Accessories Q&A: Zagg invisibleSHIELD for Epic 4G

[SnootchyBoochys]

Hey guys..I have become very interested in buying a Zagg invisibleSHIELD from Best Buy when I pick up my Epic 4G on launch day..I have never used an invisibleSHIELD but I have seen a variety of YouTube videos that have made me want to purchase one to protect my new Epic 4G without having to add a bulky case like I have with my previous phones..It appears that you can buy the full body invisibleSHIELD or just the screen protector invisibleSHIELD....I would prefer the full body invisibleSHIELD so that my phone is completely protected from scratches or scuffs on all sides....Since I have not purchased one before I would really like to hear from any of you guys that have used these on your phones...Good or bad experiences would be great so that we can have a good idea of if we should spend our hard earned cash on this case alternative for our beloved Epic 4G's! ! ! ! Check out these YouTube links for some great information on the Zagg invisibleSHIELD.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmqe9G5TIOg


YouTube - invisibleSHIELD? - What Is It?

 

[iBleedBlackNgold]

I used the screen only zagg on my evo and it did protect it. it dropped once from 1' in the air and some how managed to rip the shield but it did protect my phone n zagg sent me a replacement I just had 2 pay shipping. it hit a dull rounded piece of metal when it ripped which I'm sure may hae cracked the screen or scratched it otherwise

 

[crow11ad]

Be careful with this. I got mine done at the mall for my Moment last December. If you do it at the mall they will apply it and put it in this nice little bag and tell you to keep it in there for 3 hours. Only to find out that they didn't cover all parts of the phone. When I went back they said they could, but would charge me.

Also keep in mind that after time, this will start to peel. I had mine done all over the phone. Also the price. It costs near 40.00 to cover the phone. Now the good thing is that they will apply it there and there are different pieces....now all of this I am sure maybe cause the moment was new at the time they did not have the actual cut out for it.

Plus isn't the super amorled screen scratch resistant...if that is the case, a good case would protect the rest of the phone.

 

[IcingPrincess]

I have a friend that got a Zagg for her EVO screen and LOVES it - it is really cool. Her iPhone (yeah, she's confused) has a full body Zagg, she dropped it - the phone cracked, but stayed in one piece due to the body cover.

Right now Zagg officially only has the Epic screen cover - (which I have on order) and hope they have the full body (one for each 1/2) by the 31st when it comes out. Seems Best Buy carries a lot of the Zagg for the phones they carry - so hopefully I can go from Sprint (pick up phone) to Best Buy and protect it before I do anything stupid )

 

[mattism78]

I'll have a Zagg screen protector on my Epic the day I get it. I've had 2 on my iPhone. I actually somehow got it jammed in the seat mechanism in an older truck and it ripped the protector up. Didn't touch the screen. Pulled it off and was amazed that my screen was unscathed. I immediately went and purchased another to put back in it's place.

Not only does it protect the device it gives the screen a slight grip. It's made typing on my iPhone easier. I've tried the cheapo protectors and none compare (IMHO). Both my wife and I have them on our iPhones. I wouldn't even let her mess around with her phone until I had it installed. She's like a tazmanian devil when it comes to electronics (seems to destroy everything she touches). Her iPhone is still in great shape.

 

[SnootchyBoochys]

I have a friend that got a Zagg for her EVO screen and LOVES it - it is really cool. Her iPhone (yeah, she's confused) has a full body Zagg, she dropped it - the phone cracked, but stayed in one piece due to the body cover.

Right now Zagg officially only has the Epic screen cover - (which I have on order) and hope they have the full body (one for each 1/2) by the 31st when it comes out. Seems Best Buy carries a lot of the Zagg for the phones they carry - so hopefully I can go from Sprint (pick up phone) to Best Buy and protect it before I do anything stupid )

Thanks for all of your feedback on the Zagg invisiSHIELDs! .....They sound like the must have accessory for my Epic 4G.....I will be hopefully buying the full body protector on launch day......Did any of you guys have any issues or recommendations for actually applying the invisiSHIELD to my phone?.....I've watched people do it on YouTube and it seems slightly complicated.

 

[mattism78]

Thanks for all of your feedback on the Zagg invisiSHIELDs! .....They sound like the must have accessory for my Epic 4G.....I will be hopefully buying the full body protector on launch day......Did any of you guys have any issues or recommendations for actually applying the invisiSHIELD to my phone?.....I've watched people do it on YouTube and it seems slightly complicated.

The first one I put on I rushed a bit. Make sure you have clean hands. You need to be in a VERY well lit area, and take your time. You want to remove the bits that will be in the way on the phone. On the Epic I imagine there will only be a cutout for the earpiece. You want that out of the way prior to even trying to install it.

Next you want to spray everything down with the mister. Both sides of the protector and the phone. I even wet my finger tips. Obviously you can't soak the phone but a light mist won't hurt it.

The reason for everything being wet is it gives you the ability to remove it and retry, or to shift the shield once it's laying on the device. It also allows you to push the air bubbles out.

Once you have it centered you start in the middle and use the provided squeegee to flatten the shield to the device. If you take your time you can get all of the air bubbles out. Towel the device off, and allow it time to dry. Granted this is on a flat surface. Curved edges are a bit trickier.

 

[JTAndroid]

I dunno, this sounds sketchy, you spray an adhesive and put this wet film on your brand new expensive gadget. How about removing this thing, how does that work?

 

[mattism78]

I dunno, this sounds sketchy, you spray an adhesive and put this wet film on your brand new expensive gadget. How about removing this thing, how does that work?

It's not adhesive. It's iodized water. The water forms a barrier thereby preventing the adhesive coated protector from touching your device. Once you start flattening the protector it pushes the water out thereby allowing contact. The water then evaporates completely and the bond becomes very strong.

It's just like window tinting. The tinter uses iodized water (no spots) to allow shifting of the tint. Then they flatten it to the window. Otherwise you would have one shot at getting it perfect.

 

[it.]

Does this give any protection against drops because that's basically the only instance my phones get scratched up?

 

[JTAndroid]

It's not adhesive. It's iodized water. The water forms a barrier thereby preventing the adhesive coated protector from touching your device. Once you start flattening the protector it pushes the water out thereby allowing contact. The water then evaporates completely and the bond becomes very strong.

It's just like window tinting. The tinter uses iodized water (no spots) to allow shifting of the tint. Then they flatten it to the window. Otherwise you would have one shot at getting it perfect.

Ok, makes sense, but still, how do you then remove the "strongly bonded" protector at a later date if necessary?

 

[Adrift]

Ok, makes sense, but still, how do you then remove the "strongly bonded" protector at a later date if necessary?

Just peel off similar to any normal screen protector. Should be very little if any residue left on the device. The cleaner the device is when applying, the less residue will be left.

 

[SnootchyBoochys]

Does this give any protection against drops because that's basically the only instance my phones get scratched up?

I have to agree with you that dropping your phone is a very big reason why having a case is important....So, have any of you guys dropped your phones while using the full body invisiSHIELDs? .....Did it provide any protection against the fall?....I'm concerned that your phone can still get damaged since there is nothing to soften the impact but a thin layer of film....One of the posts said that their iphone screen shattered but it was held together by the invisiSHIELD....That's great and all but the screen still shattered so I have a feeling that these full body protective layers are more for protection against scuffs and scratches from your pocket, keys, etc. and not for drops....I want to limit the bulk that comes with a case but I have dropped my phone on occasion and always had a case on it to protect it....So, only having some thin layer of film makes me pretty nervous.....What do you guys think?

 

[Mostly Harmless]

I had a Zagg shield on my iPhone 3G for 2 years and then installed one when I first got my Nexus One (day one). It does ofter incredible protection, one of my favorite tricks use to be taking a fork and rubbing it all over the screen to show people how strong it was, I got some strange looks. I had the full body on my 3G and I dropped that phone a lot. When I switch to the N1 I took off the shield on my 3G to see how well it held up and it was in mint shape.

Recently I had to warranty my N1 and got a new replacement. Before I sent the phone in I took the Zaggs screen protector off and I was amazed on how much better my screen looked (I also noticed that on my 3G) and felt, it looked like a totally different screen. With this I did not install one of my new N1. While the protection it offers is very high, it just took too much from the screen (one of the big reasons I love my N1) to justify having it. I switched over to a screen cover from Clarivue and couldn't be more happier. In fact right after installing the Clarivue protector I had an extremely hard time believe it was even on the phone, it was crystal clear and fit perfectly.

Anyway, I am just writing this to let you guys know that while it offers awesome protection (I would have no issues with using the full body cover, I don't use it with my N1 because i have the pouch) it can put a damper on that beautiful screen your phone will come with. It was a big enough difference that I would rather see everything my screen has to offer rather then have all that protection.

My original thread:

http://androidforums.com/nexus-one/121479-zaggs-screen-protector-n1.html


Also:

I am not trying (honestly) to promote the Clarivue protector but it doesn't use any liquid or adhesive. It "sticks" to your phone by static cling and can be taken on and off at will. At $10 for 2 of them, it was more then a great deal.

 

[mattism78]

I use a combo of hard external case (ncase) and screen protector (zagg) on my iPhone. With both removed my phone looks like new. I purchased it on launch date (3Gs). There are marks on my screen protector from it bouncing off pavement. They are simply on the protector though. If I peel it off there would be no damage to the phone. They're pretty amazing.

 

[badankles]

... I took the Zaggs screen protector off and I was amazed on how much better my screen looked (I also noticed that on my 3G) and felt, it looked like a totally different screen. With this I did not install one of my new N1. While the protection it offers is very high, it just took too much from the screen ....

same here. i pulled off the screen protector on my current phone to put on another and noticed how my phone looked better (not significantly, but noticeably better).

with the SMOLED, high resolution and deep viewing angles on the Epic, i feel like even the best screen protector will take away some of the goodness of that screen. i'm gonna forgo a screen protector.

 

[iBleedBlackNgold]

actually **** zagg ... they just charged my credit card for the warranty replacement n I returned the defective one . bullshit warranty.

 

[SnootchyBoochys]

Thanks again to everyone submitting their reviews and opinions they have of the Zagg screen and body protectors....I think I will get a screen protector and wait for a quality case to protect my phone.....One of the main reasons I am buying the Epic is for its amazing screen and I would be very disappointed if the Zagg full body took away from any of that Super Amoled goodness that I have been looking forward to for the past 2 months!....So, with that in mind, and I know this is not an accessories thread, do any of you guys have a case in mind or a case producer in mind that you would like to recommend?

 

[xXSecretAgentXx]

Thanks again to everyone submitting their reviews and opinions they have of the Zagg screen and body protectors....I think I will get a screen protector and wait for a quality case to protect my phone.....One of the main reasons I am buying the Epic is for its amazing screen and I would be very disappointed if the Zagg full body took away from any of that Super Amoled goodness that I have been looking forward to for the past 2 months!....So, with that in mind, and I know this is not an accessories thread, do any of you guys have a case in mind or a case producer in mind that you would like to recommend?

Seidio and otterbox i guess would be top choices...

 

[badankles]

i'm gonna forgo a case, too. i don't like the added bulk. just mean i have to be more conscious and careful with the phone. i'm gonna have insurance on it, that's for sure.

 

[pjy9394]

So does the invisible shield screen protector take away that much from the screen quality? one of the reasons i'm getting the epic is because of the beautiful screen, and i dont want the shield to get in the way.

And i heard a lot about clarivue, how you cant tell if there is a protector on the screen or not. is that true?

If thats the case, i'm considering getting the clarivue for the screen, and the zagg for the back and the sides. Good idea?

 

[mattism78]

I showed my iPhone 3Gs to a co-worker for the first time the other night. She commented SEVERAL times on how clear it was. That was with the Zagg on it. I had to show her that I actually had a protector on it.

 

[IcingPrincess]

Snootchy - see my earlier post - my girlfriend's iPhone dropped and cracked, but the Zagg kept it from coming apart. Exterior is still smooth (due to the cover) but the phone is in one piece. Good news, with Sprint, if you get that $7 protection plan, I think you can get it replaced - get a new Zagg - and voila!

 

[SnootchyBoochys]

Snootchy - see my earlier post - my girlfriend's iPhone dropped and cracked, but the Zagg kept it from coming apart. Exterior is still smooth (due to the cover) but the phone is in one piece. Good news, with Sprint, if you get that $7 protection plan, I think you can get it replaced - get a new Zagg - and voila!

Thanks for your advice!....I plan on getting the $7 protection plan just like I do with all of my phones....I'm on T-Mobile right now though so I'm not sure what the deductibles are like if you have to get a new phone with Sprint....Most insurance plans charge between $50-$100 deductible for a new phone if you get the insurance....Any idea what it will be on Sprint?...The only problem in guessing the deductible price is the fact that the Epic is priced high at $249.99 so its deductible is likely to be high too....I wonder if there are any Sprint employees in this forum that could tell me that.....I guess I could just ask a Sprint employee in the store...LOL....and maybe get an answer

 

[Twiztedheat]

$100 deductible with insurance, I'm a sprint employee.