Massive Invisibleshield Letdown

[dietcokefiend]

Ordered the thing this weekend, arrived this afternoon. Had my hopes and dreams of finally being able to use the ipod outside, and after looking at the sheet they sent me, its crap.

They ship it to you in a normal envelope. The clear sheets come inside a little baggie, with the "Invisible Shield" card right on top of the smooth side of the screen protector. Well, going through the mail sorting and whatnot, this mashed into the screen area leaving a MASSIVE line right across the "invisibleshield" protector. It also gouged into it in 2 spots slightly cutting into the material.

Besides the fact they could have at least better protected this in some way for shipping, as the cost of these things is PENNIES, now I know this material can't hold up to that much at all. It gouged from PAPER.

http://t3flange.com/card.JPG
http://t3flange.com/card1.JPG

Hard to get a shot of it from what my eyes see, because of the reflections off of it, but you can at least see the blurred out plastic from the paper mashing into it and gouging the plastic cover.

Right now I am not sure if I want a full refund, or a replacement set. Anyone else that bought this thing have these marks? :mad:

[JazzyMac]

Received mine, got the same marks that I rubbed off. Looks good as new.

[brownstonemr]

Yeah thats to bad they shipped it like that. I was going to order one but haven't yet. My new iPod arrived today. It shipped with a protective sticky film already in place which covers the whole front of the iPod. Even though your meant to peel this off of course, I think I will leave it on untill Iskin start releasing their 5g products.

Even though the current film covers the mouse wheel It is still useable and the display screen is nicely protect even though I would get better visibilty with it off. I'd rather keep it protected for now untill I find a suitable protective replacement. Plus the video still looks amazing.

[dietcokefiend]

Originally posted by JazzyMac
Received mine, got the same marks that I rubbed off. Looks good as new.

How do you rub off gouges? Its like a "bullseye" in 2 places from the corners that cut into the plastic.

[TheFly]

I'd contact them and ask them to send you a rushed replacement sandwiched between two pieces of cardboard or card stock.

[Nitr0]

Come on guys, there is no need to get all upset at this company. They make a good product. Send them an email with your pictures and they will respond and I'm sure send you a new one, maybe even in different shipping packaging, but the whole theory of paper scratching it up is kinda insane as this is a very tough product.

[ehrgeiz]

yah, I saw the video, and that excessive key scraping they did was impressive.

[dietcokefiend]

Originally posted by Nitr0
Come on guys, there is no need to get all upset at this company. They make a good product. Send them an email with your pictures and they will respond and I'm sure send you a new one, maybe even in different shipping packaging, but the whole theory of paper scratching it up is kinda insane as this is a very tough product.

Theory? The marks on the plastic are exactly the same shape as the little business card they stuck on top of it. I had to PEEL it off.

http://t3flange.com/card.JPG
http://t3flange.com/card1.JPG

Tough... maybe. Its a soft plastic that bends easily. You can mar it running a fingernail over it. If you were using this in your pocket it would have to be replaced every few months to be able to still watch movies on the screen through it.

EDIT: Tried to call them, and got a message that thier phone systems are down until tommorow for upgrades. Going to see what the replacement one looks like, and if its anything similar I will make them refund my money.

[JazzyMac]

Originally posted by JazzyMac
Received mine, got the same marks that I rubbed off. Looks good as new.
Well, I didn't have gouges, but it was evident the business card was stuck to the IS. So I just rubbed out the card marks...but it was bad on the company to pack it like that. As of yet I don't feel I received a $25 product, but maybe it'll be different once I actually apply it.

[dietcokefiend]

Originally posted by JazzyMac
Well, I didn't have gouges, but it was evident the business card was stuck to the IS. So I just rubbed out the card marks...but it was bad on the company to pack it like that. As of yet I don't feel I received a $25 product, but maybe it'll be different once I actually apply it.

How did you rub the marks out?

[JazzyMac]

Finger, a bit of spit or Evian, and just rub it out. Like you're trying to smooth out the marks. They may or may not disappear. A gouge might still show, though.

[UnderWare1213]

Well at least you actually got something. I received an empty envelope with just a receipt...I guess they just completely forgot to send the product itself?

They respond awfully slow to e-mails so I'll have to call them today.

[Tom Honey]

Well i just put mine on my brand new ipod and have to say it was one of the most scary experiences of my life.

I did the front first and it was fine until i noticed there was some strange sticker on the side (something written in other languages. ) and my invisible shields edge was just over it so i thought id pull the side of and take it out.

well i wish i just left it damn alone now.

it led to couple of small smudges/bubbles.

the other 90% was fine and looks great.

on the back i put it on and was concentrating so hard on not getting bubbles that i didn't check it was lined up so it was slightly off. which is annoying but its fine.

YOU NEED SO MUCH WATER TO GET IT TO SLIDE.

trust me it makes it so much easier with more water. but it is scary. im weighting till the morning to see how mine is.

although its got a small blemish on the bottom right hand side, im sure if i see someone with one in 3 weeks there will look a hell of a lot worse than mine because of scratches and stuff.

basically my screen looks perfect so i dont mind really.

[dietcokefiend]

With this stuff, I wonder if it might be better off to have a iLounge sponsored supplier of these things (they are common 3m scotchgaurd protector sheets), and sell them for a fraction of the price.

At least then if the shipping is slow or something doesn't work out too well, you are out maybe 3-4 bucks instead of 25 bucks.

The only issue would be designing the press, and finding some place to stamp the shape into the sticker. A little detective work, and you ould probably find a chinese supplier to pump out a few thousand of these for maybe 300-400 bucks. You could EASILY sell all the stock on ebay, and we could have some sort of direct contact with the group or person, rather than hopefully dreams of a company responding to emails or phonecalls.

[Nitr0]

Maybe when they were producing it the card went ontop of soft plastic? I don't know how they produce these things but it sounds like they don't allow sufficient cooling before packaging.

[dietcokefiend]

Originally posted by Nitr0
Maybe when they were producing it the card went ontop of soft plastic? I don't know how they produce these things but it sounds like they don't allow sufficient cooling before packaging.

They buy the sheets in bulk from 3m, and then "cookie cutter" the slices to make the shapes of the ipods and whatnot. No heat is involved with this.

[dietcokefiend]

Oh yea, still no reply to my email about getting a replacement sent out, and I still can't get into contact with these people. Is the only option lerft to get something done is to go through my credit card?

[whereIsMyIpod]

Originally posted by dietcokefiend
Oh yea, still no reply to my email about getting a replacement sent out, and I still can't get into contact with these people. Is the only option lerft to get something done is to go through my credit card?

Im not sure what your problem is with contacting them, just call the number thats on the contact us part of the webpage and select the option on the phone where it asks to speak with someone about refunds or replacements. I called them this morning and got through instantly and the woman on the other line was very helpful.

[dietcokefiend]

Finally got through, before it was going to the answering machine. They said they would ship out another one today, so maybe I might get one before this weekend.

I also let them know about the business card, and packaging it not in the baggie with the shields, and they said "thanks for the great tip", so maybe lets see if they take this advice and ship em out w/o as much risk for damage before they even get stuck to the ipod.

[[zerophase]]

hmm i was going to buy the protector film but now after reading it have made me think twice...

[yanked]

I agree with the person who said it was scary--applying it is a bit nerve-wracking. In the end, though, the result looks pretty good--a few very minor blemishes on a black 5G 60gb, but nothing impairing the screen, and certainly better than even one scratch would be. I also saw that the business card had left a mark in the shield, and had somehow even left a couple grains under the bit that it had marked--don't ask me how that happened. In any case, the grains were probably adhesive, as they disappeared when I wet it. The lines left by the card also disappeared, and in fact many of the minor blemishes I fretted over when I first applied the shield vanished after 24 hours, and a couple of little bubbles could be pressed down to virtually disappear after it had dried a bit. The edge tabs were definitely a pain (I used a credit-card edge to press them down for the minute or so it takes for them to stick). There is one slight line over the screen that I can discern if I turn it to a white screen and tilt it back and forth obsessively, but nothing discernible when I'm actually watching a video. The texture, as other people have said, is very faintly rubbly if you look at it at an angle, but there is no video distortion from this--it looks a bit like the texture of ice or a block of lucite. All in all, worth the brief anxiety for the fact I can now leave it sitting around however I like.

[dietcokefiend]

After talking with them on the phone, and also finally getting an email back from them it seems they are going to take my advice and remove the business card completely from the package, or at least move it into a different section of the envelope. I will let you guys know when my replacement shield set arrives.

[kculpia]

I had a similar experience , but the outcome is definitely not one of satisfaction. There was NO WAY I could get the edges pressed down on the front. These is a 1/4 inch edge that I wish was trimmed off. The instructions said it would seal within 20 seconds. Not. I applied pressure for over 3 hours with a model "clamp" and it still wouldn't stick. I finally decided to use scotch tape to hold it down and wait overnight.

I woke up the next morning and easily pulled off the tape. No stick.

Lets talk about directions (no one complained about this, but I feel not including a little page of instruction was more "tacky" than the shield itself).

End result? I have an iPod with the edges hanging out. I am very disappointed. Waiting for email from them, but I don't know that I even want a replacement - yes, it is that bad.:confused:

[dietcokefiend]

Originally posted by kculpia
I had a similar experience , but the outcome is definitely not one of satisfaction. There was NO WAY I could get the edges pressed down on the front. These is a 1/4 inch edge that I wish was trimmed off. The instructions said it would seal within 20 seconds. Not. I applied pressure for over 3 hours with a model "clamp" and it still wouldn't stick. I finally decided to use scotch tape to hold it down and wait overnight.

I woke up the next morning and easily pulled off the tape. No stick.

Lets talk about directions (no one complained about this, but I feel not including a little page of instruction was more "tacky" than the shield itself).

End result? I have an iPod with the edges hanging out. I am very disappointed. Waiting for email from them, but I don't know that I even want a replacement - yes, it is that bad.:confused:

Did you wet them, let them tack for about 1 minute, and then press down for 30 seconds?

[paddy963]

Originally posted by kculpia
I had a similar experience , but the outcome is definitely not one of satisfaction. There was NO WAY I could get the edges pressed down on the front. These is a 1/4 inch edge that I wish was trimmed off. The instructions said it would seal within 20 seconds. Not. I applied pressure for over 3 hours with a model "clamp" and it still wouldn't stick. I finally decided to use scotch tape to hold it down and wait overnight.

I woke up the next morning and easily pulled off the tape. No stick.

Lets talk about directions (no one complained about this, but I feel not including a little page of instruction was more "tacky" than the shield itself).

End result? I have an iPod with the edges hanging out. I am very disappointed. Waiting for email from them, but I don't know that I even want a replacement - yes, it is that bad.:confused:

I had the exact same problem. I held down the edges forever but they never stuck.

[lip]

Hey,
If the edges were not sticking down, you should have just took the whole thing off and started again (as long as this was within a few minutes of first applying it and you had plenty of soap/water on it).

I had the same problem. I think the main issue is the soap you are using and quantity. I think I ended up with too much actually for the back portion of my nano and the sides would not stick and get the airbubbles out at the same time...the bubbles would end up going to the back of the nano when I got it stuck down on the side, when i pressed them out, the bubbles went back to the side flaps and they would not stick down. I just played with it and kept holding the sides down and squeezing out the bubbles and it eventually worked.
I'm happy.

I think if the sides didn't stick, tell them to send another one. I'm sure they will as they cost them nothing.

LIP

[kculpia]

Yes, I took it off, moistened it, and reapplied - a couple of times. The end result is simply not attractive, it looks like a cheap plastic wrap.

[scgf]

I quite agree. I spent ages trying to install my Invisible Shield. It looks shoddy - the edges didn't stick properly and as you hold them down air bubbles appear on the front at the edge where you're holding down the tab.

My lovely new iPod looks awful :-(

I am waiting for a really thin silicone case - so I suppose the Invisible Shield will do until then.

[SlamMan]

The soapy water isn't used to activate the adhesive. It's used for ease of application. What it does is prevent the skin from sticking immediately, giving you time to position it properly. The side effect is the sides don't want to stick when you fold them over. Something that helps is to set the skin in place and then walk away for about an hour to let some of the water around the edges evaporate. If you wanted to speed up the evaporation you could set it in a warm place or use a hair dryer at a distance. Once some of that water around the edges your trying to fold over is gone the flaps should stick fine.

[lessthandmb]

I had no problems what so ever installing the invisible shield...really, none. Simple simple simple solution to all of this...spray some damn blue Windex on the adhesive side, dip your hands in some water and put it on. Its pretty sticky and is even maneuverable for the first couple minutes. Use a credit card or something and lift the shield at the edges to push the water out and hold the flaps down for 30 sec. MAX. No water in the screen like that other guy had, it sticks very nicely, FEW tiny air bubbles, and it doesnt take 24 hours to dry. This should end all the bashing everyone here is giving this product...the only thing wrong with it is the insane price the company charges, and its complete lack of any directions.

-Jeremy

[kschonha]

Technique and patience is the key here. The Windex method works great. My Invisible Shield applied smoothly without any bubbles. The corner flaps are laying flat, tight and nearly invisible.

I would point out that at the moment the flaps became adhered to the iPod, there were huge air pockets all aroung the edges of the iPod. It really did look like a cheap plastic bag wrapped aroung the iPod for a few moments. I thought it was a failed installation at that point. Then I just squeegeed out the air bubbles through the touch-pad opening and the Invisible Shield smoothed out and looked perfect.

This is a great product, but I would only recommend it to meticulous and patient people. I would not have even attempted it if I had not been researching the methods employed by people on these forums.

It all comes down to one word -- 'Windex'.

[tru5t]

yea i saw someone posted something about windex or amonia based cleaner...
what makes it more effective than soap+water solution?

personally, i'm kinda sketched about it cause windex is normally for glass while ipod is plastic...
not sure if amonia would be harsh on plastic? (im not a chemist, sorry)

maybe it cause i dont know enough about the chemistry of windex and if it would help or have adverse effects on plastic...

but if you did it and have good results....then more power to you! =P

[kaew]

The Windex method works perfectly! I've tried it twice now and the result is amazing. No air bubbles at all.

It's invisible!

[Breeze]

Originally posted by kaew
The Windex method works perfectly! I've tried it twice now and the result is amazing. No air bubbles at all.

It's invisible!
kaew:

Not quite ... I would NEVER recommend using Windex on a 5G.

The polymer on a 5G is the same as that on my Sony LCD HDTV. And from Sony's tech support -- as well as MANY posts from "regretful" HDTV owners in other forums -- Windex WILL damage an LCD polymer cover. In fact the "general" advice for LCD HDTV screens is to use plain ol' tap water.

Plus -- Windex does nothing to PREVENT scratches.

[Buzzbait]

Breeze - I used Windex. It didn't damage the Ipod whatsoever. It sounds to me like you're making a very bad GUESS as to what the surface of the Ipod is made of.

[justblaize]

Originally posted by Buzzbait
Breeze - I used Windex. It didn't damage the iPod whatsoever. It sounds to me like you're making a very bad GUESS as to what the surface of the iPod is made of.
Im sure it wont damage the iPod right away, but maybe over time. I mean, windex does have ammonia in it, and it cant be too good for the ipod's finish.

[Buzzbait]

The Windex evaporates pretty quickly. There is no harm in using Windex to install an Invisible Shield. Many of us have proven that.

As far as cumulative effects goes, there are MANY different kinds of plastic out there. All of these plastics have certain strengths and weaknesses. Nobody knows whether Windex or soap has any effect on the plastic used on the 5G, except for maybe Apple. Maybe not even Apple knows. Any inference to harming an iPod with Windex is pure speculation. I could just as easily say that I think that the oils from our fingers will harm the surface of an iPod. Unfounded speculation.

What is Windex stored in? Yep. A clear plastic container.

[ExTrEmE]

IM thinking of getting this, so whats the deal with the water? what should i use? windex? water+soap?

[mharms]

Sounds like windex is what I'll be using when my shield arrives sometime in the next couple of days... thanks for the tips people!

[kculpia]

I have tried Windex, waited for it to dry about 30 minutes and the edges still would not stick. I held the edges down for 20 sec and these did not stick.

When this failed, I removed it from the device and trimmed them off and reapplied. I was not happy with the result.

Perhaps there is a difference in what iPod people are applying this, I am doing a 5G. My interpretation of the posts are that the nano model does not have the tabs wrapping around the sides on the FRONT (that is the kicker, the front on the 5G).

Again, purchase at your own risk. I feel it is too complicated, perhaps there are some that get excellent results. Please do not give remedial instructions in a reply, it is too late after a couple of hours anyway.

Really I totally give up on this product and I have followed this thread as well as others since the first post.

[evolbendy]

It has been suggested that the clear film is a 3M product, can anyone verify this? I checked their site and it seems that you can order kits that would cover 20+ ipods... albeit at 3x the cost of the precut kits mentioned. I have been applying decals for years with a little soapy water from a spray bottle, no windex, and I wouldn't use a credit card, perhaps a plastic bondo spreader, the sharp edges on a credit card can cause problems. I will ask a friend in the auto painting industry about other available products, I'd bet you could go to any auto body shop and they'd give you their left over scraps of the stuff, a small piece is of no use to them on a car...

Cheers!

[Nitr0]

What is the windex method? Can someone link me?

[JazzyMac]

Originally posted by Nitr0
What is the windex method? Can someone link me?
http://forums.ilounge.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=125233&perpage=15&pagenumber=3

[forfun]

Originally posted by Buzzbait
Breeze - I used Windex. It didn't damage the iPod whatsoever. It sounds to me like you're making a very bad GUESS as to what the surface of the iPod is made of.

actually the nano is made of polymer or wheva its called. The apple spokesmen said it after the debate over nano scratching

im sure the materials the same on the 5g

[ipodphoto30]

it's too bad i guess, go complain to them how bad their product wasted your time and money.

[ExTrEmE]

On the windex method do i spray the shield with it and then let it drip off? or let it sit with water on the ipod? ive had it for 3 days now and havent had the guts to do this. Can someone post exactly what to do with this method?

[[zerophase]]

does anyone have any pictures with their ipod with the sheild on? and what happens if i put it on and i need to get say a battery replaced in the future?

[JazzyMac]

Originally posted by JazzyMac
http://forums.ilounge.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=125233&perpage=15&pagenumber=3

Link to Windex...

[briareus]

Originally posted by kculpia
I have tried Windex, waited for it to dry about 30 minutes and the edges still would not stick. I held the edges down for 20 sec and these did not stick.

When this failed, I removed it from the device and trimmed them off and reapplied. I was not happy with the result.



Definitely don't buy the IS if you're not reading the threads.

If you can't get the sides to stick then they haven't dried enough. Wait, give it some more time, and try again later. Don't bother holding the sides down. 30 minutes and an hour are just guidelines. As with anything YMMV and there's no way anyone can give an exact drying time for your situation.

Is does take patience, care, and some common sense to apply these properly. Even with those, your results aren't going to be guaranteed. I managed to deform the front shield at the top of the click wheel when pulling the pieces apart, so I'm not claiming that I had a perfect install myself.

[ExTrEmE]

Well ive had my IS for about a week now and im going to install it today wish me luck. I have to put it on 2 ipods

[ExTrEmE]

Help: The back of my IS is great looking but the front has many little white dots on it. i applied it prefectly but now im seeing these i can take pictures later.