You make a real good point about the Braun. I usually splurge on things I use that frequently anyway... My only hesitation is durability. I've never bought a pure electric yet simply because I have found myself having to shave in many... weird situations (Driving, on a Bivouac, etc...) and I don't wanna destroy such an expensive object. Does that $150 model hold up decently to adverse environments?
My first braun survived USAF survival training three times... Once as a student, twice as an instructor. The batteries were not very good on the third trip and they aren't user replaceable, but the newer batteries are much better now. The cheaper brauns are also fairly durable and you can buy a spare just in case.
The braun I use now is fairly durable. It is plastic but has not cracked after a few years of "normal" use. It has a clip-on cover that protects the foil when you're not using it, and it also comes with a storage pouch that does a decent job. I always put the cover clip on when I'm done, and when I travel with it I put it in the carry pouch and then put the carry pouch into my toiletry kit with my toothbrush and other usual stuff. I haven't had one break on a trip, although I have ruined a couple of foils when I dropped the shaver into the sink while shaving. The foil is the only really fragile part and sometimes it's a pain to hunt down and find replacement foils for your exact model, so it's a good idea to have a replacement foil handy.
That said, if I'm travelling "light", I'll steal one of my wife's disposable razers for my backup instead of hauling around an extra foil or spare razor. But if I'm going on a long trip away from civilization, I'll bring the whole spare razor just in case.
