Screen protection or not?

[Andy Aitken]

Whadda ya think? The M8 LCD screen appears to be made of glass where most others are plastic. The plastic screens seem to scratch horribly and require stick on screen protectors. Is the glass on the M8 hard enough that you don't need a protector?

I've tried some but they keep peeling off in my bag.

Are you guys using screen protectors on your M8's? If not, has anyone had any scratches yet?

[barjohn]

I find that it scratches easily so I put a screen protector on mine. I was being super careful to not scratch it, carrying it on the strap so the LCD was agaisnt my cashmere sweater and it still got a few light scratches. I instantly put on one of the screen protectors i had around until I could get the right one from ScreenPatronous. I now have it on and all is well I highly recommend theres if you haven't tried it. Seems to stay on well in my bag.

[Andy Aitken]

Actually I did try the Screen Patronus ones you mentioned but I found they were just a tiny bit too big for the screen so that the edges caught on things and they started to peel off (I got through all 3 in a week!). It's a bit strange as they say they've sold a lot of M8 screens without any sizing issues.

[tbarker13]

I had the same problem with the Patronus protectors. Went through all 3 of my screens within two weeks. Regardless of where I posititioned them, the corners kept catching on things.
Also use them on my Canon 30D, where they seem to work much better.

[barjohn]

I just recievd mine about a week ago and have not had the problem (yet) so maybe they recut them slightly. I just looked at mine and it fits perfectly; however since the screen is raised slightly I can see where it might catch eventually and peel. However, I don't know of a better solution and I don't like scratched up screens. By the way, i don't think it is glass.

[Andy Aitken]

I think you're right - it's plastic. Which would explain why it scratches.

I just ordered some Ricoh GR-D protectors which might be closer to the right size for the M8. If not I'll use them on the Ricoh. I'll report back on these once they arrive. The ScreenPatronus ones are much better (clearer, fewer bubbles) than others I've used though.

Funny, I don't mind scratches on the camera itself but I hate having them on the screen.

[Gabriel M.A.]

I put a Palm pilot screen protector on each digital cam's screen I have. I custom cut, of course. One of the first things I do when I take it out of the box.

[Andy Aitken]

OK, the Ricoh GR screens are a bit too small but they at least don't peel off and they protect the part of the screen that shows the image - which is the main thing. I'll stick with them then.

The nice people at ScreenPatronus also sent me some replacement M8 screens that I can trim down but it doesn't seem like they acknowledge that they have a problem with their m8 screen sizes.

[Bob Parsons]

I wonder if there is much of a tolerance on the M8 screen size. I got through 3 Patronus protectors in as many days. The corners would catch on clothing or my fingers when I operated the command dial. The problem seems to be caused by the chamfer on the edges of the screen, it makes the edges of the protector stand a little proud. I was very careful to align the protectors so there was no overlap at the edges.

I contacted Screen Patronus and they replaced my protectors with ones cut 0.5mm smaller. One of those has now remained on the camera for 6 weeks with no problems at all, they're excellent. Trying to align them with 1/4 mm even border does make them a little tricky to apply at first though.

I'd previously used their protectors on a 1DMkII and 5D for at least a year without having to replace them.

I'll have to contact SP again and tell them the results. Maybe they're now supplying the slightly smaller version.


Bob.

[Grober]

Ditto the remarks above. ScreenPatronus is clear with the company being very responsive but I echo the comments above about the corners catching on things.

I'll clean the screen and try again. The mere thought of a scratch on this still-virgin screen gives me the willies...

-g

[Bob Parsons]

Originally Posted by Grober

..........................I'll clean the screen and try again. The mere thought of a scratch on this still-virgin screen gives me the willies...

-g

One problem I found was that once the protector had snagged and lifted it creased slightly. This prevented it from staying flat on the screen making it more prone to snagging again.

Bob.

[gdi]

I have an idea (patent pending) - use scissors to trim that protector to fit !

Or as suggested above, buy protectors for a color PDA and cut them to fit, I have never had one come off and one package has lasted for 5 years....

[Artichoke]

for the h2210, h2215 & h6315 fit width perfectly, but are a bit long
I cut one in 1/2 and overlap them
prepping the screen first with alcohol helps & the HP kit comes with a prep patch that helps as well
I have had them last weeks on my M8 & despite the overlap, I find the screen shines through fine for chimping