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Monoprice screen protector
- Thread starter Anti-Lucifer
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+1 on the monoprice clear. I ordered three since they were so cheap. $6 shipped from CA to NJ for 3 protectors is rediculous.
I used the first one just to test things out. I found using scotch tape on all 4 corners to pull back the protector after it's positioned plus one piece to remove specks of dust gave me a perfect install. I also followed their recommendation to make sure both the iPad and protector were cold to avoid bubbles. The tape on the corners also helped with this to make lifting and smoothing out bubbled a piece of cake.
I've had protectors from all the big names. This is the same thing without the overpriced accessories (spray, card smoother, etc) that always get thrown in. But monoprice does provide a small microfiber cloth which worked good. So save your money, the monoprice is an awesome, "can't tell it's there", super cheap protector that doesn't limit the retina display one bit.
I used the first one just to test things out. I found using scotch tape on all 4 corners to pull back the protector after it's positioned plus one piece to remove specks of dust gave me a perfect install. I also followed their recommendation to make sure both the iPad and protector were cold to avoid bubbles. The tape on the corners also helped with this to make lifting and smoothing out bubbled a piece of cake.
I've had protectors from all the big names. This is the same thing without the overpriced accessories (spray, card smoother, etc) that always get thrown in. But monoprice does provide a small microfiber cloth which worked good. So save your money, the monoprice is an awesome, "can't tell it's there", super cheap protector that doesn't limit the retina display one bit.
meh
I ordered two just in case I botched the first install and glad I did, since I botched the first install. Anyway, my overall opinion about the protector is it's just average. I can clearly see the rainbow effect when the iPad is sleeping or powered off, no biggie though and it isn't noticed when the screen is on. However, to me, I see a noticeable "snow" effect when using the iPad. The only way I can describe it is the snow from a bad channel on your TV, make it transparent and apply the effect to the screen protector. Maybe mine is bad, but I can notice it and it does slightly hinder the retina display. Overall for a 1.50 or whatever I paid it cannot be beat but to say it beats a power support crystal, NO WAY! I'll eventually upgrade to a PS but as of now to protect the display from my three kids, it'll do.
I ordered two just in case I botched the first install and glad I did, since I botched the first install. Anyway, my overall opinion about the protector is it's just average. I can clearly see the rainbow effect when the iPad is sleeping or powered off, no biggie though and it isn't noticed when the screen is on. However, to me, I see a noticeable "snow" effect when using the iPad. The only way I can describe it is the snow from a bad channel on your TV, make it transparent and apply the effect to the screen protector. Maybe mine is bad, but I can notice it and it does slightly hinder the retina display. Overall for a 1.50 or whatever I paid it cannot be beat but to say it beats a power support crystal, NO WAY! I'll eventually upgrade to a PS but as of now to protect the display from my three kids, it'll do.
I don't mean to sound like a douche, but I actually didn't notice that there was another film on the finished side at first...
I can agree ever so slightly with the rainbow effect when the screen is off. It is a very slight pinkish hue. But I can in no way confirm the "snow" effect. Today I compared my monoprice with a co-workers power support and they were indistinguishable... and we both agreed.
Just like anything, the iPad included, there are variances with mass produced products. So I would suggest if anyone gets these to order a few.
You probably have a bad one. The rainbow effect is also available on the power support. But only under fluorescent lighting can u see it while screen being off. There is absolutely no interference with the retina screen. If you experience it then you must have a defective screen protector.
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I don't mean to sound like a douche, but I actually didn't notice that there was another film on the finished side at first...
I can agree ever so slightly with the rainbow effect when the screen is off. It is a very slight pinkish hue. But I can in no way confirm the "snow" effect. Today I compared my monoprice with a co-workers power support and they were indistinguishable... and we both agreed.
Just like anything, the iPad included, there are variances with mass produced products. So I would suggest if anyone gets these to order a few.
You are right on all points. Most people here experience the $ OCD disease. If they didn't pay top dollar for something it would not qualify as being good enough.
I had the PS on my iPad 2, just installed the monoprice one on my new iPad and honestly can't tell the difference.
I installed it in a steamy bathroom which left some bubbles,
was a little worried but I managed to work them all out and now it looks and feels flawless.
I installed it in a steamy bathroom which left some bubbles,
was a little worried but I managed to work them all out and now it looks and feels flawless.
Interesting. You guys have convinced me I may have a bad one so another is on it's way. I will be 100% happy if there is no snow effect this time.
Same protection, feel, look as Power Support Crystal or SGP Crystal???
For those who have used both the Monoprice clear screen protector and either the SGP Crystal or Power Support Crystal screen protector, would you say that the Monoprice is equal in how it feels, clarity of display, and the amount of protection it offers???
Or do one or more of these 3 factors must be sacrificed for the much much much cheaper option?
I'm curious what I'm giving up to save money because the difference in price is nuts.
For those who have used both the Monoprice clear screen protector and either the SGP Crystal or Power Support Crystal screen protector, would you say that the Monoprice is equal in how it feels, clarity of display, and the amount of protection it offers???
Or do one or more of these 3 factors must be sacrificed for the much much much cheaper option?
I'm curious what I'm giving up to save money because the difference in price is nuts.
I don't have and never have had experience with SGP. I have the power support on two ipad2's and the mono price on the other plus the iPad 3 and will tell you that the feel is the same as the power support.
It's like organic food buyers who take the blind organic food test. You can't tell the difference!
Just just received 5 Monoprice crystal protectors. Last night I installed one on my iPad 3. Looks beautiful but here at work under the fluorescent lights I can see a pinkish ranbowy "texture" to the entire plastic sheet that I couldn't notice at home under incandescent and LED lighting.
It's very strange. Under white LED lights the screen protector is completely invisible. Under fluorescent lights, I see the "texture" (not a texture you can feel, though).
Im not yet 100% certain I'll keep it on, since I use my iPad a lot at work. But at home it's completely invisible. And while I've not used one on my iPad, there is no such phenomenon with the Power Support or SGP protectors I've used on my iPhone.
It's very strange. Under white LED lights the screen protector is completely invisible. Under fluorescent lights, I see the "texture" (not a texture you can feel, though).
Im not yet 100% certain I'll keep it on, since I use my iPad a lot at work. But at home it's completely invisible. And while I've not used one on my iPad, there is no such phenomenon with the Power Support or SGP protectors I've used on my iPhone.
Same issue here. Under fluorescent lights, it appears as if there is a clear screen sitting on top of thousands of microdroplets of oil, if that makes sense to anyone. It's more prominent on the black border of the iPad or when watching a movie with a lot of dark scenes. When the screen is turned on to medium brightness, most of the effect goes away, and it is not too distracting. Again, at home, it works great and it doesn't actually take away from the clarity of the screen in any way. But, unfortunately, I'm near fluroescents at nearly all times, so I will probably end up tossing this one. I did buy two extra (at ~$1.40 each), so I'll try a different one and see if this effect is universal with the monoprice ipad crystals or if I just happened to get a bad one.
I have the monoprice crystal on my iphone 4s and it looks fantastic under all light conditions, with no rainbow or oil effect whatsoever, which makes me consider that I just happened to get a defective one for the ipad...I'll try a new one and update later though...
I can certainly understand what you meant by micro droplets of oil or what others call rainbow on the screen.
The clear screen protector that came with my SwitchEasy case has the same effect. In fact it varies from sample to sample in terms of the amount of rainbow. The first one was pretty bad and then I got another one as I got replacement of the case. The 2nd one was a little better but rainbow is still easily visible under certain lighting.
I guess it comes down to quality control and the quality of the material. I have many Power Support or SGP films but I never saw such rainbow effect. Adhesive problem is another thing though as I used to find the clear screen protector from SGP consistently have lifted edge problems around the home button of the iDevices or near the corner or edges of the devices. Recently I got a SGP one for iPad and that one seems to improve the adhesive but the adhesive is too strong to have too much static, making the installation a bit difficult.
I ordered 5. These are so cheap that I ordered extra in case I botched a couple up. Great cheap insurance and peace of mind.
Thanks for the link and info regarding these!
Thanks for the link and info regarding these!
Any more feedback about the anti-glare monoprice protector would be appreciated. I want to wait for powersupport to come out with their official ipad 3 anti-glare protector but I need something to last for a month or two. If the monoprice anti-glare is a lot worse than the power support I won't even bother. I remember seeing a thread comparing the SGP and older powersupport antiglare protector for ipad 2 and the difference was very noticeable that powersupport was clearer with the anti-glare protectors. I am wondering how the monoprice compares.
Can anyone get a macro picture of the monoprice anti-glare protector up close while on the ipad to see how it affects the pixels?
Can anyone get a macro picture of the monoprice anti-glare protector up close while on the ipad to see how it affects the pixels?
PS has the exact similar issues under fluorescent lighting. And you will not notice it unless you turn off the iPad and stare at it at an angle which basically means you are looking for flaws.
PS, incipio, off brand generic, mono price all have this rainbow issue under fluorescent lighting. It could also be the oleo phobic coating and the film itself. It does not create a rainbow colored screen when using your iPad, however.
I have the same issue with the Monoprice screen protector. I bought two, and after I installed the first one, I thought it was defective, so I installed the second one and had the same problem. As others have mentioned, it's only noticeable under fluorescent lights. However, I can still see it when the iPad is on, and it gets more noticeable if I'm viewing it at an angle (say, iPad laid flat on my desk).
Here's a picture illustrating the problem:
I think I must have been very lucky as so far I haven't seen any rainbow in Power Support crystal clear protector products under florescent lighting. I have bought many PS clear protectors for a few 3GS, a few 4S, iPod Nano and another one for iPad 3rd which I have yet to receive it.
Their product quality is really consistent.
I used to dislike their anti-glare versions (for 3GS and Macbook Pro) as they were too grainy in my tastes. However, over the years, new versions come up and they are are among the best I have seen.
On the other hand, the SGP clear one that is on my iPad 3rd gen now shows double image when the screen is off and is under a light bulb. And I have trouble with edge lifting (not due to dust) for Macbook Air a few times.
I tried 4 and all of them have the same problem. The issue does affect the clarity of the screen so I took them off. It was a nice $8 experiment but I will stick to PS.
I also see what you all are referring to with the Monoprice screen protectors, but don't notice it as much when the screen is on. For the price, they're definitely not bad at all. I typically use the MediaDevil/PhoneDevil screen protectors on both my iPhone and iPad, as I'm in the camp that won't pay $30 for a single screen protector.
Again, for the price, these will do the job, esp since it took me 3 tries to get it right. Might just go bare on the screen once this thing gets worn...
Again, for the price, these will do the job, esp since it took me 3 tries to get it right.
Might just go bare on the screen once this thing gets worn...AG is crap. If you want AG go for PS. I had the Monoprice AG and had to take it off because it was so grainy. I have the clear on my iPad 3 now and like it.
I have a PS AG on my 4s btw.
Update
So it's already been said a few times here, but changing out the monoprice screen protectors did not make much of a difference, the rainbow effect is still evident when the screen is off and under fluorescents. I'm not terribly annoyed yet, but I'll probably look for another option sooner or later
So it's already been said a few times here, but changing out the monoprice screen protectors did not make much of a difference, the rainbow effect is still evident when the screen is off and under fluorescents. I'm not terribly annoyed yet, but I'll probably look for another option sooner or later
Another vote for AG from PS. The install is pretty straightfoward due to the quality of the adhesive.
It's on my wife's 4S and iPad 3rd gen. I find it different than the one that made for iPad 1. It is less grainy and it made the fingerprint/human oil less visual. Still when compared to a clear version, under white background, you still see some graininess but not that much and so I have opted for clear version from PS this time on my iDevices.
I went through 3 monoprice films to get the perfect install (as in no dust or bubbles) and I failed. I kept the 3rd one simply because I ran out and will have to get more (my house is apparently very dusty).
The rainbow effect is there but doesn't take away from the screen when it's on, so I'm fine with that.
I did manage to lightly scratch the film with a card trying to remove bubbles, so that was a surprise.
The feel is very smooth and for the price, this is not a bad option. I might go with an SGP or Power Support film in the long run but Monoprice will do for now.
Actually, I would love if Moshi came out with a new and improved film, so I'm hoping for that.
Got my order in today, spent 5 minutes each installing the screen protectors for my 2 iPads. The alignment is slightly off, but otherwise perfect. I used alcohol swab tampons to wipe/pickup all the dust particles and oils from my fingerprints, then wiped it dry with a paper towl (one direction 3 passes to cover the entire screen), then used the provided cloth to remove any remaining dust particles.
The feel of the plastic is very smooth, and when turned off I did not see any rainbow effects. I know what they look like because my Galaxy Nexus has it on the protective screen.
Best $3.00 I've ever spent. Good enough for me. I doubt getting a $20/$30 screen will give me 10x the perceived visual quality improvement. One thing I will say and noticed is that with the protector on the oil from my finger prints do become more apparent.
Another happy Monoprice customer
The feel of the plastic is very smooth, and when turned off I did not see any rainbow effects. I know what they look like because my Galaxy Nexus has it on the protective screen.
Best $3.00 I've ever spent. Good enough for me. I doubt getting a $20/$30 screen will give me 10x the perceived visual quality improvement. One thing I will say and noticed is that with the protector on the oil from my finger prints do become more apparent.
Another happy Monoprice customer