PDAJunkie Screen Protector Shout-Out

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.pdajunkie.net/index.html?sprotectorscompare.htm&2' target='_blank'>http://www.pdajunkie.net/index.html...rscompare.htm&2</a><br /><br /></div>"My Toshiba e740 is my life...With my life contained in this shiny metallic object, common sense stresses that you must protect this investment. I use a case from HandHeld Planet to protect my Toshiba e740 from scratches. The next logical step to protecting your investment is, of course, a screen protector. If you wish to keep your PDA in tip-top condition, you need to take measures and make sacrifices to prevent the screen from getting scratched. Naturally, I began seeking out screen protector options for my beloved PDA. I have had previous experience with the G2s from PDA Screen Protectors.com and it was not pleasant. While they were crystal clear, and caused absolutely no decrease in the clarity and brightness of the PDA's screen, they were a pain to install. I tackled with the screen protector for over half an hour, attempting to get it lodged under the sides of the PDA casing, and it resulted in a creased and ruined screen protector. From then forward, I vouched never to get a screen protector of the sort (being one that slides under the sides of the screen.) After researching some more, it became clear to me that there were three prime choices. Pocket PC Tech's WriteShields, Brando's Screen Protectors, and BoxWave's ClearTouches. Their prices vary, as does their performance. How do they stack up? Read on..."

[MPSmith]

A must-read review for anyone who is considering getting a screen protector. I suppose one could say that it would have been nice to include WriteRights or one of those 10 for $10 types, but the review was already 5,000 words! I've never seen a more more detailed and thorough review on screen protectors.

It's very rare to find someone who has extensively tested three rather expensive screen protectors. Most people buy one and stick to it. Of the three tested, I've only used the WriteShields myself and feel no need to try anything else. IMO, they rock!

One thing that is puzzling to me is why some people don't use a screen protector at all. Personally, I'd be scared to death everytime I touched my stylus to the screen!

Thanks for the great review...

Mike

[kfluet]

Good review.

I'll probably bite the bullet and order some WriteShields once I have gone through my package of Fellowes WriteRights.

I don't recommend the WriteRights. They are inexpensive, which is nice. I think I paid $22 Canadian (about $14 US) for a pack of 12 at Staples. I also think they are quite clear compared to many protectors since they don't have a non-glare surface. BUT, they don't come with anything other than the protector (and a cardboard credit-card like applicator), and they scratch really easily.

[kfluet]

One thing that is puzzling to me is why some people don't use a screen protector at all. Personally, I'd be scared to death everytime I touched my stylus to the screen!

I think that really depends on the screen. My Aero 1530 has been used pretty heavily for years (by me before my iPAQs and by my girlfriend since then) with no screen protector and there are no scratches on the screen at all. Screens are designed to be used without screen protectors.

The big reason I use a screen protector now is that I want to preserve the resale value of my 3970 as best I can.

[MPSmith]

Screens are designed to be used without screen protectors.

If you mean all screens are designed to be used without screen protectors, I disagree. Dell sells screen protectors as an accessory for the Axim. Of course I can't speak for every screen (eg, I've never used an Aero before).

Why someone would take a chance with a delicate and expensive item like a screen is beyond me, but if it works for you - go for it! :wink:

[dlangton]

I'm a bit surprised that NuShields weren't one of the products tested. A lot of people prefer these over the sticky type of screen protector.

[ctmagnus]

From the discussion at the bottom of the article:

I was mildly impressed with iConcepts' protectors, after having used WriteShields for a while. Very easy (imo) to apply/remove, but with some glare and they do scratch fairly easily. But they're cheap (money-wise)!

I find iConcepts to be better quality than WriteRights. I got some for Christmas and they can be bought at London Drugs.

[bbarker]

Screens are designed to be used without screen protectors.

If you mean all screens are designed to be used without screen protectors, I disagree. Dell sells screen protectors as an accessory for the Axim. Of course I can't speak for every screen (eg, I've never used an Aero before).

Why someone would take a chance with a delicate and expensive item like a screen is beyond me, but if it works for you - go for it! :wink:
HP sold screen protectors for the Jornada 540 series. I found they worked better than other brands on my 548 and I always used one. When the 560 series came out HP didn't offer a screen protector. One of the Jornada marketing people told me the difference in the screen made it difficult to create a screen protector that wouldn't negatively affect my 568's screen sensitivity and response.

I've tried WriteRights designed for the 560 but I didn't like them. Right now I'm not using anything. You can see slight scratches -- sort of a hazy area -- down in the area where I write using the Letter Recognizer. But I'm not really sure what to use on model.

One hugh advantage Jornadas have in screen protection is their hard, flip-up screen cover. I with some of the newer models offered one.

[PetiteFlower]

I'm a bit surprised that NuShields weren't one of the products tested. A lot of people prefer these over the sticky type of screen protector.

If that's one of the kind that slides under the case around the screen, the author said specifically that he didn't want to use that kind anymore because they were too hard to install.

[jet8810]

I am glad you all like the review! It is very pleasing to see that the effort spent writing this article have not been in vain. Now, on to the next review... :lol:

[bbarker]

I'm a bit surprised that NuShields weren't one of the products tested. A lot of people prefer these over the sticky type of screen protector.

If that's one of the kind that slides under the case around the screen, the author said specifically that he didn't want to use that kind anymore because they were too hard to install.
That's what kind HP sold for the Jornada 548. They worked great. Maybe that's because the PDA and the screen protector were designed for each other. It took a minute to figure out how to install them but once I did the process was pretty quick.

These were disposable. While it protected the screen, the protectors were easy to scratch.

[mv]

I'm a bit surprised that NuShields weren't one of the products tested. A lot of people prefer these over the sticky type of screen protector.

I have tried a lot of protectors... NuShields are the best!

[bljarv]

That was an exhaustive review well written.

My only observation is that I have been very pleased with my G2's on my iPAQ. I haven't ever bent one and have taken them on and off several times. Maybe I'm just lucky!

The other thing I really like about my G2 is the "naked" feel that they have. I tried several brands of cheapies that had the "tacky" feel to it and always despised them.

There, that's my 2 cents! I think the forbidden G2's are worth it. :roll:

[leximaea]

Perhaps I'm being too naive... but it is not easier (and cheaper) to make your own? For my ipac, I went to a fabric store and purchased 1/8 yard of clear vinyl. Cost me about 80 cents (usa) for enough to last the life of my ipac. Nice and clear, easy to apply and remove as there is no adhesive other than the natural cling of the vinyl, and wears very well. The hardest part was cutting straight lines and removing the lint from the screen to begin with...

[Drlbg]

I just installed Pocket PC Tech's WriteShields....very easy installation....very good feel when tapping with the stylus....very little, if any, loss of clarity....their whole system of cleaners, and lint free cloths are excellent.....

At least that's one man's opinion....

[Jonathon Watkins]

I'd go with that too. I just got a box of WriteShields, but one on my Axim and Voila!, nice clear crisp screen. I like it a lot.

Good review BTW. :P

[yodacai]

Are Boxwave and the Brando Protectors the same?

I have used Brando for awhile on my old e740, but when I got my new ipaq 1910, I wanted to try something different. I decided on the Boxwave (a little cheaper than the Writeshields for one). I was pretty excited when I received the package in the mail. Needless to say, I was pretty disappointed. The Boxwave is absolutely the exact same thing as the Brando... right down to the peel off backing... and they charge more! I wonder if they have the same supplier? A negative about the Boxwave is that it does not completely cover the whole screen from top to bottom unlike the Brando. Has anyone else had this problem? Anyway, I wish the Writeshield weren't so darn expensive :( .

[algester]

Must admit I like the G2's. But agree that they are not the easiest to use. I found easiest with my e570 is just undo the 6 screws holding the faceplate, lift it up, replace the G2 and reattach the faceplate. Its no big drama and usually only every six months or so. Eliminating the dust during the install is a major problem, but if you take your time it usually ends up ok. Becasue if you don't end up with the speck of dust for the next 6 months.

[bsoft]

Here's my sentiment on screen protectors.

I've tried screen protectors, but always end up taking them off. They always seem to make the screen less attractive, and I can't find a screen protector with the nice slick feeling of the iPaq (I actually like it).

My opinion is that I'd rather have a couple of scratches than put a pice of plastic over my beautiful screen. Scratches happen. You get used to them after a while.

[Crystal Eitle]

I'm using NuShield screen protectors on my HP 1910, and I like them pretty well. No real difference in performance or screen appearance. I tend to be pretty hard on objects, so any added level of protection is a must for me. I like that I can just throw my iPaq in my purse w/o worrying about the screen getting scratched.

(I made a really boneheaded move the first night I had my iPaq. I had this combination pen/stylus thingy and I accidentally used the pen part on the screen. I now have a nice scratch in the shape of a letter 'A' at the top of my screen (I was using Transcriber). D'oh!)

[ctmagnus]

I now have a nice scratch in the shape of a letter 'A' at the top of my screen (I was using Transcriber). D'oh!)

Apparently STP SonofaGun(sp?) works well to remove scratches on screens, but I've never tried it. The only screen I've ever scratched eventually was swapped with the rest of the unit on warranty and I've used screen protectors and been very careful ever since.