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Thursday December 1, 2005 2:50 pm

The Cure For iPod Scratches: The Invisible Shield




Invisible Shield Set-up

It’s no secret that the iPod is easily scratched and now with the introduction of the “nano black” iPods, scratches seem to find their way on these high priced devices even easier and more noticeable than ever before. So what do you do about it other than yell, fall to the floor and start crying? Shell out $24.95 for a protective covering that promises to keep your new toy shiny and scratch free. We were able to get one at the same time that we purchased a 60 GB black iPod and share our experience after the jump.




The Invisible Shield basically comes in two parts, the front with cut out click wheel to protect the face, and the back shield to protect the metal part of the iPod.  Essentially it’s a sticker similar to those put on the face of palm pilots, except this is supposed to be a lot tougher to better protect the precious face of the iPod. Let’s look at the install process first.

The Install Process

The materials needed for the install are a bowl of water (about 10-12 oz), liquid soap (we used baby shampoo), a credit card, and the iPod itself.  We were a bit worried about using water on a brand new, just out of the box, iPod with video (5th gen iPod, Video iPod, call it what you will.)  First we mixed the water and shampoo to make a soapy mix. Once that was done, we removed the shield from its backing with some struggle and dipped the whole front decal in the bowl of soapy water and let it drip enough so as to now have too much water on it for application. After you place the shield on the iPod and position it to where it’s supposed to be, you have to squeegee out any air bubbles and water using the credit card.  On our first try, it was a total disaster - we let too much water remain on the shield before application. Check out the image below to see how bad it was for yourself, and remember, this is what not to do.

Invisible Shield Bad Install


We then took it off and went in for a second try. That was uneventful as well, because this time we used too little water on te darn thing. Finally we were able to get it on just right and squeegee out as many air bubbles as humanly possible. We still had some tiny air bubbles but decided it was good enough. A few tiny air bubbles are a lot better than scratches on this beauty. The back was a lot easier to install, probably because we had experience with doing the front portion multiple times. Check out how it looks like after it is installed, the iPod now sports a unified look with its shiny click wheel instead of the standard dull black.

Invisible Shield Final Look (60 GB iPod)

Post 24 Hours: First Usage

So 24 long iPod-less hours have finally passed and it’s time to see how our new iPod with an Invisible Shield feels and performs.  At first glance, it looks much better than the day before - the air bubbles have diminished, and the iPod feels much better in the grasp of my hand with the shield applied.  Much to our relief the screen looks great and the tiny air bubbles are not an eye sore when watching videos, but are noticeable when in the menu screen.

Conclusions

Gear Live 8 out of 10 Even though the install process was a pain in the rear at times, it wasn’t that bad once we got the hang of it. The iPod feels a lot better with it and my mind can rest easy knowing that it won’t suffer the same scratched up grill as some of its siblings.  This product gets a 8 out of 10 because the install process could be a little easier and the shield itself wasn’t easy to remove from its backing.


Product: The Invisible Shield
Price: $24.95 USD

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Comments:

I bought the invisible shield and followed the directions.  After applying the shield my Nano no longer worked.  I suspect that water got into the scroll wheel and shorted out the whole unit.  There is something inherently wrong with intentionally putting something that has been coated with water onto an electronic device.

I think that’s why the company says to keep the device off for at least 24 hours before and after the install process. I was very worried my iPod would suffer the same fate yours did.

I am thinking of buying an iPod as a Christmas gift.  Is there a warranty that I can buy and would it cover such scratches?

I think they mean “... water and let it drip enough so as to NOT have too much water on it for application.”  not “water and let it drip enough so as to NOW have too much water on it for application”.

yah i just got my invisible shield today. I put it on about 4 hours ago and i really want to turn my ipod on but after hearing what happened to yours im going to wait the 24 hours. I dont think i can live 24 hours with no ipod but ill try.

Thats an awful thing to happen. ie Ruining your nano for the sake of saving it from getting scratches. Apple are to blame, of course! if they made iPods from harder/shinier plastic they would be more fabulous. I own a 5G 30gb and the original sheet of plastic is still attached to the front, but that itself is now getting scratched. I really wanted to get me one of these invisible shield things, and have spent a few days trying to locate a uk seller(with no luck) but I love my shiny things too much to put them that close to water, Plus I’d get a slap if i ruined it. Anywho.

Great review/demonstration… and cool pictures!

The INVISIBLE SHIELD is awesome!  Thanks for recommending it to me.  I put it on my video and whalah it’s betting looking than before AND scratch proof.  Yes, I mean proof.  Crazy me…I actually tried to scratch it and didn’t!!!  By the way, I also covered my RAZR cell phone with it.  AMAZING GRACE!

I just got the invisible shield in the mail today!!! I was sooo excited. I applied it, and squeegied out EVERY last bubble!!! its now sitting on my desk as i write this looking at me. i really want to turn it on, but im just gonna wait, so that it doesn’t die incase any water got inside the device. The new invisible shields (the one i got) come with its own application solution (a little bottle of spray) it makes things ALOT easier.

its not my fault your ipod came out shity. when i orded the invisible shield for my nano i ordered the ( aplication solution) have u heard of it. my nano came out perfect.you should feel really stupid rite now. besides u used to much liquid. dumbass

i hav an ipod video ( black ) and there are lots of scratches on it. if i buy an invisible shield will it cover them up.

GuardFilm is the same invisible shield material for only $6.99 w/ free shipping and 30 day money back guarantee.
http://www.guardfilm.com

I bought one of these, and it works beautifuly- in reguards to the scratches on the black ipod- yes they will come out with this- but first buy Brassos polisher, polish it, then put the shield on.  THe mirror will reduce in scractes but it will still be somewhat bad, but the face will be beautiful again.  This product is soo great, im going to purchase it for my razr v3i.  And, no, the water solution will not harm your ipod, that is if you follow the instructions- which i suggest you do.  :-D

Not sure why you are using shampoo, water, and a credit card.  Each invisibleSHIELD kit contains all the necessary tools needed for a clean installation.

I turn off the iPod and lock it.  I use a generous amount of application solution on the film spraying the front and back.  After the installation you can use a can of air to gently blow out the remaing water trapped in the click wheel.  I tell my customers to wait an hour before using to let the shield cure.

Wait a full 24 hours before actually handling it with any friction, such as putting it in your pocket, in a case, etc. 

I looked at the Guardfilm mentioned above…always remember the golden rule, you get what you pay for.

Check us out at Kreative-Images.com We are an affiliate of Shieldzone.  Over 650 shields for electronic gadets.

Hey i used invisible shield on my 30gb, hard to get aligned but that may be because i am picky, i used the application solution included and it came out almost perfect, 1 tiny piece of lint on the back, simply because i didn’t see it and one side leaves just a small hair exposed, the metal back i mean.  Other that than only one (minor) gripe, the corners (obviously) don’t completely cover the corners of the ipod, but i have two shields (i called the company when my first one came due to the fluid breaking open in the package during shipping, so i am thinking about just cutting a piece to size and using the remainder of the solution to fix this.

if any of use r lookin for a good screen protector i reccommend the invisible shield it costs about $24.90 but its so worth it, your ipod will never get scratched and it comes with a lifetime warrenty, if you spill water on it, the protector is exactly the same as you put it on and there is never ny air bubbles so definetly a good buy

i jst got done putting my full body invisible shield on my iPod Touch about 5 hours ago , it still has a bubble stretching all along the metal ring , and on the bak , its got about 2 medium bubbles tht would NOT come out. After the 24 hours , will they come out like the company says???

Brandon Brandon 3/24/09 1:11 pm

My only concern is that there are spaces on my ipod that are not completely covered… they say they computer “cut” the shield to your device perfectly, but this is a lie…there will be a small space around the scroll wheel that is uncovered and small spaces on the perimeter of the ipod… also do try to get rid of all the air bubbles becuase they do not completely disappear in 2-3 days as they claim…

Oh and I forgot to mention that the squeegee process will scratch both the screen and the back of your ipod… I know becuase I applied the invisible shield right after taking my brand new ipod out of the box, and it now has vertical and horizontal scratches on the screen and on the rear metallic surface…


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