I purchased this microwave to replace and older version of the same machine. The reason for the replacement was that the old machine had rusted. I did a lot of research and even though my experience with the older model had not been good; it rusted severely after 3 years of use, Consumer Reports had given this model a good review.

The machine arrived in a timely fashion. Unfortunately this new model does not have a door handle but instead a latch release system which did not work. No matter how many times I pushed it the door would not open.
While I received a full refund, sending back a peice of equipment of that size was cumbersome.

I paid extra for what I thought would be a good name. It wasn't worth it. It just stopped heating. It makes noise, spins, lights, but nothing gets warm. It's being fixed, under warranty, BUT... I had to drive over an hour to the service center (and will have to do the same in two weeks or so when it's ready to be picked up), they gave me a hard time for having a "screen shot" of the proof of purchase from Amazon, AND I'd have to be without a microwave for two weeks or more.

When it was working, it was decent, but, as others have written, it's annoying that the light doesn't come on when the door is opened. Also, from time to time, the turntable binds for no apparent reason.

I'd expect more for $130. I just bought a slightly smaller stainless steel GE from Lowe's for $90 which I like much better. Oh, well.

Indeed excellent,with no problems at all. The 1300-watt power is a welcome step-up from my older 1000-watt oven. But the best part is that one can leave the door open when not in use, and the light is *not on*. A great enemy of microwaves is rust. People close the door when finished with the oven, mostly to save the electricity and bulb. (Try replacing a microwave bulb!) Now when I reheat my tea and tea water, several times a day, NO PROBLEME!

Great at cooking solid foods, ok at cooking liquids and suspension foods. The auto cook feature does not work that good. Plenty of cooking space. Overall good, but not great microwave.

This microwave is otherwise a five-star, but the display drops it to a three-star.

Problems:

1.) The display is polarized, so you can't view it from an angle above 45 degrees. This is not a problem from several feet away, but standing next to the microwave on the counter I need to bend down to see the display.

Until I have the microwave memorized I will always need to bend over to set the microwave. This is not a problem on my old Panasonic.

2.) As noted in other reviews the interior lights only when the microwave is on, not when the door is open.


Good Aspects:

1.) This replaces a 15 year old Panasonic microwave of the same size which was making noise, although still working. This microwave is almost twice as fast, nearly silent, weighs half as much, and is good looking.

2.) After years of using Panasonic moisture sensor cooking I would never buy any other brand until they can replicate this feature.

I would return this microwave except it appears all Panasonic microwaves currently have the same type of display. Hopefully Panasonic fixes this problem in future models.

For $130 I'll use this microwave until Panasonic replaces this horrible display on future models.

SEE ALSO REVIEW on similar product:

May 10, 2006 -- By Taubmeister
Panasonic NN-H965BF Luxury Full-Size 2.2-Cubic-Foot 1,250-Watt Microwave Oven, Black

I own the predecessor to this model, the H964. It's the 2nd Panansonic microwave of this size that we've bought--in just 3 years. The first lasted 1 1/2 years and had to be repaired once. The second died three weeks after the warranty period. After literally 8 calls to Panasonic customer service (asking for the serial number, calling back with it, etc etc.) they agreed to at least cover the cost of a repair estimate (they eventually paid for the entire repair cost).

The problem was that the fuse had died. The authorized repair facilitiy told me that the only microwaves they ever get for repair are Panasonics; he said the problem is that to reduce their weight, they use smaller parts, like the tubes, which can't handle the load for long. He also said that their fuses don't last.

The repair person recommended either Sharp or Sanyo as much longer lasting. I checked the weight of a similar-sized Sharp and saw that it weighed about 6 pounds more than the Panasonic--presumably because some parts are heftier.

When this newly-repaired Panasonic dies again, it will be long out of warranty and then we'll try our luck with a Sharp. Replacing a microwave every 18-20 months is not my idea of money well spent.