Accessories PhantomSkinz Review and Scratch Test (Pics and Video)

[maniacman54]

Disclaimer: This is my first review of anything ever and this is my first android phone (and I'm loving it). Also I've never installed a full body protector before, so it may have not come out as well.

Anyhoo, after much debate and reading, I ended up getting the PS because of the price, two sets and lifetime warranty. I got them for about 17.50, no tax, free shipping I believe. The only reason why I decided to install the ps on my phone is I'm sending it back for a replacement, so I might as well just get some practice in.
Before

It is a wet install, but it's not too bad. Some warm water with a few drops of Johnson and Johnson baby shampoo does wonders. I reviewed the youtube video of installing it over while I had the sheets soaking in the water. I found that the easiest pieces to put on was the screen, the battery cover and the camera cover since they were the larger pieces. The sides were really annoying, but I found it to be easier to install if they weren't so wet. Even if there were fingerprints, you can't really tell.
See below for some after shots

And of course, everyone always wants to know, how does it fit with the case? To be honest, not great. It could've been that I didn't wait long enough before trying, I installed wrong, or the case (verizon high silicone) is wayy too tight

Since I didn't wait the recommended few hours to 24 hours, the screen looks to be still a little hazy with some wet spots, but I'm assuming that should be gone within the next day or so. As for the touch, still feel move. Though what I did like about the verizon screen protector was that I glided so easily with swype. With or without the PS, I find it a little more difficult to swype, but not too much more difficult.

Lastly the scratch test. There is not many videos of droid x's with scratch tests, let alone with ps. I did go semi hard with the key and the staple remover. You can see at the end the screen looks really scratched. But after about 5 minutes, they weren't that noticeable (maybe due to the "self healing" material). See for yourself. Excuse the sound on the video. i was recording near my AC.
PhantomSkinz Scratch Test

My only gripe about this and possibly other similar products is the wrapping of the skin around the corners. I have seen other videos, and whatever you do, I just think it'll come up. So I ended up taking the front top skin off and the sides. When I get my replacement I'm just going to put the screen, battery and camera cover. Hopefully I won't have trouble with putting on the case.

If there's anything else you want to know, just ask

 

[WishinItWas]

Nice job for your first ever "wet" skin application. I have used most of the top "wet" skin brands out there and I prefer PhantomSkinz over the rest in that category.

Some tips for full device coverage would be to
-Keep your fingers(all of them) constantly wet when handling/applying the skin

-work slowly, patience is a virtue with the wet skins

-focus on the flat sections of areas and leave the corners "up" while you work out the bubbles in the flat sections, after a few minutes the corners will have dried out enough to stick down easier and move around less.

I NEVER wait the recommended 24hrs but I found that constantly monitoring the corners for about 20min after your done to make sure they are not lifting helps a lot, and I usually don't touch the device for 6-8hrs ( apply before bed or if you can right before you start work)

Over time and depending on use/abuse the corners WILL lift, it seems unavoidable after 4 full coverage devices, I only use the screen protectors now.

 

[kwest12]

........I found that constantly monitoring the corners for about 20min after your done to make sure they are not lifting helps a lot........

Over time and depending on use/abuse the corners WILL lift, it seems unavoidable after 4 full coverage devices, I only use the screen protectors now.

These two pieces of your post sound like you may be referring to the body protector part, not the screen protector. Is that accurate?

 

[maniacman54]

These two pieces of your post sound like you may be referring to the body protector part, not the screen protector. Is that accurate?

Yeah. the screen protector doesn't have tabs like that. The only parts that have tabs for PS are under the physical buttons, around the ear piece, around the camera and the bottom back. There are 6 major pieces with 3 sides (very thin)

 

[WishinItWas]

These two pieces of your post sound like you may be referring to the body protector part, not the screen protector. Is that accurate?

Yup and I was speaking generally, not specific to this device about corners, they can be tricky

 

[maniacman54]

Update

All those scratches seen in my vid are pretty much gone after about 24 hours. The screen has conformed nicely with the phone as well.

 

[wrathletik]

Just to confirm, this full body kit comes with a protection piece for the camera lens?

Thanks

 

[ashykat]

I prefer the way PhantomSkinz feel compared to Invisible Shield by Zagg, but I don't think the scratch protection is up to par. I had a zagg on for months and had no scratches, yet my PS scratched very easily. I wonder if this is true for everyone or if my phone was just in a compromising position I wasn't aware of which is why it seemed to scratch so easily.

 

[maniacman54]

I prefer the way PhantomSkinz feel compared to Invisible Shield by Zagg, but I don't think the scratch protection is up to par. I had a zagg on for months and had no scratches, yet my PS scratched very easily. I wonder if this is true for everyone or if my phone was just in a compromising position I wasn't aware of which is why it seemed to scratch so easily.

The PS does scratch, just look at the video. But I hardly notice anymore, like the scratches went away (I'm just not ignoring it).

And yes, there is coverage for around the lens in the fully body kit. So far, i'm really liking it. There is a slight orange peel effect, but not as noticeable.

 

[wrathletik]

The PS does scratch, just look at the video. But I hardly notice anymore, like the scratches went away (I'm just not ignoring it).

And yes, there is coverage for around the lens in the fully body kit. So far, i'm really liking it. There is a slight orange peel effect, but not as noticeable.

So it goes around the lens, or directly applied to the glass piece on the back?

thanks

 

[argh]

So it goes around the lens, or directly applied to the glass piece on the back?

thanks

I have the same protector except it's matte. It does not include a piece that is applied directly to the camera glass.

 

[wrathletik]

I have the same protector except it's matte. It does not include a piece that is applied directly to the camera glass.

thanks for the reply. Went to bestbuy today, and the zagg kit doesnt protect the lens either.

 

[maniacman54]

there is no piece covering the actual camera. but even if there was, wouldn't that degrade picture quality?

 

[wrathletik]

there is no piece covering the actual camera. but even if there was, wouldn't that degrade picture quality?

i dont think so, especially with the ultra clear films like the sgp. i just think this is a glaring oversight by most of these film protection companies. the camera lens exposed like it is deserves to be protected too imo.

 

[CriticalMass]

I can tell you the screen haze will not go away. It's there because the soap you put in the water had some bubble action happening. I had this with my first one and removed it. reapplied by putting the soap in the water AFTER I filled the cup. And now I have 0 haze.

Also had a friend with a different phone do this with the same issue. She swears she did not have bubbles in her soap but instead used the recommended stuff.

 

[maniacman54]

I can tell you the screen haze will not go away. It's there because the soap you put in the water had some bubble action happening. I had this with my first one and removed it. reapplied by putting the soap in the water AFTER I filled the cup. And now I have 0 haze.

Also had a friend with a different phone do this with the same issue. She swears she did not have bubbles in her soap but instead used the recommended stuff.

After some major usage of the skin and the phone, there is no haze or anything. Also the scratches are nearly invisible unless you're really looking for it. I did the same thing with the soap. I made tiny little droplets in the water, mixed it in and let it settle for like 5 min.

 

[mahers]

I too, have the PS on mine. Installed it Friday, and as with other wet applications, it took a couple of days to totally dry out and clear up. I put Palmolive in my water (no baby soap around) and it looks great. When I first put it on, there was a small bump under the protector (sticky side), so I had to lift it up and kind of dig at it to remove it. No idea what it was, but I got it off. Now, though, I can kinda tell where I was scratching at it. Word of advice, don't do that. Put it back in the water and see if it comes off. Otherwise, you can hardly tell it's on. A 2 pack for $7 (screen only) is a great deal. (Look for discount codes online).