You can plug in the saphir as well, there is a corded version that you can buy the electric cord to use on the cordless versions. Also, what you mentionned about the OPAL when you turn it on it is called slow start technology to product the internal components.
Thank you for the review! I was especially interested in the two German models of Heiniger Saphir and Opal. Nice to know the differences in recharging and noise, and that they are both not prone to heating. I have an Andis AGC2 and I love it, but it overheats a lot esp with #30 blade. I also have an Andis Vida which is like the Wahl Bravura but costs a lot less. It has an adjustable blade and it is a robust smaller clipper, love it. The one I also use a lot is a very tiny clipper called the Wahl Bravmini. It has one blade sized #30. It is cordless, and almost a toy, not a lot of power, but so very good for doing small dog delicate parts like genitals, ears, eyes, paws. Probably good for a cat bum and paws too. Cuts fine, quiet, and gets into the paws. I'm not a big fan of the quality - the blades dull fast, but its the only clipper available that does small paws well. Open to any other suggestions. I desperately need a paw clipper for mini poodles. I love the Andis AGC2. It has lots of power, and very robust. Mine is over 5 yrs old and still going strong. You have to buy some spare drive shaft spares and change them out periodically if clipper overheats quickly. Its the drive shaft. On the Saphir it may be loud but it does not have the issue the Opal has. The Opal cuts out immediately if the blade feels resistance. This issue comes up if the blade is sprayed but not oiled, as per Jeff at Northern Tails Sharpening. Apparently, to protect the motor or something, the engineers designed it this way. If you use a blade spray instead of oiling it, the Opal may stop running. You need to use a blade cleaner first, such as H-42 Cleaner, then oil blades before/during/after use. This makes the Opal run smoothly. I bought some H-42 cleaner off Ebay for $9 for 8 oz. Pricier on Amazon. I think the Heiniger is the clipper I am going to buy next. It is the most robust clipper and does not heat up. Saphir Pros: costs $315 for blue, has 2 charging stations, optional cord, Saphir Cons: is louder, has one speed, and does not have battery life indicator light. Opal Pros: has optional cord, much quieter, has 2 speeds, has battery life indicator light. Opal Cons: Costs more at $425, has 1 charging station only, slow to start, may cut out if blade not oiled well. I think the Opal has more features on the whole. Hard to pay $100 more than the Saphir but it is a better model.
One side note, if you get the blue saphir, you can spend $25 for the purple case and change it yourself, that is what I did! I wanted the purple so bad but it was sold out/cost more. It wasn't too hard to change it. You will NOT be upset with the Heiniger, if you do go with the opals, blade care is very important. I swap between my two all the time though, I really love both.
@@cleanclipcolor Thank you! I find the plain blue color on Saphir to be soothing, and the purple one is a bit busy and also looks more slippery on finish. Which one do you reach for most often: Saphir or Opal? I cannot decide easily.
@@mjremy2605 Hm, at the moment I've been grabbing my Saphir more, my blade lever is pretty due to be changed in my Opal but I keep forgetting to order a new one, since it needs changed it vibrates a little more. I don't find either to be too slippery but they do make little sleeves you can put on them. I really love both clippers a lot, I NEVER have needed the high speed on the Opals which is probably why I don't mind using either one.
@@cleanclipcolor Happy to hear that two speeds don't matter much. Now I am leaning more toward the Saphir. It is available for $270 at Ryans currently while Opal is priced at $425 everywhere. Way too high for clippers. Thank you very much for your feedback!
I have the Heiniger Saphir for my 8 dog pet family. They are workhorse clippers recommended to me by a groomer friend. My blades don't get heated up by them either and we are used to the noise now and don't notice it. I have the Bravura 5:1 too which I can use with the slide on combs for my lighter coated dogs when I don't want to use blades.
Thank you for this review. I would like to go with the Heineger Opal when funds allow. I was planning to purchase someday before watching this video. This video helps confirm my decision.
If you want a nice alternative to the Bravura, check out the Artero Spektra it offers 5 speeds, has a 4 in 1 blade, can be used cordless or with cord, has a charger base and if the internal battery ever wears out they sell replacement battery for $20. They also have optional blades available in 7F, 5F, 4F and 3F sizes. Between the Opals and the Spektra I'm pretty well equipped and very pleased with both.
As breeders of giant schnauzers and mini schnauzers we groom our own. The Andis seem to heat up much. Looking for specific clipper that would be great for specifically the schnauzers. Before puppies go to homes we do a clan trim and of course we groom about * adults all the time. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Hello I was wondering if you knew if you could use the charger base from the saphir on the opals or if it won’t fit in it. I want the saphir just for the charging base and I love the 2 speeds for the opal
Hey! So I have messed around with that and if I'm remembering right my Saphir batteries could fit in the opal charging base but the Opal batteries couldn't fit in the Saphir base. I can try and remember to double check for you tomorrow though!
I honestly have never needed the higher speed on my Opals and I do all kinds of coats. I just posted a video yesterday actually of my Opals vs a ton of different coats and in every clip I'm using them on the 1st speed with wide blades. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-h2mVFbVXoGs.html
Hey again! I remembered to check! The saphirs can fit in the opal base but only if the battery is in the clipper, the opal does not fit in the saphir base.
Hello! Wahl Bravura is VERY quiet and works great with cats, especially just for paws and bums. It has the adjustable blade, you'd want to set it to a 10 setting.
You will want the Wahl Bravmini. Very quiet and does fine detail work. Its almost a toy size. Not much power but it is excellent for delicate areas. Blade is #30 only. A robust clipper for the body work on a cat is the Andis Vida. Adjustable blade and very quiet.
@@stephanieschoenrock6638 I just got my new pair back actually! They had a manufacture defect, sent them back under warranty and have my new pair now. They seem great!
@@stephanieschoenrock6638 Excitingggg! Be sure they're fully charged before first use and OIL YOUR BLADES!! Oiling blades is always important but with the Opals I do need to oil a little more frequently. I do every morning then sometimes between some dogs.
I agree completely! Thats why I always laugh when people say the 5 speed clippers are the best, speed isn't everything. I just listed speeds because that is what was easy to find under the specs.
