Screen Scratches - how bad without saver?

[PDA Paul]

I have had a "TAP IT" screen saver on my iQue for a week now. Drove me NUTS. It not only cut down the brightness of the screen, but it made it a bit cloudy. Tonight, off it came. A quick cleaning of the face with a microfiber cloth and I am a happy camper again.

So on to my question.

To those who have experience with a PDA, how easy is it to scratch the screen with normal use? I don't want the screen to be annoyingly scratched in a year of use, on the other hand, if I am going to use a screen saver, it needs to be better than the one I have experience with.

If you have experience with a screen saver that doesn't kill the visual appeal of the screen, let me know where you got it and what it's called.

Paul

[Hammonddave]

I purchased the Fellows adhesive screen savers for the Sony PDA and it fits the IQUE perfectly. It seems to cut back about 10% of the brightness, but there seems to be no difference in the clarity. Pretty expensive at $20 for 12 sheets...

[reinbeau]

Originally posted by Hammonddave
I purchased the Fellows adhesive screen savers for the Sony PDA and it fits the IQUE perfectly. It seems to cut back about 10% of the brightness, but there seems to be no difference in the clarity. Pretty expensive at $20 for 12 sheets... Best Buy was selling them for $9.99. I was going to use them (bought them already, tossed the slip, of course) until I read the review at Brighthand. I also bought the G2. Now I want the one they rated so highly (box something, I'm not at my desk, so I can't read my e-mail), they said that one was the best of them all. I'll go broke buying these things!! :D

[Moose Man]

Originally posted by PDA Paul
I have had a "TAP IT" screen saver on my iQue for a week now. Drove me NUTS. It not only cut down the brightness of the screen, but it made it a bit cloudy. Tonight, off it came. A quick cleaning of the face with a microfiber cloth and I am a happy camper again.

So on to my question.

To those who have experience with a PDA, how easy is it to scratch the screen with normal use? I don't want the screen to be annoyingly scratched in a year of use, on the other hand, if I am going to use a screen saver, it needs to be better than the one I have experience with.

If you have experience with a screen saver that doesn't kill the visual appeal of the screen, let me know where you got it and what it's called.

Paul

I like the Brando/Boxwave screen protectors for a Sony NX70 no loss of clarity or brightness and no residue.

I don't think you need screen protection from any of the major stylus's out there. The issue is - using something other than a stylus on the screen. The protector is there to avoid accidental damage caused by a ballpoint pen tip. I use a 4 point pen with one point being a stylus. At night, I sometimes don't chose the right tip and then the screen has blue or red ink on it - Haven't accidentally hit it with the pencil end, yet.

The actual screen's technology is much improved over the early Palm and Pocket PC devices where they don't scratch as easily. My old Palm Pilot - before screen protectors - was visibly impaired after about 1.5 years but then, I upgraded to a III.

With the iQue, since it's screen is probably going to be "on" for navigation much longer than just a typical PDA - I would recommend screen protection as a backup to the human factor of accidentally using something on it's screen besides a stylus!

[rwsmith123]

I used the screen naked for a week and didn't see the slightest scratch on the screen. I've had a fellowes screen protector on for about a week or so and it 's getting pretty marked up since it's a lot softer than the screen itself, so I either have to put up with all the marks on the protector or replace it. The stylus doesn't glide as well on the protector either. I'm thinking about not using a protector now. Garmin will replace the screen for a flat fee of $75, so if it gets scratched up bad enough after a couple years of use then just get it replaced. How much money will you have spent on screen protectors and time spent putting them on in that time?

[PDA Paul]

RWSmith123,

I am thinking along the same lines, but where did you get the $75 quote for the replacement of the screen? That is about the max I would pay to replace the screen instead of using the protectors.

Paul

[rwsmith123]

http://www.garmin.com/support/outofwarranty.html
Then select iQue from the list.

By the way it's $150 for a complete overhaul which they say includes the
latest software. That seems like a pretty
decent deal. In 2 years pay $150 (assuming the price doesn't go up), get a new battery (since it will be dead or almost dead by then), new shinny screen, new updated maps (I assume that this is what is meant by latest software), etc.

[Yurs_Truly]

Barely noticeable clarity degradation w/ the screen protector. The screen still scratch free (I have it installed less than a wk). Easily smudge w/ your fingers but easily clean too.. So far its holding well on my iQue and I start to notice some dust accumulations on the edge..

The only major complaint is installation.. unconvenient.. and yu need to be patience...

http://www.pdastreet.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=24575&highlight=screen+protector

note: I didn't try any other screen protector yet besides G2


to Ms Reinbeau..

Is your G2 screen size on the "width" part seems to be slimmer than it should be? I was able to install easily w/ my 2nd try w/o following the instructions because it seems the width is much slimmer but still cover the whole bezel... Did you have a hard time installing them too?

thanx in advance

[reinbeau]

Originally posted by Yurs_Truly
Barely noticeable clarity degradation w/ the screen protector. The screen still scratch free (I have it installed less than a wk). Easily smudge w/ your fingers but easily clean too.. So far its holding well on my iQue and I start to notice some dust accumulations on the edge..

The only major complaint is installation.. unconvenient.. and yu need to be patience...

http://www.pdastreet.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=24575&highlight=screen+protector

note: I didn't try any other screen protector yet besides G2 This is my first screen protector, too, I had the removable scotch tape over the graffiti area on my lllxe only. You're right, installing the G2 is a major effort in patience, I had to take it off and reinsert it due to slight moisture left behind by either my fingers (on the screen, not the G2, don't even think of touching that!!) or residue from the screen cleaner I bought with the G2 (I highly recommend spending the extra couple bucks to get the cleaner mentioned when you're ordering the G2). Getting the protective film off is a chore, good thing I have fingernails!! :)

to Ms Reinbeau..

Is your G2 screen size on the "width" part seems to be slimmer than it should be? I was able to install easily w/ my 2nd try w/o following the instructions because it seems the width is much slimmer but still cover the whole bezel... Did you have a hard time installing them too?

thanx in advance I thought the lenth, actually, was too long by a hair, that was my major problem. Widthwise it fit well. Now, due to my struggles, the lower left hand corner is tweaked a bit, which no one else will see, but I'll see it....forever! :rolleyes: I did test it out, writing quite a bit in memopad, and it seems to have no effect on my graffiti-ing. I know what the Brighthand review was saying about a slight 'echo' or double-tap effect, but I'll get used to it. Next, once I need to replace it, I'll try out the Boxwave covers, but from the feel of this one, it'll be quite a long time, this feels very tough. All in all I'd give them a try, especially if you're slightly clumsy with the stylus or you tend to use the wrong thing to touch your screen.

[ssaibal]

The brighthand article comparing screen protectors gives the highest rating to the one from boxwave. I checked with them and found that they don't have one specifically designed for iQue though they are developing one. Has anyone tried an equivalent one from boxwave ?


Moose Man wrote.....
I like the Brando/Boxwave screen protectors for a Sony NX70 no loss of clarity or brightness and no residue.


Are you using the Sony NX70V screen protector from Boxwave ? Do I need to do anything special to install it ?

[jki]

I am using a screen saver made by Sony that I purchased at Frys. The model designation is 'PEGA-SP70' for the Sony NZ/NX/NR PDAs and it also fits the Garmin perfectly. Very expensive at $10 for one piece, but it seems extremely durable, has excellent feel, and is anti-glare which helps in the car. Unfortunately when I sent in my unit to Garmin for repair of the internal microphone, it came back and there were fingerprints all over the adhesive side of the screensaver. They had obviously taken it off during repair (not sure why they would have to remove the screensaver to repair the microphone) so it was a throwaway and I had to buy another. If you can find one, I highly recommend the Sony saver.

[waltisimo]

I believe the Sony branded protectors are the same as the Brando ones. I have not heard of Boxwave, but it also sounds like it is the same as Brando.

I personally will not use my iQue for any length of time without a Brando screen protector on it. <http://shop.brando.com.hk/> (I ordered the one for the Sony NR70, Brando should be updating their web page soon to include the iQue.) 2 PDAs ago I decided that I was sick of screen protectors and didn't use any. I totally trashed the screen in just over a year. Scratches everywhere, the Grafiti area felt like crap to write on. When I got a new Sony Clie I did some research and discovered the Brando line of screen protectors. I ordered one and loved it. The first one lasted for about a year before it started getting scratched up enough to bug me. For $10 I replaced it and effectively got a brand new screen. Now after 18 months of near constant use my Sony Clie still has a perfect screen. Total outlay, $20. $10 a year provides me with a better screen than the original. A very good deal in my opinion.

As for clarity and brightness with the Brando installed, I've had knowledgable PDA users argue with me when I told them that my PDA had a screen protector on it. They would not believe it until they inspected the edges of the screen and could see the sides of the protector. Your milage may vary, but for me there was no decrease of clarity or brighness. Just a feeling of security that allowed me to let my kids use my PDA again.

[Error94]

And as a bonus, the Brando seriously cuts down on glare. My iQue is now viewable at angles in the car it was not before.

[ssaibal]

Brando is different from Boxwave ClearTouch as per the review from Brighthand. Someone posted the link to the review and posted it here. I am posting it again here for reference:

http://www.brighthand.com/article/Protect_Your_Screen

I had purchased the Sony screen protector. I found removing of bubbles difficult and also it gets dirty very quickly. Purchase from Fry's for $10 and junked it. Then, I purchase Fellows and that's what I have currently. Very thin and gets marked quickly. Too much of glare. So, I went back to the brighthand review and the score for Boxwave is the highest and so I want boxwave. Here is the soring summary:

WriteShield by Pocket PC Tech: A-
Brando Workshop : B
G2 from PDAScreenProtectors : B+
Nushield : B
Boxwave ClearTouch : A
Incipio : C-
Fellows WriteRight : D-

I have done my share of experimentation (I think) and now is the time to go for the best:)

[Harv]

I'm using the Boxwave protector and personally consider it to be superior to the Brando...much clearer (or not as cloudy), but still very effective anti glare properties.

I ordered the one for the Sony Clie NR/NX Series and it fits perfectly.

I also tried the G2 protector, but it doesn't cut down on glare or reflection at all. Otherwise it would be my protector of choice I think.

Harv

[reinbeau]

Originally posted by Harv
I also tried the G2 protector, but it doesn't cut down on glare or reflection at all. Otherwise it would be my protector of choice I think.

Harv I'm using the G2 also, and now that I've got my iQue mounted in the Clip mount the glare is pretty bad. I'd told myself I wasn't spending any more on my new toy, but I guess I'll have to try the Boxwave protector.....too bad, because the G2 is otherwise an excellent screen protector, and I've got one unused......:rolleyes:

I'm going to add up everything I've spent someday on this new passion and scare myself! :p

[ssaibal]

Harv,

Thanks for the suggestion on the model to buy. But, Boxwave lists multiple models of NR and NX. Are they all the same ?

Money I have spent so far on this gizmo:

iQue: US$ 470
Auto Nav kit: 60
Garmin 27C antennae: 75
Leather holster: 15
256MB SD card: 70
Sony screen protector: 10
Extra Stylus: 10
US Topo: 95
Fellows screen protector: 20
Minisync charger/sync cable: 20
Extra antennae (Gilsson) for travel: 20
Cachemate s/w: 10
Warranty from CompUSA: 100

Total: ~1000 and growing.

:(

[Harv]

Hmmm, the package only says NR/NX series, and I tossed the invoice (I do Not want to know how much I've spent on my iQue so far :D )

I think Mooseman was the one who originally told me the model to order for, but that was on a different forum, and I can't remember which one now.

As soon as I find out, I'll post it here.

Harv

[reinbeau]

Originally posted by ssaibal
Harv,

Thanks for the suggestion on the model to buy. But, Boxwave lists multiple models of NR and NX. Are they all the same ?

Money I have spent so far on this gizmo:

iQue: US$ 470
Auto Nav kit: 60
Garmin 27C antennae: 75
Leather holster: 15
256MB SD card: 70
Sony screen protector: 10
Extra Stylus: 10
US Topo: 95
Fellows screen protector: 20
Minisync charger/sync cable: 20
Extra antennae (Gilsson) for travel: 20
Cachemate s/w: 10

Total: ~900 and growing.

:( Oh, but what about updated software? I will definitely have to pull a list together. I think I gotcha beat! :cool:

[ssaibal]

Moose Man suggested NX70. I will order that now.

[ssaibal]

Ann wrote.....
Oh, but what about updated software? I will definitely have to pull a list together. I think I gotcha beat!


My next shopping list is:

512MB SD Card: ~125 (I will wait until it reaches this price point)
Better holster/case: 30
US Topo 24K West: 95
Miscellaneous software: 50 atleast

That would take me into 4 figures and drive my wife up the wall again, I think.;)

[CaptainSpalding]

By repetitive use. The graffiti writing area is, oddly enough, still pristene. My screen is scratched in two places: over the "home" button in the silkscreen area and at a spot in the upper left hand corner of the screen where an addiction to Solitaire had me tapping the screen at exactly the same spot over and over to flip cards off the top of the deck. The scratches on the silkscreen portion don't bother me at all, But the other ones do. Because of the iQue's virtual silkscreen area, I have ordered the G2 and will install it this weekend. As for the in-vehicle glare problem that many have complained about, and which the G2, owing to its clarity, does not address: I have found that if I angle my iQue slightly upward and toward me, the headliner of the car is what is reflected in the screen rather than the windows. Quite satisfactory.

[ssaibal]

I got my third type screen protector today. This one is from Boxwave made for Sony Clie PEG-NX70V model. Fits perfectly and a breeze to install. No glare and the screen is very bright (no milkiness). Also the writing on the grafiti feels like writing on paper. I paid US$ 12.95+shipping for single protector. More expensive that the Sony one (which I purchased from Fry's) and Fellow's WriteRight. This protector is thick, non-adhesive type and doesn't need to be tucked in under the edges of the screen.:D

[DeWat]

Garmin iQue 3600 now listed on BoxWave's site.

The BoxWave site now has "Garmin iQue 3600 (shipping 10/10/2003)" on their drop down menu for screen protectors.

DeWat