Amazon Kindle ClearTouch Anti-Glare Screen Protector (Single Pack) Review.
"Great screen protector!" 2009-03-24
By Ethan B. (CA)
Loving my Kindle 2, I was seeking a product to provide adequate protection for its all-important screen. BoxWave's claim is that their screen protector is "the perfect blend of anti-glare and optical clarity". Hoping that this was true, I carefully read the instructions on the ClearTouch packaging. They are very straightforward, providing five detailed steps for the installation of this screen protector.
I cleaned the screen with the provided lint-free cloth, peeled off the backing of the screen protector, and carefully aligned the ClearTouch with my Kindle screen. Amazingly enough, the ClearTouch acted like a "smart" protector and settled perfectly to the screen area.
One issue that arose was a few initial bubbles under the ClearTouch. These disappeared once I followed the package instructions and pressed the bubbles out with the included applicator card. Being a bit inept at this sort of thing, I had also managed to get a few specks of dust on the screen. I removed the ClearTouch, washed it per the instructions, and reapplied. There were some water bubbles, but again, these were easily removed.
My overall experience with BoxWave's ClearTouch has been a positive one. Any issues with bubbles are fairly easy to resolve, and I love how the ClearTouch is so unnoticeable! I would strongly suggest this screen protector for anyone who truly loves their Kindle.
"Great fit!" 2009-03-10
By mafreund (New Jersey)
Ok. I admit it. I am anal when it comes to scratches on my techno gadgets. Having said that, after recently receiving my Kindle 2, I was worried that the screen might get scratched. I ordered this directly from the manufacturer. I didn't realize Amazon sold it, but that is besides the point.
I love it. It installed just as instructed. I have a tiny, tiny air bubble at the bottom of the screen that refuses to go away. Other than that, you don't even notice that it is there. My mind is at ease :-)
"Best Screen Protector Money Can Buy" 2010-04-11
By Avid Reviewer (San Jose, CA)
I have a 1st Generation Kindle. I have been looking for a Boxwave Anti-Glare (as opposed to the glossy version) Screen Protector but Amazon only sells it for the Kindle 2. I took a gamble and ordered it anyway, thinking I can always trim it if it's too big (assuming, of course, that the Kindle 2 screen is bigger than the Kindle 1 screen). It turns out the ClearTouch Anti-Glare Screen Protector for the Kindle 2 is a *perfect* fit for my 1st Generation Kindle. Woot!
First off, to address complaints about trapped bubbles, all screen protectors will potentially leave some bubbles behind no matter what. You will not find a screen protector that doesn't. With that said, the Boxwave Screen Protector is the best screen protector money can buy. I have been using the Boxwave brand of screen protectors for years for all my electronic gadgets and I've been extremely happy with them. They're pricier than most other brands of screen protectors, but they're well worth it. They are *very* high quality screen protectors - you really *do* get what you pay for! I was trying to save a few buck$ by getting one of these for my Kindle - boy, was that a mistake! I ended up tossing it out and getting this Boxwave screen protector instead.
Pros
----
- Fits both 1st and 2nd generation Kindles
- Anti-glare
The anti-glare surface is at least as anti-glare as the original Kindle screen.
- Protects screen from finger smudges, scratches, dirt, and other undesirables
The screen protector serves an important purpose even though the Kindle doesn't have a touch screen. Having a screen protector on the Kindle gives me more room to grab on to the Kindle. I like to grab on to my Kindle without having to worry about inadventently leaving prints on the screen or scratching the screen.
- Lasts a long time
The screen protectors are very durable and will probably last the life of your Kindle. Since the Kindle doesn't have a touch screen, you will not be wearing the screen protector out by tapping on it with your finger or with a stylus.
- Invisible
You can't tell there's a screen protector on your Kindle if you've properly applied the screen protector.
- If you decide to remove the screen protector, it will not leave a sticky residue behind.
Cons
----
- Leaves bubbles
To be fair, *all* screen protectors *are* going to leave trapped bubbles behind. I have two minuscule bubbles trapped in my screen protector but these are hardly noticeable, especially when the Kindle is turned on. Don't fret if you have a bubble or two trapped in the film. These typically diminish or disappear over time. The included plastic card and microfiber cloth will help in removing any bubbles.
- Pricey
But you do get what you pay for! The Boxwave screen protectors are about the best quality screen protectors I've ever seen.
Tips
----
- First align the screen protector with one side of the Kindle screen (left or right, depending on whether you're left-handed or right-handed), ensuring that the film is not slanted. SLOWLY lower the screen protector from one side of the Kindle, all the while making sure you carefully monitor the alignment of the film to ensure it isn't slanted. AS SOON AS you find that it's been misaligned, peel it off right away and restart the process. The film has a certain amount of rigidity to make it easy to work with (it has the rigidity similar to that of a transparency film). As you lower the film, push out any trapped bubbles. If you made a botch of the application, use a piece of scotch tape to pull the one corner of the film up so you can get a handle on the film to peel it off completely. Start over. A small plastic card and a microfiber cloth is included to help you smooth out the film.
- Thoroughly clean the screen before you apply the screen protector. Use a Swiffer duster or the included microfiber cloth to clean off any dust on you Kindle. Don't be lazy or try to cut corners - any specks of dust that get stuck on to the screen protector will be almost impossible to remove! (I use a Swiffer duster and some cotton balls soaked in alcohol to clean my screen before I apply the screen protector).
- Some people suggest that you use a pin to prick the bubbles. I wouldn't recommend it since you risk damaging you screen. (It would be rather ironic, wouldn't it, if you damaged the screen while you're trying to protect it?). Like I've mentioned, the trapped bubbles typically diminish or disappear over time anyway.
---
The Boxwave Anti-Glare Screen Protectors are the best screen protectors you can get for the money. The problem with trapped bubbles is a problem inherent in all screen protectors and shouldn't deter you from getting the Boxwave Screen Protector. Be sure to observe the application procedures outlined above and you'll be very happy with the results!
"Does just what it says, easy to apply" 2010-04-05
By S. E. Seater (Raleigh, NC, USA)
After reading several negative reviews, I did not plan to buy this screen protector, and in fact, I bought a different one. However, one of these screen protectors came with the silicone skin that I also bought, so I decided to try it. It went on easily and works just fine. The other protector that I had deliberately bought remains unopened in my Kindle case as a backup.
Bubble-free application is easy, but you have to take some care. There are two steps to a bubble-free application: cleaning the Kindle screen and applying the protector properly.
(1) Clean the Kindle screen before you apply the screen protector. I cleaned my Kindle's screen in two steps. First, I dusted it lightly with a lint-free cloth. Second, I sprayed it with a small amount of lens cleaner for eyeglasses and then wiped that off.
(2) Apply the screen protector. The screen protector comes sandwiched between two clear films. Each film has a tag sticking out, one of which says "1 Back" and the other of which says "2 Front". (Some early reviews say the two films were not identified, so apparently these tabs have been added since the screen protector first appeared on the market.) The "back" side goes against the Kindle screen, and the "front" side faces you after the screen protector has been applied. So, you peel off the protective films in numerical order. Start by peeling off the film with the "1 Back" tab. That uncovers the clingy surface that will go against the Kindle screen. Be careful not to touch that surface with your fingers lest you get hand oils or dirt on it. Hold the screen protector by its edges and align its bottom edge with the bottom edge of the Kindle's screen. Gradually let the protector fall against the screen, moving from bottom to top, by pressing it and lightly rubbing it with the card applicator that comes with the screen. You may have to pull off the last millimeter or two if you get a bubble and then push it back down. Work your way all the way to the top. You should end up with no bubbles. You then can peel off the film on the other side ("2 Front").
Note that the screen protector is somewhat stiff. That makes it easy to apply, but it also means that if a tiny speck of dirt gets between the protector and the screen, the speck will hold the protector off the screen well around the speck itself, resulting in a very noticeable bubble. If you get a speck under the protector, peel the protector back far enough to reveal the speck and then lift off the speck by touching it with the sticky side of a piece of adhesive tape wrapped around your finger. You can use the protective film you peeled off the protector to lift the corner of the protector so that you don't touch the protector's sticky side with your finger.
The package for the screen protector says it is removable and washable. The protector has no adhesive on it. It is just a very sticky plastic. It therefore is easy to remove. Just peel it off. Because there is no adhesive, I presume both sides of the protector can be washed, but I don't know for sure. You can clean specks of dirt off the sticky side of the protector by pressing the sticky side of adhesive tape against the protector and lifting off the dirt. I did that with a makeshift protector I made from the original protective film that the Kindle came with. It worked fine with that film, so I presume it will work with this much heavier protector.
By the way, that makeshift protector had quite a few small bubbles under it, but they made no difference to the readability of the Kindle. My experience is that bubbles are more esthetically displeasing than a serious interference with function. Also, the makeshift protector was shinier than this dedicated protector, yet I had no trouble reading the Kindle even in bright sunlight. Glare seems not to be a practical problem.
This protector is an excellent product.
"Good quality, doesn't glare" 2010-01-25
By J. Johnson (Phoenix, AZ USA)
It took less than 2 minutes to apply this to my kindle. If you've ever applied a screen protector to a phone, laptop, or anything really, you know that it just takes a bit of patience to apply evenly.
If you do get a speck of dust, or in my case, and unfortunate cat hair under the protector, you can just use a piece of clear tape (sticky side) to remove it, without damaging the protector.
The included "squeegie" was sturdy enough to do the job.
The protector itself doe not hinder reading clearly, and maintains the lovely anti-glare matte finish of the naked kindle.
Overall, following the simple instructions, this was installed quickly and easily. Being the bit of a klutz that I am, my Kindle sure appreciates it!
By Ethan B. (CA)
Loving my Kindle 2, I was seeking a product to provide adequate protection for its all-important screen. BoxWave's claim is that their screen protector is "the perfect blend of anti-glare and optical clarity". Hoping that this was true, I carefully read the instructions on the ClearTouch packaging. They are very straightforward, providing five detailed steps for the installation of this screen protector.
I cleaned the screen with the provided lint-free cloth, peeled off the backing of the screen protector, and carefully aligned the ClearTouch with my Kindle screen. Amazingly enough, the ClearTouch acted like a "smart" protector and settled perfectly to the screen area.
One issue that arose was a few initial bubbles under the ClearTouch. These disappeared once I followed the package instructions and pressed the bubbles out with the included applicator card. Being a bit inept at this sort of thing, I had also managed to get a few specks of dust on the screen. I removed the ClearTouch, washed it per the instructions, and reapplied. There were some water bubbles, but again, these were easily removed.
My overall experience with BoxWave's ClearTouch has been a positive one. Any issues with bubbles are fairly easy to resolve, and I love how the ClearTouch is so unnoticeable! I would strongly suggest this screen protector for anyone who truly loves their Kindle.
By mafreund (New Jersey)
Ok. I admit it. I am anal when it comes to scratches on my techno gadgets. Having said that, after recently receiving my Kindle 2, I was worried that the screen might get scratched. I ordered this directly from the manufacturer. I didn't realize Amazon sold it, but that is besides the point.
I love it. It installed just as instructed. I have a tiny, tiny air bubble at the bottom of the screen that refuses to go away. Other than that, you don't even notice that it is there. My mind is at ease :-)
By Avid Reviewer (San Jose, CA)
I have a 1st Generation Kindle. I have been looking for a Boxwave Anti-Glare (as opposed to the glossy version) Screen Protector but Amazon only sells it for the Kindle 2. I took a gamble and ordered it anyway, thinking I can always trim it if it's too big (assuming, of course, that the Kindle 2 screen is bigger than the Kindle 1 screen). It turns out the ClearTouch Anti-Glare Screen Protector for the Kindle 2 is a *perfect* fit for my 1st Generation Kindle. Woot!
First off, to address complaints about trapped bubbles, all screen protectors will potentially leave some bubbles behind no matter what. You will not find a screen protector that doesn't. With that said, the Boxwave Screen Protector is the best screen protector money can buy. I have been using the Boxwave brand of screen protectors for years for all my electronic gadgets and I've been extremely happy with them. They're pricier than most other brands of screen protectors, but they're well worth it. They are *very* high quality screen protectors - you really *do* get what you pay for! I was trying to save a few buck$ by getting one of these for my Kindle - boy, was that a mistake! I ended up tossing it out and getting this Boxwave screen protector instead.
Pros
----
- Fits both 1st and 2nd generation Kindles
- Anti-glare
The anti-glare surface is at least as anti-glare as the original Kindle screen.
- Protects screen from finger smudges, scratches, dirt, and other undesirables
The screen protector serves an important purpose even though the Kindle doesn't have a touch screen. Having a screen protector on the Kindle gives me more room to grab on to the Kindle. I like to grab on to my Kindle without having to worry about inadventently leaving prints on the screen or scratching the screen.
- Lasts a long time
The screen protectors are very durable and will probably last the life of your Kindle. Since the Kindle doesn't have a touch screen, you will not be wearing the screen protector out by tapping on it with your finger or with a stylus.
- Invisible
You can't tell there's a screen protector on your Kindle if you've properly applied the screen protector.
- If you decide to remove the screen protector, it will not leave a sticky residue behind.
Cons
----
- Leaves bubbles
To be fair, *all* screen protectors *are* going to leave trapped bubbles behind. I have two minuscule bubbles trapped in my screen protector but these are hardly noticeable, especially when the Kindle is turned on. Don't fret if you have a bubble or two trapped in the film. These typically diminish or disappear over time. The included plastic card and microfiber cloth will help in removing any bubbles.
- Pricey
But you do get what you pay for! The Boxwave screen protectors are about the best quality screen protectors I've ever seen.
Tips
----
- First align the screen protector with one side of the Kindle screen (left or right, depending on whether you're left-handed or right-handed), ensuring that the film is not slanted. SLOWLY lower the screen protector from one side of the Kindle, all the while making sure you carefully monitor the alignment of the film to ensure it isn't slanted. AS SOON AS you find that it's been misaligned, peel it off right away and restart the process. The film has a certain amount of rigidity to make it easy to work with (it has the rigidity similar to that of a transparency film). As you lower the film, push out any trapped bubbles. If you made a botch of the application, use a piece of scotch tape to pull the one corner of the film up so you can get a handle on the film to peel it off completely. Start over. A small plastic card and a microfiber cloth is included to help you smooth out the film.
- Thoroughly clean the screen before you apply the screen protector. Use a Swiffer duster or the included microfiber cloth to clean off any dust on you Kindle. Don't be lazy or try to cut corners - any specks of dust that get stuck on to the screen protector will be almost impossible to remove! (I use a Swiffer duster and some cotton balls soaked in alcohol to clean my screen before I apply the screen protector).
- Some people suggest that you use a pin to prick the bubbles. I wouldn't recommend it since you risk damaging you screen. (It would be rather ironic, wouldn't it, if you damaged the screen while you're trying to protect it?). Like I've mentioned, the trapped bubbles typically diminish or disappear over time anyway.
---
The Boxwave Anti-Glare Screen Protectors are the best screen protectors you can get for the money. The problem with trapped bubbles is a problem inherent in all screen protectors and shouldn't deter you from getting the Boxwave Screen Protector. Be sure to observe the application procedures outlined above and you'll be very happy with the results!
By S. E. Seater (Raleigh, NC, USA)
After reading several negative reviews, I did not plan to buy this screen protector, and in fact, I bought a different one. However, one of these screen protectors came with the silicone skin that I also bought, so I decided to try it. It went on easily and works just fine. The other protector that I had deliberately bought remains unopened in my Kindle case as a backup.
Bubble-free application is easy, but you have to take some care. There are two steps to a bubble-free application: cleaning the Kindle screen and applying the protector properly.
(1) Clean the Kindle screen before you apply the screen protector. I cleaned my Kindle's screen in two steps. First, I dusted it lightly with a lint-free cloth. Second, I sprayed it with a small amount of lens cleaner for eyeglasses and then wiped that off.
(2) Apply the screen protector. The screen protector comes sandwiched between two clear films. Each film has a tag sticking out, one of which says "1 Back" and the other of which says "2 Front". (Some early reviews say the two films were not identified, so apparently these tabs have been added since the screen protector first appeared on the market.) The "back" side goes against the Kindle screen, and the "front" side faces you after the screen protector has been applied. So, you peel off the protective films in numerical order. Start by peeling off the film with the "1 Back" tab. That uncovers the clingy surface that will go against the Kindle screen. Be careful not to touch that surface with your fingers lest you get hand oils or dirt on it. Hold the screen protector by its edges and align its bottom edge with the bottom edge of the Kindle's screen. Gradually let the protector fall against the screen, moving from bottom to top, by pressing it and lightly rubbing it with the card applicator that comes with the screen. You may have to pull off the last millimeter or two if you get a bubble and then push it back down. Work your way all the way to the top. You should end up with no bubbles. You then can peel off the film on the other side ("2 Front").
Note that the screen protector is somewhat stiff. That makes it easy to apply, but it also means that if a tiny speck of dirt gets between the protector and the screen, the speck will hold the protector off the screen well around the speck itself, resulting in a very noticeable bubble. If you get a speck under the protector, peel the protector back far enough to reveal the speck and then lift off the speck by touching it with the sticky side of a piece of adhesive tape wrapped around your finger. You can use the protective film you peeled off the protector to lift the corner of the protector so that you don't touch the protector's sticky side with your finger.
The package for the screen protector says it is removable and washable. The protector has no adhesive on it. It is just a very sticky plastic. It therefore is easy to remove. Just peel it off. Because there is no adhesive, I presume both sides of the protector can be washed, but I don't know for sure. You can clean specks of dirt off the sticky side of the protector by pressing the sticky side of adhesive tape against the protector and lifting off the dirt. I did that with a makeshift protector I made from the original protective film that the Kindle came with. It worked fine with that film, so I presume it will work with this much heavier protector.
By the way, that makeshift protector had quite a few small bubbles under it, but they made no difference to the readability of the Kindle. My experience is that bubbles are more esthetically displeasing than a serious interference with function. Also, the makeshift protector was shinier than this dedicated protector, yet I had no trouble reading the Kindle even in bright sunlight. Glare seems not to be a practical problem.
This protector is an excellent product.
By J. Johnson (Phoenix, AZ USA)
It took less than 2 minutes to apply this to my kindle. If you've ever applied a screen protector to a phone, laptop, or anything really, you know that it just takes a bit of patience to apply evenly.
If you do get a speck of dust, or in my case, and unfortunate cat hair under the protector, you can just use a piece of clear tape (sticky side) to remove it, without damaging the protector.
The included "squeegie" was sturdy enough to do the job.
The protector itself doe not hinder reading clearly, and maintains the lovely anti-glare matte finish of the naked kindle.
Overall, following the simple instructions, this was installed quickly and easily. Being the bit of a klutz that I am, my Kindle sure appreciates it!
