Accessorizing Your iPad mini - iPad Mini - page 418

Protecting the screen with film
Some people prefer not to use a case with their iPad, and that's okay, too. But if you're one of those
people (or even if you're not), you might want to consider protective film for the iPad screen or even
the whole device. We've tried these products on our iPhones in the past and have found them to per-
form as promised. If you apply them properly, they're nearly invisible, and they protect your iPad
from scratches and scrapes without adding any bulk.
Bob recently discovered the joys of iVisor AG Screen Protector for iPad ($30) from Moshi
( www.moshimonde.com ) and says it's the best screen cover he's tested to date. It's easy to apply,
resists fingerprints better than Apple's oleophobic screen coating, and features patented technology
for a bubble-free installation every time. The best feature, Bob believes, is that if it gets dirty, you
just wash it under a faucet, and then air-dry and reapply it (bubble-free, of course).
Another option is from the aforementioned RadTech ( www.radtech.us ) , which offers two types
of Mylar screen protectors — clear transparent and antiglare. These screen protectors are somewhat
stiffer than the film products, and unlike film, they can be cleaned and reapplied multiple times with
no reduction in performance. They effectively hide minor scratches, surface defects, and abrasions,
and the hard Mylar surface not only resists scratches and abrasions, but is also optically correct. Fin-
ally, they're reasonably priced at $19.95 for a pair of protectors of the same type.
Bob has also tested more traditional film products from invisibleShield by ZAGG
( www.zagg.com ) , BodyGuardz ( www.bodyguardz.com ) , and Best Skins Ever
( www.bestskinsever.com ) and says, in a nutshell, they're more similar than they are different.
invisibleShield is the most expensive and possibly the best-quality film. BodyGuardz products are
roughly 25 percent cheaper than invisibleShield and of comparable quality. Both invisibleShield and
BodyGuardz offer free lifetime replacement of their products. Best Skins Ever products are 25-55
percent less expensive than invisibleShield or BodyGuardz, yet the product is, if not just as good,
darn close to it. The difference is that Best Skins Ever has minimal packaging, and rather than in-
cluding the “special liquid” you need to apply it (like invisibleShield and BodyGuardz), Best Skins
Ever includes instructions for making it yourself. And unlike the others, Best Skins Ever has no free
replacement policy, though it does offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. Finally, all three offer total
protection (front, back, and sides) as well as separate products for the front or back.
Which one to choose? If you think you might take advantage of the lifetime replacement policy, you
want either invisibleShield or BodyGuardz. If you want a good product at the lowest price but with a
30-day money-back guarantee instead of lifetime replacement, look at Best Skins Ever.
Any or all of these so-called skins (including the iVisor AG, which is the easiest of all
to install) can be tricky to apply.
Follow the instructions closely.