Registered: Jul 2000
Location: Spring City, TN, USA
Posts: 12

Screen Protectors Review
I've been around the block on screen protectors. I first tried the Writerights and thought they were to expensive, they cut down on the visibility to much and were a little hard to put on and did I say they cost to much? Then I tried the old document protectors (the one's you used in school to put your reports in). They just didn't look good and I couldn't make them work well. Sooo I tried scotch tape on the writing area, that's OK but I want to protect the reading part of my visor, besides I didn�t like how it wrote. Then I tried the clear window stuff that you can tape around your window and use a hair dryer to shrink tight. With a drop of water on the screen I was starting to get some where, but I could never get all the bubbles out and it was about $8 for 5 windows worth (lifetime supply of palm protectors). Finally I went to Walmart fabric department and found clear vinyl. I reached in my pocket and laid down 17 cents for enough protectors for several years. Now to the review. The vinyl I got was med. weight, they were out of light weight. I simple drew my screen size on a sheet of paper and laid the vinyl down over it and cut it with a ruler and sharp knife. The vinyl is somewhat sticky so it adheres to the screen very very well. So I put a couple of drops of water on the clean screen and laid the clean vinyl down as square as I could. I then used a credit card to move the drops of water around and remove the air bubbles to the edge of the screen, where I soaked up the water with a paper towel. The result was a few bubbles, but no more than I had with the Writerights and a very clear screen, with only a slight bit more reflectivity (shininess) to the Visor only screen. The writing is a little resistive, which I prefer about like the Writerights. I feel that this is the right way for me to protect my screen and cheap!

Registered: Apr 2000
Location: Santa Clarita, CA
Posts: 198

Questions:

You got the "medium" weight - how thick is it compared to WriteRights, and would you have preferred "light"?

Any idea on how long it will last?

Isn't the glare a problem? I don't like how WriteRights cut down on clarity, but I do like how they cut down on glare. You said the vinyl is even shinier than the "naked" screen?

Thanks

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Hmmmmmmmm......

Registered: Jul 2000
Location: Spring City, TN, USA
Posts: 12

It's just a little thicker than the WriteRights, thinner might be more sensitive and have a different feel with the stylus...When I find some I'll might try it. How long will they last? I don't know yet....so far they seem very durable.
Finally the glare is no worse than the naked screen. I agree I like how the wrightrights cut down on glare but that's how they do it, is by reducing the light out.
Good luck

quote:

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Originally posted by mchlwise:
Questions:

You got the "medium" weight - how thick is it compared to WriteRights, and would you have preferred "light"?

Any idea on how long it will last?

Isn't the glare a problem? I don't like how WriteRights cut down on clarity, but I do like how they cut down on glare. You said the vinyl is even shinier than the "naked" screen?

Thanks

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Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Connecticut USA
Posts: 2682

I use 8 gauge clear vinyl (medium weight as the available thicknesses wer 4, 8, or 12 gauge) on my screen. A 12 x 54 piece cost me .94 at the local fabric shop and will yield 60-80 protectors.

I've only used 2 in 5 months... they are very durable. As a matter of fact, the only reason I had to change the first one was because I wrote on it with an ink pen! (proof that screen protection is a must... at least for me)

As for the glare, you get used to it. I've tried to compare it to a naked screen and the vinyl does seem to increase glare ever so slightly. Over time, though, it's not a hinderance. Clarity does not seem to be an issue as the vinyl is extremely clear.

Since I've never used my Visor without protection, I can't make any judgement on whether or not writing Graffiti is any easier. I will say I like the "feel" of the stylus... there is a certain amount of "drag", similar to using a #2 pencil on paper.

I recommend the vinyl as an economical remedy for screen protection. The only other materials I've tried were laser transparencies which I did not like at all. I have not tried any of the commercial alternatives.

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MarkEagle - Ice is nice!

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

I too use the 8 gauge vinyl. It might be just my imagination, but it seems to me that it actually reduces the glare somewhat.

After using it for a month or so, one will notice that the graffiti area has become cloudy with scratches, but the rest of the screen is fine.

My big problem is cutting the little darlings so that the corners are square. The X-Acto knife I use stretches the vinyl.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Connecticut USA
Posts: 2682

quote:

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Originally posted by Winchell:
My big problem is cutting the little darlings so that the corners are square. The X-Acto knife I use stretches the vinyl.

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Registered: Jun 2000
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Posts: 216

Here's another idea for cutting the vinyl: Try a paper trimmer. NOT a paper cutter - these will never give you a straight cut.

While I have not yet tried it on vinyl, it does great on the tranparency and window decal materials I have tried for screen protection.

I'm going to try and get some vinyl soon. Sounds like the answer to my screen protection problems.

Registered: Jul 2000
Location: Jersey City, NJ
Posts: 170

Seems to me someone could make a ton of cash developing and marketing some kind of Visor prophylactic -- a thin, transparent snug-fitting sleeve that fits completely around the Visor. Such a product would not only protect the screen, but also prevent the silver paint on the buttons from wearing off after extended use.

Fortunately, I started scanning this board before I even received my first VDX, so I've gotten a heads-up on some of these maintenance issues. I haven't yet had the chance to get some screen protectors, so I've actually been keeping my VDX protected by keeping it snugly wrapped in the very same plastic bag it came packaged in! Not the most attractive temporary solution (kinda like keeping a beautiful new sofa under plastic slipcovers), but at least the screen won't be scratched all to heck...

[This message has been edited by leojbramble (edited 07-27-2000).]

Registered: Jul 2000
Location: Jersey City, NJ
Posts: 170

Wonderfully detailed illustrated instructions for making homemade screen protectors and a thorough analysis of the pros and cons of various types:

http://www.iolnm.net/dcoffing/Casio...enProtector.htm



[This message has been edited by leojbramble (edited 07-31-2000).]