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What sort of screen protection do you use?

  • None (interested in your experiences!)

    Votes: 24 50.0%
  • Glass (slippery and thick?)

    Votes: 13 27.1%
  • Matte (toothy but comparatively fuzzy?)

    Votes: 6 12.5%
  • Something else

    Votes: 5 10.4%

  • Total voters
    48

mixel

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Jan 12, 2006
1,730
976
Leeds, UK
Sooo.. I've had my Pro9.7 + Pencil a few days and I had a glass screen protector on from the very beginning, which was too slippery.. So I ordered a matte one.. But before it arrives I thought I should try the iPad protector-less.. "No way I could scratch it in the couple of days without" surely..

Well, I was really surprised how nice the drawing surface is without a protector. I'm paranoid about scratches - I scratched my iPad 3 pretty visibly with styluses in careful use, then used a matte protector afterwards to cover them up. I've seen video reviews mentioning how easy it is to scratch the iPp with dust under the nib, etc..

Basically - how many artists and heavy users use their Pro and Pencil without any protection at all. I might as well ask what sorts people use while I'm at it...?

Using this without a protector is scary as hell, wouldn't mind some reassurance from others who do the same. I feel like I should be able to enjoy it like this, and the image quality is greater like this, but uuugh I'm likely to be so on edge the whole time.

PS: anyone thinking their glass protector isn't interfering with the touch screen.. I dunno. Fine detail is much easier without one. Matte on the other hand will add tooth and make the detail easier to do but less pretty, I guess. That was my experience on the iPad 3 anyway.

Edit: sorry if this is in the wrong sub forum.. Do protectors count as accessories? Hmm.
 
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I'm using a matte screen protector from bestskinsever and I like the feel of the pencil on it but I'm not too crazy of how the screen looks. I actually just ordered their glossy protector and might switch it out. Definitely don't want to use it without something on the screen though.
 
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Well, I never use protection, feels much better without it.

Though, in all seriousness for note taking, I do wish there was a slight more friction on the pencil/ glass contact...
 
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I tried an anti-glare matte screen protector for about a week. It was a leftover from a prior iPad. I kind of liked the feel but didn't like the slightest degradation in clarity. While I was waiting using the Pencil, I felt a tiny bit of drag one time. I stopped but saw a scratch albeit in the protector. I truly feel that without the protector the scratch would have certainly been on my screen. So anyway I moved on to the Powe Support crystal clear and couldn't be any happier. The screen looks and feels like no protector and also gives a good feel with the pencil. Also like that it adds no weight or bulk to the iPad.
 
I just make sure to wipe the display with a cloth before use and occasionally wipe the tip mad haven't had any problems.
 
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I just make sure to wipe the display with a cloth heifer use and occasionally wipe the tip mad haven't had any problems.
Do you use it outside much? The only places I got stylus scratches on my old iPad were out and about - largely at work when sneaky dust particles just floated/fell on the screen mid drawing. :/
 
Do you use it outside much? The only places I got stylus scratches on my old iPad were out and about - largely at work when sneaky dust particles just floated/fell on the screen mid drawing. :/

I changed "heifer" to before! :p

I have not yet, my classes are indoors and I've been been very busy.

I always have a cleaning cloth with me so I would just occasionally glance at the screen at an angle for any dust and I always wipe the tip of the pencil on my shirt or something every few minutes - it's become a sort of habit. I have no issues with using it outside though. I won't use it in a sandstorm.

I'm not a fan of screen protectors because of bubbles, grime buildup at the edges, erc.
[doublepost=1461633663][/doublepost]I'll add this: I hate scratches and will do my best to avoid them by checking the screen often during use, but at the same time I realize that it's a part of reality and won't be devastated if I get some micro scratches.
 
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I use mine mainly for drawing and have a tempered glass screen protector on it. I use glass protectors on all my phones. My note 10.1 tablet is 3 1/2 years old with the original Matte protector on it. You should see how bad it looks with all the scratches on it. It's been over 3 years of constant use though. I don't like using those anymore.

I tried one of the cheaper glass protectors from Amazon, but messed up twice trying to get it on the IPP. So I just went to Best Buy and spent on their Zagg Glass shield tempered glass protector. I had them put it on. I don't even want to say how much it cost $$$$, but costs more if the Ipad Pro screen gets cracked or gets all scratched up. I will say I do notice sometimes that along the edge I have to press harder sometimes with it on, but no way going without one on. The Best buy Guy did a great job installing it for me. Usually though, it works fine with the Apple Pencil when drawing.
 
I enjoy drawing/writing with an anti-glare screen protector. Not a fan of the way it makes the screen look. As an added bonus though, fingerprints are less of an issue.

I had a tempered glass screen protector before and noticed small issues with touch/pen input.
 
I'm a student who takes 10+ pages of notes per day, plus homework. No screen protector - no scratches. This is the 12.9" and I've had it since shortly before the 9.7" announcement. I do carry a glasses cloth and clean my screen before each class/session - a habit I picked up from wearing glasses.
 
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I just make sure to wipe the display with a cloth before use and occasionally wipe the tip mad haven't had any problems.
I keep my electronics clean and make sure to wipe them with Whoosh and a clean microfiber cloth. No matter how careful I am, if I don't use a screen protector, I always and mean always get a scratch. My last iPhone had a naked screen for 6 months before getting the dreaded scratch.

So with the addition of the Pencil and the reviews on YouTube showing scratches from the Pencil - this new iPad got protection before the first scratch.
 
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So after a day running it naked I'm using a mediadevil matte protector now. If this gets scratches on I'll know it was the right call! Went on perfect first time for a change, no need to pick up dust. It's much nicer than the old matte ones I'd tried on my iPad3 - It's sort of satin-ish feel? It's slightly toothier than running it unprotected. It does make the screen slightly fuzzier but it's more pencil friendly than the tempered glass was. (I can use the eye dropper in procreate easily now!)

In terms of level of tooth I'd compare the experience to drawing with a good biro, while naked it was more like drawing with a mechanical pencil on very fine paper. In terms of finger experience though the tactile feel is identical to the touch as the naked tablet, unlike the glass protector that felt significantly different.

Lol this sounded like an ad, sorry.. If anyone else wants to try the same protector though: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Screen-Pro...keywords=mediadevil+ipad+air+screen+protector
 
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I use the best way! I always before drawing or using the pencil, clean both of them from dust particles etc. so no need for protection since without is the best experience
 
I use the best way! I always before drawing or using the pencil, clean both of them from dust particles etc. so no need for protection since without is the best experience
That's exactly how I treated my iPad3 until it got scratched too. Anyone who does this is very lucky if they get through the entire life of their device without scratches IMO. Which is cool, and good for them. :) It must work better for people in less chaotic, more controlled environments.

"No need for protection" is ignoring accidents (things being dropped onto the screen, eg stylus), other people, nature etc - at least I can let my daughter use my iPad now without worrying, or quickly whip it out and sit among some trees and if some sawdust, dirt or sand ends up on the screen mid picture it's not a problem. Or if it's on the inside cover and it gets closed inside etc. It's a bit like saying "I'm a careful driver so I don't need a seatbelt." I envy people's ability to do this but it's definitely super easy to scratch idevices. I don't need to do the cleaning bit just to make sure there aren't particles before I draw on a whim either so I that improves the immediacy. But if I only used it at home and I lived in a place without the busy family and pets I'd use it unprotected too probably.
 
That's exactly how I treated my iPad3 until it got scratched too. Anyone who does this is very lucky if they get through the entire life of their device without scratches IMO. Which is cool, and good for them. :) It must work better for people in less chaotic, more controlled environments.

"No need for protection" is ignoring accidents (things being dropped onto the screen, eg stylus), other people, nature etc - at least I can let my daughter use my iPad now without worrying, or quickly whip it out and sit among some trees and if some sawdust, dirt or sand ends up on the screen mid picture it's not a problem. Or if it's on the inside cover and it gets closed inside etc. It's a bit like saying "I'm a careful driver so I don't need a seatbelt." I envy people's ability to do this but it's definitely super easy to scratch idevices. I don't need to do the cleaning bit just to make sure there aren't particles before I draw on a whim either so I that improves the immediacy. But if I only used it at home and I lived in a place without the busy family and pets I'd use it unprotected too probably.
You adapt to your life style.
Badly for me, im a perfection looking man. So i take care extremely with anything. But this is a.not healthy way to live
 
I am using a matte screen protector more for the tooth it gives than for protection. I have the Celicious Screen M Apple iPad Pro Matte Anti-Glare Screen Protector [Pack of 2] .

I don't see any fuzziness, or very little. This protector is different from any I have ever used before in that it was very difficult and a bit confusing to apply as it has 3 layers, the actual protector is virtually invisible during the application process and somewhat difficult to even find. You remove the rubbery, shiny layer first and the stiff plastic layer second, then with a fair amount of trouble you can separate the still layer from the matte layer that stays on the iPad screen.

I completely messed up the first one, but was successful with the second one and I am very pleased with the result.

I will say the difficulty and confusion about how to apply it makes this one that is not for the faint of heart. lol

If this one needs to be replaced I think I will replace it with the same, as it gives a very nice tooth without degrading the screen image noticeably.
 
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i started out with a matte protector. it felt more like wacom products which im used to. im not using my ipad much for art these days, so i took it off. now that im using it more, ive just adapted. no point in a matte protector now, unless you worry about scratches. i personally dont care if mine get scratched.
 
I just make sure to wipe the display with a cloth before use and occasionally wipe the tip mad haven't had any problems.

This. I definitely need to clean it before using the pencil, otherwise I can feel dust and particles catch the pencil and I don't want to scratch anything.
 
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