Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 5

Has anyone out there found good screen protection for the prisim?

I'm using a WriteRight that I'd been using on my Dx and because of it's textured surface, really hampers the clarity of the prisim screen.

Also, do people feel that screen protection is necessary on the prisim with it's new softer tipped stylus? I'm nervous to not use protection given the size of the investment that I just made.

Thanks for your input!

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: brooklyn, ny, usa
Posts: 190

go get the writewrights for color palm devices. They work pretty well. that's what i use on my prism.

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

I personally will not use my Prism without screen protection, softer stylus or no. The blasted thing is just a little too scratchable.

I just use a piece of 8 gauge vinyl I got at a fabric store. Works better than Writerights at a fraction of the cost.

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Registered: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 165

Vinyl = Cheap

I got my Vinyl from Orchard Supply Hardware, in the window/screen department - not sure what the guage is, but for $.99 per foot at about 36" wide, I'll be set for a good long while. It's a little more labor intensive than Write-rights or other pre-fab protectors, but it's not as painful to me as paying ~$25 for 12 pre-cut pieces of vinyl and a fancy card for smoothing them onto your screen.

I would never use my Visor without screen protection. I got my first one last January, and being totally new to PDA's thought I could get away without it. Back then Visor Deluxe was still shipping with the cheapo plastic 'nail' type stylus, and I got one of the bad ones. I didn't really notice any trouble until a couple of months later when I was using "Diddle" more... one day I suddenly noticed my screen was all scratched to hell. I checked the message boards here, checked my stylus tip, and one phonecall to Handspring later I had a replacement Visor on the way. I put a screen protector on the new one before I even put the batteries in.

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Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 54

This has got to be one of the most discussed topics around...

Use the vinyl from Wal-mart fabric section or other fabric stores (get the thin stuff) or even hardware store for covering windows (but i think the fabric stores supply better quality, ie. more consistant thickness)

You must have the screen "CLEAN", yes clean, did I say Clean? Thats right very very clean... no dust... the same goes for the vinyl... after you cut it, then clean it (but dont stretch it out of shape)

I cut a small block of wood to use as a template to cut the vinyl with a razor blade(thick plastic or even aluminum would work also)

Now place your template on a section of vinyl (on the table or flat surface that the razor won't ruin. (Sorry Honey I did'nt know the razor would cut through and ruin your new dining room table!!) and cut around with new razor blade. Cut the vinyl about a 1/16 or so smaller than the border of the screen. Use a tooth pic to help place it and to remove it. You might want to cut one corner off at 45 degrees to allow a spot to get under to remove it.

Once everything is clean then place it (takes some patience and practice and trial and error) after you have it in place use a stiff piece of cardbord (or credit card... but cardbord works better if it is stiff as it will not scratch the vinyl like a credit card will) to smooth the bubbles out as best you can.

Don't try and get all the bubbles out as they will dissappear in the next few days.

I have had the same piece of vinyl on for up to 6 months.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 431

quote:

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Originally posted by Winchell
I personally will not use my Prism without screen protection, softer stylus or no. The blasted thing is just a little too scratchable.

---

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 153

I second that

I'm really surprised at the resistance to scratching on the PRISM screen. This is especially good because I use it a lot for Race Fever. The VDX was awful. I got into a habit or wiping the stylus tip before ouching the screen on the VDX and continue to do it even on the PRISM.

Registered: Jun 2000
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 52

Any examples of Prism screen scratch?

Has ANYONE gotten scratches on their Prism screen?

I was always careful. I kept my Vdx screen covered with a WriteRight from the moment I got it until the moment I got my Prism,so I've never seen a scratch on the Vdx.

I'm waiting for my Prism WriteRights to come in (you can order the WriteRights designed for the color Prism/PalmIIIc from http://www.conceptkitchen.com/). But meanwhile, I've been using the Prism since Christmas and no scratches have developed at all.

My husband has an Ipaq and he swears he'll never need screen protection because of the type of screen he's got. As the Prism remains scratch-free, I'd like to know if anyone out there has ever suffered scratches -- or is it possible that this screen just won't scratch under normal use?

--dianeholly

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 120

I dunno, Diane, I don't think so. Fact is, there is always some kind of practically invisible dust or debris or SOMETHING on the screen, even if it LOOKS clean. That means, no matter how often you clean the tip of the stylus by swiping it quickly across pant legs or whatever, the stuff on the screen is still there. And the stylus will pick it up as you stroke the letters and, bingo, scratch. It's just really difficult to believe that, even if it appears to be impervious to scratches, the Prism screen won't eventually develop some imperfection. I mean, hey, the Grand Canyon?
You know, My brother has a Palm IIIC and HATED the WriteRight on it. But knew he needed a screen protector. He had applied the textured version. I removed and applied one of the Win CE protectors (no texture, fit nicely) and he was awed! No distortion. And, if you apply it by rolling it down the screen while rubbing a cotton cloth across the screen as it is applied, there is ZERO bubbling. I know expensive, but, with that WalMart vinyl don't you have to apply the stuff with water or something?
Jeez, am I winded, or what?

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Connecticut USA
Posts: 2682

quote:

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Originally posted by nitehawk
You might want to cut one corner off at 45 degrees to allow a spot to get under to remove it.

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I've found that the easiest way to remove the clear vinyl is to use a small piece of tape. Take a piece of tape (clear or masking) about 2" long. Fold about 1/2" of one end over onto itself. Attach the other end in one of the corners of the vinyl. Gently pull up... this will lift the vinyl enough where you can grab it with your fingers to remove completely. This works well and prevents you from having to use anything (like a toohpick) that could possibly scratch the screen (which is what we're trying to prevent with the vinyl in the first place ).

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Registered: Jun 2000
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 52

quote:

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Originally posted by sanchan
My brother has a Palm IIIC and HATED the WriteRight on it. But knew he needed a screen protector. He had applied the textured version. I removed and applied one of the Win CE protectors (no texture, fit nicely) and he was awed! No distortion.

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Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 120

Diane, Wellllll, ConceptKitchen descriptions indicate that they're pretty savvy about the affect that textured protectors have on color screens, so, they produced a non-textured protector for Win CE handheld computers. And guess what? Since I preferred non-textured for my monochrome Visor Dx, I got the Win CE version, smoothed it on and it worked great. (Now, hold, but... if you REALLY want your stylus to cruise across the surface like a skaters blade on wet ice... ready for this? Every once in a while, rub your thumb gently across the graffiti surface. Yep, the little oil on your thumb leaves the surface incredibly smooth. And, if you're really proficient at Graffiti handwriting, MAN you'll blow away the writing competition against ANY comer.
Man, I must be bored. Anyway. To recap. Think CoceptKitchen's write-rights for Prism will be non-textured. Not sure if they're available yet, but, if not, the Win CE non-textured versions should fit nicely. I'll know in a day or two; just ordered a Prism. Have fun!

Registered: Jun 2000
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 52

Thanks for the advice sanchan. Enjoy your Prism. I'm loving mine!
--dianeholly