Customer Reviews

invisibleSHIELD for the Apple iPhone 3G (Back)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

I initially ordered this thinking it was only the back shield (I already had the front shield on), but when it arrived it had both back and front shields in it, which is great. I've had the back shield on for about a month now. It fits and goes on fine, despite the babyish complaints other people have had about it. All you need to do is be patient with it and keep working at it to get it on right. Take some time and put some effort into putting it on. Align it when you put it down (it took me a few tries, but if it's wrong, just lift it, respray it, and try again) start from the middle, work out to the sides and edges, and then work the corners last. These won't stick at first because it won't be tacky enough right off the bat. But keep working on them and in about 10-15 minutes it will be tacky enough to get the corners to stick. Then you wanna take a thick rubber band (I used one off a bundle of broccoli from the store) and once you get all the corners to stick pretty good by themselves, wrap the rubber band around the outside edge to hold the corners down. Keep that thing on there for a good 18-24 hours just to be on the safe side. (This idea came from ndmx52 on youtube. Search his SN on youtube for more info)

I did this, and after I took the rubber band off, the thing was perfect. No bubbles, no wrinkles, and the corners were perfect. Now, a month later, the corners are no longer flawless, but they're still great. Three of my corners have developed a little rising crease (kinda like the witch's fingernail effect described in other reviews) right where the corner flap wraps around. This was the spot that took the longest to get to stick when applying it, so it's obvious why these decided to come un-stuck now. The fourth corner is still perfect. And the rest is still perfect. A little annoying if you're into perfection, but really it's not a big deal. I took the tiny pair of scissors from my fingernail clipping kit and cut a little out from the witch's fingernail, taking the stress off it and allowing it to settle back down. This may or may not be a common issue, but it doesn't really bother me anymore.

Overall, as long as you have some patience, I would recommend the Invisible Shield for the back because it provides great protection and added grip to the iPhone 3G. However, I do not recommend it for the front of the iPhone, and I'll tell you why. Three reasons. #1) I've gone through THREE front Invisible Shield screen protectors, and have only been semi-satisfied with one of them. Like many others described, all three of them caused vertical lines in the screen. Some were worse than others, but they all had them. At first I thought I just applied it wrong. I thought I stretched it when I applied it, so I tried again, same problem. Then tried again, same problem. Three DIFFERENT shields all with the same problem. It IS actually annoying to have those lines on there. #2) The orange peel effect is there. I didn't find this to be a problem. Not annoying like the vertical lines. But still, I'd rather not have them if I can help it. #3) The added grip inhibits finger sliding across the shield. This causes the most problems when you're trying to scroll and pinch-zoom, like when using Safari to surf the internet. Especially when there is humidity as this causes your fingers to stick even more to the screen. Too much grip for me.

But do not fear, for there is a solution! After being unsatisfied with three Invisible Shield front screen protectors, I decided to try out the BodyGuardz iPhone 3G screen protector. I've had it on for about 10 days now and am MUCH happier with it. The orange peel effect is still there, but not near as bad. NO annoying vertical lines. And it doesn't grip like the Invisible Shield. My finger slides right along it in both dry and humid conditions. It feels like touching the glass screen directly. I am much happier with the BodyGuardz screen protector. However, I have not tried the BG back protector. I don't know if I will either because I like the grip that the IS gives to the back. Since the BG doesn't have the grip of the IS, I prefer the IS for the back, and the BG for the front.

So, my recommendation for people wanting to protect their iPhone 3G without a nasty, bulky, annoying case (which can actually end up damaging your iPhone (even the silicone ones. I had a silicone case for my iPod Classic 80G and after taking it off 7 months later it had left nasty stains and spots on the back)), get an Invisible Shield for the back, and a BodyGuardz for the front.

If you're interested, let me know and I'll post pictures of my iPhone with the shields on it, showing the corners. I can also show pictures of what my silicone case did to my iPod if you like.

Invisible Shield for the iPhone 3G: Thumbs up for back shield, thumbs down for front shield. Good luck!

After an hour of effort I realized that I had just squeegeed a half gallon of solution into the dock port of my iPhone. The fit of the ZAGG shield is mediocre and of the many times I tried to apply it I always ended up with some form of bubbles and imperfections. The edges don't fit well and refuse to stick. Needless to say, I ended up tearing this "military-grade" product (accidentally) and throwing it out.

I'll admit that I read the reviews after I brought the product and thought I'd made a terrible mistake... I read how people couldn't get it to go on, how it bubbled, didn't work, looked cheap, etc., and was scared enough that I didn't even want to put it on at first but I figured I'd at least give it a try. I was VERY careful when I applied it and followed the instructions perfectly. It took about 30 minutes (including the time I left it alone to dry and stick properly) to apply both sides and I started with the back, which was MUCH harder to do because of the curvature of the phone. I was very frustrated at first with the small pieces on the sides which didn't seem to stick... but that was only because the spray hadn't dried yet.

If you follow the instructions and spray your fingers and the cover properly, you should have no trouble putting it on your phone -- and don't forget to let it dry before you fidget with it (you don't want your fingerprints on it)!

Right after it dried, I couldn't help myself and did the "key" test (scratching the back of the phone, like on the website) and then simply wiped the scratches off... I scratched HARD and it was as if nothing happened, so I don't know how a reviewer could've actually gotten scratches on his phone - this stuff WORKS! And it doesn't look like cheap plastic or vinyl - you can't even tell it's on the phone unless you look REALLY closely - and more so on the front than on the back because of the cut-out circle for the home-screen button. Maybe these people were sent the wrong thing or a knock-off -- I ordered mine directly from Zagg (if you google, you can even find a discount code - I did!) and got it in a few days (although their free shipping says 1-5 weeks). The only potential downside is that I tried to get it to fit into a holster and it wouldn't fit very well (too snug) - but I can always stick it in my pocket or purse, knowing that it'll never get scratched. I think it's a great product and if you take your time with it and follow the instructions when you apply it, you'll have no problem at all.

The Good:

- This product does what it says... it scratchproofs your entire device!
- It adds no bulk whatsoever!
- It's invisible (when kept relatively clean with non-greacy hands)
- What peace of mind!
- DON'T BUY ANOTHER EXPENSIVE MOBILE WITHOUT IT! WELL WORTH THE INVESTMENT!

The Bad:

- Although they say 'precise cut' it only comes very close to the shape of my iPhone 3G but is not exact nor is super perfect, but good enough
- I'm an artist and this thing is hard to install! Took me several messy tries and extra water after the "Zagg Spray" ran out
- If you don't squeegy out all the bubbles within the first 8 hours you may never get them out as it sets pretty fixed in position although removable... not worth my trouble to reinstall!
- THIS PRODUCT STICKS TO OTHER CASES like exercise armband cases creating annoying bubbles when you try to peel them apart (wait until it gets a bit dirty or greacy with natural use first then they won't stick)
- Keep it relatively clean as the edges become more visible if you use dirty hands.

So I went to Best Buy to get a screen protector for m iphone, they only had this in stock, so I thought oh well, that will do. WRONG. My old screen protector was perfect, I actually forgot I had one! This looks like a glass shower door. I tried and tried to do everything perfect, but never had any luck. Never again. It may protect it, but its DEFIANTLY not "invisible". Maybe it ok for the back of the phone, but not the front. Stay away, and go with the cheap (screen protector) ones that the apple store sells. It also is very noticeable in the sun, it takes away from the nice screen, and makes it look bad.

Yuck.

The dilemma with any iPhone protector is making it work for the variety of circumstances you want to use the phone for. Holsters, while keeping your phone readily accessible, don't prevent scratches when you take the iPhone out. Rubber cases, while providing protection, tend to prevent the iPhone from fitting in a dock.

Invisible Shield, on the other hand, is thin enough to not interfere with docking, while providing good scratch protection. It's clear, so your iPhone's style isn't hidden and you can use Invisible Shield with, say, a holster at the same time!

It's a great solution for those who want to protect their iPhone from scratches, but still allow the phone to fit into accessories designed for its original size.

There are a few drawbacks, however. First, while providing good SCRATCH protection, Invisible Shield doesn't provide good IMPACT protection. Second, while Invisible Shield covers the iPhone better than any other clear protector I've used, it doesn't cover 100% of the phone's surface are (more like 98%). Third, Invisible Shield's installation is fairly difficult to get right (at least not without ripples forming on the corners).

If you deside to purchase this protector, however, I have a few installation tips listed below.

********** INSTALLATION TIPS ******************

1. As the instructions say, spray your fingers with the included spray before working with the film to prevent fingerprints.

2. Note that there are two thin strips of film on the top and bottom of the front film sheet. Apply these after you apply the rest of the back film.

3. When working with the rounded edges on the back of the iPhone, keep in mind that you want to have the film taught in the correct direction to avoid ripples from popping up. You can pull the edges taught by either peeling a still-wet edge back and gently pulling it the right direction when reapplying it, or by firmly rubbing the edge/corner outward with your thumb.

Film that is not taught will result in a ripple around on a nearby edge, while film that is taught in the wrong direction may result in a ripple in a nearby nook or corner.

Work (quickly) with the film edges and corners until no ripples immediately pop up after you press them all down.

4. Even after doing your best with pulling edges and corners taught, you're still going to have little ripples that want to pop up along the corners of the iPhone. It might take a minute for them to manifest themselves, but they will come.

Therefore, here's the best tip I can give: use saran wrap to hold the top and bottom edge of the film down while it dries.

When you have your installation mostly smooth (no bubbles, and no ripples that don't stay pressed down for more than a few seconds), then tear off two small pieces of saran wrap and tightly stretch one piece across the top edge of the iPhone and one along the bottom.

If the saran wrap is stretched correctly, it will hold the errant ripples down along the rounded corners while the adhesive drys permanently.

Try to leave the saran wrap on for 24 hours if possible as it takes time to dry.

Following the above tips, I managed to install my Invisible Shield such that I can't even tell it's on! There are no visible bubbles or ripples anywhere!

I wish the same for you if you buy Invisible Shield, as it's a bit of a delicate operation.

Good luck!

1) It just is a problem to set up and paste on the iphone 3g !!

2) It looks cheap and tacky and doesnt not really protect the iphone from scratches over the year :(

3) Just try to your iphone safe rather than buying stuff to protect it or as I learned :(

Think there might be something in the instructions about letting the product touch itself...I got one for my ipad. They send it in a tube, so it gets rolled up, and when unpeeling itself, it rolls into itself. Ruined. Now I have to fight with them to get my money back. AAAaaarrrrgggg....

I got this for my iphone and the front part was longer than the screen. I started from the bottom and it was perfectly aligned, but by the time i got to the top of the screen, the ear part was covered by the protector while the bottom was perfect?!?! Had to readjust several times to create sort of "right" fit and now the front doesn't look right. When it comes to the back part, it was very hard and I was patient with it. I am not satisfied with the way it looks, but I hope that is as good as they say.

I will probably return it soon for a replacement.

I have read several of the reviews about the Invisible Shield, before I buy anything like this a try to read all the review under 3 stars to get a feel for what I'm about to purchase. I purchased the Invisible Shield when I purchased my iphone from Best Buy. I paid the sales person at the store I got it from to put it on, the store offered a life time guarantee if you got it from them and pay them to put it on. I must say that is a bit cheesy or overpriced, but you get what you pay for.

All together it would have cost me $28.00, $20 for the shield and $8 for the installation but, when I bought the phone they gave me discount on the screen saver and the installation I only paid $35.00 for the installation, invisible shield and, a car charger. But the biggest saving was letting them put it on saved me a lot of time and hassle. The store person that put it on did an outstanding job and, it only took her about 3 minutes to do so.

You can get it online cheaper but, you have to put it on yourself and if you mess it up and have to buy another one you would have paid for the installation and the screen saver. For me it just easier letting someone else put it on. I have tried putting three other screen savers on my wife's iphone and every one of them has had some kind of issue. I'm going back to the store and let them do her phone.

The screen saver does have a kind of shower door look to it (that how another reviewer described it) but it is 100% clear I think that's a small price to pay for the protection you get. Also the first day you use it, it will feel like it's slowing your finger down they kind of drag a little but, after a few uses you will forget all about it.