Do e-ink screens need a screen protector?

pda_junkie · 06-07-2010, 08:06 AM

I'm waiting on my first ebook reader and would like some feedback on this. I searched the forums and it seems like some people are using them on lcd screens but not much mention of e-ink screens.

Are screen protectors necessary?

pthwaite · 06-07-2010, 08:11 AM

Depends what you mean. Generally, the screen has a glass substrate which is breakable and therefore you need to protect it. A good case with a front cover is essential in my view for this.
If you mean a plastic front sheet you stick over the device screen to protect the screen from scratches, I haven't used any on my Sony or irex and see no need to. I don't tend to touch the Sony and the stylus on the irex doesn't scratch it. Other users may use such a screen but it won't stop the screen from breaking if you drop it etc.

H

Trebro · 06-07-2010, 08:49 AM

I opted not to get a screen. I have a case to cover the front, and I want my reading screen to be as clear as possible.

HarryT · 06-07-2010, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pthwaite

Depends what you mean. Generally, the screen has a glass substrate which is breakable and therefore you need to protect it.

Although that's true, that substrate is beneath the outer screen of the device. I've certainly never used a screen protector on any of my (many) readers.

aagstn · 06-07-2010, 09:29 AM

When I bought the nook they recommended one of those stick on screen protectors, but all they do is make the clear eink screen cloudy looking. I'll take my chances with scratches.

suecsi · 06-07-2010, 11:18 AM

I find this too. Quite apart from the challenge of getting it on there without bubbles, I find my PRS505 screen protector makes it look 'dirty', less clear and almost more reflective (whch was strange as I specifically bought a matt one).

I wouldn't buy one again.

Rich_D · 06-07-2010, 12:47 PM

I don't think it's necessary for an e-ink screen. Maybe for the lcd portion on a nook, but not for the e-ink portion. They don't offer any protection from breakage and if you aren't touching it, then you won't need protection from scratches.

Guns4Hire · 06-07-2010, 01:58 PM

Pocketbook360 comes with its own cover (hard plastic). So while it doesn't protect it while you are reading (attaches on the back) it does while you are not.

alecE · 06-07-2010, 03:50 PM

I use a tuff-luv case to protect my 505 against impact. No problems with scratches (so far) so the screen is unclothed.

Critteranne · 06-08-2010, 01:05 AM

I don't know if this would work for e-ink devices, but you can make your own screen protectors by buying thin plastic sheeting at a craft or fabric store (like Michael's). I made some for one of my Palms. They are a pain to cut at just the right length -- my Dad made a template and then cut some out for me. But they were a lot cheaper than the commercial ones.

pda_junkie · 06-09-2010, 08:54 AM

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Looks like overwhelming "no" so I'll try it without and see how it goes.

angelbleu · 06-10-2010, 04:23 AM

In my opinion, a screen protector would only be required for "touch" devices.

If you're never going to be touching your screen with something like a stylus, I don't see any reason for a screen protector.

I've used protectors for all my Palm and Windows Mobile PDAs, but not for my Kindle.

gastan · 06-10-2010, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Critteranne

I made some for one of my Palms. They are a pain to cut at just the right length -- my Dad made a template and then cut some out for me. But they were a lot cheaper than the commercial ones.

If you made them what would you call what your dad did?

Critteranne · 06-10-2010, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gastan

If you made them what would you call what your dad did?

The actual work?

JLYates · 06-13-2010, 03:32 PM

I bought at Wal-Mart a static cling scrren protector, it is supposed to cut down glare and protect the touch screen.

I didn't check and realized after I got home that it fits the 505 and 700 series (sony) and Kindle 1 and 2 (not DX). But I am going to try it anyhow.

So I guess in a few weeks I can give some feedback as to how it does.

Janette

06-07-2010, 08:06 AM	#1
pda_junkie Enthusiast Posts: 36 Karma: 10922 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Pocketbook 360, Kobo Glo	Do e-ink screens need a screen protector? I'm waiting on my first ebook reader and would like some feedback on this. I searched the forums and it seems like some people are using them on lcd screens but not much mention of e-ink screens. Are screen protectors necessary?

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06-07-2010, 08:11 AM	#2
pthwaite Fanatic Posts: 597 Karma: 430 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Ellesmere Port, UK Device: DR1000S Sony PRS505 iPad iPhone	Depends what you mean. Generally, the screen has a glass substrate which is breakable and therefore you need to protect it. A good case with a front cover is essential in my view for this. If you mean a plastic front sheet you stick over the device screen to protect the screen from scratches, I haven't used any on my Sony or irex and see no need to. I don't tend to touch the Sony and the stylus on the irex doesn't scratch it. Other users may use such a screen but it won't stop the screen from breaking if you drop it etc. H

06-07-2010, 08:49 AM	#3
Trebro Connoisseur Posts: 84 Karma: 14 Join Date: May 2010 Device: nook	I opted not to get a screen. I have a case to cover the front, and I want my reading screen to be as clear as possible.

06-07-2010, 09:29 AM	#5
aagstn Evangelist Posts: 422 Karma: 1004351 Join Date: Jun 2007 Device: Kindle Paperwhite 3, iPad mini 2	When I bought the nook they recommended one of those stick on screen protectors, but all they do is make the clear eink screen cloudy looking. I'll take my chances with scratches.

06-07-2010, 11:18 AM	#6
suecsi Rock Chick Posts: 429 Karma: 4965 Join Date: May 2009 Location: near Heathrow Device: Kindle 2i, Kindle DX, Kindle 3G	I find this too. Quite apart from the challenge of getting it on there without bubbles, I find my PRS505 screen protector makes it look 'dirty', less clear and almost more reflective (whch was strange as I specifically bought a matt one). I wouldn't buy one again.

06-07-2010, 12:47 PM	#7
Rich_D Fanatic Posts: 581 Karma: 1314896 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, PA USA Device: Android phone, Kobo Glo HD, nook ST with Glo (backup)	I don't think it's necessary for an e-ink screen. Maybe for the lcd portion on a nook, but not for the e-ink portion. They don't offer any protection from breakage and if you aren't touching it, then you won't need protection from scratches.

06-07-2010, 01:58 PM	#8
Guns4Hire Reading...Since 1970 Posts: 610 Karma: 7819 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nova Air C, Nova Pro, LifebookMars, BoyueT62+ Glowlight, NST, PB360	Pocketbook360 comes with its own cover (hard plastic). So while it doesn't protect it while you are reading (attaches on the back) it does while you are not.

06-07-2010, 03:50 PM	#9
alecE Evangelist Posts: 412 Karma: 546196 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: UK canal boat Device: sony prs505, prs650, kobo Glo HD liseuses	I use a tuff-luv case to protect my 505 against impact. No problems with scratches (so far) so the screen is unclothed.

06-08-2010, 01:05 AM	#10
Critteranne Guru Posts: 795 Karma: 21143414 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: MD Device: Kindle, iPad	I don't know if this would work for e-ink devices, but you can make your own screen protectors by buying thin plastic sheeting at a craft or fabric store (like Michael's). I made some for one of my Palms. They are a pain to cut at just the right length -- my Dad made a template and then cut some out for me. But they were a lot cheaper than the commercial ones.

06-09-2010, 08:54 AM	#11
pda_junkie Enthusiast Posts: 36 Karma: 10922 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Pocketbook 360, Kobo Glo	Thanks for the feedback everyone. Looks like overwhelming "no" so I'll try it without and see how it goes.

06-10-2010, 04:23 AM	#12
angelbleu Enthusiast Posts: 41 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Korea (South) Device: Blackberry Bold	In my opinion, a screen protector would only be required for "touch" devices. If you're never going to be touching your screen with something like a stylus, I don't see any reason for a screen protector. I've used protectors for all my Palm and Windows Mobile PDAs, but not for my Kindle.

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06-13-2010, 03:32 PM	#15
JLYates Connoisseur Posts: 71 Karma: 44 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Sony 900BC	I bought at Wal-Mart a static cling scrren protector, it is supposed to cut down glare and protect the touch screen. I didn't check and realized after I got home that it fits the 505 and 700 series (sony) and Kindle 1 and 2 (not DX). But I am going to try it anyhow. So I guess in a few weeks I can give some feedback as to how it does. Janette