Posted August 23rd, 2008
by admin
If you’re looking for a bargain on a screen cover for your iPhone 3G and you have 4 friends who want in, its darn near impossible to beat the deal that DLO is offering on their Surface Shield screen protectors.
For a grand total of $14.99, you get a 5 pack of anti-glare screen protectors. A little mathematics brings us to the conclusion that you’re going to be running $3 per screen if you break the pack up. Money isn’t the only factor in play though, its just the beginning - the Surface Shield is actually an excellent product - even if it cost $15 for just one. The application process is very easy (comes with adhesive backing so you just place it on) and if you’re not quite on with the screen positioning, you can pull it off and adjust it without any consequence - it stays sticky. Just make sure your screen is clean and you don’t get any dust or hairs while you’re putting it on and it goes on great.
They’re anti glare shields - and they live up to their name. In direct window light, they cut down on bright shiny reflections, big time.
Some people prefer the unskinned, glossy surface of the naked iPhone but I personally love the texture and look that the anti-glare skin gives. It cuts down on the saturation a tiny bit, but it still looks great and in most cases, better than without the shield because you can actually see it when you’ve got sun or bright light overhead.
I recommend the DLO Surface Shield on the basis of cost and quality. Price to performance relationship is unbeatable and its an excellent product to begin with. If you can round up a couple buddies to split the bulk pack up with, it costs almost nothing but even if you’re just keeping them as spares, its an excellent value.
Tags: dlo surface shield, iphone 3g screen protector, iphone 3g shield, iphone 3g skin Posted in Photography, Testing, iPhone
Posted August 16th, 2008
by admin
One thing that is especially nice about Power Support’s screen protectors is that you have a choice - “Crystal” or “Anti Glare.” The names are pretty self explanitory, one shares the reflective, glossy screen properties of the naked iPhone screen and the other is an anti-glare matte film that blocks reflections. Most companies offer one or the other, so its nice to have a choice when you’re purchasing.
These are the “official” iPhone screen protectors, as far as Apple is concerned, because they sell them in Apple retail stores alongside the phones. For $15, you get a 2-pack of your choice of glossy or anti glare; as well as a “Pre-Installation” film that does a surprisingly good job of cleaning the screen.
I prefer the anti-glare. It has a very interesting feel, much smoother than the regular screen. Some swear by the glossier counterparts because they make the screen look more vivid, but I’m fine giving up a little sautration for anti glare and the silky feeling it gives the screen. It also does an excellent job of keeping finger prints off the screen, which is amazing if you’re like me and can’t stand smudges all over.
Its very effective - here’s a before/after comparison of the glare with and without a film.
If you’re using your phone outdoors, in bright light or anywhere reflections might be annoying, its a godsend. If you like to check your reflection in your screen, it may be problematic.
As far as quality goes, they’re well made. They were the leaders in front films for the original iPhone and my guess is that the manufacturing process hasn’t changed all that much since then. They aren’t total coverage (there is a little extra space on the sides and around the home button) but if you line it up right, you’re pretty much completely covered. The clarity on the glossy is excellent and very good on the anti-glare (which is to be expected).
If you’re looking for a way to keep scratches, smudges and finger prints off your screen, the Power Support iPhone 3G films are an excellent way to do it. They’re available online and most likely at your local Apple store.
Tags: iphone 3g film, iphone 3g screen protector, iphone 3g skin, power support anti-glare film, power support crystal film, power support film, power support iphone 3g Posted in Everything
Posted August 2nd, 2008
by admin
When it comes to iPhone 3G skins, there is a veritable sea of choices. Pretty much every company that makes protective skins has thrown its hat into the ring, and it takes something special to differentiate yourself from the crowd. Some, like BestSkinsEver, compete on price. Others, like InvisibleShield, rely on market share and retail store availability. That brings us to the most recent skin I’ve tried, the NLU Bodyguardz.
The Bodyguardz name first came up in a discussion about another skin product, and I was surprised by the number of positive remarks. My curiosity piqued, I decided to see what the hubbub was about.
When the skin arrived, my first reaction was to the attention in the packaging. BestSkinsEver cuts costs by shipping in a plain letter envelope with no packaging or instructions whatsoever, but that is not the case here. Similar to the more elaborate InvisibleShield, the Bodyguardz comes in a full size box with application solution in a spray bottle and a small plastic square for squeegeeing excess spray from under the skin.
Application is fairly straightforward. It comes in two pieces, front and back, with 4 folds to cover the chrome edges, top and bottom. The application solution (spray bottle) appears to be the same or similar to the InvisibleShield equivalent and works well enough. One thing I noticed is that while the BestSkinsEver shield slid around easily, allowing for precise positioning, the BodyGuardz was very quick to grip and required a removal and re-spraying on my first attempt. Technique is everything, make sure it is well moistened and apply from bottom to top (or top to bottom, your choice), squeegeeing as you go to remove bubbles and liquid pockets.
When you’ve finished applying it, you’ll be disappointing. Lots of little imperfections, bubbles and such that you couldn’t remove. Don’t fret! This is the nature of these products. I’ve had the same experience with the rest of the shields. Be sure to allocate at least 12, preferably 24 hours or more before you start using the iPhone again. The quality of the application improves with time and after a few weeks, it should look perfect as long as you lined it up reasonably well.
(Right after application)
(24 hours later)
As you can see, just one day really improves the quality of the application. Don’t freak out and reapply if it doesn’t look great. Give it a day, if it still has huge bubbles then try the second one.
Like usual, I will try to keep my conclusion fairly straightforward. The Bodyguardz is a fine product and definitely high quality. While they can’t quite beat the price of the super-cheap and no frills BestSkinsEver, they are definitely a cut above in simplicity and ease of application (less tabs and folds, included application spray). The clarity also looks slightly better in a direct comparison. If you find a friend who needs a skin and is willing to split the cost, you’re looking at about $13 for the Bodyguardz full package. This is only $5 more than the BestSkinsEver, but the double pack’s $25 price tag is enough to make a difference if you aren’t splitting up.
The comparison most are probably looking for is Bodyguardz vs. InvisibleShield, as they are comparable in price and product, and competing for the same marketshare. I can say without hesitation that I recommend the Bodyguardz shield. Zagg has shown themselves as a very poor company in my, and the experiences of others, so I try to avoid them where possible. I removed my iPhone invisibleshield already so I couldn’t judge relative clarity, but I believe them to be negligible in difference. The application process is almost identical and I can’t give a nod in either direction. The clincher? Bodyguardz includes two skins in their $24.99 purchase price, so you’re getting twice the value for the same money.
Tags: bodyguardz iphone 3g review, bodyguardz iphone 3g skin review, bodyguardz iphone review, bodyguardz iphone skin review, iphone 3g skin, iphone 3g skin review, iphone 3g skins review Posted in Testing, iPhone
