Screen Protectors

[ThatGuyinCali]

Hi Everyone,

I am a fellow Dell Axim owner and was wondering if any of the readily-available screen protectors (found at Best Buy, Fry's, CompUSA and so on) will fit on the Axim's screen. I was at a Best Buy today and there was an entire row of screen protectors in various sizes. Of course, if I knew whether or not the Axim's screen has the same dimensions as any of the other PocketPCs I suppose I could answer my own question!

My Dell rep said the protectors were on backorder already, which seemed silly, but from what I've heard about ship dates, I'm happy to have my Axim in my hand.

One last thing. Are these screen protectors a gimmick? Or are they actually useful? I don't see any scratches on my screen...but I certainly don't want any!

Thanks in advance for your help!

-Matt

[Rirath]

Don't like that rubbery feel and glossy shine they put on the screen myself. Don't much like the scratches after a year of use either... I think I'm willing to trade light scratches for comfort though, since you'd be hard pressed to see them when the unit is turned on.

[Pony99CA]

One last thing. Are these screen protectors a gimmick? Or are they actually useful? I don't see any scratches on my screen...but I certainly don't want any!

They are not a gimmick. I played one game a lot on my old Handheld PC, and noticed worn areas on that side of the screen. Eventually, my screen cracked.

When I got my Pocket PC, I got screen protectors and haven't regretted it. I have the same game on my iPAQ 3870, and the screen is still great.

Steve

[enemy2k2]

I was just wondering, other than screen cracks just how bad does it get when using the stylus on a bare screen? What if the stylus is used fairly lightly? How long does it take to accumulate scratches? Just how bad do they get? Seems weird to me that they would make an input method that can screw up your entire experience since the screen is the most important part of a PPC IMHO. Rirath, since you don't use screen protectors would you please let me know your thoughts on the matter? For example I would like to know just how scratched your screen became after a specific length of usage. If it's still usable and not too annoying today, and anything else you could add to that. I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks :)

[Sslixtis]

As far as I can tell, If you have a good Stylus you don't really need to worry about it scratching the screen. However, without a cover on the device the screen tends to come in contact with abrasive objects that can scratch it. As far as the screen protectors go, any made for the Hp Jornada 56x, the Toshiba e740, e310, the ViewSonic, or the Casio E-200, should fit nicely, they all have 3.5" screens :wink:

The ones that come fron Dell are actually quite nice disgned very much like the old HP Jornada 54X screen protectors. They insert under the top and bottom edges of the screen.

Although, as soon as Pocket Solutions makes an anodized aluminium cover for the Axim I'm switching over from the screen protectors!

[Rirath]

Rirath, since you don't use screen protectors would you please let me know your thoughts on the matter? For example I would like to know just how scratched your screen became after a specific length of usage. If it's still usable and not too annoying today, and anything else you could add to that. I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks

Well... it's hard to say. I'd snap a pic, but you'd probably never see them. I think a lot of it may have to do with the Jornada's flat hard plastic stylus... the end tends to get worn down and pointed. Basically it's pretty much what you would expect after running a hard piece of plastic over the screen for a year, there's some faint scuffs on the surface.
Honestly I don't think you'd even notice it if it wasn't a black screen when the unit is off. It's not like a car key scratch or anything. One way to tell might be going down to your local electronics store and looking at their displays. Find one that's been there and has been used for awhile.

I play a lot of games, like Diamond Mine... so I'm sure that wears it out quicker, but it's not all that bad. The Writeguards featured on the main page look pretty interesting. I followed the same chain of thought as you... they're made to be touch screens after all so I'm sure they're built tough to input.

[GoldKey]

To me screen protectors are kinda like putting plactic slip covers over furntiture. Yeah, they will protect it, but the furniture was made to take a certain amount of use anyway and the covers just take away from the usability.

Under normal use, the screen should be OK as long as you are using it. And with prices dropping on these things, at least half of us will probably be replacing these within a year with X7's.

:D

[Kati Compton]

I see. Like taking a shower in a raincoat, eh? Where have I heard that before.... It's for your device's protection! ;)

:D

[GoldKey]

I see. Like taking a shower in a raincoat, eh? Where have I heard that before.... It's for your device's protection! ;)

:D

But if I am just a little careful with my DEVICE and what I do with it, I can enjoy lots of unprotected computing. :wink:

[robert_biggs]

My first PDA was the e310. I didn't get screen protectors at first because of the cost. But after less than a month, I started noticing scratches, some barely visible, some more obvious (my wife loved to play solitaire on it). I also noticed that the larger scratches affected my stylus's ability to drag items in applications across the screen (it would "bump" on the scratch and I'd lose the item I was dragging). I ended up returning that unit and getting a new e310. I also ordered Toshiba's screen protectors at the same time. The screen protector bubbled abit the first day or so, but then went away. After that, the screen protector was virtually invisible and I noticed less screen glare, especially under floresent light. When I took the screen protector off 2 months later to sell the e310 (to get the Axim) the screen looked as good as the day I took it out of the box. Definetely worth the investment IMO. :wink:

[Jhokur2k]

I see. Like taking a shower in a raincoat, eh? Where have I heard that before.... It's for your device's protection! ;)

:D

But if I am just a little careful with my DEVICE and what I do with it, I can enjoy lots of unprotected computing. :wink:

As long as you don't go sticking your device into any unknown I/O ports or playing with sharp instruments, I don't see how you could go wrong :P

[enemy2k2]

Hmmm, I like the idea of no screen protector, but if I do notice scratches ruining the experience then I may just change my mind. I have heard of people using clear vinyl or plastic sheets to make their own. I just found the link, I've had it for a while....

http://www.epinions.com/content_1950392452

Wouldn't mind knowing your thoughts on this.

[dr_doak]

First off, I'm still using the Handspring Visor Platinum that I bought a few years ago, so there may be some differences, but......

The WriteRight screen protectors I bought for it have been wonderful. They virtually prevent any fingerprints on the screen, have kept it clear of any scratches whatsoever, and claim to increase handwriting recognition (can't verify that part). Although it does not eliminate glare, it does diffuse it quite a bit. These protectors have a feel kinda like those 3m precision mousing surfaces (maybe a little finer grain).

Even better: their one year supply (12 pieces) is really like a 5 or more year supply... I have only used three sheets in the last 24 months.

[Pony99CA]

I see. Like taking a shower in a raincoat, eh?

Not even close. A raincoat would actually prevent the shower from having the desired effect, while I haven't had any problems using screen protectors.

And some people do wear shower caps in the shower. :-)

Pedantically yours,
Steve

[Rirath]

Must admit now that I've actually seen this incredible screen I'm scared to death of scuffing it... but ah well. I'd rather have a few years of slightly scuffed surface than a few years of a perfect screen through a piece of plastic I suppose. This stylus tip almost feels like rubber to me... that should help.

[Pony99CA]

Must admit now that I've actually seen this incredible screen I'm scared to death of scuffing it... but ah well. I'd rather have a few years of slightly scuffed surface than a few years of a perfect screen through a piece of plastic I suppose.
Years? You plan on using a Pocket PC more than a year? :lol:

Steve

[Rirath]

Years? You plan on using a Pocket PC more than a year?

Of course... not even my J525 is going anywhere. I can't convince myself to give it up.

[husky99]

Im using some e740 protectors, I have left over while I owned one. They work great. Though I can never put them on straight. I'm sure any of the 3.5" screen ones will work if you decide to get them at Best Buy or Comp USA.

[Sslixtis]

My .02 cents worth :lol:

I personally, am going to use the Dell screen protectors until The Pocket Solution get a Anodized Aluminium flip cover ready for the Axim, once I have a hard cover in place i'll go back to a bare screen. As long as you know where your stylus has been and take good care of it, it shouldn't adversely affect the screen, even without using protection :wink:

However, putting it in my pocket naked is out of the question. I can just picture some abrasive lint or something rubbing the screen while I walk around with my baby in my pocket, forever marring that beautiful screen 8O :cry:
I went sans screen protector with both my HP 568 and iPaq 3955 with no scratches, but both had a hard flip cover. :wink:

I know that at The Pocket Solution they are currently working on a flip cover for the Axim. Unfortunately, they couldn't get an early model so they had to wait to get one with the rest of us before they could start working on it. ETA is around the end of December the last I heard.

Cheers!

http://www.thepocketsolution.com/index.htm

[TheBacklash]

Did we come to the conclusion on which, if any, screen fits on a Dell?

I want to get some, but didn't order mine with them... figured that there has to be a similar size in the store already...

I use them on my ipaq, love em. excpet they don't fill up the entire screen... but then again how would you get them off?...
I figured I'd use the last of my ipaq screens and cut it down before I apply it...

But the Aluminum cover would be nice as well, hope they make one soon.

[Hx4700]

I used a G2 protector I bought for my Jornada 568. Fits perfect. Measured both screen with a metal ruler. Exactly the same down to the millimeter.
G2 are very clear and tough.
Ron...

[flipflop]

I've had good luck with a 3M product for protecting plastic called Scothgard Protective Gel, which I bought in an auto parts store. I have no problem with scratches (although I do not write on the screen), and I highly recommend this product or one similar to it to protect a bare screen. It just makes sense to provide a thin layer of gel protection between the stylus and screen. When the screen gets dirty, a thin layer of gel and a clean soft cloth clean it up nicely.

I'll continue to experiment with "plastic" screen protectors, but so far I haven't found any I like.