04-02-2004, 06:00 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 222
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Seeing Things Clearly: The JavoScreen Review
Product Category: Screen Protectors
Manufacturer: Javo Edge
Where to Buy: Javo Edge
Price: $10.95 USD
Specifications: JavoScreen protectors are available for a variety of PDAs.
Pros:- Protect your screen;
- Prevent glare;
- Hide fingerprints.
Cons:- Like all adhesive protectors, a bit tricky to install.
Summary:
The JavoScreen protectors are another great choice to keep your screen scratch-free and clean. They have a paper-like texture and prevent glare.
Read on for the full review!
Overview
The JavoScreen is just another screen protector, right? Well... yes and no. Yes, it's a screen protector, but, it has enough features to keep it in the short list of my favorite screen protectors. I've had a JavoScreen on my iPAQ 1945 for a couple of weeks now to see how it performs.
Figure 1: The JavoScreen on my iPAQ. Notice the nice glare protection.
The best thing about the JavoScreen is that it blocks glare. I did not realize how important this was until I started reading eBooks on my iPAQ. When using the naked screen, it is like looking in a mirror while reading. Not a big deal but it does get annoying after a while. Also, I tend to touch the screen to flip pages, which leaves smudges. The textured JavoScreen prevents fingerprints from appearing on the screen.
Installation
I was plenty surprised to open the JavoScreen package. It includes not just the protector but a cleaning cloth and an installation card. Since I was already using a protector, my screen was pretty clean. I pulled off the old protector and used the JavoScreen cleaning cloth to touch up a couple of spots. The cleaning cloth is lint free and was just what I needed.
Figure 2: The JavoScreen installation kit.
After my last experience with a screen protector, I knew that I had to be very careful installing the JavoScreen. Instead of waiting around for dust to settle, I immediately geared up to apply the JavoScreen. I carefully peeled off the backing and centered the protector on my iPAQ. I quickly applied the protector to my screen and voila, bubbles... now what?... wait... I grabbed the installation card (a thin cardstock tool) and smoothed out the JavoScreen. No bubbles, lint, or dust, a perfect installation. Whew! The cleaning cloth and installation card are a nice touch. Not really necessary but definitely a welcome addition.
Unique Features
The JavoScreen has all of the features you expect from a screen protector: thin, fairly easy to apply/remove, and durable. What makes the JavoScreen stand out is that it has both a glare-reducing coating and a textured surface. The JavoScreen does a fantastic job of reducing glare, especially outdoors. No more mirror effect. The glare reduction does not degrade the display quality of my screen. Some protectors tend to wash-out the picture, but not the JavoScreen. Everything looks as crisp and sharp as usual.
Figure 3: Glare with my iPAQ off. (Extreme conditions)
Figure 4: Glare with my iPAQ on. (Extreme conditions)
These two pictures show the worst possible glare you'll see with a JavoScreen. These were taken with my iPAQ about four inches from a powerful Halogen desk lamp. There's no way to get around seeing a reflection given these conditions. But, as you can see in the pictures, you don't see the light bulb or fixture. You only see the light emitted.
I was not a fan of the texture on the JavoScreen at first. I thought I preferred a smooth screen. After a few days of using the JavoScreen though, I forgot all about the texture, and realized I was starting to like it. Jotting down memos is very natural with the texture; it feels like writing on paper instead of a screen. As I mentioned before, the texture also keeps your screen from collecting fingerprints. Now that I'm used to the texture, I really like it. It gives a nice tactile feedback when sliding around the screen.
Conclusions
The JavoScreen is an excellent screen protector. In just a couple weeks I have become a big fan. The glare reduction and texture are my favorite features. I would miss them both if I were to switch to a different screen protector.
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04-02-2004, 06:14 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,466
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How does this compare to other screen protectors? Like Boxwave, or Martin Fields? Since this model has a matte finish, it sounds similar to Boxwave or Brando.
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04-02-2004, 06:16 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 74
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How does it compare to Pocketpctechs Writeshields?
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04-02-2004, 06:19 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 75
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Help me out. I tried some screen protectors from Belkin I bought at my local Office Depot.
In a word... they sucked:
- Was like looking through a shower door
- Wasn't able to affix without bubbles (tried twice)
I returned them for a full refund, but I'd still like to protect my screen.
Are these any different ?
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04-02-2004, 06:22 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 62
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I would like to see them in a comparson to the writeshields to. I am a pretty die hard writeshield fan. this would be a intresting thing to see.
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04-02-2004, 06:24 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 20
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It may be too early for this, but is there anything to show the durability of this protector?
In the past I used WriteShields. About a month ago I got a BoxWave protector for my new HP 2215. Maybe it is my imagination, but I think I started seeing the slightly different texture in the writing area. If I remember right I started seeing this on the WriteShield protector about 3 to 4 months into use. That would make the WriteShield more durable. I had it on my Dell Axim X5 screen for over a year.
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04-02-2004, 07:39 PM
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5000+ Posts? I Should OWN This Site!
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,616
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this picture leads me to believe that
JavoEdge and BoxWave use the same OEM.
I currently have a BoxWave installed and I like it a lot better than the WriteShield I had previously. But then, I haven't been using it for too long so that impression may change as the months go past.[/img]
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04-02-2004, 07:54 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 368
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Fuzzy John
It may be too early for this, but is there anything to show the durability of this protector?
In the past I used WriteShields. About a month ago I got a BoxWave protector for my new HP 2215. Maybe it is my imagination, but I think I started seeing the slightly different texture in the writing area. If I remember right I started seeing this on the WriteShield protector about 3 to 4 months into use. That would make the WriteShield more durable. I had it on my Dell Axim X5 screen for over a year.
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I got the same impression. Boxwave cleartouch is a good screen protector, but in terms of durability, I think Brando and WriteShields are better.
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04-02-2004, 08:05 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 222
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Foo Fighter
How does this compare to other screen protectors? Like Boxwave, or Martin Fields? Since this model has a matte finish, it sounds similar to Boxwave or Brando.
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Yes, these are similar to Boxwave or Brando. I tried out the Martin Fields protectors and really liked them. I'm still undecided as to which I like better though. I really like the smooth feel of the Martin Fields. But I like the glare protection of the JavoScreen.
The perfect screen protector for me would be smooth, glare reducing, and adhesive. I tried the G2 protectors a long time ago and had so much trouble installing them that I gave up.
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04-02-2004, 08:06 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 124
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by ctmagnus
[img=http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/remhof-mar04-jscreen-2.jpg]this picture[/img] leads me to believe that
JavoEdge and BoxWave use the same OEM.
I currently have a BoxWave installed and I like it a lot better than the WriteShield I had previously. But then, I haven't been using it for too long so that impression may change as the months go past.
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Boxwave & javoedge are using the same product. Our WriteSHIELD is a different material that does last longer based on user feedback.
I'm curious as to why you like the Boxwave better than the WS.
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