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Most home hardware stores (eg WalMart in the US) sell rolls of clear vinyl (used to winterise our home). For about $7.00 you can buy a roll 54" x 144" which will produce over 900 protectors!
Using a razor knife, cut the roll into 15 or 16 sections the height of the Pilot's screen (79mm or 3 1/8"). Whenever you need a protector, all you need to do is cut off a section the width of the screen (59mm or 2 5/16").
Application is relatively simple - thanks to static cling. To assist in removing air bubbles, the smallest drop of hand lotion (or cooking oil) will make it easier to push them out using the end of your stylus or credit card.
Pros:
- Extremely clear...like not having a protector on at all! (Wow is the word!)
- Virtually scratch proof / indestructable
- Long lasting
- Produces a nice 'drag' effect on the stylus, improving writing feel and accuracy
- Provides a slight cushioning effect on the screen - great if you use a heavier replacement stylus
Cons:
- Tricky to install without getting a few bubbles
- Difficult to cut to correct size.
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- One of the better materials to use - the ones with a slightly rough texture
are the best. The Dixon brand is good for this in New Zealand.
Pros:
- The textured surface provides good 'tactile feedback' when writing grafitti
- Excellent anti-glare properties
- Fingerprint proof
- Less prone to scratches than transparency film
- Hides existing scratches
- Look professional
Cons:
- Tricky to install due to it being so thin (easy to kink and trap dust under it)
- Slightly obscures the definition/sharpness of the screen image
- Stretch in often used areas - ie, the Grafitti area
Note: If you're going to try this material and you need to buy
some protector sheets, its a good idea to also buy a manilla folder or similar to store them in...this is needed to protect them from kinks as these do damage very easy if not handled with the upmost care. A good idea when buying them is to put the sheets into a folder and take them to the counter in this.
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- Experience has shown that while popular for making screen protectors, most transparency material is too shiny (too much glare!) and also not perfectly clear (obscuring the screen slightly). It does have the advantage of being easy to install and is relatively long lasting (although prone to scratches).
The biggest advantage is the fact that it is possible to photocopy or laserprint the required template for cutting direct to this material. Here is a template. Waysoft used to have a Word template however, their site has died, does anyone have a copy I can make available for download please?
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- (This tip is courtesy of Barry Ekstrand )
When cutting from transparencies or sheet protectors, it is often difficult to obtain an even and straight cut. There are MS Word templates available that allow you to print or copy directly to the material but these assume that you want to use printable transparency film for the protector.
Here is a technique that works very well with almost any material
- Take one manila folder (any stiff paper which is folded will work just as well).
- Cut the folder (with the folded edge on the bottom) to 87mm by 70mm - This makes a miniature folder.
- Nip a small corner out of each corner of the miniature folder.
- Place your screen protector material in this "folder template" and cut along the outside edges with scissors.
- If you cut more than one protector at a time, the 'miniature folder' can be used to store them in!
A basic plan with measurements is included below...
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- Installation of screen protectors can be difficult - especially if using document protector envelopes due to how thin this material is.
The following instructions combined with a little patience will give a perfect installation:
- Clean the Pilots screen and the screen protector thoroughly with a lint free cloth. (Camera lense cleaning wipes are an even better choice - lint free!)
- Begin installation at the bottom left corner and gently slip the bottom and left edges under the case
- Move the protector as far down and left as it will go
- Flexing the protector as necessary, slip the right edge under the case
- Finally, move the protector down as far as it will go and slip the top edge under the case.
Simple!...honestly, patience is required to get it exactly right. The best idea would be to cut 2 or 3 protectors and be prepared to ruin a couple before you get the knack.
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- Try Dale Coffing's site for some good tips on his method for installing a screen protector on a Casio (similar size to a PalmPilot) his page has some good photographs.
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- If you have a tip to do with screen protectors which you would like to
share with the Pilot community (and you need a home for it) please send
the tip in and I'll gladly integrate it with this page - you receive full credit!
Acknowledgements: this page was originally created by Colin Williams, he became unable to keep up its maintenance, and passed its care on to me - so does that mean that we are both to blame!? The site clocked up 8117 visits from when he opened it in February 98
Clear vinyl tip from Daniel Eaton, owner of the PalmPilot Papers Page.
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