invisibleSHIELD iPhone Full Body Protector

[iakonafuji]

Hello all, I, like many others, have been looking for a screen protector for our precious new iPhones. Upon browsing the web and looking at familiar sites like Decal Girl and Overlayplus, I decided to stick with the Good Ol Invisible Shield name. I've had good luck with them in regards to my full macbook pro protective film, so I figured I'd buy their iPhone protective film.

Why invisibleSHIELD?
- FULL protection. Front, back, side to side. haha.
- Lifetime guarantee. Like with my Macbook Pro, if it ever starts to peel excessively or it gets scratched, or if I just want a new one (hehe) I request a new one, they send it, and I send my old one back. Simple as that!
- Reasonable price

The blue is what is protected

http://www.shieldzone.com/images/products/apple-iphone-shield.jpg

Here is the link where you can purchase your very own InvisibleShield.

I will post images of my own shield once I get it in!

http://www.shieldzone.com/item_description/APLIPHONE.html

[Toneaero]

Keep us updated. Im trying to debate between the invisible shield and the power support crystal.

[EV0B0Y691]

I say go for BSE. Same as InvisibleSHIELD and much cheaper. bestskinsever.com

[cklinh]

^^^

http://www.bestskinsever.com/servlet/the-69/iPhone-Total-Body-Skin/Detail

I would have gone with the BSE if my wife hadn't won a contest for a free Invisible Shield. These films are the best (both are the same, as far as I can tell, and I've used both)... but Invisible Shield is just too expensive.

[iakonafuji]

Yeap, BSE is a fantastic product as well...but what won me over from InvisibleSHIELD is the LIFETIME replacement plan. Because we all know that skins can get dirty/peel/and maybe even break, so I figured the little bit extra $$ was a comfort pillow for me know, knowing that if my skin ever does mess up, I can get a new one :) But, i DO agree that BSE is a great product and you can't go wrong with them.

I will definitely keep everyone posted in regards to my invisibleSHIELD once I get it (should be any day now)

[Mediahound]

I like the Inivisble Shield for somethings but really don't think it would be very good on the iPhone because it feels to rubber-like. So when you are typing and pinching things on the screen, it won't be smooth. Just my 2 cents.

[iakonafuji]

I like the Inivisble Shield for somethings but really don't think it would be very good on the iPhone because it feels to rubber-like. So when you are typing and pinching things on the screen, it won't be smooth. Just my 2 cents.

You have a good point, but I'd still rather protect my screen and feel a bit of resistance/tackyness because of the protector, rather have it be smooth but also unprotected

[Mediahound]

you really don't need a screen protector. Its glass and won't scratch.

[iPhoneDude]

Thanks good people.... I have used the IS in the past but you're right, they are expensive. I ordered the BSE just now and plan to protect everything but the screen. I may try it on the screen, but if it interferes with the ol' fingers then it's coming off. I just want something to protect the rest of it.

[MedRed]

i would get one... but the pics i saw of an ipod wrapped in it made it look like it was covered in saran wrap. I would like something totally clear like the plastic that covered the screen that the ipod came with .

[iakonafuji]

Guess what came in the mail today guys?

THAT's RIGHT! Shieldzone sent me my full protector film and I have already applied it to my iPhone :) Wow...All I can say is that this is a FANTASTIC product! Supplied was a squeegee, and application fluid in a small chapstick sized container. The instructions were the same as any screen protector so I ignored them. In total there are two films, one for the front, and one for the back. The front covers 99.99% of the face and the back covers everything except for the corners. The installation was easy and i have NO air bubbles anywhere.

Now...for the actual performance of the product. I have never used my iPhone's glass surface, I have till this day, used the plastic film that initially covered it until I got the invisible shield today so I can't compare usage on that standpoint. However compared to the plastic film that comes with it, my fingers glide with a TAD bit more friction, but smooth as silk regardless. My typing and overall touch sensitivity is NOT negatively affected at all! I love this product! Also, the back is protected now from scuffs from keys or loose change in my pockets

Pros:
FULL Invisibleshield protection
Does not alter performance
Lifetime Replacement Guarantee
Easy to install if experienced

Cons:
Price is more than BSE/Power Support
Some may want a smooth glasssy feel. This is smooth, but not like an iPhone that is stock w/o a film

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b307/march2ninetyone/IMG_1614.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b307/march2ninetyone/IMG_1616.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b307/march2ninetyone/IMG_1617.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b307/march2ninetyone/IMG_1618.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b307/march2ninetyone/IMG_1620.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b307/march2ninetyone/IMG_1621.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b307/march2ninetyone/IMG_1622.jpg

[mrfett]

i'd love to hear other ppl's impressions about whether or not one of these is really necessary. i use one on my iPod but it seems the touch screen functionality of the iPhone might be hurt by the coating.

[iPhoneDude]

My BSE has shipped, so as soon as I'll get it I'll be reviewing it and taking a bunch of macro photos like I did when I put the InvisibleSHIELD on my old Treo:

http://www.fullyconverged.com/archives/17/invisibleshield-for-treo-700w-reviewed

will let you know my before & after experience. I'm actually looking forward to having the BSE on the case itself. It always feels like my iPhone is going to slide out of my hands and onto the floor... and the shield/BSE provides that extra bit of stickiness/tackiness that helps it stay in your hand or on your console in your car.

[joeylang]

Yah i want to order a film protector like this for my phone but i dont know if this is a good one or not. My coachin high school had one on his ipod and it started to discolor so he took it off and he didnt like it. I think i am just gonna order it and see how it goes.

[shaggyoogle]

does this cover the chrome? It looks the Chrome is the most subject to scratching.

[treotivoipod]

No offense but those pictures are pretty bad. Does your camera have a macro function?

I'm with the previous poster, the chrome, it appears, is the most fragile part of the phone, asthetically speaking.

I hear BSE covers the chrome bezel? Anybody can confirm this? Pictures?

[vbhtml]

No offense but those pictures are pretty bad. Does your camera have a macro function?

I'm with the previous poster, the chrome, it appears, is the most fragile part of the phone, asthetically speaking.

I hear BSE covers the chrome bezel? Anybody can confirm this? Pictures?

Yes, the BSE has covers for the chrome bezel. I can post pictures once I get home tonight. It looks pretty good. Well worth the $9.99 ($7.99 (BSE) + $2.00 shipping).

My camera has macro so the pictures should show it...

[ClydeFMC]

i can't wait to see your bse pics.

[vbhtml]

I didn't do a very good job applying it this time. But hopefully you'll get the idea of where the coverage is. Again, this is the BSE full body cover:

(Click on thumbnail for larger version)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/ventchimney/bse/th_07071218.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/ventchimney/bse/07071218.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/ventchimney/bse/th_07071217.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/ventchimney/bse/07071217.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/ventchimney/bse/th_07071216.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/ventchimney/bse/07071216.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/ventchimney/bse/th_07071215.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/ventchimney/bse/07071215.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/ventchimney/bse/th_07071214.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/ventchimney/bse/07071214.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/ventchimney/bse/th_07071213.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/ventchimney/bse/07071213.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/ventchimney/bse/th_07071212.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/ventchimney/bse/07071212.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/ventchimney/bse/th_07071211.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/ventchimney/bse/07071211.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/ventchimney/bse/th_07071210.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/ventchimney/bse/07071210.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/ventchimney/bse/th_07071209.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/ventchimney/bse/07071209.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/ventchimney/bse/th_07071208.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/ventchimney/bse/07071208.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/ventchimney/bse/th_07071207.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/ventchimney/bse/07071207.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/ventchimney/bse/th_07071206.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/ventchimney/bse/07071206.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/ventchimney/bse/th_07071205.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/ventchimney/bse/07071205.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/ventchimney/bse/th_07071204.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/ventchimney/bse/07071204.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/ventchimney/bse/th_07071203.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/ventchimney/bse/07071203.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/ventchimney/bse/th_07071202.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/ventchimney/bse/07071202.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/ventchimney/bse/th_07071201.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/ventchimney/bse/07071201.jpg)

[zenkai]

I just got the BSE as well (www.bestskinsever.com). I've been a loyal InvisibleSHIELD user for a couple years, and have put the SHIELD on two of my own iPods, and four or five more for family members. I love the product. But paying $20-$25 for the things was starting to irk me. Given that the BSE was so cheap, I gave it a shot.

As mentioned before, the BSE and the SHIELD are identical in feel, fit, and application. I love mine. I've never had need of the lifetime warranty of the SHIELD, and honestly, I'm likely to replace the phone itself before its skin.

The slightly grippier fit of the skin is a welcome change -- the iPhone is very slippery on its own, and the added texture of the skin helps it from falling out of hand quite so easily. It does not impede touchscreen functionality at all in my experience.

Furthermore, the skin itself does not pick up smudges like the bare glass screen does. It cleans easily, and looks great. I don't have to wipe off fingerprints anymore -- yay!

Note, however, that application of the skin requires patience, and a clean environment. I've gotten pretty good at putting these things on, but it can take a bit of practice. Read all the directions, and do it right. It's worth the effort in the end.

PROS:
Great protection
Smudge-proof
Grippy feel
Cheap
Long-lasting
Compatible with other cases/products

CONS:
Can be tricky to set up
Some users may dislike grippy feel

http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Triathlon-Lawyer/DSC_3592.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Triathlon-Lawyer/DSC_3590.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Triathlon-Lawyer/DSC_3586.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Triathlon-Lawyer/DSC_3585.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Triathlon-Lawyer/DSC_3584.jpg

[ClydeFMC]

zenkai: Great pictures and nice work. I have a few questions I'm hoping you can answer.

When were these pictures taken? In other words, how long after you applied the skin?

Does the iphone still fit in the dock?

Is the BSE skin two pieces (Front and Back) or is it all one big piece?

Did you use soap & water?

[vbhtml]

Now, does the bse skin come as one whole piece? or does it come in two separate pieces (front and back)?

Nice pictures!

Thanks :)

It's actually 4 pieces:

One on the screen
One on the back (which covers the chrome on the front left and right)
One over the top/front chrome
One over the bottom/front chrome

I hope that makes sense... :confused:

[ClydeFMC]

thanks, it does make sense.

can you tell me if it fits into the dock with the skin on?

[vbhtml]

thanks, it does make sense.

can you tell me if it fits into the dock with the skin on?

Yep, it fits the iPhone dock just fine!

Edit: In case you wanted to see, here's the picture:

(click on thumbnail to see larger version)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/ventchimney/bse/th_07071219.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/ventchimney/bse/07071219.jpg)

[ClydeFMC]

THanks for your help!

[cklinh]

Waiting for my shield to get here... just one question, does it interfere with the operation of the proximity sensor? (the one that turns the screen off when you hold it up to your face...)

[vbhtml]

Waiting for my shield to get here... just one question, does it interfere with the operation of the proximity sensor? (the one that turns the screen off when you hold it up to your face...)

I haven't really noticed a difference with or without the BSE. When I hold the iPhone up to my face, it still locks it like normal.

Honestly, I never really paid close attention to that :eek:

[zenkai]

zenkai: Great pictures and nice work. I have a few questions I'm hoping you can answer.

When were these pictures taken? In other words, how long after you applied the skin?
Sorry for the delayed response. I took those photos about 12 hours after the shield had been applied. As I look at it now, four days later, it looks exactly the same. The texture is the same -- and if my iPods are any indication, it will remain the same for years. I really like its smudge-repellent nature, which keeps the screen pristine at pretty much all times. If anything gets on it, a quick wipe with a damp paper towel cures all ills.


Does the iphone still fit in the dock?
As already mentioned, it does fit. But it's very tight. Because the edges of the BSE are small, and have the greatest potential for peeling off, I choose not to dock the phone, and just plug the cable directly into the dock connector (as shown in my pictures). Peeling has not been a problem in any of my iPods, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.


Is the BSE skin two pieces (Front and Back) or is it all one big piece?
It's actually in FIVE pieces:

Front face
Home button
Back & sides
Top silver area
Bottom silver area


Did you use soap & water?
Yep. One drop of Palmolive + one bowl lukewarm water. Stir, remove bubbles, apply BSE as per directions.

Does it interfere with the operation of the proximity sensor?
Not at all.

[Daremo]

I purchased the InvisibleSHIELD and applied it to the phone. It was actually really easy to put on, and getting the bubbles out was really simple. The "set up" time is rubbish. It looked the exact same a week later as it did 5 minutes after putting it on. The texture never goes away, and the "rubbery" feel to the skin drove me nuts. I removed the shield, and it comes off pretty easy, and leaves no residue after. I quick wipe with the apple cloth, and it's as good as new.

I hated this shield. Losing the ability to easily "glide" your fingers across a touch screen, built on finger gliding is silly to me.

I hear good things about the PowerSupport Crystal Film, so I'm hunting that down tomorrow.

[joeylang]

Yah, i applied it and the front was so easy to put on, but i had a lot of problems with the back. It just wasnt going on right, i put the camera cut out PERFECT on there and then everything else was too far right. Now the camera cur out is a little off and everything else is right. I overall like it, i thought the corners were a little difficult to do, but it is a great product. I find the responsiveness to the touch screen great and i dont mind the slight tecture.

[trip024]

So I got the invisishield last week, applied it and had problems with the install. Part of it was my lack of patience but the main thing was getting the corners to stick due to the way its designed. The corners have a fork like design which made it very hard to allign. I tried to re-align it but most of the adhesive had set and I strecthed it while trying to take it off. Another thing I didnt like was the fact that the chrome was not protected at all.

Got the BSE today, IMO a much better design, the exact same material, at quarter of the cost. The corners design is a lot simpler thus so much easier to apply and the chrome is protected as well albeit not 100% as there are parts peeking out. Even the home button is protected. Overall very satisfied!

What 1st got me interested in the invisishield was their replacement policy but when you consider that you can buy almost 2 more bse films for 1 order of the invisishield the BSE is your best bang for your buck IMHO. Realistically how many times will we have to replace these films anyway?

Regardless of the two. When you do the install I would suggest to do it in a steamed bathroom as that helps keeping lint and dirt away AND be patient!

[joeylang]

Yah, the way the invisible shields corners are designed make it a b!tch to install, i agree. Overall though, i am very happy with the product, i had to instal 2 ofthem and i only messed up 2 times. On my dads phone, there are two black specks under the screen(oops!), but he says he cant even see then and i shouldnt worry about it. On my phone, the front looks beautiful, but i have a little speck on the back, but im not worried because my vaja ivolution case shoudl be in pretty soon and it will cover than up. I recommend it to people with a lot of patience and a dust free envirement.

[Calistograph]

Those pics reveal what I don't like about those skins. I have one on my Vision M. I care less about how this looks with the skins on but I hate that ripply look. Yeah it smudges less but I'm not sacrificing the smooth gliding and nice looks by sticking this ghetto wrapper on my iPhones.

[Mediahound]

I agree. I hate the look of it on the iPhone. I do have the Invisible Shield on my iPod though. It does protect quite well but I don't feel it's good for a screen that you touch and look at a lot.

BTW, I notice that www.bestskinsever.com has the EXACT same product as Invisible Shield but for WAY less money. They don't give you the lifetime warranty but you probably don't need it since it should last you years.

[cklinh]

just got this on, but when I used my credit card to squeegee the water out, I left a long scuff mark on the skin. Anyway to remove that?

[pickle311]

sweet, I just ordered 3 from BSE. I got one for my iPhone, iPod, and my wifes Samsung Blackjack.

[Mediahound]

just got this on, but when I used my credit card to squeegee the water out, I left a long scuff mark on the skin. Anyway to remove that?

If it's just a bubble or something it might be gone in a couple of days. If the skin is actually scratched, then no, it will not be able to be removed.

I have found that using a credit card is not the best way to smooth it out. Just use your fingertips. Wet them a little so they can slide more easily. I've installed several of these Invisible Shield or Best Skins Ever for myself and friends on various devices and this is my experience.

[pickle311]

Wet them a little so they can slide more easily.

I would be a little nervous using any amount of moisture on a brand new $500 - $600 phone. It doesn't take much at all to get in a crack and jack it up.

[Mediahound]

Then you better not plan on installing one of these because it requires you drenching them in water to install.

[pickle311]

Then you better not plan on installing one of these because it requires you drenching them in water to install.


I still have a 30 day warranty. Apple will swap it out on the spot if anything happens. :D

[honeybee1236]

The BSE does not have to be drenched in water to apply it. I have a BSE I applied to my iPhone and a little water won't hurt it. I just dabbed a little water on the tips of two fingers to wet the BSE and apply it (it's only to be able to move the BSE into position). Then I dabbed it with a damp cloth to absorb the excess moisture and smooth it out.

I also applied a BSE to my iPod w/o wetting it at all and it still worked. You just need to be careful when not moistening the BSE to apply it with care but it will work and look great.

[noneother]

I bought 2 the first week put them both on two phones. Friend at work just got his, shield zone has changed their template. Now covers the shiny metal too. Wrote them and asked for two new ones .

[joeylang]

Yah i know, i noticed the same thing, i am kinda mad now too, but i guess it is a good thing. I doubt they will send me a new one though.

[smacman]

For anyone considering getting (or more importantly, removing) an Invisible Shield, see my post here:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=368865

I should also note that all of my attempts to contact this company have failed. They have not answered any emails and when I call I am placed on hold indefinitely.