Blackout Beardscape V2

Product Information

The trimmer is solid and comfortable to hold. It has an easy-to-read display showing time remaining, RPM (from 5000 to 7000 in increments of 500), a ‘burden meter’—if this goes into the red, the trimmer needs a good clean--and two indicators to alert you when the battery needs charging and when the unit needs oiling (after about one hour of use). It would have been nice to have had a travel pouch included to hold the trimmer and accessories. I am fortunate enough to have one already, but if you don’t, and plan on taking this away with you when travelling, the box is not ideal. The built-in adjustable blade with the included trimmer guards offer impressive granular control with a .3mm adjustment range allowing precise trimming and maintenance for a guy who needs to take off just the slightest bit of length. Taking a look at the LCD, you will first notice 5 circles at the top of the display(3 white and 2 red). These show the load on the clipping head, as the clipper may become clogged with hair or need oil. The first 3 circles display a load state under normal use, while if the 4 th and 5 th circles light up, the clipping head must be cleaned and oiled. At the end of the day, my biggest point of contention with the Brio Beardscape is that it’s being touted as one of the quietest beard trimmers available. While this may be true at 50 RPM (lowest setting), most users of this device will be using it at its maximum cutting potential of 70 RPM’s. That said, crank the trimmer to this level and your ears will be buzzing.

You continue that cycle long enough and you find ourselves in what most guys assume is the only option: A place where all the beard trimmers on the Target shelf are light duty, plastic, glorified nose trimmers with beard guard attachments. Brio Bearscape V2 The unit needed an initial charge, which took a little over 4 hours when plugged directly into an outlet (Brio claim 3 hours for a full charge). I used the shortest cut possible on a beard with approximately one week’s growth. Adjusting the RPM didn’t seem to affect the speed of the cut all that much, and overall it was simple to use and gave me a cut that I was more than happy with. It was nice to have a trimmer that wasn’t burdened with a cable, which made the job that much easier. (Also handy if you like to trim other areas!)It is not waterproof or even splash proof but if it were, you would have to oil the blades more frequently. This is the only thing that I think that could be improved in a future model. Charging the trimmer after it stops running takes approximately three hours, and that still gives plenty of time between charges, but the unit does seem to turn off before it hits 'zero' percent battery life. I haven't found the cut-off point, but the trimmer just stops running when you think there is still a little bit of charge left. Be prepared to plug it in if it stops mid way through a trim. I'm going to call it a 'design feature', as it's really not an issue. Heads-up, that's all. Couple that with the digital battery meter that provides a down-to-the-minute estimate of remaining charge, and you’re never going to get caught with only one side of your beard cleaned up before a presentation, wedding, or date night.

The only downside I can see for this trimmer is that It is not waterproof. I do not shave in the shower so that feature isn't a deal-breaker for me but I do like to occasionally rinse the head off and I know this trimmer requires care of precision if I am going to be doing that. This is not a big enough downside for me though to not give this trimmer 5 stars since it does state upfront that it is not waterproof. Along with the unit itself are four reversible clipper heads, paired together by lengths 1mm and 2mm, 3mm and 6mm, 9mm and 12mm and 15mm and 18mm. You will also find a USB plug and cord, charging base, cleaning brush and lubricating oil. On-unit Features The power cable plugs into the bottom end of the unit, as seems to be standard. The trimmer, without comb attachments, is 17.8cm (7 inches) long.

What’s inside?

A fully charged battery should give about 240 minutes of cutting time at 5000RPM, and 180 minutes at 7000RPM—plenty of time between charges. The unit can be used with the cord if the battery has not been charged. On the flip side, where the Brio Beardscape has an advantage is its extra capacity lithium ion battery, which requires 3 hours of charge time for 4 hours of use. The trimmer can be used cordless or plugged in and will run plugged in even if the battery is empty. Final Thoughts

The power cable itself is 7ft long and has a USB fitting, making this ideal for taking abroad—it charges when plugged into your computer, too. The other end of the cable fits directly into the trimmer itself, or the base, if you are looking for something more permanent. The base is wide enough to provide good support when used to charge the trimmer. Brio suggest letting the trimmer discharge down to about 20% between charges, (30 minutes or less time remaining), rather than plugging it in after each use. My bet, however, is that this hasn’t been your experience. If you’re growing a beard for the first time and just discovering the how and the how often, you’ve probably been surprised to discover that having a beard isn’t just simply “not shaving” anymore. We Shape Our Tools, Then Our Tools Shape UsThe Brio Beardscape comes with an extra large capacity Lithium Ion Battery and will last up to 4 hours based on a full 3 hour charge. It can be charged on the base or plugged in while in use, even if the battery is empty. What’s the price? The physical adjustment slider still shows the numbers, but to see it on the screen is beneficial in situations wherein the room’s illumination renders it illegible. This allows you to really dial it in for that ideal stubble length.Fancy a buzzcut or may just a small trim on the sides? The level of adjustability the Beardscape V2 provides is unlike any other. The Beardscape can be used wirelessly with the integrated lithium battery or plugged to the wall with the power adapter and USB cable which plugs to the charging stand or directly to the trimmer.

The Beardscape feels like a real tool in your hand. It’s hefty enough and large enough to allow balance and precise motion. I can guarantee your first reaction to holding one will not be, “This feels chintzy.” Crazy Battery Life (and Awesome Charge Indicator) If you’re anything like me as I’ve gotten older, you’ve learned the benefits of investing in the right tools. There is nothing more frustrating than buying a computer or a camera lens or a clothing item only to have it trip up whatever solution it was supposed to provide.

Brio Beardscape’s Advantage

While the marketing sounds good, there’s only one real way to know what this beard trimmer can do. I just received my Brio Beardscape in the mail and we’re diving in for my full, honest review. What’s inside? Just snap on the length guards and go for the perfect cut every time. Do it yourself or have somebody else help out, this trimmer is easy to use even without a mirror.Nevertheless, make sure you’re in front of one to admire the work you’ve done. Most of the time, we guys don’t really pay too much attention to our grooming. Unless we want to look really presentable for an event, a date, or maybe a corporate affair, most men just let nature run its course. Moreover, for those of us growing a beard or perhaps suffering from excessive facial and body hair, it doesn’t take long before everything turns into a jungle. Good thing there are awesome options available like the Beardscape V2 from Brio! The Beardscape makes use of ceramic trimmer blades, instead of the standard metal blades. This creates less heat and friction – and less noise. It also contributes to longevity: Brio’s ceramic blades are four times harder than steel.