Kevin Remhof
02-23-2004, 06:30 PM
The jury may still be out on screen protectors for our gadgets, but I, for one, am glad that I have a Martin Fields Overlay Plus Screen Protector on my PDA. To find out more, read my review and see why you should consider Martin Fields for your device.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/remhof-feb04-mfields-0.jpg" /><br /><!><br /><i>Martin Fields Overlay Plus Screen Protectors keep your screen looking and feeling like new.</i><br /><br /><span><b>Overview</b></span><br />Martin Fields is a newcomer in the screen protector arena. We've all heard of Wrightright, WriteSHIELD, EXiM, BoxWave, Brando, G2, and other similar products. But, how many of us actually use them? I've had an on-again, off-again relationship with screen protectors myself.<br /><br />Back in my Palm days, I tried some Wrightright protectors from Concept Kitchen. (On a side note, I found one laying around the other day. I couldn't believe how thick it was!) I never really liked the feel of them though so I gave up using them. When I switched to my iPAQ 3765, I quickly got a G2 screen protector. But not before I put a deep 1/4 inch scratch into it. Not that noticeable but it really bugged me. The G2s were nice but were very difficult to install until you got the hang of them.<br /><br />When I purchased a new iPAQ 1945, I figured it was time to try out a new type of screen protector. The Martin Fields Overlay Plus Screen Protectors claim to be thin, clear, easy to apply, and washable. How could I go wrong?<br /><br /><span><b>Packaging</b></span><br />Martin Fields Overlay Plus Screen Protectors arrive in full retail packaging. That means a sturdy plastic case with an insert housing your protector. This keeps the protector safe until you are ready to install it.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/remhof-feb04-mfields-1.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 1: The packaging is sturdy and secure.</i><br /><br />The installation instructions are basic but enough to get you started. I found that reading other reviews and FAQs about screen protectors helped me install my Martin Fields Protector.<br /><br /><span><b>Installation</b></span><br />There's not much to installing these screen protectors. The back side has a light adhesive so it sticks to your PDA. All you have to do is peel off the back and apply it to your screen.<br /><br />Before installing my screen protector, I thoroughly cleaned the screen of my iPAQ with a little glass cleaner on a paper towel. I was very careful not to get the screen wet. I then used a chamois cloth to get every last bit of dust off of my screen. When I was done, it looked great. Maybe even better than when I bought it.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/remhof-feb04-mfields-2.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 2: My freshly cleaned screen. A little dust was left but that blew off easily.</i><br /><br />Then I got careless. I should have carefully removed a small portion of the backing and then stuck the screen protector to my iPAQ immediately. Instead, I peeled off half of the backing and held it up to my desk lamp to admire it. What was I thinking? Not surprisingly, a swirl of dust settled on the adhesive of the screen protector. Great, now what?<br /><br /><span><b>Cleaning</b></span><br />Now, one of the great things about these screen protectors is that they are washable. Intrigued? So was I. I rinsed my screen protector, held it up to a light and saw that there was still dust on it. Darn. I hopped on the Internet to see what others recommended. Someone recommended using a little soap to wash off my protector. It worked like a charm. The dust disappeared, and the soap did not seem to affect the adhesive. <br /><br />Now my protector was clean and dust free again. How do I dry it? Back to the Internet for advice. I tried compressed air, but water still collected on the edge of the protector. Once I even put the protector on my iPAQ with a drop of water left in the middle. What a mess! I saw a recommendation to dry it on a piece of printer paper with the adhesive side down. This was the best suggestion yet. The paper dried the protector without adding dirt or dust to it. Plus, while it was drying, I was able to clean the smooth side of the protector.<br /><br /><span><b>Installation: Round Two</b></span><br />Now that my protector was clean and dry, I applied it to my screen. It lined up perfectly and smoothed down easily. I did remove it a couple of times to give the protector a workout. Each time, it went back down flawlessly. I used a credit card to smooth it out and get rid of the air bubbles. This really helped and I was able to get the protector down with a minimal amount of bubbles.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/remhof-feb04-mfields-3.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 3a: My screen with the protector. Note the small bubbles on the bottom right.</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/remhof-feb04-mfields-4.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 3b: The same screen with the backlight on. The bubbles disappear.</i><br /><br />PDA users often complain about bubbles under their screen protectors. I've found that they really don't make a difference when your PDA is on. If you have the backlight on, they disappear. This can really help you if you don't take the time to smooth out every bubble. <br /><br /><span><b>Unique Features</b></span><br />There are a few things that make this protector stand out in a crowded field. The first is that it is completely clear. Many protectors offer glare reduction. This is not one of those protectors. You get the same glare that you do off of a bare screen. You'll also see dust and fingerprints quite easily.<br /><br />Secondly, these protectors are smooth as glass. My iPAQ screen itself has a tiny bit of resistance when dragging the stylus. You can also feel the stylus press ever so slightly into the screen. This protector gives a smoother feel to the screen. Just barely though. If you didn't know there was a screen protector, I doubt you'd be able to figure it out.<br /><br />Thirdly, this is an adhesive protector. The adhesive is not gummy and does not leave a residue on your screen. Not too sticky, just enough to hold it to the screen well. The edges curl up very slightly the first day or so but then I didn't notice it again. There is a slight 2-3 pixel width border around the protector that masks this minor gripe.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/remhof-feb04-mfields-5.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 4: My iPAQ with the protector. The directions are on the back of the packaging.</i><br /><br />Another complaint that people have about screen protectors is that they dampen the sensitivity of their PDA screens. This protector does do this but it is very slight. It took about 15 minutes for me to get used to it. After a day or so, I completely forgot I had a screen protector in place. This protector is wafer-thin (like in Monty Python's <i>The Meaning of Life</i> ;)).<br /><br /><span><b>Lasting Appeal</b></span><br />I've now had my Martin Fields Overlay Plus Screen Protector on my iPAQ for about two weeks, and I'm very pleased with it. It's still holding strong and looks great. Plus, it gives me a feeling of confidence. I have no fears about scratching my screen. I just do what I need with my stylus.<br /><br />OK, time for the big question... Are screen protectors necessary? The simple answer is, no. I have had a few different PDAs over the years and have only put minor scratches on them. The digitizers all continued to work flawlessly. The real question should be: will I feel better with a screen protector? My answer is yes. I'm paranoid about scratching my new screen. To keep it pristine, I'm willing to spend the time and the money to install a protector. With one, I just feel more comfortable dragging my stylus around me screen.<br /><br /><span><b>Gotchas</b></span><li>Doesn't prevent glare;<br /><li>Like all adhesive protectors, a bit tricky to install.<br /><span><b>Where to Buy</b></span><br />Martin Fields Overlay Plus Screen Protectors are available for a variety of PDAs, phones, and gadgets at <a href="http://www.overlayplus.com">overlayplus.com</a> (managed by DOML). Single screen protectors cost $12.99 and a two pack costs $24.99 for most devices (some phone protectors cost less).<br /><br /><span><b>Conclusions</b></span><br />The Martin Fields Overlay Plus Screen Protectors are a good choice as a screen protector if you are looking for a new screen on your PDA or gadget. They are clear, smooth, cleanable, and will keep your screen in like-new condition.