iPad Screen Protectors

mvaldeslora · 04-09-2010, 01:38 PM

Not exactly an e-book kind of question but has anyone bought a screen protector like one of those from ZAGG? Any impact - plus or minus - on image quality, be it video, pictures, for e-reading, etc? Thanks again.

Donnageddon · 04-09-2010, 01:48 PM

... and any degradation of touch screen response?

Neil · 04-09-2010, 02:25 PM

I have on my iPhone and there is no degradation of anhthing. On the iPad Apple specifically has said that the new coating obviates the need for a screen protector. However Apple doesn't live in my house and I can't imagine not putting a screen protector on my new iPad. I have one on order, we'll see how it does!

scottjl · 04-09-2010, 06:40 PM

don't waste your money on zagg. go to www.bestskinsever.com and get the same thing for half the price. seriously. i used to buy zagg years ago (when they were invisible shield). best skins ever popped up as a competitor. they both use the same 3M manufactured film. BSE charges easily half the price of zagg and their customer service is top notch. i've spent over $200 with them over the past few years. not affiliated with them in any way, but a very satisfied customer.

oh. and my skins from BSE arrived today. i have the front and back skins. i know i'll apply the front skin, i like the surface feel better than the naked glass. i'm undecided about the back skin because i use apple's slip-cover/case.

Bitgod · 04-09-2010, 08:33 PM

I happened to have won some invisibleshield protectors for my ipad, but I probably won't use them, I've always stayed away from these things that require a liquid to be used. I've always used dry screen protectors like from boxwave, I may just go back to them.

Wow, I do like the price on that BSE, especially since I really just want the front screen protectors. ...eh, now that I've read the FAQ, I see they use liquid. Back to boxwave.

scottjl · 04-09-2010, 10:12 PM

they don't really use a liquid. it's not like you dunk your ipad in water and then apply the film. you do dunk the film in water and shake it mostly dry and then apply it to the screen. i have been using these types of films on devices for 8 years now and never had an issue where liquid seeped into the device and ruined it. i honestly get film for any gadget (and i have plenty) that has a screen either before my purchase or soon after. the customer service at BSE has been great about custom-cutting films for me for some of my more unusual devices. i even helped them develop the proper fit film for a GPS (i was their first customer who asked for it for a new model, they sent me some test films based on the dimensions i measured, then we refined them and they sent me some finished films for free).

the 3M film (that both BSE and Zagg use) really is the best protection i've found. it was developed by 3M and is pretty damn near scratch proof unless you're using using a spike to push through the stuff. i think Zagg has some video clips of people trying to puncture the stuff.

i will say i generally replace mine every year on my iphone as it tends to discolor after that time, but on my other gadgets i've rarely, if ever, replaced it.

i much prefer the slightly rubbery texture over the slippery naked glass. just don't care for the glass against my finger.

Drybonz · 04-10-2010, 06:56 PM

I have been through quite a few mobile devices and have tried many different screen protectors.

I have used the Zagg Invisible Shield a bit, but the one I like the best, and currently have on my iPad is the Bodyguardz screen protector. The application method is the same as the Zagg, but the surface is much nicer and doesn't have that slightly ripply effect like the Zagg. I find it easier to apply as well.

None of these screen protectors negatively affect the touch response of the screens of any device I have used them on at all.

Hope this information is useful.

*edit* I should add that if you are afraid to apply these you can go to a Best Buy that sells the Zagg Invisible Shields and they will apply them for you for a fee. They are really pretty easy to apply though. I still recommend the Bodyguardz though, but you will have to apply it yourself.

Lotus Esprit · 04-11-2010, 09:05 AM

Why do you think that Apple has removed all screen protectors from their retial stores?

Bremen Cole · 04-11-2010, 09:42 AM

I used to be a big screen protector kind of guy. But over the years I quit using them, and found that my screens held up just fine. So no screen protector for ye 'ol "Flattop" (yes, my iPad has a name).

With the extra screen coating I think it will be fine without it,,,, OTOH ... I don't have kids in the house.....

scottjl · 05-02-2010, 04:09 PM

if you're looking for "good looking" skins, something with artwork, you probably can't beat decal girl

JSWolf · 05-10-2010, 07:11 PM

skins are off topic here.

ylsul · 05-11-2010, 01:50 PM

Can anyone tell me *what* is in that bottle that the zagg-like kits come with? Is it toxic?
If I need to remove or replace the screen protector, does it leave any residue?
(and are these things anti-glare...or is that just a marketing term nowadays?)

thanks!

scottjl · 05-11-2010, 02:22 PM

probably some combination of ethyl alcohol, water (distilled and/or deionized) and maybe propylene glycol. typically what most "screen cleaner solutions" are made of.

dmaul1114 · 05-11-2010, 02:40 PM

Do any of these help with glare under fluorescent lights and/or fingerprints?

Those are two problems my girlfriend has with her iPad. Glare under lights in her office, and having to wipe finger prints off all the time which show up badly since the screen is so glossy.

shiffy · 05-11-2010, 04:22 PM

I have the power support anti-glare screen protector, which I find does a pretty good job reducing glare without affecting the image quality in any real way. It's a bit tricky to get it down without any air bubbles (most of the bubbles smooth out relatively easily, but if there's a speck of dust underneath it can't be smoothed out till it's removed)). I find that an anti-glare protector also helps to use it outdoors. It's not great directly under the sun, but with the brightness cranked up to full, it's definitively usable in indirect sunlight (e.g., under the sun, but with the sun not directly shining on the screen).

Oh and it also helps with fingerprints. Doesn't eliminate them, but it's much better than without it.

04-09-2010, 01:38 PM	#1
mvaldeslora Junior Member Posts: 9 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: iPod & iPad	Screen Protectors Not exactly an e-book kind of question but has anyone bought a screen protector like one of those from ZAGG? Any impact - plus or minus - on image quality, be it video, pictures, for e-reading, etc? Thanks again.

04-09-2010, 06:40 PM	#4
scottjl Reader of Books Posts: 1,632 Karma: 2697 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: none	don't waste your money on zagg. go to www.bestskinsever.com and get the same thing for half the price. seriously. i used to buy zagg years ago (when they were invisible shield). best skins ever popped up as a competitor. they both use the same 3M manufactured film. BSE charges easily half the price of zagg and their customer service is top notch. i've spent over $200 with them over the past few years. not affiliated with them in any way, but a very satisfied customer. oh. and my skins from BSE arrived today. i have the front and back skins. i know i'll apply the front skin, i like the surface feel better than the naked glass. i'm undecided about the back skin because i use apple's slip-cover/case. Last edited by scottjl; 04-09-2010 at 07:04 PM.

04-10-2010, 06:56 PM	#7
Drybonz Connoisseur Posts: 57 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: iPad	I have been through quite a few mobile devices and have tried many different screen protectors. I have used the Zagg Invisible Shield a bit, but the one I like the best, and currently have on my iPad is the Bodyguardz screen protector. The application method is the same as the Zagg, but the surface is much nicer and doesn't have that slightly ripply effect like the Zagg. I find it easier to apply as well. None of these screen protectors negatively affect the touch response of the screens of any device I have used them on at all. Hope this information is useful. edit I should add that if you are afraid to apply these you can go to a Best Buy that sells the Zagg Invisible Shields and they will apply them for you for a fee. They are really pretty easy to apply though. I still recommend the Bodyguardz though, but you will have to apply it yourself. Last edited by Drybonz; 04-10-2010 at 06:59 PM.

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04-09-2010, 01:48 PM	#2
Donnageddon Now you lishen here... Posts: 2,494 Karma: 479498 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Seattle-ish Device: Sony PRS-650. Kobo Touch, Kindle Fire	... and any degradation of touch screen response?

04-09-2010, 02:25 PM	#3
Neil Addict Posts: 225 Karma: 10932816 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: iPad Mini 6, iPad Air, Kindles HD 8, HD 10, Oasis 3, Scribe, PB Color	I have on my iPhone and there is no degradation of anhthing. On the iPad Apple specifically has said that the new coating obviates the need for a screen protector. However Apple doesn't live in my house and I can't imagine not putting a screen protector on my new iPad. I have one on order, we'll see how it does!

04-09-2010, 08:33 PM	#5
Bitgod Enthusiast Posts: 36 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sacramento Device: iPad / PRS-600 / iPhone 3G	I happened to have won some invisibleshield protectors for my ipad, but I probably won't use them, I've always stayed away from these things that require a liquid to be used. I've always used dry screen protectors like from boxwave, I may just go back to them. Wow, I do like the price on that BSE, especially since I really just want the front screen protectors. ...eh, now that I've read the FAQ, I see they use liquid. Back to boxwave.

04-09-2010, 10:12 PM	#6
scottjl Reader of Books Posts: 1,632 Karma: 2697 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: none	they don't really use a liquid. it's not like you dunk your ipad in water and then apply the film. you do dunk the film in water and shake it mostly dry and then apply it to the screen. i have been using these types of films on devices for 8 years now and never had an issue where liquid seeped into the device and ruined it. i honestly get film for any gadget (and i have plenty) that has a screen either before my purchase or soon after. the customer service at BSE has been great about custom-cutting films for me for some of my more unusual devices. i even helped them develop the proper fit film for a GPS (i was their first customer who asked for it for a new model, they sent me some test films based on the dimensions i measured, then we refined them and they sent me some finished films for free). the 3M film (that both BSE and Zagg use) really is the best protection i've found. it was developed by 3M and is pretty damn near scratch proof unless you're using using a spike to push through the stuff. i think Zagg has some video clips of people trying to puncture the stuff. i will say i generally replace mine every year on my iphone as it tends to discolor after that time, but on my other gadgets i've rarely, if ever, replaced it. i much prefer the slightly rubbery texture over the slippery naked glass. just don't care for the glass against my finger.

04-11-2010, 09:05 AM	#8
Lotus Esprit Addict Posts: 214 Karma: 646 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: iPad	Why do you think that Apple has removed all screen protectors from their retial stores?

04-11-2010, 09:42 AM	#9
Bremen Cole Wizard Posts: 1,115 Karma: 2718 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Texas Device: iPad	I used to be a big screen protector kind of guy. But over the years I quit using them, and found that my screens held up just fine. So no screen protector for ye 'ol "Flattop" (yes, my iPad has a name). With the extra screen coating I think it will be fine without it,,,, OTOH ... I don't have kids in the house.....

05-02-2010, 04:09 PM	#10
scottjl Reader of Books Posts: 1,632 Karma: 2697 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: none	if you're looking for "good looking" skins, something with artwork, you probably can't beat decal girl

05-10-2010, 07:11 PM	#11
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,887 Karma: 128597114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	skins are off topic here.

05-11-2010, 01:50 PM	#12
ylsul Connoisseur Posts: 76 Karma: 53 Join Date: Mar 2007	Can anyone tell me what is in that bottle that the zagg-like kits come with? Is it toxic? If I need to remove or replace the screen protector, does it leave any residue? (and are these things anti-glare...or is that just a marketing term nowadays?) thanks!

05-11-2010, 02:22 PM	#13
scottjl Reader of Books Posts: 1,632 Karma: 2697 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: none	probably some combination of ethyl alcohol, water (distilled and/or deionized) and maybe propylene glycol. typically what most "screen cleaner solutions" are made of.

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05-11-2010, 02:40 PM	#14
dmaul1114 Wizard Posts: 2,300 Karma: 1121709 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Amazon Kindle 1	Do any of these help with glare under fluorescent lights and/or fingerprints? Those are two problems my girlfriend has with her iPad. Glare under lights in her office, and having to wipe finger prints off all the time which show up badly since the screen is so glossy.

05-11-2010, 04:22 PM	#15
shiffy Member Posts: 19 Karma: 143 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: DR800SG	I have the power support anti-glare screen protector, which I find does a pretty good job reducing glare without affecting the image quality in any real way. It's a bit tricky to get it down without any air bubbles (most of the bubbles smooth out relatively easily, but if there's a speck of dust underneath it can't be smoothed out till it's removed)). I find that an anti-glare protector also helps to use it outdoors. It's not great directly under the sun, but with the brightness cranked up to full, it's definitively usable in indirect sunlight (e.g., under the sun, but with the sun not directly shining on the screen). Oh and it also helps with fingerprints. Doesn't eliminate them, but it's much better than without it.