I've had this for a couple of days now...
1. the package comes with 3 screen protectors, a small cleaning cloth and a piece of plastic for smoothing out bubbles
2. installation, installation was super easy, as long as your surface is clean and without lint. i stuck mine a bit too close to the corner, so when i press down, the corner will sometimes lift up a bit, but it always returns to its normal position without additional bubbles forming
3. the look, in my opinion, it may affect screen clarity a tiny bit, but the general feel of the surface is fantastic. smooth and minimal glare, which is what i wanted for my thunderbolt. i dont like the friction from the other types of screen protectors, so this one is really great. splash Masque Screen Protector Film Matte Clear (Anti-Glare) for HTC Thunderbolt (3-Pack)
The protectors come in minimalist packaging with 3 protectors, application card, and a microfiber cloth. The way I apply all my screen protectors is to heavily clean the screen with rubbing alcohol, wipe off the excess, and then polish the screen free of fibers with the microfiber cloth. I always get a super clean final look from this process.
I think the protector is 1mm too small to completely cover all of the screen. I aligned the protector flush with the top of the screen and left the small gap at the bottom near the soft keys for home, back, menu, etc. The Thunderbolt has a small up-curved lip at the bottom of the screen and I figure the lip will provide protection for the small part of the protector that could be lifted from repeated touch.
I don't see a noticeable reduction in screen quality from using the protector. My finger glides smooth across the screen and it was easy to work out any small air pockets.
I did have a bit of particulate sandwiched between the screen and the peel off sections like others have said. It threw me for a moment when applying the protector because I had the screen perfectly clean before application. All particulate from the manufacturing process was gone when I removed the two peel off sections. I had to double check I didn't remove the protector when I removed the final peel off because the screen and protector worked so well together! You really have to look carefully to know there is a protector on the phone.
Pros:
- Static cling works just perfect and leaves absolutely nothing on the screen. I was able to make minor adjustments to align it properly while applying it, unlike the stick-on screen protectors.
- Nice smooth surface, which works even with moist/sweaty fingers!
- Comes with a microfiber cleaning cloth that came in handy
Cons:
- The screen is not as shiny and contrast-y as without it. Well.. i guess that's should be expected with any Matte finish surface.
I know a lot of people really don't like how this feels. Some also have complained about the "scattering" that of course happens with any matte screen overlay. But I guess I'm a bit confused. I mean, the whole purpose of this is to (A) keep fingerprints down (which it does), (B) protect from scratches (which it does), (C) cut down on oil and grease (which it does), and (D)help with glare (which it does). TO me, it seems it does its just just fine, but I think some people are expecting too much out of a piece of plastic. I also don't get people who buy glossy thin plastic protectors that do nothing but add to the glare and smudges and fingerprints.
Anyway, You get 3 in the pack, and I will GUARANTEE that you will use at least two. I'm not saying they're poor quality, because they aren't. The reality is, the first one you apply, you won't like it. You'll try to apply it multiple times, and it will bother you to no end. You will eventually remove it, and apply a second. Then you've got about an 80% shot of liking that one. Just the way it is. I've done enough screen protectors on laptops, desktop monitors and phones to know how this works.
Application tricks. If you do what I say, you will have an easier time of it.
1: Run a shower on full heat for about 10 minutes. This builds up steam. Steam traps dust particles, giving you a "clean room" to work with. This is where you're going to work. Shut the door, so that the steam builds up. IF YOU DON'T DO THIS STEP, YOU WILL HAVE SPECKS OF DUST AND HAIR TRAPPED AND YOU WILL MESS UP.
2: Clean the screen THOROUGHLY. If you don't have screen cleaner get some. I use regular monitor screen cleaner and it works extremely well with the microfiber. Clean until there are no streaks, no dust, no fingerprints, no hair, nothing. It should be shiny and pristine. Continue to do gentle wipes with the microfiber to keep any small stragglers but you shouldn't have too many.
3: Halfway remove tab 1 from the screen protector, line it up with ONE OF THE SIDES of the screen (NOT TOO CLOSE, leave a little gap on every edge. More later), center it against the top and bottom, then lay down and pull the remaining tab sheet off. Do this so that the adhesive makes minimal contact with the free air. The steam will do the rest. BE GENTLE SO YOU DON'T BEND IT.
4: Once down use the little straight edge to rub out any bubbles that you might have received. For large bubbles push them to an edge. For tiny bubbles rub them until they recede. This may take patience, but again, you shouldn't have too many.
5: Once you've got the bubbles out remove tab 2 by PULLING IT DOWN ALONG THE SCREEN, NOT UP TOWARDS YOU. Do that so that it doesn't pull the protector up with it, which might happen. So just fold the tab downward towards your stomach, say, and pull gently until it separates from the protector, then keep on going until it's off.
With patience and maybe 20 minutes total, you should have a near flawless screen protector. Be forewarned, you don't want to be too close to any of the edges of the screen. If you are too close you might get some bubbles along the edge. The final product is simply beautiful, and feels really nice, kind of like the MacBook Pro's touchpad. Glare is reduced, but of course, when you have antiglare, you also wash out the image, so be aware. - Verizon - Anti-glare - Thunderbolt - Screen Protector Foils'
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