04-28-2006, 04:00 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Pocket PC Techs WriteSHIELD� AG Premium Screen Protectors
I have a confession to make: I'm a screen protector hypocrite. See, I always recommend screen protectors to others, but I very rarely use them myself. I understand the value of using them, but the couple of times I've tried to install them onto Pocket PCs that I've owned, I found the process insanely frustrating. I could never get them lined up properly, I'd get dust under the protector, and they'd end up dulling the screen. Also, because I tend to swap devices every 4-6 months, my screens never get beat up from use, so I didn't think much of it. However, recently a consulting client of mine got a Jasjar, and her previous first-gen XDA had a very battered screen protector, so I knew she needed one on the Jasjar. I had a JASJAR WriteSHIELD AG 2-Pak Kit from Pocket PC Techs, so I took a deep breath and gave it a try.
Either I'm getting more patient as I get older, or the Pocket PC Techs kit made it really easy to do. Or maybe it's both. I was very pleased with the results - I first used the included Klear Screen wipe to clean off the screen, then I used the Microfiber cloth (also included) to dry and buff the screen. I used the horse-hair brush to get rid of any final particles before I gently applied the AG screen protector. My first try was a bit off in terms of alignment, so I used one of the plastic picks to lift the screen protector and try again. It came off easily with no residue. I aligned it again, and the second time was a perfect fit. I used a credit card to push out a couple of small air bubbles, and that was that. The AG screen protector looked great, and didn't dull the brightness of the screen - though it did remove the glare, giving it a matte look. If you want to keep a high-gloss finish on the screen, you can use the C2 line of protectors.
All in all, it was an easy experience and I certainly won't hesitate to use Pocket PC Techs screen protectors again.
Jason Dunn owns and operates Thoughts Media Inc., a company dedicated to creating the best in online communities. He enjoys mobile devices, digital media content creation/editing, and pretty much all technology. He lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada with his lovely wife, and his sometimes obedient dog.
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04-28-2006, 04:09 PM
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Sage
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 718
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Unfortunately, the fact that you need a cleanroom and surgeon's hands to install these things straight without getting all kinds of dust and crap under the screen is a necessary evil. Especially if you plan on eBaying your old units when you get a new one like I often do.
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04-28-2006, 04:29 PM
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Philosopher
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 498
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I usually let the shower run in the bathroom for a while so the steam / water vapor get the dust out the air (but without it being too steamy lest I get condensation on my PPC). Worked the past few times I've had to install a screen protector.
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04-28-2006, 04:33 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 92
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long life too...
My AG was looking pretty scuffed up but I decided to try cleaning it before laying out the scratch for a new one. (they're not cheap) Happily, they clean up very nicely using the Klear Screen wipe and polishing cloth. Mine's a year old and now looks almost as good as new.
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04-28-2006, 04:34 PM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 15,171
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by DaleReeck
Unfortunately, the fact that you need a cleanroom and surgeon's hands to install these things straight without getting all kinds of dust and crap under the screen is a necessary evil.
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You'd be surprised. When I applied the WriteSHIELD on my 700w, it had been sitting in a drawer for a few days in a dry office. I just brushed it off, and as I peeled the WriteSHIELD from the backing, I immediately applied it, and I don't see any dust. The matte surface may be obscuring it, but these certainly aren't dependent on having zero dust. I was quite surprised. It's not at all like the glue-based screen protectors, which are quite a bit more annoying.
Now, if I were to REMOVE the WriteSHIELD to clean it, I'd have to be careful -- the bottom surface would presumably be very prone to attracting dust, as it uses electrostatic forces to hold to the screen. This is why PPC Techs advises you to set up a sticky-tape backing that you then peel off of. In any case, I left that exposed only for a very short while while applying it to the screen.
--janak
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04-28-2006, 05:17 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 211
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I actually bought a pack of the AG shields for my 2200 (I guess they came in 3's then). I never had a need to change it over the 2+ years I used the device and it cleaned really well. I found them the other day and trimmed one down to put on my 8125. That worked, but not as well as one that would be designed for the device so I'll probably end up shelling out for a set for my device.
Great shields and I highly recommend them, especially if you fall in the set of people who can't quite manage to change out their PDA every couple of months. 
-Pete
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04-28-2006, 06:27 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 11
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I am a PDA user since 2000 and I never used a screen protector - I always purchased my PDAs from CompUSA with a replacement plan (just case). I remembered trying a screen protector with the glue backing a long time ago and I immediately threw it away.
I recently purchased a Qtek S200 (aka JAMin) from eBay - no replacement plan included, of course. I decided to try PPCTechs screen protector and it was very simple to install. I installed it in a dusty car on a hot day. Following the instructions, with a little bit of tape, I was able to remove the dust with no problems.
How good is the anti-glare feature of the AG version? I purchased the C2 version.
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04-28-2006, 06:34 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,043
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One of the more frustrating aspects of adding or swapping screen protectors can be dust trapped under the edges of the screen surround. A protector may be almost in place... when static will cause a bunch of stuff to come jumping in from under that edge, ruining the view and even mimicking stylus input if the dust is big enough. So I'm very thorough about cleaning under that edge with a thin card and puffs of air before the final cleaning and protector install. Washing the sticky side of a protector is very un-fun.
I've been using the overlays from screenpatronus.com lately. Very thin, surprisingly durable, and zero effect on screen quality or input sensitivity. I liked WriteShields, used a few of them over the years, but these are better IMO. Cheaper, too.
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04-28-2006, 06:56 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by CorporateJay
How good is the anti-glare feature of the AG version? I purchased the C2 version.
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I don't have another screen protector to compare it with, but I'd say it's excellent - it gives the screen almost a matte finish.
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04-28-2006, 07:19 PM
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Developer & Designer, News Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,959
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by CorporateJay
How good is the anti-glare feature of the AG version? I purchased the C2 version.
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I'm with Jason on this one - I think the AGs are excellent. I currently have an AG on my X50v and a C2 on my M600. Colour reproduction of the C2s is great, and if you like a glossy finish, then they're definitely the ones to go for. The AGs, on the other hand, have a nice matte finish, cut out a significant amount of glare, and improve the writing surface. If I had to pick between the two, I'd go for the AG - primarily because I like the matte finish more than the glossy finish, but YMMV.
Below is a comparison shot between the AG and C2. It's not the best of all comparisons though, since both devices have different screen sizes and screen technologies, but you may still find it useful.
Click the image above for a larger version; C2 at the top, AG at the bottom.
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