I'm considering Spigen, but their screen protectors are a bit on the expensive side. Does anyone here know of a cheaper, but good alternative?
Amazon.com : Skinomi TechSkin - Google Nexus 7 Screen Protector Ultra Clear Shield + Lifetime Warranty : Computers & Accessories is very good - I used them on my 2012 model and was very pleased with ease of install, fit, and overall clarity - only about $7 from Amazon (free shipping with Prime).
And while it may not be the direction you were looking in terms of price, given you did state 'best value,' I'd
highly recommend
Amazon.com : i-Blason The New Nexus 7 2 FHD (2nd Generation) by Google [ Ultra-Thin 0.24 mm Tempered Glass ] Premium Minimal Bubble 8 H Scratch Free Screen Protector (Glass-uT) : Computers & Accessories.
While considerably more expensive, it is the easiest SP I've ever installed, fits perfectly, and unlike SP's that 'feel' and look similar to glass, this feels and looks
exactly like glass because... it is. At less than .25mm thick, you really can't tell it's there. Surface hardness of 8H vs 2-3H on film protectors also adds a lot more protection, and unlike a film, it won't show the usual wear over time you see after a few months, there is no rainbow effect, and it should last the lifetime of your device (unless it does its job vs an impact).
I'm sure other tempered glass protectors will (or may already have) become available - this is just the only one that was available when I was looking to try one. That said, the quality/performance is so much better that I'll never go back to using a film protector again.