Accessories Unimpressed with the steinheil crystal clear

[griller]

After hearing all the praises of steinheil on this forum. I just got mine and installed it, but i am very disappointed by how fragile it is. it scratches extremely easily; even a gentle scratch with your fingernail is enough to leave an unforgiving scratch mark. Having used invisible shield before, i guess my expectation for the toughness of screen protectors has gotten a bit too high.

 

[accohn12]

you're not the only one, there's at least 1 other (fairly long) thread about people being disappointed in this product, me being one of them. You have to chalk some of it up to "user error", or at least that's what you have to be prepared to hear from most users on here. Most folks on here that put it on perfectly and claim that they're the best thing since sliced bread took quite some time to put it on.

 

[INTREPID-NY]

Give the Clarivue a try.

 

[renesis22]

Are you sure they are scratches?

I thought I had some skid scratches, but after rubbing with a microfiber it came off. And how would you scratch it during application?? I simply applied it slowly from the bottom up to the top without anything except my hands. If there are bubbles, 1) take a piece of scotch tape (or in my case a sticky price tag leftover from a recent purchase) 2) lift the corner or side with the bubble 3) hold the edge of the CC with your finger 4) dab the underside where the bubble was with your piece of tape and 5) reapply.

Just apply it slowly in a humid environment and there shouldn't be any problems whatsoever. You don't need to use a credit card like wet applications to get rid of the bubbles. Use the method listed above~

After scotch taping, my CC has gone on perfectly and there are no bubbles anywhere. No scratches either even with it going into my jeans. The whole process literally took... 15 minute shower. Put clothes on. 2-5 minute application. 2 minute scotch taping.

Still got a back-up too This is my first time putting on any kind of screen protector on any device~

Oh and as someone else stated on the forum, use the small circle to guard your camera's lens!

 

[howarmat]

i love mine cant say it seems fragile at all

 

[rushmore]

No problem with mine (got the crystal ones in today). Seem to be as good as any others. Verizon sells three four $14- not the same, but the nice thing is if you do not like them, you can return them easy. I would have done that if I noticed- before ordering them. Got a nice black silicon case from Verizon through

 

[AcePuppy]

I to am dissappointed and have used them in the past for other phones. In fact the first protector scratched easily and also would bubble on the outer edges and would not go away after retrying (how it scratched I don't know, I could never get it on properly and no I'm not a n00b I've put them on other phones before). The second protector went on fine, but took awhile to get the bubbles out. I'm still unhappy even though there product is superior to others. However with that being said I'm looking elsewhere if this one protector doesn't last the phone.

 

[griller]

On my first try, I scratched it trying to push out the bubbles with the squeegee. The moment i applied a tiny bit more strength, i distorted the film and created a noticeable white spot. The film is so soft and malleable. the material reminds me of a ziploc bag, just a bit tackier and easier to scratch than a ziploc.

Do people really think these ones are not fragile? Several summers ago, I worked at a mall kiosk selling the invisible shield. i noticed that people on this forum are not big fans of this product. but anyways, when i was selling invisible shield, I would make sales trying to impress people by banging the shit out of my ipod wiht my keys, and there would be absolutely no harm done. I would never dream to do that with my steinheil. heck, I would even be a bit scared to carry it in my pocket with my keys. like i said before, if you wanted to, you can easily scratch the shit out of the steinheil film using your FINGERNAILS.

I'm really questioning the quality of this product. I'm not entirely confident that this will properly protect the real glass screen underneath the film. Even if it does protect the real screen, I still find it annoying that the film is going to be a scratch magnet.

 

[Ruggar]

Interesting thread thus far. I just got my Steinheil CC in the mail today and replaced the Verizon protector I had been using with it. My experience (read: I'm not disagreeing with anyone's experience) is that the Steinheil's I got are rigid and anything but fragile. It seems much stronger than the Verizon one. I was able to put it on in under a minute with no bubbles or scratches. My Verizon one replaced a Zagg protector which was just complete crap.

Thinking I may have been treating it too gentle (and knowing I have a second spare) I just took my fingernail and ran it along the area to the left and right of the optical mouse several times. No scratches. I then took a metal spoon (late night bowl of cereal FTW) and rubbed the handle end with a fair amount of pressure. It did scratch a bit. I took my thumb and it rubbed out to where you can't see it unless at the perfect angle with direct light on it. I'm not even going to waste the second one and keep it for when I do noticeable damage.

Maybe there is a bad batch floating around? Perhaps you applied the wrong side down? I only mention my experience because it seems odd the same product would exhibit such a drastically different user experience from person to person.

 

[WizeGuyDezignz]

The minute people realize that Steinheil is plastic is the minute people won't be surprised when they scratch. Which is one of the reasons why they are extremely overrated. There are comparable products on DealExtreme: Cool Gadgets at the Right Price - Site-Wide Free Shipping (Page 1) for a fraction of the cost.

 

[Jeep297]

Screen protectors seem to be the most subjective accessory there is for phones. I've tried nearly all of them and the only one I've even liked so far is Zagg. However others seem to hate them for some reason. Same seems to go for every screen manufacturer though. I'm another one who was completely unimpressed with Steinheil.

 

[rabernet]

I'm disappointed in mine too - I went into the bathroom, turned the shower on to get it steamy, washed my hands, wiped down the phone with the microfiber, lightly sprayed it with canned air, and still have bubbles that I can't get rid of. And it feels tacky compared to the glass itself (and I did check that I put the correct side town, the tackier side is face down).

I ruined the first one, and the second one I'm not pleased with. I may remove it tomorrow and gently wash it and try again. I even tapped the entire back with tape to make sure that there was no dust. <sigh>

 

[alison03]

I'm just so surprised at the complaints. My experience was fantastic and I am a first time screen shield user. And yes, the dust is on top of the phone, lol. I took this in my car running errands.

Pics:

 

[griller]

Maybe there is a bad batch floating around? Perhaps you applied the wrong side down? I only mention my experience because it seems odd the same product would exhibit such a drastically different user experience from person to person.

"perhaps you applied the wrong side down"? do you mean that I am complaining after having attempted to stick the film to the screen using the non-sticky side? No...I am not an idiot.

But you might have a point. maybe there are good batches and bad batches since there is much polarization seen here on this product. I got mine from ebay, maybe it's not legit.

 

[spartan141]

"perhaps you applied the wrong side down"? do you mean that I am complaining after having attempted to stick the film to the screen using the non-sticky side? No...I am not an idiot.

But you might have a point. maybe there are good batches and bad batches since there is much polarization seen here on this product. I got mine from ebay, maybe it's not legit.

i think you just discovered your problem

 

[Ruggar]

"perhaps you applied the wrong side down"? do you mean that I am complaining after having attempted to stick the film to the screen using the non-sticky side? No...I am not an idiot.

But you might have a point. maybe there are good batches and bad batches since there is much polarization seen here on this product. I got mine from ebay, maybe it's not legit.

Sorry my comment was meant to insult you. I've seen strange things in my life. Like the person who put a piece of paper in their printer that had gum on it and she knew it had gum. So out of habit I sometimes ask the basic question.

I wonder if other people having the same problem also bought them from Ebay. I will say that I bought mine straight from their website and I guess you can put me in the positive experience camp. It might be a trend or it might not be but would be interesting to find out.

 

[TheLurg1687]

I'm just so surprised at the complaints. My experience was fantastic and I am a first time screen shield user. And yes, the dust is on top of the phone, lol. I took this in my car running errands.

Pics:

Ooooooooh shiny case! What is it and where did u get it?

 

[alison03]

it's the Verizon silicone case that you can buy at their store or online. I think it's like 16 or 17 dollars and is fantastic. It protects the phone really well and is super slim. It does catch a little dust from time to time but I give it a quick swipe and it flies off.

 

[TheLurg1687]

Ya I have the fade to black case.. the color is chipping like dried paint would. its annoying me...

 

[griller]

i think you just discovered your problem

Maybe so, maybe not. I got it from stores.ebay.com/SGP-USA
which I think is the official SGP store on ebay.

 

[griller]

I'm just so surprised at the complaints. My experience was fantastic and I am a first time screen shield user. And yes, the dust is on top of the phone, lol. I took this in my car running errands.

Pics:

I would be happy and not complaining if mine looked like this. my steinheil is all scratched up already.

 

[alison03]

Ya I have the fade to black case.. the color is chipping like dried paint would. its annoying me...

that would totally drive me crazy too! I really like this case. I know a bunch more are coming out though too...but it was inexpensive and I wanted it before I received my phone (thought it would be temporary) but I don't plan on getting a new one now.

I would be happy and not complaining if mine looked like this. my steinheil is all scratched up already.

Yeah I mean I have no clue and no explanation as to why some "work" great and some don't. It was my first time in my life applying a shield and I think it turned out well - and still no scratches (often have it in pockets or purses with other items). Maybe you can get a replacement from them or something...could be defective or just a bad batch?

 

[Josh2]

Mine I just got scratched very easily too. Maybe it is a bad batch?

 

[LoPan12]

Took these in a hurry. Got mine from the website, I wiped down my DINC, used canned air to blow off stray fuzz strands. I went ahead and did it in the bathroom with the shower running. Don't know if it helped, because I still ended up with one fuzz-bubble.
My thoughts on installation: The greenish plastic that's on the face of the protector was saran-wrapish. When I went after a couple air bubbles, it bunched and tore. In the end, I used the thicker plastic film (from the phone side) and placed it over the places with bubbles and used the squigee to much better effect.
To get rid of the fuzz-bubble, I pulled up the protector with invisible tape, and used another piece in a loop to remove the dust. This worked perfectly.
Only complaint i have is edge around the trackpad not sticking for a total of maybe 150 degrees of the circle, in two seperate spots. Might have been something to do with how I removed the cutout for the button, slightly warped the plastic, who knows. I'll find out whenever i need to replace this with the 2nd one.
It's not as slick as glass...but, well...duh. But it's still pretty smooth. The fingerprints are from about half a days worth of playing. Haven't done any hard scratch tests...but it definitely isn't like a ziplock bag. It was stiffer plastic, not rigid like blister container plastic, but not ziplock thin...My fingernails don't scratch it, and my key with light pressure from a dull edge didn't do anything either.
All in all, I'm pretty satisfied. It's crystal clear, like the name, and you can't tell its there.
It accumulated fingerprints...differently...than bare glass, but it's definitely not worse. I just can't tell if it's better. My desire was for an extra layer of protection for peace of mind mostly. I don't mind fingerprints because otherwise, i'd have to go with an AF protector, and I just don't want to sacrifice the screen clarity.
If you're thinking you got counterfeit ones, I can take pictures of the packaging and contents when I get home, if you like. Do you have any pictures of yours?

 

[The HITMAN]

I'm a PhantomSkinz user. Tried the Steinheil first and uninstalled it then put on a PhantomSkinz and in my opinion, the PhantomSkinz blows it away.