There are two varieties of screen protectors:
First, there is the soft, film-like variety that are typically not reusable and must be replaced within 3-6 months. Their advantage is that they only add a thin, flexible barrier between the stylus and digitizer which allows for a better response.
Secondly, we come to the harder, plastic protectors. They are less flexible and provide a better protective barrier for your digitizer. The typical downside is that the user may have to adjust to pushing harder when tapping to get a response. However, many of them are reusable and often enhance the color of the screen (or lack of color for you loyal old-timers).
BoxWave allowed us to test two of their most popular screen protectors: ClearTouch Anti-Glare and ClearTouch Crystal. Both of them are from the hard variety.
Now, I would humbly call myself a “soft tapper” when it comes to using my Palm. But, both ClearTouch protectors allowed for great response for both handwriting recognition and tapping. I did have to make a small adjustment, but it took only a day or two to get used to them. I was successfully converted from being a soft protector user to a hard protector user!
The ClearTouch Anti-Glare and the ClearTouch Crystal are also both reusable. I was skeptical when I read this on the package. How could a sticky, adhesive protector be washed with soap and water and still stick to my Palm? I don’t have an answer for you, but I know that it works. I washed them both reasonably vigorously to prove BoxWave wrong, but after I dried them I found them both to be sticky again. Just be careful to dry them in an area with as little dust as possible. If you live somewhere that happens to be warm this season, then it’d be a great idea to dry them outside.
Lastly, the two products do have their differences:
The Anti-Glare protector, if examined carefully, has a bunch of micro-scratches on it. These are barely noticeable and do not degrade the transparency of the screen. The surface virtually eliminates fingerprints and minimizes glare. I found this feature very impressive.
The Crystal protector’s major feature is that it is 99% transparent. It has a glossy finish which brings out color and enhances brightness. However, I could not tell much of a difference in clarity between the two when I had them each covering half of my screen. Both do an excellent job at not dulling the brilliance of the screen.
In conclusion, both products impressed me significantly. They converted me away from using the softer, film-like protectors. I really enjoyed the unique features of each which help diversify themselves from other screen protectors. My personal preference is the Anti-Glare protector, because I am very impressed with how it handles glare and fingerprints and still maintains a smooth writing surface. Both are great products, and you won’t be disappointed in either of them.
-Brock
?)! Just have a look at the screenshot:
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