Customer Reviews
Good trimmer 
2008-07-24
I've never used it without turning Turbo on, so I don't know what the regular is like. I've used it about seven or eight times so far and still haven't recharged it from it's initial charge. The length adjuster is very nice, much nicer than my old crappy walmart cheapie. However, I kept the cheapie because it cuts a little bit closer without a guard than this one does. And this way I don't have to remove the guard. I usually use setting 1 for a close, stubble plus a little more look, and then shave my neck clean. Easy and convenient.
The Vacuum feature is nice, as it gets 98% of my hair. I now stand at the sink, instead of in the (dry) tub with a hand held mirror. Very little cleanup.
It cuts very smooth! I'll see how it holds up over time, but for now it's very nice, no pinching, no pulling.
Many people complained about the noise, I don't think it's that bad.
The only complaint I have is that the guard is pretty big and it's tough to trim my mustache without jamming the thing up against my nose.
Good, but nothing mind-blowing 2008-07-24
I purchased this item because I was tired of leaving hairs all over the place and because I had lost the charger for my old trimmer. Bottom line up front: this thing trims and has lots of nice features, but is not worth leaving a working trimmer in the trash for.
The item comes with different heads, one of which will give you a wide range of length adjustments that are easily switched between. The unit feels solid as a whole and also has a reasonable case (it doesn't seem to be dedicated to holding each part in a certain place, but instead it holds everything in one pouch).
The vacuum action will catch most hairs, but you can't get away with not trimming over a sink. It will still allow some hairs to get away; it's no Flowbee. The end result is better than nothing, but not a complete solution.
As I said before, if you have a trimmer that works for you now, stick with it. You can get this if the current one breaks. It's not going to make trimming a new experience or solve the world's problems, but it's a competent trimmer that reduces some of the clean-up.
Best trimmer yet, but one irritating flaw 2008-07-24
So, I bought the lower model at Target without the vacuum earlier today and plugged it in, realizing that it didn't have enough power to do the deed, and the battery seemed pathetic. It was a tough choice between the lesser model and the one with the vacuum/turbo.
I exchanged the crappy one for this one and found its capabilities supersede my needs, and then some. I could probably trim the hedges with this thing. The vacuum is also very impressive. I assumed I'd be sweeping half my body hair off the floor (yeah, "bodyhair" trimmers don't actually do what I want them to, so I use beard trimmers. Most people that I know do, too).
So, what's the drawback? The setting doesn't stay put. Unless you old it by the setting dial, it'll slip down with even the slightest pressure. It's pathetic. The box says something about setting "lock", but that's just a norelco company inside joke.
Great for Course Hair 
2008-07-22
I purchased this for my husband who has really course hair. He loves it. I didn't want to spend a lot of $ on an electric trimmer, because he seems to go through them fast. I found this one on sale here, and it's wonderful. It trims his goatee which is really course, and he has even had to trim his head with it, he buzzes his head, since his clippers broke. He's really picky about his clippers and trimmer, and he said he loves it and it works great.
No mess! 2008-07-14
I had a simular older model before and the battery went bad, the cost of the replacement battery was half of this new unit. I decided to replace the whole unit with the new version and am so glad I did. The vacuum and container make this a no mess beard trimmer, go from stubble to short hair by adjusting the guide. Clean out container once a month for stubble trimming (more for beard trimming I am sure).
I would recommend this product.
Good overall 2008-07-14
The Philips Norelco T980 Rechargeable Turbo Vacuum Trimmer is equipped to conveniently deliver a superior trimming performance. A powerful vacuum delivers suction power, while hair deflector captures hair for no clean up. A transparent hair chamber makes it easy to see when the trimmer needs to be emptied for optimal performance. A turbo power switch boosts cutting and fan speed by 30-percent for significantly increased suction power. Revolutionary SteelWave self-sharpening blades ensure a precise and even trim every time. Other features include 9 lockable length settings, rechargeable battery, and cordless operation for maximum freedom of movement. The Trimmer also comes with a contour following comb and a specialty mini-beard trimmer attachment, allowing for precise trimming of beard line, moustache, and sideburns. SteelWave Technology - Philips Norelco's revolutionary SteelWave self-sharpening blades ensure a precise and even trim every time. No Mess! The powerful vacuum with hair deflector captures cut hair for no clean-up. Ergonomic design means T980 is easy-to-use with complete control for the most confortable trimming experience. The Clearview hair chamber makes it easy to see when the T980 needs to be emptied for optimal performance. The T980 also comes with a charging adaptor and cleaning brush.
Nice little trimmer with some unnecessary features 2008-07-12
We bought this to replace a 6 year old Norelco trimmer with a dead battery. It works quite nicely, just as the previous trimmer worked nicely. With that said, the introduction of the vacuum and "turbo" mode seem really unnecessary. Our experience has been that little bits of hair still fly all over the place, even with the vacuum--although perhaps to a slightly lesser degree. I haven't found the "turbo" mode to be that helpful. From my perspective, it seems to be a marketing tool designed to convince guys that they're getting a really powerful, studly shaver. Power in a car, I can understand. But in a trimmer? Anyway, this is a great little trimmer. I just question the degree to which the new features are improvements.
Much improved from previous models. 2008-07-10
Bought this to replace my older model. This one runs faster and has a Turbo setting. (for beard trimming speed contests i guess)
Overall this does the job, and there's nothing similar to this one.
That's the deal! 2008-07-09
Next to my Family Guy box sets this is the best purchase I have made in 12 months.
Tired of my wife busting balls on a daily basis, I needed something to take care of the whiskers. This fantastic tool takes care of that for you leaving absolutely no mess on the bathroom counter. I travel a lot for work and this tool is small enough to fit in my travel medicine bag along with my standard razor. I just purchased this for my brother in law and will also purchase it for a buddy's birthday.
Norelco trimmer 2008-07-06
My previous trimmer was a Norelco T7500 which I have used for the last 7 or 8 years. I had to replace the battery once. That is all I ever had to do to it. This battery is about shot and the trimmer is getting old so I thought to replace it rather than putting another battery in it. I chose the Norelco T980 trimmer. I am pretty much bald except for around the back and sides so I use the trimmer as my hair clipper. Because of the vacuum, it is noiser than the other trimmer but it collects all the hair, so that more than makes up for the noise. To use the nose/ear trimmer you have to pull off the clipper head and install the trimmer head. With the older model you merely slid the trimmer forward. All in all I am pleased with the new model.
