Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 22

One thing that really bothers me about my Visor is that I have to use screen protectors in order to prevent scratches. I�ve been using WriteRights for a while now and they do work, but it�s just not the same as not wearing anything at all ! I wish Handspring would make a scratchproof version. You know, something similar to a scratchproof watch that has high quality glass on it. Having a scratched up screen annoys me so much that I would pay extra just to have this �feature�. Do you think this would add a lot to the price?

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 1683

I've always wondered the same thing myself. Why can't they just make a more rugged screen?

I'm sure there are materials out there that can take much more abuse than the film they use for the touch screen, but, of course, that probably adds a considerable amount to the product's price.

But, yea, I'd like to see that as an option.

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Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 63

Well that'd be pretty hard to do. See you can't just use watch crystal or glass. It has to be a plastic film for the digitizer. The digitizer knows where your touching because the film pushes down and contacts another piece of film. Now I don't really know that much about the digitizer but I do know that it has to be a flexible piece of film otherwise you won't be able to tap on anything.

Touch screens on computer monitors or much less accurate and don't use a plastic film. I also think they take more power.

So its not a matter of cost, its just a matter of limited technology. If the it wasn't for the batteries they could probably use a optical sensor like on those new whiteboard digitizers, but I'm sure those are also bulky.

-Visorholic

Registered: May 2000
Location:
Posts: 321

Palms' screens don't scratsh as much as the Visor's- do they?

USE PALM's MATERIAL

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Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Sydney Australia
Posts: 1883

All screens scratch more or less....
It all depends on how hard you push and what kind of stylus you use...

The Visor has a slightly softer screen than the Palm's so maybe that's why it can scratch more easily..

the new Palm M-100 uses a plastic plate instead of a glass one. this will NOT prevent scratching, but it will make it harder to break your screen....

As far as I know there is no (workable) way yet to make a 100% scratch free screen at this point in time...

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Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 434

All the evidence points to this being a myth. While not the best, a poll done on here on VC failed to document a significant problem with the Visor's screen. If you follow Palm web sites and newsgroups, scratched screen complaints are a fairly common compliant with Palm users; and most Palm related FAQ mention screen protection for this reason.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Texan in Calgary for a while
Posts: 1361

quote:

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Originally posted by jeff318
Palms' screens don't scratsh as much as the Visor's- do they?

USE PALM's MATERIAL

---

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James Hromadka
Old Friend

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Connecticut USA
Posts: 2682

3 D's

Three words: dust... dirt... debris...

While a poor stylus point will scratch the screen, the biggest culprits are the 3 D's. Just like the paint on your car, if you try to wipe off some dust, you get scratches most of the time. Even the smallest particle trapped under the stylus point will cause the screen to scratch.

Lexan and similar polycarbonates scratch just as easily, if not more so, than glass. Their advantage is being unbreakable, not unscratchable.

I've often wondered if a "roller-ball"-tipped stylus would offer any better results... my theory being less drag across the surface.

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Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Hermosa Beach, CA
Posts: 222

rollerballs (like in ball point pens) would not work because they depend on friction to roll the ball, plus, you'd need some lubricant to help keep the ball rolling. being as smooth as the visor's screen is, the ball would not roll and thus, act just like a normal stylus. i must admit, i was intrigued initially by that idea also, but the more i thought about it, the more i realized that it wouldn't work well or at all.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Connecticut USA
Posts: 2682

quote:

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Originally posted by Nhatman
rollerballs (like in ball point pens) would not work because they depend on friction to roll the ball

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Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Hermosa Beach, CA
Posts: 222

aah, very interesting thought. i don't mean to be a party pooper, but i like to play the devil's advocate -- sometimes it stirs good discussions and ideas.

well, here goes:

1) rubber deforms quite a bit under stress making it difficult for it to "roll" in the "socket" of the pen.

2) the rubber would also experience friction against the "socket".

ball-point pens work because the roller is constantly lubricated by the ink, the roller is metal (holds its shape well under stress), and the paper you're writing on absorbs the ink on the roller so that the friction between the paper and the roller is greater than the friction between the roller and its "socket".

what we need is something that would have higher friction with the visor screen than with its "socket".

you do have me thinking about this concept though...hmmm...

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Connecticut USA
Posts: 2682

quote:

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Originally posted by Nhatman
what we need is something that would have higher friction with the visor screen than with its "socket"

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nylon, delrin, teflon... there's got to be many materials that could be used...

Got myself thinking, too... and that's scary

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Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Baltimore MD, USA
Posts: 717

Where's Mr. Scott when you need him?
We gotta get him to cough up the formula for Transparent Aluminum...

[Edited by Winchell on 09-21-2000 at 01:55 PM]

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 109

Where to get 4mil Vinyl?

OK, this may be an overly simplistic question, but where to I get 0.4mm Vinyl? Do I just walk into my hardware store and ask for it by name?

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Trinition ([email protected])

Registered: Jun 2000
Location: South Lake, FL
Posts: 103

Re: Where to get 4mil Vinyl?

quote:

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Originally posted by Trinition
where to I get 0.4mm Vinyl

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Eschew obfuscation!

Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 63

Well, until the roller ball starts shipping I'll just keep using a screen protector. Actually, I gotta say, even with a stylus that won't scratch the screen I'll still use a protector. Mainly because I'm extemely lazy. I mean I'll be using my fingernail to tap using avantgo. Or a toothpick, or a real pen, or a beer top, and the list goes on. I like knowing that if I scratch the screen all I have to do is replace the protector. I really don't think that even if they come up with a really tough screen that I'll stop using a screen protector.


-Visorholic

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Baltimore MD, USA
Posts: 717

Re: Where to get 4mil Vinyl?

quote:

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Originally posted by Trinition
OK, this may be an overly simplistic question, but where to I get 0.4mm Vinyl? Do I just walk into my hardware store and ask for it by name?

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