Battle of the Screen Protetors (your advice???)

[acousticECHO]

I've been saving up for an ipod nano for the past few weeks and finally had enough and was about to order when I read about the various screen/scratching issues. This lead to another week of researching on screens protectors/cases and here's where I am as of now (need help!):

Considering on getting the iSkin DUO silicone case OR the incase sports package (hand-grip, arm-band/ + neoprene sleeve for the nano).

I wanted some protection before those cases come out so...which of the following screen protectors/scratch guards will be the best???

1. the INVISIBLE SHIELD - I've seen the video, read the awesome reviews all over this board, etc. - but $19.95? :-/ Especially as a temporary measure, it's a bit pricey.

2. decalGirl's crystal Shield - price is awesome, but the air bubbles that form when applied to the nano look horrible!

3. EXiM Screen Protectors - ok, I haven't read much about this on these boards, but from other websites (exp: (3W's) mtekk.com.au/browse/page1007.html) gives it a lot of promise. 99% clarity, no air bubbles, re-applicable... a lot of the features of the INVISIBLE SHIELD for cheaper (only $5 but still, when you're in college ever dollar counts haha)

manufacturer's site: (3W's) pda-now.com/Multimedia_Screen+Protector_iPOD+NANO.php

has anyone here used one of their products before? Reviews? Advice?

4.the (famous) iPod Shield for the nano from TrendyGeeks.com :
(3W's) trendygeek.com/prod-pod-shield-nano.php

They got a lot of high reviews for their other products, but this one is coming out LATE October. :( Do you think it'll be worth the wait?

5. Any screen/full-body protectors taht I'm forgetting here?

Factorying in time, money, and functionality, which of the 4+ products come up on top?

Any feedback is appreciated.

God bless,
Jon (acousticECHO)

[d-bear]

personally, i like the 1$ vinyl method.

[random person]

Martin Fields screen protectors (overlayplus.com) are getting rave reviews on the Apple boards. I've ordered one but now that Power Support's Crystal Film is being readied for release in the US next week, that's the way I would go. I've had the Inivisible Shield but don't like the water application process nor the textured result (it obscures the screen). I say order Power Support's product next week!

[ipodphoto30]

well what i would say is forget about all of these things. Except however the EXiM screen protector looks nice. the invisible shield looks really nice to me however it doesn't protect the four corners because of applicable reasons. for now what i'll just say is wrap it in plastic wrap a thin layer, that's all you need for now. or there are many threads out there that have a cheap DIY case solution. that's what i think you should do.

[acousticECHO]

hmmmm, all great advice.

I'll definitely check out PSCF's screen protector and the cheaper "plastic wrap DIY" method as well.

Any additional advice is still welcome.
thanks to everyone that already responded - ilounge board members rock.

[BananaPod]

I bought the Martin Fields protector based on user photos on the Apple forum. I was all set to get the Crystal shield by Power Support but user photos showed it gave the nano a textured look which I didn't like. The MF protector is very smooth looking, w/ no textured look.

[jackieboy]

i ordered one from brando; it should be coming in soon

[justblaize]

Originally posted by BananaPod
I bought the Martin Fields protector based on user photos on the Apple forum. I was all set to get the Crystal shield by Power Support but user photos showed it gave the nano a textured look which I didn't like. The MF protector is very smooth looking, w/ no textured look.
Power support shields for the nano? Where can I see photos of this? BTW, does the martin fields protector use any type of adhesive?

[BananaPod]

I saw pics of Power Support's Crystal shield in someone's post on the Apple Discussion forums. Just go the forum on the Apple website and find your way to the folder on ipod nano and look for topic headings that relate to Crystal shield. Lots of people are posting pics of their covers now. The MF shield does have adhesive but it doesn't leave any residue when removed or repositioned.

[random person]

I thought Power Support's shield was completely clear, not textured. I think that's what the Ilounge review says too. the Invisible Shield, on the other hand, is very textured and distorts the screen as a result.

One thing about Martin Fields is that it is only for the front of the Nano, not the back. A good thing, however, is that they ship same day, so you'll get it quickly.

[random person]

One possible confusion: decal girls Crystal Shield is vinyl and textured; Power Support's Crystal Film is perfectly clear, and not textured. Only Ilounge has posted photos of it as it is not yet available -- but will be next week.

[BananaPod]

Power Support's shield may be "clear" in theory but close up pictures I have seen show a bumpyish finish - sort of like on some refrigerators. I'll try to find the post in Apple forums and then list it here.

Update: I stand corrected - it is the Invisible shield as well as Decalgirl's Crystal shield - and not Power Support's - that have a textured looked. Sorry for the mistake. It gets confusing after a while reviewing so many covers, shields, skins, etc.

[SlamMan]

I'd get the Invisible Shield. I just looked at all the pics of these products on the Apple forum and I like the looks of the IS best. It seems to lay down better than all the rest. I really like the look of it on the black Nano. It makes it look like the face is all one flush surface.

[fk51785]

Waiting for my Decalgirl crystal clear ....
It was cheapest so ....

[random person]

I've had the Invisible Shield installed on my 20 gig b&w Ipod. I like the way the texture feels and looks on the device, but not what it does to the screen! It is definitely like the surface of a refrigerator and causes the display text and photos to shimmer. Plus the water on the Ipod thing is terrifying -- mine was installed by the CEO of Invisible Shield and he used a LOT of water. Scared the living daylights outta me!

[pwjone1]

You should probably add Brando Workshop to your list of Screen Protectors. Another user asked about them, and from what I can tell (I have one on a PDA), they are similar to the Martin Fields product

1. PET base - Glossy exterior surface
2. Much tougher than Vinyls
3. Silicon surface that "sticks" without adhesive
4. Put on with a credit card or similar
5. Removable, washable, can be reapplied
6. Extremely resistant to scratching.

The web site lists front+back, but it's hard to know if the sides are covered.

The Brando web site is:

h t t p: / / shop.brando.com.hk/ultraclearscreenprotector.php

ships from Hong Kong for $13 delivered in the U.S. I've ordered various PDA and camera screen protectors from them, and it all seems fairly reliable, although the site is definitely not the easiest to order from. Still, the stuff gets to you in a week or so. I have a Nano variant on order now, so whenever it does show up, I'll post some further info on it.

[pwjone1]

Another potential Screen Protector option is the relatively new Crystal Skins shown at the decalgirl web site:

h t t p: / /w w w.decalgirl.com/browse.cfm/4,3376.htm

(sorry about the URL, just take the spaces out)

It says it is made of the same material as the screen protector, extended to front + back (but I would assume not side) coverage. Price seems reasonable enough. Hard to tell if it's the glossy or anti-reflective variety.

[Jtgarcia413]

I have the Martin Fields overlay, pictures are in my signature.

[NonSequitur]

Originally posted by acousticECHO
1. the INVISIBLE SHIELD - I've seen the video, read the awesome reviews all over this board, etc. - but $19.95? :-/ Especially as a temporary measure, it's a bit pricey. You can make your own 'invisible shield' cheap - go to a local car dealer and see if they have the Clear Bra paint protection film (3M's Scotchcal). This is the same material used in the Invisible Shield. (My local Volkswagen dealer gave me the scrap pieces for free). Then cut it to the shape of the nano and use the same method to apply it as the invisible shield.

PS: I would have done the above if I had the time. So I got the Invisible shield. But @ $20, its quite expensive and next time, I will definitely be making the cover myself.