Will these new Screen Protectors, available from Mr Gadget, suit my needs, and give my old screen a fresh new look?  Let’s find out…

The package arrived the day after Mr Gadget sent it, which surprised me considering I live in Dubbo.  I collected it on the way into work, and after arriving at work early, decided to try out this new protector.  It came carefully packaged, complete with instructions.  There was only one protector in the package and it had protective plastic film attached to both sides.  The following instructions appeared on the package, and also on the Expert Shield website:

Step 1:
Clean the mobile phone screen surface thoroughly to ensure that there are no dust particles, fingerprints or other contaminants. Make sure to finish with a lint-free dry cloth so that the surface is fully dry before you apply the protector. (Oil or wet particles are difficult to remove when trapped between the protector and the screen.)

Step 2:
Remove a portion of the screen protector's plastic backing from the top down. Be careful not to touch or expose the underside of the screen protector to dust or fingerprints.

Step 3:
The screen protector is precision cut to fit the phone screen. For a perfect fit, align carefully the screen protector along one edge of the phone screen, and make sure that it is square against the edge. Slowly peel off the rest of the backing and brush down on the screen protector with a dry cloth to allow it to cling to the rest of the screen.

Caution: The screen protector clings to dry surfaces and will attract dust when exposed. Please try not to remove the screen protector from the dust-free screen too many times to avoid dust particles from clinging on the underside of the protector.

After carefully following the instructions, I proceeded to apply the protector as indicated.  The plastic film is certainly cut precisely to the screen’s dimensions.  I would have preferred a gap of a millimetre all the way around.  It would have been easier to align it with the screen.

During the application process, a gust of wind pushed the workshop door open and succeeded to place a thin film of dust over the sticky side of the protector!  How was I supposed to review the screen protector after it was covered in dust?  I attempted to stick it down anyway – to no avail.  There was no stickiness left…

In a moment of wisdom, I thought to try and wash the protector under cold water.  To my surprise, all the dust washed away leaving a very clear protector, wet, but clear.  After 30 minutes of air drying, I again cleaned my screen and applied the protector.  It stuck fast to the screen just like it was fresh out of the packet!  The only problem now was the rusty marks left behind where the water droplets had dried.  Off came the protector once again, and this time it was washed and scrubbed in Isopropyl Alcohol.  The alcohol does the same job as water, but dries without residue. (Mike knows all about this product’s benefits!)

This time it was a success!  After careful cleaning, the screen protector from Expert Shield adhered soundly to my XDA II screen.  With only two dust particles remaining on the screen, I ventured out side to see if they were clear in direct sunlight.  To my satisfaction, I couldn’t tell that a screen protector was in place, keeping my device’s screen from further damage.  All the tiny marks on my screen from previous use (12 months of no screen protection) were almost invisible under this fantastically clear film.  The only mark still visible is the area of the screen where the “X” and “OK” buttons appear.

This truly is a vast improvement over the other protectors I had tried.  If you intend to apply one of these protectors to your device, ensure you are in a very dust free environment, and that your screen is spotless!

The CrystalClear Screen Protectors are exactly that – Crystal Clear.  They adhere to the screen better than some glue based brands, and provide lasting protection.  As I have shown, they can tolerate being given a good clean with the alcohol! (I must have scrubbed mine at least several times.)

I give the Expert Shield Protectors 9/10