Dear all,

This is written to clear some myths and general confusion about screen protectors (aka SPs). Some of us dont understand why we have to fork out good money for a flimsy little piece of plastic, or some think that any protection is good protection, etc.

All about Screen Protectors:

1) Intro - Why do I need a SP:
i) For starters, the screen protector is easily the most important & worthy accessory that you can ever buy for your Pocket PC.
ii) Most obvious reason is to shield & protect your LCD screen from your writing stylus as well as other sources of scratches (note that without one, it is inevitable that your actual LCD screen will be scratched over time due to prolonged friction with the stylus).
iii) Make your LCD easier to clean (i.e. usually able to wipe off fingerprints, grease & dust more easily).
iv) Some supposedly improves colour of your LCD, by filtering off undesirable light emitted from the screen.
v) Some claim to have anti-glare properties = better for your eyes.

2) Cost - How much should I expect to pay:
i) Good SPs generally cost between S$12 to S$25 in Singapore.
ii) Dont bother about those ultra-cheap ones, because those low-quality ones will need replacing earlier = you may end up spending more buying another...very soon.

3) Quality - What do I need to know:
i) You might end up having to pay for extra SP replacements, if it:
- is of a poor material (i.e. scratches easily; also, an excessively scratched part may affect your stylus input),
- doesnt permit enough light to go through (i.e your LCD screen appear dull & less vibrant),
- is too hard (i.e. the digitizer under your LCD is unable to detect your stylus input = you would have to write much harder with your stylus).
ii) Check the quality of the SP:
- Especially if its of an unknown brand or its exceedingly cheap.
- Check if the SP isnt too rubbery (inferior quality) or too hard/thick (need some experience for this).
- Check that your LCD screen doesnt appear ALOT more "dull" and less vibrant in colour after the SP is applied (i.e. reject if your LCD suddenly appears like RGB instead of its 16k colours, etc).
- Some good brands claim to be anti-scratch, anti-dust & anti-glare.
- Good SPs should have no significant "scratched-areas" (or patches!) on them even after some period of usage, but the quacky ones would usually show within a couple of months = boycott that particular brand.

4) Free Professional SP Applications - Easy & Smart Way:
- ALWAYS get the retailers, where you bought your SP from to do the application for you (Note that SP application is a very tedious & time-consuming undertaking, which requires some skills) since:
i) its a FREE service (there is no point buying from them if they do not provide this service; walk away, because other retailers will do this for free).
ii) most retailers are probably more skilled & experienced than we are in removing dust/dirt & screen protection application (= less likelihood of "air bubbles under SP").
iii) in event of a poor application, you can ask them to reapply on the spot.
iv) if we D-I-Y & somehow damage the SP, we'll have to bear the cost ourselves.
v) they are better equipped than most of us. In order to thoroughly weed out dust/dirt, they use:
a) cleaning solvents - seems like some massive spring cleaning exercise.
b) static cloths - attracts dust away from LCD like magnet.
c) paintbrushes - FBI agents dusting away for fingerprints.
d) scotch-tape - they really stick them up dust.

5) D-I-Y SP Applications - Harder & Stupider Way:
i) If for some crazy reason you like to D-I-Y, note the following quick guide:
a) Locate a dust-free environment with minimal air movements, for your SP application (if you do not work in an industrial cleanroom , some say bathroom is ideal AFTER a hot shower = subsided steam would have removed air-borne particles).
b) Carefully wipe the LCD Screen as well as its edges using a clean microfibre cloth (e.g. 3M microfibre cloth) to remove dirt, dust & grease (Note that if this is not done properly, trapped particles under SP = bubbles will result).
c) Use a cotton bud to clean out the edges of the LCD screen.
d) In event of stubborn stains, use a gentle cleaning solvent (preferrably those for cleaning windows, NOT those for scrubbing floors!) or you could try using scotch-tape to zap up dust particles.
e) Tilt the device under strong light to examine to ensure ALL visible dust particles have ben removed.
f) Peel off the backing plastic at the back of the SP.
g) Apply the SP using a credit-card to carefully edge out the air bubbles under the SP.
h) Tilt the device under strong light to examine that there are no air bubbles (i.e. trapped dust particles under SP).
i) In event of any air bubbles, apply scotch-tape at one end of the applied SP. Carefully peel it upwards (it should bring up the SP as well) to expose the naked LCD screen below. Zap up the offending dust particle with some scotch-tape & edge down SP again with credit-card.
j) Repeat 'Step' h & 'Step i' if necessary.

6) Durability - How long can I expect to use one:
i) Most good quality SPs will easily last at least 6 months to a year without getting those "scratched-patches" (other than being unsightly, these will affect sensitivity of your stylus input).
ii) If your SP is of a good quality & it needs replacing all too soon, check:
a) the tip of your stylus to see if its too sharp.
b) your own writing mannerism (are you pressing down too hard to write on your PPC's LCD?).
c) have you been using other non-stylus equipment (like pens, pencils, sharp-objects, sharp fingernails, etc) as a make-shift stylus?

7) Where to get a good SP together with a good SP application: (listed in order of pricing as on 07/09/06)
i) Retailer: DOML
- Address: New Bridge Centre, 5th Level
- Tel: 6225-2426
- SP Brand: Martin Fields SP
- Expect to pay: S$24.99 (flat rate for all PPC models).
- Aficionado's Rating for their SP Brand: 09/10
- Aficionado's Rating for their SP Application skills: 8/10
- Aficionado's Last Take: Quite a lot of people regard Martin Fields as the best SP brand available in Singapore, but in my opinion, it is remarkably similar to a ClearWrite.

ii) Retailer: Edpol Systems
- Address: Funan, 4th Level
- Tel: 6339-9822
- SP Brand: Marshall SP
- Expect to pay: S$22.00 (flat rate for all PPC models).
- Aficionado's Rating for their SP Brand: 09/10
- Aficionado's Rating for their SP Application skills: 10/10
- Aficionado's Last Take: They just switched their house-brand again, but Edpol easily performs the most thorough screen application process that I have ever seen in Singapore.

iii) Retailer: AAAs.com
- Address: Sim Lim Square, 4th Level
- Tel: 6338-6613
- SP Brand: ClearWrite SP
- Expect to pay: S$12.00 (for most).
- Aficionado's Rating for their SP Brand: 09/10
- Aficionado's Rating for their SP Application skills: 07/10
- Aficionado's Last Take: Dont expect a superior SP application service, but at S$12, this branch at Sim Lim surely offers the cheapest good quality screen protector around.

Hope this helps .

thanks Aficionado for the insight

how about mobilesquare at Far East? I got mine applied there and was quite a good job.

Bro ClouDsss,

Oops, it isnt quite fair for me to comment since I havent had a SP done by them before .

But I'll try their services the next time I need a SP change and will update this thread accordingly. Btw, which brand are they offering?

I've had mobilesquare apply screen protector for me twice. Flawless. :)

The latest I did was at CosTyre, Suntec City. I paid $25 for the SP and the salesperson put it on flawlessly! However, been using ppc for the last 8 mths, I realise that my SPs always had the "Scratched-Patches", and thus, will change it once every 2 mths. Howver, although it says anti-dust, it doesn't seem so. and most of the times when I pick up any calls, I need to wipe the screen with my cloth, as there's always this oily gloss on the screen and that frustrates me!

Got mine done at Doml. They help me to paste the screen protector too. :)

I known this company from COMEX Exhibition . About $12, Good service, good quality SP.

Data Flex
10 Ubi Cres #04-06 Lobby A Ubi Techpark
Singapore 408564
Mr. Nikki Sem
HP: 98535697

Hi Aficionado,

I just went to Edpol at Funan to apply the screen protector for my xda IIs for 22 bucks. Yes, the process is really thorough and i'm impressed.

PS : the address for edpol is #04-23, not exactly on the 5th floor.:P

Data flex which I know them from COMEX Exhibition. Good quality SP & good service.I very happy since then done for me.

Goes to DOML for everthing from casings and screen protectors. Am very impressed with their professionalism and customer service. Anyway, you can really see them squinting their eyes and painstaking applying for the SP each time...

any recommendations for SPs which help cut down on glare? like those matt types?

also, where is mobilesquare in Far East? (Far East Plaza I presume...)

Bro helmsley,

Thanks for the headups.

went to AAA to get the SP. but the brand is ClearView not ClearWrite as stated in the 1st post. is it the same??

Bro nan0,

Oopsy, it should be ClearView at AAAs.com, which is not too bad. If I recall correctly, Edpol was the one who used to offer ClearWrite.

Hihi, my very first post here ^^

I just went to SimLim Sq. And yes, i went to AAAs.com to get a SP for my D810. The brand is ClearView, but the staff who attended to me like a bit gong gong.. need to open 3 packs before he got the right size. And don't know la, I don't really have confidence in his servicing (applying) skill.
Oh, the price is $15, not $12 as mentioned.

Cheers

You know that those who apply window anti-glare film always use soapy water to apply the film w/o bubbles... just wondering if the screen is waterproof? If so, then a bit (just a bit, mind you) of soapy water will help ensure no bubbles are left under the film. Just bit of info to make life easier.

btw, can the SP be re-applied? i've got a atom with ClearView but due to some problems, i've got it exchanged and the SP was removed, now got some dust on it.

tried washing but still not as 'clear' as last time.....think must buy new SP.

is the 1 at funan good?? the marshall SP as mentioned by bro aficionado.

yes, i've tried both the sp from edpol and aaas for my xda2s and ipaq6960 respectively. both are of excellent quality, though i prefer the skills of the guy at edpol. real pro.

Alot of Screen protector made in China. Do not be fooled if even the packaging have Japanese words. The cost of one for wholesale price is less than S$2.

so how to differiate it? any tips for it?

As long as the screen protector is good, it doesn't matter where it comes from. :)

Anyone knows where I can get matt screen protectors? I need to turn up my backlight quite alot to use under sunlight...

AAAs.com sell Clearview SP not ClearWrite SP the cost is $15 not $12

Everyone,

I went to Edpol Systems at funan today to replace my 18 month old protector on my dopod 818 pro.
I must say i was very impressed buy there service. The guy cleaned my screen so well.
It is almost like i have a new phone :-) it is so clear now.

So thanks to everyone for suggesting that shop.

Cheers,
Mike.

Went down to DOML yesterday to get a MF SP for my Atom Life. My old Mini had a MF SP as well which lasted well past a year, so got to get one for my new toy, even if it's to some ulu building.

BTW, DOML is one of the few places I know of which accepts American Express and Diner's Club but NOT Visa & Mastercard. So in the end, I pay by NETS... :p

How much does Edpol Systems sells for SP?? For dopod 818

$22 across all PPC models with excellent service. Sure to make your screen look like new. Statisfied customer.

Got a dopod 818 that needs sp too, think will try either Epdol or the SLS one.

ok, here's an update. please note that this is purely my opinion and experience. I've tried BOTH Edpol at Funan and Mobilesquare at Far east plaza and i have to conclude that the latter's Martin Field brand is superior to the house brand of Edpol.

I've just had my atom's screen protector applied at Edpol for about 3 mths and there is already a scratch patch on it. Other friends who have MF SP do not have such problem. And the usage of both me and my friends are roughly the same.

I'm currently using MF SP for my treo and so far so good, though i hardly use the stylus these days. But i recommend trying MF SP at Mobilesquare, though its slightly more expensive at $24.

Useful info, thanks, will go to AAA for my O2 Zinc SP. :) hehe

Wanted to go to Edpol to do up my SP, but went wrongly to SLS instead of Funan. Think I must be blind, read wrongly. Haha...so since already in SLS, so went to AAA to do up the SP for my Zinc. The guy uses some spray on a cloth to clean the screen, did quite a thorough wipe on the screen and use a brush to clean up the dust stuck at the 4 sides. Not too bad a job. Paid $15 for the ClearView SP but no anti-static cloth for me to wipe the screen. Will see how long it last, but using the keyboard more now so should be able to last longer.

just got my sp (atom life) done at doml yesterday... BUT there is a patch of oily stuff in the centre of my screen.. is it because the sp was not put on properly or there is some problem with my screen

Anyone tried screen mask SP? How good is it compared to the ones listed by aficionado? Are there any other brands in the market that's worth the mention?

I always buy and ask the shop person to fix for me (any brands). If they pasted it wrongly, I can ask them to replace a new one. If I do it on my own and I pasted wrongly then I have to bear the changing cost on my own.

Other than these 3, any other shop which carry other brand and apply the SP for us ? It seem AAA is value for money (not saying their SP is best)

I when to MobileSquare to get my SP for my N95, the guy gave very gd service and very skilled at applyin the SP on the phone.

Might be goin down this evening to get my SP done on my new Omnia.

Hi there,

Does anyone knows if there's a kind of screen protector for Touch diamond which has protector to cover the front LCD screen as well as the back of the phone (battery cover)?

zagg.com

But it kinda risk you need to take as it's using adhesives to stick on.

I dont really understand. What is adhesive and what is the risk with that?

adhesive is glue

For those wrap, they use water to activate the glue to stick. it need to be glued and a specific way to remove. Read up at their faq.

normal screen protector is using the natural adhesion properties to cling onto the screen, so you can remove, wash with light soap and put back.

I see.. Got it now. Thanks!

Anyone recommend gmask wrapping?

I just got a terrible half **** application of Martin fields for my Touch HD at doml. The only good thing I have to say is that the alignment is perfect. The person who did it was this short tomboy. She barely cleaned my screen at all, only using sticky tape and her bare fingers. Then after the SP was applied, I found 2 places with obvious signs of particles underneath. These she removed with sticky tape and I thought all was fine now.

On the way home however, I found 2 other less noticeable spots. Rather than travelling back, I thought I would use her sticky tape method to DIY at home. But shit, my home is apparently too dusty, everytime I removed a particle, more would get underneath elsewhere.

Really regret believing in all the MF/doml hype now. If only I had gone to the vivocity shop where I had my SP applied for my old D810, that one was really a perfect job, cannot see any signs of the SP at all except at the corners. And they actually use a cleaning cloth and alchohol spray too. And it was cheaper too...

Why not bring back to have it fix? I believe in the product, not the shop. Unfortunately a 1-2 weeks, this is the one place with MF.

If you want to redo, here are the steps

Get a scotch roller
Get 2 strip ready
One strip - Stick in one of the corner nearer to the dust spot, lift off. Avoid using sharp object to assist.
Other strip, stick underneath the MF, press down the MF, left up slightly, remove tape. Repeat where necessary.
This will do.

If fails, you can remove it, wash it and stick again. I will try to load up the proper instruction from the packaging if you need. There is no adhesives in the MF, this is reusable (stick).

I have just replaced my wife's nokia with new MF with the above method after discovering dust spot in the sunlight.



Hope this helps!

Here is the MF instruction slip.
Click here

I did use the 2 strips sticky tape method, learnt it from seeing how the person at doml did it. However as I said, everytime I removed a particle, more would get underneath elsewhere. Unless I can find a dust free environment, I will avoid making any further attempts.

If I wash it and restick, I'm scared I can't get good alignment again, and anyway, can I possibly clean all the dust off both the screen and the SP well enough before reapplying?

You need microfiber cloth or those for spectacle.

Sticky tape, use the wide type.

I do not think need to wash it. Alignment, do from the top, taking the speaker "hole" as alignment. If all the way not aligned, put fingers on top 2 corner while peeling back. Shift slightly for alignment.

Good luck!