I'm a relatively new motion owner, and I'm embar

[xkwisit-lady]

I'm a relatively new motion owner, and I'm embarassed to say that I really haven't had too much time to play with all of the "new" features. Still using it mostly in the docking station because I got it in the middle of deadline crunch time.

BUT this morning I sat down to use it untethered and was really having fun until I turned it at an angle to the sunlight streaming in through the window. I could read, embedded in the screen, the entire text of the email I had just written! ACK!

Is this normal? Are screen protectors really mandatory? I never used them on my IPAQ because they really dimmed down the colors so much, and taking them on and off is such a pain. But then I never had a scratching problem on my IPAQ like this either!

How is everyone else coping?

[TZiegler]

That is a supreme bummer! There have been a number of posts which indicate that the screen of the Motion is tough enough to take the pen. Which would make a screen protector a matter of preference. Do you think there's a possibility that there was a burr or a grain of dirt on the stylus tip? That seems to be a logical explanation.

I'm really sorry this happened.

-TZ

[gravelpup]

That happened to me once. But after I cleaned my screen, the marks were gone. Turns out that what I thougt were scratches were just tracks in the normal buildup of hand-grease. Are you sure that's not the case with yours?

[xkwisit-lady]

Gravelpup, you have an interesting point. I kind of rubbed the screen with my finger, as I had the same thought that TZ had, that somehow I must have unknowingly scraped a piece of gravel across the screen. When I held it up at an angle to the sun again a few hours later (because I was bumming so much I wanted to share my misery) the scratches were gone! I didn't remember that a self-healing screen was a feature on the Motion (haha) so I was curious as to what was going on.

Now my reaction is "Ewww" that I have so much hand-grease build up on the screen! [xx(]I'm really cautious about my screen now - what do you use to clean off the screen with?

Thanks!!

[gravelpup]

The cloth that comes with the Motion is the best way to clean the screen. I also use a little sunglass cleaner spray I have... it works great for monitors, laptop LCDs, PDAs, shades, etc.

I wouldn't worry about the smudges. They don't really obscure the screen, and they clean up in 2 seconds. Just give the screen a wipe once a day or whenever you feel like it needs it. Do make sure you take off any rings or jewelry that might come in contact with the screen when you lay your hand on it in writing position.

[TZiegler]

I agree with gravlpup on all counts. If you can afford a small chamois (spelling) cloth that works well too. I admit that I'm so paranoid about scratching my screen that I've put on a screen protector from PurpleMoo.com http://purplemoo.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?page=2
It is expensive ($38 for 6 sheets) but my organization pays for it, and it should last me a few years. As usual bubbles are the biggest drawback. I like the drag I get with the sheet in place. Just a personal preference.

TZ

[Corky]

TZ, what kind of stickum is used on the purplemoo screen protector? Does the stickum cover the whole screen, or just the edges?

I tried the protector from Strong Engineering, but disliked the way the post-it style adhesive was applied on two edges. Stuff still crept underneath the protector and after a couple of weeks, the adhesive ended up looking like, well, like an old post-it note that had been lying under the seat of my car. Ugh! My beautiful Motion deserves better!

[xkwisit-lady]

Thanks gravelpup for the advice. As soon as I get home I'll have to get my cloth dug out!

TZ, do you find that your screen is really muted, or seems dark when it's wearing a protector?

[Daphoid]

You must call it a "Screen condom" or a "Motion condom" it sounds funnier that way :D

- Daphoid
"Still without motion"

[TZiegler]

Daph, no comment ;)
Corky, there's no "stickum" to which I can attest, the dull side is placed on the screen and then very carefully burnished on. It adheres because the dull side clings to the surface sort of like Saran-Wrap does.

Xkwisit-lady, I really don't notice any "darkening or dulling" of the brightness. In fact the Motion screen is so bright I normally have it at 3/4. As I mentioned my main problem is little air bubbles that won't permeate through the plastic surface. Oh, and I re-read you last post. Now I know why Daphoid wrote that :D

-TZ

[xkwisit-lady]

LOL Daphoid! That brings "safe computing" to a whole new level. :)

TZ - thanks for the feedback. Bubbles would drive me nuts, so I think I'll try the Wal-Mart solution that was suggested in a different post. In the fabric section where they sell plastic tablecloth by the yard, they also sell just plain plastic mylar sheeting in a number of different thicknesses. Since it'll be the old static electricity approach to holding it on, hopefully I won't get any of those horrible bubbles!

[brammerf]

I admit the bubbles do distract from the appearance of the screen, but it does seem to improve the writing process. I can't explain it, but the material seems to provide just the right amount of resistance and improves the feel of the pen on the screen. I haven't tried to smooth the bubbles out with a credit card yet, but I'm going to do that now.

[Tricky]

I tried to smooth out bubbles with a credit card and wouldn't you know it, RIPPED the protector in the process. I notice that if I do get bubbles, that over a period of time, the bubbles seem to go away on their own...bubble heaven I guess...anyway....I got tied of the bubbles and picked up protectors from BSTRONG (www.strongengineering.com)

They are pretty good, have a very good feel and use and adhesive on the sides only, quick to put on and NO BUBBLES. Downside, the two adhesive strips were visible when using the unit, though it is not a problem now. Also, since the protector does not form a hermetic seal, things can and do occasionally get under the protector, but it is easy enough to resolve when that happens.

[Bishop]

Can anyone tell me how many millimeters thick these screen protectors are?

Thanks.