Reviewed by: Greg Gaub
Date: October 29, 2003

Check out the Pocket PC Techs web site for ordering info.

What do you do when you have a device with a delicate screen, and no one makes a good screen protector for the dimensions of that screen? Make your own! From their site: "The D-I-Y kit contains one WriteSHIELD™ sheet that is 5.8" x 8.6", four KlearScreen Wet Single packs, two Optical quality MicroFiber cloths, 2 oz bottle of Klear Screen Cleaner, 6 applicator/removal tools, two Vellum template sheets and fully illustrated instructions."

I just so happened to have such a device. The Alphasmart Dana. The Dana's screen is much wider than most PDAs and is a niche enough device that pre-cut screen protection is rare. I had already put a small scratch into the screen, so definitely wanted to protect it from further damage. Along came the WriteSHIELD DIY kit!

I carefully read all the instructions before proceeding. I prepared my work area with a cutting surface and all the tools I would need. I even turned on the hot water in the bathroom to steam it up for my "clean room" to apply the finished screen protector in. I'm fairly skilled at this type of thing from two years in undergraduate architecture school, so I was not afraid. If I had not had that experience under my belt, I probably would have been afraid, though. Ok, to be honest, I was still a little afraid of screwing up. The DIY kit is a hefty $50, and I certainly didn't want to waste it on messing up. That's why I chose the straightedge and X-acto knife method.

Following the instructions I used the Vellum tracing paper to determine the size of the screen, cut out that piece of vellum and tested the fit. After some minor trimming I was ready to cut a chunk out of my WriteSHIELD sheet. I decided to take my own path for cutting it out, though. WriteSHIELD recommends not only scissors, but to tape the vellum to the WriteSHIELD sheet and cut it. Instead, I used the vellum to mark the sheet, then my straightedge and X-acto knife to make the cuts. I then tested that piece on the screen for fit. I trimmed small bits off of each corner and it fit much better. Here you can see my work area.

Now comes the moment of truth. I put a piece of tape across one end of the WriteSHIELD protective backing to aid in removing it and placing the protector (as instructed), then hauled my Dana and the protector up to the steamy bathroom. After letting the steam subside a bit, I went in, cleaned the screen thoroughly, and applied the WriteSHIELD to the Dana screen. The trickiest part was the fact that the Dana screen is so wide, that the protector was so long, that without a perfectly even initial application, it would skew to one side a little and be off. Fortunately, the WriteSHIELD is the type that can be removed and reapplied without damage, so I adjusted once or twice, and decided that was the best I could do. I completed the application as instructed, worked out a bubble fairly easily, wiped the screen with my cloth (included), and was done! I did have to use one of their little applicator/removal tools to smooth down some of the edges, especially where it got so close to one side that it didn't want to go down without force to get it past the casing and onto the screen under the edge of the casing. But I got it on there.

The quality of the screen protection is tremendous, and the feel of it with a stylus is just as great. I was afraid that there would be too much drag on the stylus and I would lose that slick feeling that the glass screen has, but there isn't much drag at all. There is a texture, but it doesn't slow down the stylus at all. The texture, I'm sure, helps prevent scratching of the screen protector, and I know it cuts down on glare. check out the comparison shot before and after the WriteSHIELD. You can clearly see the chandelier in my dining room reflected in the before part. That same chandelier is almost undetectable in the after part.

I'll be honest, though, I would not recommend this to anyone who is not accustomed to cutting things out like this. If you don't do much scissoring or cutting with an X-acto knife, you might want to wait for them to make a pre-cut version, or go somewhere else. It was easy for me, and it's by no means a difficult task, but $50 is a lot of money for something that can be ruined so readily. Then again, when it's your only option, it's your only option.

Likes

1. Glare reduction
2. great feel with stylus
3. great screen protection
4. can be removed and reapplied

Dislikes

1. had to cut it all out myself
2. can be difficult to apply perfectly straight.

Rating: 4.5 needles (out of five).

If you've used this product, please share your thoughts on it with other SeaPUG visitors. However, please do not review the review. ;-)