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dpw

dpw

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#59962 15-Apr-2010 16:01
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What do everyone use for theirs, and where is a good (and cheap?) source for these things?

Taa,
D.




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Linuxluver
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  #319110 15-Apr-2010 22:49
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I don't use a screen protector. Instead, I never put my touch screen devices in places / situations where the screen will not be scratched. They never go in my pocket with keys or coins or any other item. Not even paper. If they are in a pocket, they are alone. 

My HTC Magic hasn't got a scratch on it after 9 months because it's always either in my shirt pocket, my trouser pocket or a my jacket pocket...and always alone. 

The screens don't scratch unless you put the phone next to something that will scratch them. I don't do that. Luckily, I guess, I don't have a job that sees my pockets full of dirt or gravel.....though I have kept my phone in a zip-lock plastic sandwich bag when I think I might not be able to control the amount of sand and grit I'll be facing in a day.

But for anyone with a clerical / office-based job, I see no need for screen protectors if you put some thought into where you keep your phone when it's not on your ear. The best screen protector is the owner and a soft cotton pocket or three.   

I did buy a protector shell for my iPod Touch...and the plastic is scratched to hell and the grit that gets between the plastic and the device leaves little scratches. I should have just used my (otherwise empty)  pockets. 

I probably sound grumpy....and maybe I am.....but I don't see how you can scratch the screen if you handle the thing with thought and respect. 




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dpw

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  #319181 16-Apr-2010 07:02
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I'm the opposite - I have had my HTC Touch Cruise and E71 with screen protectors, each for approximately 1 year. Both had absolutely no problems, no grits, screens in perfect condition, plastic only had minor scratches. I treat my phones with respect but screen protector is a form of insurance. I need a phone - not a small baby that I have to wrap in cotton wool!




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Linuxluver
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  #319189 16-Apr-2010 07:52
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I need a phone - not a small baby that I have to wrap in cotton wool!


:-)  

My pockets aren't cotton wool by a long stretch. They're just pockets like you'd find on any pair of trousers bought anywhere. I take no special precautions other than not putting two things in the same pocket. 

Serious questions:

Do you find screen protectors work OK with touch-sensitive surfaces?  
Do they add glare? 
Are they sticky to the touch or do they allow the finger to slide on the surface as it would on the glass? 

I've not needed them so far, but if I did, how would these things play out? 




 




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Handsomedan
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  #319197 16-Apr-2010 08:29
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I've stopped using screen protectors. On my Nikoa touchscreen, I felt i needed it as it was plastic and to be honest, it did its job OK, as the screen was resistive, so there was no issue with useability.

My iPhone is a different kettle of fish. The screen protector I used reduced the "feeling" I had, smudged far worse and was harder to clean than the nice glass surface of the iPhone.




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askelon
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  #319207 16-Apr-2010 08:48
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Ive always used screen protectors on my touchscreen phones. Just steer clear of the rubbery type ones - they work really badly. Last one I got was off trademe with a silicon case. Was cheap and works fine..

Linuxluver
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  #319210 16-Apr-2010 09:03
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 My iPhone is a different kettle of fish. The screen protector I used reduced the "feeling" I had, smudged far worse and was harder to clean than the nice glass surface of the iPhone.


There is a great video on YouTube of a guy trying to damage the glass on his iPod Touch. He takes to it with razor blades and car keys.....and not a scratch.

I didn't worry about it after that. The glass on my iPod Touch is still flawless 15 months later.  But I keep it in a side pocket on my shoulder bag. ;-) 




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dpw

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  #319215 16-Apr-2010 09:19
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Linuxluver:
There is a great video on YouTube of a guy trying to damage the glass on his iPod Touch. He takes to it with razor blades and car keys.....and not a scratch.

I didn't worry about it after that. The glass on my iPod Touch is still flawless 15 months later.  But I keep it in a side pocket on my shoulder bag. ;-) 


Ah yes, I remember that video well :o) I can understand not wanting to use screen protector on iPhone after seeing that. Can't say I've seen such videos on other touchscreen phones...haven't looked too hard though...




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pih

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  #320144 19-Apr-2010 10:44
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I've used three types of protectors on my Nexus One - first was a cheap one from ebay that came with a silicone-like shell (which I use to this day, and has saved my phone from several drops so far - highly recommended). This protector got a cut in it from an as-yet unidentified source (could have been the 2-year old with a pair of scissors :/).

Second was a Zagg protector - lifetime warranty if you order from Zagg, great in terms of durability, terrible in terms of usability (worse than the cheapie imho), but maybe just because it was my first attempt at applying one. Felt a bit "sticky" when trying to swipe across it, constantly got very greasy and had a slight orange-peel texture to it (Google it, this is a common problem with Zagg screen protectors).

Third and final is Phantom Skinz - highly recommended. Came with TWO protectors for almost half the price of one Zagg, lifetime warranty, made of the same material as the Zagg (blah blah, protects helicopter blades, blah blah). Slightly easier to apply, less sticky, smoother finish. Love that my N1 is nicely protected on all sides now.

Having said all that, I have to say in terms of usability that a naked N1 is FAR better than using a screen protector - more responsive touchscreen, less finger-grease smudging (strangely), no lint picked up around the edges of the screen, no peeling, no need to apply a liquid to your brand spanking new (and expensive) toy, etc, etc. But with the amount of hammering my phone gets it's a small sacrifice, now that I've got Phantom Skinz.

Oh, and if you're ever ordering one, be sure to Google discount codes, you can always get 15-30%, sometimes up to 50% off with their seasonal discount codes - saves even more. Just a satisfied customer.

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  #320147 19-Apr-2010 10:53
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pih: I've used three types of protectors on my Nexus One - first was a cheap one from ebay that came with a silicone-like shell (which I use to this day, and has saved my phone from several drops so far - highly recommended). This protector got a cut in it from an as-yet unidentified source (could have been the 2-year old with a pair of scissors :/).

Second was a Zagg protector - lifetime warranty if you order from Zagg, great in terms of durability, terrible in terms of usability (worse than the cheapie imho), but maybe just because it was my first attempt at applying one. Felt a bit "sticky" when trying to swipe across it, constantly got very greasy and had a slight orange-peel texture to it (Google it, this is a common problem with Zagg screen protectors).

Third and final is Phantom Skinz - highly recommended. Came with TWO protectors for almost half the price of one Zagg, lifetime warranty, made of the same material as the Zagg (blah blah, protects helicopter blades, blah blah). Slightly easier to apply, less sticky, smoother finish. Love that my N1 is nicely protected on all sides now.

Having said all that, I have to say in terms of usability that a naked N1 is FAR better than using a screen protector - more responsive touchscreen, less finger-grease smudging (strangely), no lint picked up around the edges of the screen, no peeling, no need to apply a liquid to your brand spanking new (and expensive) toy, etc, etc. But with the amount of hammering my phone gets it's a small sacrifice, now that I've got Phantom Skinz.

Oh, and if you're ever ordering one, be sure to Google discount codes, you can always get 15-30%, sometimes up to 50% off with their seasonal discount codes - saves even more. Just a satisfied customer.


I got the Zagg. Primo from day one.. You just have to know how to apply it. Didnt reduce feeling, great for smudges etc.

However ordered one for girls 3GS, 3 times they couldn't ship it to NZ, kept telling me the address didn't exist.  Retards...

dpw

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  #320158 19-Apr-2010 11:09
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Wow - both the Phantom Skinz and Zagg look interesting. I never thought about full body coverage like that. I'd love to give Phantom Skinz a try but they don't seem to have one for the HTC Desire yet...

Then again, who knows when my phone will actually leave the UK - by that stage PS may well have produced one Wink




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pih

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  #320163 19-Apr-2010 11:19
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dpw: Wow - both the Phantom Skinz and Zagg look interesting. I never thought about full body coverage like that. I'd love to give Phantom Skinz a try but they don't seem to have one for the HTC Desire yet...

Then again, who knows when my phone will actually leave the UK - by that stage PS may well have produced one Wink


Shouldn't be long, you can probably preorder one and as soon as the design is finalised they'll cut the stock and send it out.  I don't have the full body protection, but from a few places I've read that often the corner pieces don't stay on for long, maybe a month or so at the most then they start to peel off - unfortunately, corners are where you need the most protection (esp. for dropping).  I recommend the semi-hard protectors, if you don't mind the extra bulk. You can get them cheap off ebay (I used trader DCMUGEN - highly recommended).  Again, the ones designed for the Desire should be out very shortly.

dpw

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  #320165 19-Apr-2010 11:26
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pih:
Shouldn't be long, you can probably preorder one and as soon as the design is finalised they'll cut the stock and send it out.  I don't have the full body protection, but from a few places I've read that often the corner pieces don't stay on for long, maybe a month or so at the most then they start to peel off - unfortunately, corners are where you need the most protection (esp. for dropping).  I recommend the semi-hard protectors, if you don't mind the extra bulk. You can get them cheap off ebay (I used trader DCMUGEN - highly recommended).  Again, the ones designed for the Desire should be out very shortly.


So you only got screen protector from Phantom Skinz, and some kind of shell from eBay? What's the product called on eBay? I can't seem to search for that trader's name.




Android user, software developer, a semi-typical (not a gamer) geek, and a Bernese Mountain Dog nut!

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pih

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  #320168 19-Apr-2010 11:32
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Got the referral from Ichiu7 initialy (thanks, if you're watching the thread!), but here's the link to the guy's store: http://stores.ebay.com/DCMUGEN. I think his cases all come with screen protectors (the aforementioned "cheapies" - but they're not bad if all you're after is basic protection).

Unfortunately, a search for "desire" yeilded no results.

dpw

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  #320179 19-Apr-2010 11:50
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pih: Got the referral from Ichiu7 initialy (thanks, if you're watching the thread!), but here's the link to the guy's store: http://stores.ebay.com/DCMUGEN. I think his cases all come with screen protectors (the aforementioned "cheapies" - but they're not bad if all you're after is basic protection).

Unfortunately, a search for "desire" yeilded no results.


Thanks for that - I shall keep an eye for those. Having said that, there are quite a few vendors selling those silicon-type skins. Don't they add considerable bulk to your phone? The kinda look bulky - I'm guessing it's about 0.5 to 1 mm thick?




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pih

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  #320203 19-Apr-2010 12:47
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dpw:
Thanks for that - I shall keep an eye for those. Having said that, there are quite a few vendors selling those silicon-type skins. Don't they add considerable bulk to your phone? The kinda look bulky - I'm guessing it's about 0.5 to 1 mm thick?


Yeah, they are ugly, they hide the beauty of the device, they add bulk, they can't be cradled in anything except a generic cradle/car clip ... but on the other hand they do a great job at keeping your device (mostly) pristine.  Helps with resale value and just makes it last longer.  I also find that because there is a bit of a lip around the front of the device, if you place it face-down on a desk or other hard surface it keeps the screen off the surface which I'm sure helps prevent scratches from dust/dirt/sand -- Imagine the horror if you drop the phone on the ground, and in your haste to stop it hitting the ground too hard you try and catch it on your foot, only to kick it across the floor (something I did a couple of times with my old phone, not this one yet, luckily!). That extra bulk would pay for itself a hundred times over right there.  Yep, it's fat, ugly, bulky, but *cheap* insurance :)

It's about 1mm thick all over, perhaps slightly more around the edge. The one I have is not silicone, I've read that the pure silicone ones pick up dust, this one doesn't.  It's slightly firmer than silicone and not sticky to the touch at all.

Some pics of mine:
http://i39.tinypic.com/1enx2e.jpg
http://i40.tinypic.com/2j3sd38.jpg
http://i43.tinypic.com/5vx9a1.jpg
http://i39.tinypic.com/6jizw4.jpg

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