- Nov 30, 2012
- 1,923
- 12
- 38
I've never used a screen protector until my 2 XL. I've never had a scratch on any of my phone's screens. But I would kick myself if I scratched the screen on my new phone.
I got an IQ Shield Liquid Skin. I got the case friendly version. It was fairly easy to install, just follow the video instructions. The trick is to get the edges to seal. They tell you to let the edges "dry" for a couple of minutes before sealing them down. I used the heel of the palm technique to press the edges down and followed up a couple of minutes later with a hair dryer blowing around the edges. After two weeks I haven't had any edges pop up. I have a Spigen Liquid Crystal case installed so that might be helping to protect the edges.
Once installed, you can't see the screen protector on the phone. No rainbow effect, no bubbles, no gaps. If the screen is off (is dark) and you tilt the phone this way and that under a bright light, you can see a very, very slight orange peel. When the phone is on and the screen is lit up you can't tell there is any protector installed.
There is no detectable decrease in screen touch sensitivity.
What I don't like about it is the feel. It's not as smooth as glass. While my fingertip does not drag on the screen there is a barely perceptible amount of resistance. Just a teensy-weensy amount. I glide-type rather than tap type, so I notice the minuscule amount of resistance as my finger moves over the keyboard. There is also a slightly soft feel to the screen, especially when you tap the screen. You can feel a cushioning effect on the edge of your fingernail. Since installation I've gotten used to this sensation, but when I use my tablet which has no screen protector, I can tell the difference in "glide-ability".
It does collect fingerprint oil a bit, but it's not a big bother.
I really wish I didn't have to use a screen protector but, again, I'd hate myself if I scratched this screen.
Two days ago I noticed I had a couple of fairly deep scratch-gouges on the screen. Two parallel lines about 3/8" to 1/2" in length. Imagine making lines with a scratch awl. If I ran the edge of my fingernail perpendicular across the gouges, I could tell I had a severe scratch in the IQ LiQuid Shield protector. I have no idea where I got these scratches. I only put my phone in my right front pants pocket, with screen facing my leg. Nothing else goes in that pocket. OK, I figured, let's see this so-called self-healing properties I heard so much about.
After a day I could tell by using the fingernail test that the depth of the gouges had decreased a little bit. After a day-and-a-half there was no more progress, I still had the gouges, though they were not as deep. I figured I'd be peeling this one off and installing the spare screen protector that came in the box.
Before I went to bed last night I got out the hair dryer and heated up the area in question. I used the dryer for about 30 seconds, moving the outlet of the hair dryer back and forth about an inch or two from a distance of about six inches away from the screen in an effort to not get too much heat concentrated in only one spot on the screen.
This morning I looked at it and I could see the scratches were still on the screen. I decided to wait until after work to install the spare protector. But first I grabbed a bottle of eyeglass lens cleaner, spritzed it on the screen and cleaned it off with a microfiber cloth. To my astonishment the gouges were completely gone! Not a trace showed on the screen. I looked at the screen in direct sunlight, tilting the screen and it has completely healed. It passes the fingernail test, though I don't know exactly where I should be dragging my fingernail since I see no gouges. I am very, very, impressed.
I give the IQ LiQuid Shield screen protector 4 1/2 out of 5 stars. It only loses 1/2 star because of the niggling minuscule glide resistance and slight propensity to collect fingerprints.
I got an IQ Shield Liquid Skin. I got the case friendly version. It was fairly easy to install, just follow the video instructions. The trick is to get the edges to seal. They tell you to let the edges "dry" for a couple of minutes before sealing them down. I used the heel of the palm technique to press the edges down and followed up a couple of minutes later with a hair dryer blowing around the edges. After two weeks I haven't had any edges pop up. I have a Spigen Liquid Crystal case installed so that might be helping to protect the edges.
Once installed, you can't see the screen protector on the phone. No rainbow effect, no bubbles, no gaps. If the screen is off (is dark) and you tilt the phone this way and that under a bright light, you can see a very, very slight orange peel. When the phone is on and the screen is lit up you can't tell there is any protector installed.
There is no detectable decrease in screen touch sensitivity.
What I don't like about it is the feel. It's not as smooth as glass. While my fingertip does not drag on the screen there is a barely perceptible amount of resistance. Just a teensy-weensy amount. I glide-type rather than tap type, so I notice the minuscule amount of resistance as my finger moves over the keyboard. There is also a slightly soft feel to the screen, especially when you tap the screen. You can feel a cushioning effect on the edge of your fingernail. Since installation I've gotten used to this sensation, but when I use my tablet which has no screen protector, I can tell the difference in "glide-ability".
It does collect fingerprint oil a bit, but it's not a big bother.
I really wish I didn't have to use a screen protector but, again, I'd hate myself if I scratched this screen.
Two days ago I noticed I had a couple of fairly deep scratch-gouges on the screen. Two parallel lines about 3/8" to 1/2" in length. Imagine making lines with a scratch awl. If I ran the edge of my fingernail perpendicular across the gouges, I could tell I had a severe scratch in the IQ LiQuid Shield protector. I have no idea where I got these scratches. I only put my phone in my right front pants pocket, with screen facing my leg. Nothing else goes in that pocket. OK, I figured, let's see this so-called self-healing properties I heard so much about.
After a day I could tell by using the fingernail test that the depth of the gouges had decreased a little bit. After a day-and-a-half there was no more progress, I still had the gouges, though they were not as deep. I figured I'd be peeling this one off and installing the spare screen protector that came in the box.
Before I went to bed last night I got out the hair dryer and heated up the area in question. I used the dryer for about 30 seconds, moving the outlet of the hair dryer back and forth about an inch or two from a distance of about six inches away from the screen in an effort to not get too much heat concentrated in only one spot on the screen.
This morning I looked at it and I could see the scratches were still on the screen. I decided to wait until after work to install the spare protector. But first I grabbed a bottle of eyeglass lens cleaner, spritzed it on the screen and cleaned it off with a microfiber cloth. To my astonishment the gouges were completely gone! Not a trace showed on the screen. I looked at the screen in direct sunlight, tilting the screen and it has completely healed. It passes the fingernail test, though I don't know exactly where I should be dragging my fingernail since I see no gouges. I am very, very, impressed.
I give the IQ LiQuid Shield screen protector 4 1/2 out of 5 stars. It only loses 1/2 star because of the niggling minuscule glide resistance and slight propensity to collect fingerprints.
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram