Accessories Screen Protector Advice (moved)

[DarqAnshin]

Hi there,
I have spent about a week reading your forums, and I apologize that my first post is to ask for some advice.

I recently have purchased an HTC EVO and love it. However like all things I want to protect my new toy/investment. I really don't want a case as I don't want to make it any larger than it already is. So I have been looking into skins and screen protectors. I have a ZAGG screen protector on there and I absolutely detest it. It was applied on there perfectly, and I don't have a spec of dust, hair, dirt, or air bubbles under the surface. However after about two days it started to have that orange peel look. The screen isn't smooth as glass as I would like it.

So I went through your reviews here and have settled on my top three favorite picks.

SGP Incredible Shield 4.0 for HTC EVO 4G (Sprint) (Gloss Type Full Body Protection Film Set)

Phantom Skinz - Clear and Matte-Finish Protection Film for HTC Evo 4G

HTC Evo 4G Privacy Screen Protector from Clarivue


I have not had any experience with the three I have listed and really don't want to turn this into another thread of this one is better than this one. Sorry if it seems like I do.

What I would like to know is if anyone has used any of these three products and can tell me if the screen feels like glass and the full body protection feels natural or if it pretty much ruins your experience.

I am interested in the privacy screen, however I don't really want to ruin the picture of the screen or do anything that will reduce the quality.

I am not opposed to mixing and matching if you say for example say that Phantom body but the Sgp Steinheil screen is better. Finally I will probably be buying an extra set and cutting it down to fit over the back camera to protect the glass. I did a search but can not find anyone that has done this. Would this effect the camera quality greatly?

Thank you in advance for your help and advice

 

[Brian360]

I feel you man, however, I put a "body glove" case on my Evo and I can't tell that it's bigger at all and it is fully protected. I hate screen protectors because it puts that gaudy film over the nice screen. The screen is really durable and you'd have to try to scratch it. Check it out here: Body Glove Snap-On Case for HTC EVO 4G

 

[pinoyxpryde]

I picked up the Phantom Skinz full body matte kit online.

Came with 2 full matte kits (including screen) and 2 clear screen covers.

The fitment all around is fantastic. Easy to install. I love the matte on the body, good grip and no need to worry about fingerprints. Matte on the screen felt very good as well but it adds fuzziness so I opted to switch to the clear. Minimal orange peel, not as smooth as glass but still feels good.

Only have prior experience with Zagg on my iphone. The choice between the 2 is obvious now.

Would purchase phantom skinz again definitely.

 

[DarqAnshin]

I feel you man, however, I put a "body glove" case on my Evo and I can't tell that it's bigger at all and it is fully protected. I hate screen protectors because it puts that gaudy film over the nice screen. The screen is really durable and you'd have to try to scratch it. Check it out here: Body Glove Snap-On Case for HTC EVO 4G

Thank you for responding. This looks alot like the siedo cases except much nicer in design. I have a question, does it raise the case up enough so the lens does not touch the desk/surface placed on? I am not 100% convinced about these cases because I have had a poor history with my first Iphone with a similar case. dust got behind the case and a few months later when I took the case off the phone I found that it had scratched and pretty much almost ruined the finish of the phone. Do you see this happening with the case?

Again thank you for your time in responding to me and helping me out.

 

[DarqAnshin]

I picked up the Phantom Skinz full body matte kit online.

Came with 2 full matte kits (including screen) and 2 clear screen covers.

The fitment all around is fantastic. Easy to install. I love the matte on the body, good grip and no need to worry about fingerprints. Matte on the screen felt very good as well but it adds fuzziness so I opted to switch to the clear. Minimal orange peel, not as smooth as glass but still feels good.

Only have prior experience with Zagg on my iphone. The choice between the 2 is obvious now.

Would purchase phantom skinz again definitely.

Thank you for responding. I would like to ask two questions. When you said it has minimal orange peel, how bad are we talking about. As it stands right now my ZAGG skins look like an orange rind on the screen when the screen is powered down. It looks absolutely horrible and drives me crazy when I see many of the pictures of the smooth as glass. The second question is how does the clear feel? Does it feel rubbery or does it feel like the glass?

Thank you again for your response and for your help. I know that everyone here is probably tired of posts and people like me beating a dead horse and I do appreciate you all taking time out of your day to help me and have patience with me

 

[PyroSporker]

Thank you for responding. I would like to ask two questions. When you said it has minimal orange peel, how bad are we talking about. As it stands right now my ZAGG skins look like an orange rind on the screen when the screen is powered down. It looks absolutely horrible and drives me crazy when I see many of the pictures of the smooth as glass. The second question is how does the clear feel? Does it feel rubbery or does it feel like the glass?

Thank you again for your response and for your help. I know that everyone here is probably tired of posts and people like me beating a dead horse and I do appreciate you all taking time out of your day to help me and have patience with me

I've seen pictures around here somewhere of the Phantomskinz installed on the evo and they look less orange-peely than Zagg, but they still look textured on the body pieces, and probably feel rubbery from the looks of it.

I'm very opposed to full body shields, but that is just personal preference. I don't think that giving my brand new device a bath in chemicals and then sticking stickers/decals all over it is a very good plan (I exaggerate). I picked up the Sprint rubberized case and have been satisfied with it thus far.

No one ever talks about them, but: Check out http://www.overlayplus.com/US/MFOP-HTCEVO4G I picked them up because they released before SGP, their quality looks to be as good as SGP, and they even include a extra little piece that covers the rear camera's glass. I really like their product so far, it went on super well (although I had to trim the top a hair), and feels like glass. Zero adhesive, and reusable. They are polarized and work really well even in the sun with minimal glare. The only downside so far is the finger oils, but I think with the right cloth they should clean up well. My SGP's are in the mail, and once they come I can do a better comparison.

--Edit--
Oh yeah one last good tip, if you decide to cut out your own rear camera protector, I heard a really good template is a regular Sharpie marker cap. I checked it out, it is just about spot on size wise.

 

[DarqAnshin]

I've seen pictures around here somewhere of the Phantomskinz installed on the evo and they look less orange-peely than Zagg, but they still look textured on the body pieces, and probably feel rubbery from the looks of it.

I'm very opposed to full body shields, but that is just personal preference. I don't think that giving my brand new device a bath in chemicals and then sticking stickers/decals all over it is a very good plan (I exaggerate). I picked up the Sprint rubberized case and have been satisfied with it thus far.

No one ever talks about them, but: Check out http://www.overlayplus.com/US/MFOP-HTCEVO4G I picked them up because they released before SGP, their quality looks to be as good as SGP, and they even include a extra little piece that covers the rear camera's glass. I really like their product so far, it went on super well (although I had to trim the top a hair), and feels like glass. Zero adhesive, and reusable. They are polarized and work really well even in the sun with minimal glare. The only downside so far is the finger oils, but I think with the right cloth they should clean up well. My SGP's are in the mail, and once they come I can do a better comparison.

--Edit--
Oh yeah one last good tip, if you decide to cut out your own rear camera protector, I heard a really good template is a regular Sharpie marker cap. I checked it out, it is just about spot on size wise.

Thank you for the tip. So the Phantom Skinz are adhesive? I looked at the instructions and could have sworn it said that it wasn't and was reusable. They also had a life time guarantee. I will take a look at the link that you suggested. They sound exactly what I am looking for. Do you know when your SGPs are arriving? I would love to know when you do your comparison.


Thank you again.

 

[hd.android]

I picked up the Phantom Skinz full body matte kit online.

Came with 2 full matte kits (including screen) and 2 clear screen covers.

The fitment all around is fantastic. Easy to install. I love the matte on the body, good grip and no need to worry about fingerprints. Matte on the screen felt very good as well but it adds fuzziness so I opted to switch to the clear. Minimal orange peel, not as smooth as glass but still feels good.

Only have prior experience with Zagg on my iphone. The choice between the 2 is obvious now.

Would purchase phantom skinz again definitely.

I've bought the phantom skinz and the clarivue. In my opinion, there's no reason to go with any "wet" application screen protectors any more. I think the phantom skinz or zagg or what not are fine for skin body, but after doing both the "wet" application and the "static" application, I think the static application offers just as much protection for the screen, without the risk of getting water in your phone. Just my $.02.

The SGP is supposed to be the best of the static screen protectors, so my next purchase will be of those. I went with Clarivue because the SGP's weren't available initially, but are now.

 

[SSmokybear]

What are the differences in the feel and look between the matte finish and the clear? I want to order the Phantom Skinz. I also want the back of the phone to be less slippery because it falls out of my shirt pocket all the time. My Palm Pre with the Zagg never budged from my pocket. But hated the Zagg screen protector (too much orange peel). Opinions?