Lee Yuan Sheng
08-26-2010, 03:00 PM
<p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1278974891.usr15670.jpg" style="border: 0;" /></p><h6><strong>Product Category:</strong> DSLR LCD Screen Protector</h6><h6><strong>Manufacturer:</strong> GGS</h6><h6><strong>Where to Buy:</strong> <a href="http://shop.ebay.com/?_nkw=ggs+third+generation&_sacat=See-All-Categories" target="_blank">Ebay sellers</a></h6><h6><strong>Price:</strong> $15 to $20</h6><h6><strong>Supports:</strong> Currently available for Nikon D3/D3s, D700, D300/D300s and D90; for Canon, it's the EOS 1DIV/1DsIII, 5DII, 7D, EOS 40/50D, and EOS 500/550D (Rebel T1i/Rebel T2i)</h6><p><strong>Pros:</strong></p><ul><li>Hardened glass resistant to scratching</li><li>No worries about air bubbles like soft plastic protectors</li><li>Easy to clean</li></ul><p><strong>Cons:</strong></p><ul><li>Does not cut down glare</li><li>The other two protectors are stick-ons and feel a little superflous</li><li>Canon DSLR users might not like their version of the product</li></ul><p><strong>Summary:</strong> LCD screen protectors have come a long way since they first came along with PDAs, but they always have been pieces of plastic stuck onto the screen. GGS brings something new with their glass protectors, and the newest version is even removable. How does it fare? Read on!<MORE /></p><h1><strong></strong></h1><h1><strong>Introduction</strong></h1><p>GGS may not be a familiar name to you, but this Chinese company has been making camera LCD screen protectors for some time now. What makes them different? Unlike most screen protectors, they are made out of glass, and are meant to be scratch resistant. GGS has released a new version of their glass screen protectors, which I bought while down at a local camera store.</p><p>I've been plodding along with the Nikon supplied plastic protector, which eventually got scratched so badly it needed replacing, and the replacement is now showing scratches after a couple months' of use. Nikon, would you please make them using harder plastic?</p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1278972704.usr15670.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p><em>Figure 1: I count at least seven scratchs or marks there!</em></p><p>I never bought the previous versions of GGS's screen protectors, as they were applied via stick-on borders to the edges of the LCD. It strikes me as troublesome if I need to remove it for some reason, as <a href="http://reviews.davidleetong.com/reviews/review-ggs-glass-lcd-screen-protector-2/" target="_blank">this blog shows</a>. This time, GGS has decided to make them detachable; at least for the main LCD protector. For the Nikons GGS has made them to fit over the groves of the Nikon LCD protectors. For the Canons the solution is to make it a part that fits over the eyepiece which then extends downwards to the screen. Personally the Canon solution is not as elegant.</p><h1>The Product</h1><p>The package I bought comes with a protector for the main LCD screen, one for the secondary status LCD (which is the same as the one from the previous version), and a protector that sits over the optical viewfinder. The latter two protectors use the stick-on borders which I mentioned earlier, so that's a small minus. Then again I am less concerned about those two parts! GGS mentions the glass has a Mohs hardness rating of 8, so it should resist scratches from many everyday objects.</p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1278972728.usr15670.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p><em>Figure 2: On the left is the viewfinder protector at the top, followed by the status LCD protector at the bottom. On the right is the main LCD protector.</em></p><h1><PAGE /></h1><h1>Installation</h1><p>Installation is not terribly hard. For the main screen, just put it on like the Nikon original. It was a bit harder to fit, but not worringly so. The secondary status protector was installed by peeling off the backing covering the adhesive, aligning it up, then sticking it on. I confess I've never been the best at these things, so I screwed up the application for the secondary status LCD by misaligning it quite a bit. Luckily the adhesive does not set immediately, and I managed to correct most of my error before pressing it down.</p><p>The viewfinder protector is installed similarly, except that the rubber "eyecup" (Nikon's term, not mine, as I hardly consider it as one) has to be removed first. Since the protector adds a bit of thickness over where the eyecup slides into, it can be quite a tight fit. I did not have any problems with my third-party right-angle finder, but those who use eyepiece accessories, consider yourself forewarned.</p><h1>First Impressions</h1><p>Well, it looks pretty good, I have to say. It does not obscure any part of the screen, and the decision to use black for the plastic is a good one. It looks really well-integrated to the camera! While I have yet to test it in the field, it seems to behave similarly to the original Nikon BM-6 piece, which means it will be just as reflective. Photographers looking for a anti-glare solution will need to look elsewhere. An upside is that smudges clean off easily enough; a few wipes with my shirt does the job.</p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1278972767.usr15670.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p><em>Figure 3: Looks clean.</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1278972792.usr15670.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p><em>Figure 4: Light </em><em>transmission</em><em> seems to be none worse.</em></p><h1>Wrap up</h1><p>While only available via Ebay sellers for most buyers at this moment, the price for this is certainly worth it if you are looking for some screen protection for your camera, especially if it is a Nikon DSLR with the requisite grooves for the original plastic screen protectors. For Canon users, you will need to decide if you are agree with the one-piece design hanging off your eyepiece. Overall, I think it is at least worth a look.</p><p><em>Lee Yuan Sheng has been playing with cameras for more than 17 years now, and has spent the last 9 of those 17 years complaining about the Nikon protectors, as they went from opaque to translucent to clear-but-softer-than-butter.</em></p><p><em></em><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com//ppct/auto/1240336793.usr1.gif" /></p><p><strong>Do you enjoy using new hardware, software and accessories, then sharing your experience with others? Then join us on the <a href="http://www.thoughtsmedia.com/reviewteam.php" target="_blank">Thoughts Media Review Team</a>! We're looking for individuals who find it fun to test new gear and give their honest opinions about the experience. It's a volunteer role with some great perks. Interested? <a href="http://www.thoughtsmedia.com/reviewteam.php" target="_blank">Then click here for more information.</a></strong></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com//ppct/auto/1240336793.usr1.gif" /></p>