Accessories Review: Realook Screen Protector

[pattywak]

Recently received and installed the Realook screen protector, and I figured I'd give my impressions on this, as well as a short comparison to the T-Mobile In-Store screen protector.

When I first got my Vibrant, I chose to get the T-Mobile screen protector. When I got home and opened it up, I was rather surprised to find out that it didn't cover the entire front of the phone. -1 for that. Application was typical for any dry application, so that wasn't a problem. but once I had it on and used it for a day or two I started noticing the pixelation so many people talk about on these forums, and it was very noticable. Immediately after installation there was a little additional resistance to my fingers on the touch screen, but that quickly went away. The pixelation effect was so bad that I looked for a replacement, and found this forum and head about the Realook brand so I decided to give it a try.

My Realook screen protector arrived in the mail and I wasted no time in installing. The first and probably most disturbing thing ( for me at least ) during the removal of the T-Mobile screen protector was how much it actually diminished the image quality of the Vibrant's screen. I was literally in awe. The screen looked beautiful without the T-Mobile screen protector.

Now, this brought me to quite the situation, because I was worried my Realook would have the same effect on the screen. After the simple dry installation, my fears were soon gone. The Realook does not diminish the screen quality in any way whatsoever. It looks as if nothing is on the screen. If you are worried about the screen protector ruining your beautiful display, then fear not. From what I can tell there is zero distortion / pixelation using the Realook screen protector. This is a huge plus for myself and I'm gong to bet for everyone else looking for a screen protector but also wants to keep their screen looking nice and vivid. The only downside to the Realook is that there was a little more resistance when sliding my finger on it at first, but a day after using it and that problem quickly went away. There was also no change to the overall touch sensitivity of the screen.

Also, the Realook package includes a screen protector for the camera lens! Does not distort the image created by the camera whatsoever. I've never heard of a company including one of these with their screen protectors. Awesome!

Critical Points:
Pros:
+ Does not affect screen image or viewing angle.
+ Easy application
+ Covers entire front of the phone, including the 4 capacitive buttons.
+ Does not affect the touch sensitivity of the screen at all.
+ Includes a screen protector for the camera lens!
+ Did I mention that it doesn't distort your beautiful Super AMOLED screen?

Cons:
- A little resistance to the touch, but this will go away within one or two days.


Overall, I can highly recommend the Realook Screen Protector to anyone looking for one for their Vibrant.
5 out of 5!

Link: Amazon.com: REALOOK T-Mobile Samsung Vibrant Crystal Clear Premium LCD Screen Protector 2 Pack: Electronics

From heybk: for anybody who wants to order heres a 10% off code
2ZDLV2W5 valid until the end of september

Note: I know there will probably be people who come into this thread saying that screen protectors are useless because of the scratch resistant glass used on the Vibrant. I personally use one because when it comes to my expensive investment of a mobile device, I'd rather be safe than sorry. And since there is basically no downside to this screen protector, I will recommend it and use it as long as possible. Thanks for reading!

 

[96redformula]

I got mine in last week. The quality was very good and it is practically unnoticeable and has no effect on the screen quality. However 1 of the 2 screen protectors was defective and had to be tossed in the package I received.

 

[pattywak]

Oh, I only have used one so far. Sorry to hear that happened to you! But I'm glad you agree with my review.

 

[llblwskydrgn]

Alright! I am going to order this screen protector as soon as I figure out all the phone stuff I want to buy from amazon.
I never realized what a big thing phone accessories was until getting myself a smartphone!

 

[pattywak]

Yeah I agree with you llblwskydrgn. With my sidekick I never used a screen protector or case and it got stratched to hell, but I really didn't mind. It's a little different now that I have a marvelous phone.

 

[lexluthor]

I'll second the review. Very happy with my realook. First time I've ever seen a piece of tap included so that you can pick up an end of the protector to get under and remove any dust particles during install.

 

[heybk]

i just ordered mine from amazon
for anybody who wants to order heres a 10% off code
2ZDLV2W5 valid until the end of september

 

[pattywak]

Thanks for the code! I'll update my first post with that information.

 

[spiz]

Thanks for the review! I might give it a try. I love the screen naked, but I'm like you, I'd rather be safe than sorry. I have a Body Glove case protecting the sides and back, and wouldn't mind completing the protection with something of quality.

I'll check it out!

 

[jkcheng122]

So this one is a dry installation? Peel screen off paper and apply to screen and none of that spray stuff? I hated the spray applications.

 

[lexluthor]

Yes, it's a dry install. Protector comes sandwiched between 2 pieces of plastic that get removed on install.

 

[pattywak]

Thanks for the review! I might give it a try. I love the screen naked, but I'm like you, I'd rather be safe than sorry. I have a Body Glove case protecting the sides and back, and wouldn't mind completing the protection with something of quality.
I'll check it out!

I loved the screen naked also, but with something like this I'm not going to take a chance on it, and any extra protection that doesn't affect the screen quality I'll gladly use.

Like I said in my review, the only thing really to look out for is the resistance when sliding your finger right after install, but this goes away quickly. I highly recommend it!

 

[VegasTouch]

Realook i great but i screwed it up on install and it got a couple specs of dust on it so it didnt go on as good as i wanted. It said i could wash it so i did but seems i could never get dust specs off of it so i have to order some news ones.

It also isnt fingerprint proof as someone said someplace in a forum....lol, ...but i do like them as they are smooth to scrool on and if i can get it on with no dust will look like i dont have anything on the phone.

 

[pattywak]

I got a couple specks of dust under the screen when I was applying it also, but I used the supplied stickers tab things to lift the screen and used some scotch tape to take the dust off. Works really well. Hoe that helps!

 

[robo21]

Excellent review pattywak! I have the Realook but haven't applied one yet - I guess I was concerned about other reviewers saying that the fingerprints were more noticeable with the Realook in place.

Do you have any further input on fingerprints? Also what about glare or reflections - any different than the bare screen?

Thank you again for the review.

 

[killer3160]

i agree with you realook looks a million times better then the t-mobile screen protector. installed it today and love how the screen shows crystal clear now makes text easy to read.but ya finger prints are easy to notice on the screen protector when it's off but when it's on you cant see them

 

[pattywak]

Excellent review pattywak! I have the Realook but haven't applied one yet - I guess I was concerned about other reviewers saying that the fingerprints were more noticeable with the Realook in place.

Do you have any further input on fingerprints? Also what about glare or reflections - any different than the bare screen?

Thank you again for the review.

Like the guy above me said, I fingerprints are noticeable on the Realook when the screen is off, but once you turn the screen on you cannot see them. I've used other touch screen phones, (iPhone, etc.) and when I have used them I would always see fingerprints on the screen with the screen off. Maybe it's because I have oilier than normal skin, but it looks the same as it would without the screen protector. Also, the glare is not bad at all, the Realook doesn't make it worse. What do you mean about reflections?

 

[lllleooo]

So much better than the tmobile one, if you put it on correctly, the screen looks the same as it would without a protector.

 

[rync888]

do you need to trim the protector for it to fit the screen properly or does it come pre-cut?

 

[lexluthor]

The realook is pre-cut perfectly.

I don't see how something you'd have to cut on your own would even be close to acceptable.

 

[rync888]

The realook is pre-cut perfectly.

I don't see how something you'd have to cut on your own would even be close to acceptable.

Exactly why I asked. Thanks.

 

[kcs7272]

I got mine today and put one on. I swear you cannot even tell it is on, smooth as ever! I LOVE IT!

 

[llblwskydrgn]

I finally ordered mine from amazon =) I hope it comes soon!

 

[vuvision]

Here's my a bit more objective take on realook. There's definitely some degradation in the touch sensitivity, especially around the 4 capacitive buttons at the bottom, more so with the home button (this was topic of discussion in the XDA forum where many users experienced the same issue). You'll just have to be a little more deliberate with your touch as oppose to the silky super sensitive bare screen.

It's a finger print magnet, smudge gazoo, and noticeably more difficult to wipe off than the bare screen. After playing with the realook on my phone, and with make up and all, my wife refused for me to install it on her Vibrant. I don't blame her since a direct side by side comparo yielded a pretty conclusive result of what I mentioned above.

That said, realook is still 10X better than the T-mob screen (yuck!), and 20X better than the soft orange peel Zag. I've used both of these products and recommend neither.

I'm fairly rough with my phone so I'll keep realook on & live with it for now and continue to search for something better.

My 2 pieces of the copper.

 

[robo21]

It is valuable to get opinions from all sides of a topic. Thanks for posting your impressions here. I don't know about your claim of being "more objective" though, especially the anecdotal part about your wife's experience and impressions. To me almost everything I read here is subjective, based upon the posters' personal experiences and impressions. It almost makes it sound like you think the other posters, who had a more positive experience, were more emotional or biased when you claim to have more objectivity.

Having said that, I ordered and received the Realook but have been too busy to sit down and install one on the phone. In the back of my mind was the concern about fingerprints. I asked about the fingerprint issue and Pattywak said it "was about the same." But we didn't discuss the cleaning of the fingerprints before and after Realook.

What do you use to clean the fingerprints vuvision?

Pattywak also stated that the sensitivity of the capacitive buttons was diminished but that improved in a day or two. How long has your Realook been on the Vibrant?

Thanks again vuvision for your "2 pieces of copper."