shaft; it leaves several millimeters of nose hair there, hair that my Panasonic trimmed, almost right down to the skin. When I trim my nose hair, I want it done right and completely. I don't want semi-long hair left in my nose, which makes me have to trim yet again in a week or 2. With my Panasonic, I was able to trim once every 4 weeks, about as often as I cut my head hair. 3. It's slow and time-consuming. With the battery-powered trimmer, trimming my nose hairs took 3 minutes max, and I really pushed it deep into my nostrils to get the hairs hiding in the back. With the XL, it is SO SLOW. It takes forever to just do one nostril, and it does that with more painful tugs and yanks than the Panasonic did. 4. You have to use 2 hands to operate the XL. With my Panasonic, I liked the freedom of one-handed use, so I could use my other hand/fingers to bend or lift my nose in a way to allow the trimmer to better reach and trim areas it couldn't without the bending/lifting. I'm not a complainer or a perfectionist, and I feel badly writing this review (especially since I'm so outnumbered by folks who wrote positive reviews), but it is the truth as I experienced it. I don't have an alternate/substitute trimmer yet, as again, it's a long drive to the store for me, but I'm gonna have to get a battery-powered one, possibly another Panasonic. 2/20/10 update: Groom Mate has promptly and without hassle refunded my purchase. 4/10/10 update: I have purchased and am VERY HAPPY with the WAHL Ear, Nose, and Brow Wet/Dry Battery Trimmer, Model 41559-300N that I purchased at Bed, Bath, and Beyond for $19.99. I have used it once, and although it took a little more time to cut the nose hairs than my trusty Panasonic ER411 did, it cut down to the base of the hair like I wanted/left just a tiny stub behind and did not painfully tug or yank any of my hairs. I have used it only once, but I am very happy with it and highly recommend it. The packaging indicates the product has a generous 30-day money back guarantee and a 3-year limited warranty.