DLO Surface Shields For iPhone 3G Detailed Review

[Ouhei]

I felt compelled to post another message, I am sitting here writing this post from my iPhone 3G. The screen looks incredibly clear, seriously as if there were no protector on it at all. We need to figure out what is going on here, are the shields that come with the Jam Jacket different from those that come in the 5 pack.

I think I am going to buy the 5 pack tomorrow, full detailed report to follow.

If people would see the shield I am using, PS would have a hard time selling theirs.

I've emailed DLO about it and am waiting on a response. I'm going to return my shield pack and pick up the Jam Jacket pack either today or tomorrow, depending on when I can get back to best buy.

for $5 more I'm willing to let another case collect dust if they're anything like how you describe them.

 

[dreadpiratedoug]

I picked mines up yesterday after the good reviews on here ... and was terribly disappointed. It's your typical Anti-Glare case in which everything looks sparkly. On the bright side, it was pretty damn easy to install!

 

[docprego]

I picked mines up yesterday after the good reviews on here ... and was terribly disappointed. It's your typical Anti-Glare case in which everything looks sparkly. On the bright side, it was pretty damn easy to install!

I am now 100% CONVINCED that the shields that come with the Jam Jacket are different than those in the 5 pack. There is not even the slightest hint of sparkle on mine, I have used PS anti-glare and know exactly what you mean. The protector I got with the Jam jacket is very slightly anti-glare, completely crystal clear when the screen is on and displays an interesting reainbow like texture when the screen is off. This is so odd!

Let's put it this way, if these awesome protectors only come packaged with the Jam Jacket for $19.99, I would still get the bundle and just not use the Jam Jacket. $19.99 is still decent for 3 protectors alone anyway. PS charges $14.95 for 2 so it is not outrageous. Could probably even eBay the Jam Jacket for $10 or $15 and end up paying $5 or $10 for 3 great protectors! Still I would prefer to be able to buy them in the 5 pack. I wonder if DLO offers 2 versions like PS does and the ones in the 5 pack are truly their anti-glare while the ones bundled with the Jam Jacket are their crystal, that seems to be likely. They probably just didn't do a great job labeling the Jam Jacket box.

 

[docprego]

So much for that theory, there is only 1 type of Surface Shield listed on their site and it is the type that comes in the 5 pack. The only possibility is that for some unexplainable reason they bundle a different protector with the case but describe it exactly the same on the Jam Jacket box as they do the ones in the 5 pack.

What a mystery........

 

[Ouhei]

So much for that theory, there is only 1 type of Surface Shield listed on their site and it is the type that comes in the 5 pack. The only possibility is that for some unexplainable reason they bundle a different protector with the case but describe it exactly the same on the Jam Jacket box as they do the ones in the 5 pack.

What a mystery........

I'm still going to test this, worth a shot...

I'm waiting on their email too.

If all else fails, can I buy one of your extras?

 

[kels0119]

DLO covers

I bought the 5 pack the other day and put them on, I love it. Mine only has the one side but not many smudges and it took me a try or two to actually get my screen clean in the first place but other wise great!! You guys got any advice on how to get the screen nice and clean?

BTW, no glare and no smudges like the OP said and again i just had the #1 tabs only.

 

[CrosshairDF2]

So much for that theory, there is only 1 type of Surface Shield listed on their site and it is the type that comes in the 5 pack. The only possibility is that for some unexplainable reason they bundle a different protector with the case but describe it exactly the same on the Jam Jacket box as they do the ones in the 5 pack.

What a mystery........

I'm wondering if they bundled the 1st Gen shields with the 3G Jam Jacket?

Surface Shields for iPhone 3G
http://www.dlo.com/Products/sshield_iphone3g_Prod.tpl?command=showpage&cart=121761932482289

Surface Shields for iPhone
http://www.dlo.com/Products/sshield_iphone_Prod.tpl?command=showpage&cart=121761932482289


.

 

[ziggnet]

Did your included shields have the #1 & #2 tabbed protective film over each side of the protector? This is interesting because mine did and I also got them with the Jam jacket bundle. Others are reporting that the shields do not have #1 & #2, just #1 and that they are sort of cloudy looking. Mine are crystal clear. Interested to hear your experience.

Yes, mine had the #1 and #2 tabs on them.

Quick side note: I decided this morning that my shield was off by a fraction of a millimeter so I was going to move it. Yeah, um, not a good idea. If you remove it, it's worthless because then you get dust and fingerprints on it and can't get them off. I suppose it's my own fault for not realizing that they put 3 in there for a reason

 

[ziggnet]

I bought the 5 pack the other day and put them on, I love it. Mine only has the one side but not many smudges and it took me a try or two to actually get my screen clean in the first place but other wise great!! You guys got any advice on how to get the screen nice and clean?

BTW, no glare and no smudges like the OP said and again i just had the #1 tabs only.

To clean, I used an eyeglass cleaner and a paper towel, and then the iPhone cloth to remove the excess dust. Some users suggest you put the shield on in a bathroom that has been steamed up to keep the dust from blowing onto the phone or shield during application. This is a good idea if you're like me and have animals who shed...

 

[CrosshairDF2]

I just solved it ... all three were available at my local Best Buy. As advertised, the shields with the Jam Jacket doesn't say they are non-glare and they aren't. The 5-pack shields for the 1st Gen iPhone and the iPhone 3G truly are non-glare, again as advertised --- see pictures.

Left - 3G Non-Glare
Middle - Included with Jam Jacket
Right - 1st gen Non-Glare

FYI - The 3G shield is 1/8 wider than the 1st gen shield.

 

[docprego]

I just solved it ... all three were available at my local Best Buy. As advertised, the shields with the Jam Jacket doesn't say they are non-glare and they aren't. The 5-pack shields for the 1st Gen iPhone and the iPhone 3G truly are non-glare, again as advertised --- see pictures.

Left - 3G Non-Glare
Middle - Included with Jam Jacket
Right - 1st gen Non-Glare

FYI - The 3G shield is 1/8 wider than the 1st gen shield.

Thank you so much CrosshairDF2!!! That saves me a trip to BB tonight. Now you guys can see what I am talking about, look how clear that middle one is! The anti glare on the left and right for the old and new iPhone look just like the PS anit-glare which as I said I do not like. But the middle one is absolutely awesome! I wish they sold these in a 5 pack too but I am still going to buy them in the pack with the Jam Jacket if I ever need another set. My first one looks like it will last forever anyway!

 

[docprego]

Yes, mine had the #1 and #2 tabs on them.

Quick side note: I decided this morning that my shield was off by a fraction of a millimeter so I was going to move it. Yeah, um, not a good idea. If you remove it, it's worthless because then you get dust and fingerprints on it and can't get them off. I suppose it's my own fault for not realizing that they put 3 in there for a reason

Next time reposition it in a steamed up bathroom, much less likely to have dust fall on the protector or screen. I have done this several times with mine and still dust free.

 

[CrosshairDF2]

Thank you so much CrosshairDF2!!! That saves me a trip to BB tonight. Now you guys can see what I am talking about, look how clear that middle one is! The anti glare on the left and right for the old and new iPhone look just like the PS anit-glare which as I said I do not like. But the middle one is absolutely awesome! I wish they sold these in a 5 pack too but I am still going to buy them in the pack with the Jam Jacket if I ever need another set. My first one looks like it will last forever anyway!

Yes, they should sell these clear shields as 5-packs. I bought the anti-glare shields the week after launch.

Not a single lint bubble and perfectly aligned ... it took me seven shields to do all four.

 

[edlo83]

Yes, they should sell these clear shields as 5-packs. I bought the anti-glare shields the week after launch.

Not a single lint bubble and perfectly aligned ... it took me seven shields to do all four.

so which tab do you remove to apply the shield on the phone?

 

[HouseofG]

Thanks, crosshair! I just read through the whole thread for the first time (contemplating finding something a bit less grainy than my PS anti-glare, though I do like them) and was glad to see the mystery solved in one sitting! Going to check these out at BB tomorrow. And, thanks, docprego, for the great review/follow-ups and pointing us toward the right ones.

 

[CrosshairDF2]

It looks like everyone in my household wants clear shields instead of the anti-glare shields that they have now. The clear does look like glass, like there is no shield at all. I think the touch control is more responsive on the clear compared to the anti-glare. Even if you already have a favorite case, $20 for three clear shields isn't bad.

Hear are some pictures with the anti-glare on the left and clear on the right. I placed the iPhones directly underneath the large florescent light in my kitchen to create the reflection.

 

[CrosshairDF2]

More pictures with the anti-glare on the left and clear on the right. The brightness was turned all the way up and auto-brightness was turned off on both iPhones.

 

[docprego]

so which tab do you remove to apply the shield on the phone?

Well on the clear ones that come with the Jam Jacket I removed tab 1 first to apply that side to the phone. I left tab 2 on until I was satisfied with the install. BTW I only removed a bit of tab 1 and placed the exposed part on the phone to minimize the possibility of dust getting between the shield and the screen. As I applied the shield I removed only that part leaving the rest of the shield protected until it was applied, this worked great.

 

[docprego]

More pictures with the anti-glare on the left and clear on the right. The brightness was turned all the way up and auto-brightness was turned off on both iPhones.

Terrific pics, the lower left one really shows the difference between clear and anti-glare. Still can't believe they don't sell the clear ones separately.

 

[CrosshairDF2]

I personally do. It seems just as clear when the screen is on but a lot more resistant to smudges. There is a noticeable rainbow like pattern in it when the screen is off but it totally disappears once the screen is on.

Docprego, I found the rainbows on the clear shields. It shows up when you look at the phone at an angle under an incandescent light. It is noticeable when the screen if off. With the screen on, the rainbows are around the dark edges of the screen but only at an certain angle to the incandescent light.

The rainbows are nowhere to be found under the florescent lights no matter what angle, just like in my previous pictures.

Here are the rainbows when viewed at an angle under incandescent lighting.

 

[docprego]

Docprego, I found the rainbows on the clear shields. It shows up when you look at the phone at an angle under an incandescent light. It is noticeable when the screen if off. With the screen on, the rainbows are around the dark edges of the screen but only at an certain angle to the incandescent light.

The rainbows are nowhere to be found under the florescent lights no matter what angle, just like in my previous pictures.

Here are the rainbows when viewed at an angle under incandescent lighting.

That is EXACTLY what I see. I actually kind of like them, they don't appear at all when the screen is on but when it is off it reminds me that my screen is fully protected. Again your pics are great.

 

[CrosshairDF2]

I found pictures of the Power Support Crystal with what looks like rainbows too.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/528945/

.

 

[docprego]

I found pictures of the Power Support Crystal with what looks like rainbows too.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/528945/

.

Interesting I never noticed them on any PS crystal that I have owned. They appear to be a different type of rainbow too. I prefer our rainbows

 

[bubbagumpshrimp]

It seems that DLO support isn't aware that the shields are different:

"Dear Sir,

Thank you for contacting DLO online support.

The shields that come with the JamJacket are the same shields that are sold in the 5 pack.

If you need further assistance, please respond to this email.

Thank you,
Alicia
DLO Technical support"

 

[docprego]

It seems that DLO support isn't aware that the shields are different:

"Dear Sir,

Thank you for contacting DLO online support.

The shields that come with the JamJacket are the same shields that are sold in the 5 pack.

If you need further assistance, please respond to this email.

Thank you,
Alicia
DLO Technical support"

Wow I better stock up on Jam Jackets before they realize the mistake! JK of course but isn't that amazing?