There are two schools of thought when it comes to the use of screen shields for iOS devices. Some feel they are absolutely necessary to help protect their expensive purchase from scratches as well as to help prevent more severe damage should their product be dropped. Others feel these products are too much trouble, make it harder to use their devices, and don’t wear well.
I fell into this second group, and the bubbles in the shields alone drove me crazy. I have not used a shield for any of my devices for several years. Until now.
Technology has caught up with the problem and Seidio’s VITREO screen shield for iPads is made from high grade tempered glass with a 9H hardness rating. It also has Oleophobic coating that resists marks and smudges and the appearance of fingerprints. (Oleophobic treatments bond with many different surfaces at the nano-scale to create oil resistant, anti-smudge coatings.) The VITREO shield is 0.02-in (0.55 mm) thick.
VITREO iPad screen shield
Installing it
The VITREO is easy to successfully install if you follow the directions. It is a very quick process. The Seidio web site offers a short video that takes the user through the process step by step.
Everything you need for installation is included in the package and the shield is labeled for user convenience.
Package
The first step is to select a button cover for the home button. There are four choices included: black, white, blue or pink. The process for attaching the button is both clever and easy. Take a small piece of tape and tape it to half of the top of the button, place the button exactly where you want it, hold it down, and remove the tape.
Technique for installing button cover
The next step is to carefully clean your screen with the alcohol wipe and microfiber cloth that are included.
Cleaning and installation items
Then, just peel of the clearly labeled back protector and place the shield on the iPad, lining up the shield hole with the home button. You'll most likely be surprised at the strength of the shield when you first pick it up. Then touch the center of the iPad screen and watch the shield adhere. When it has finished, you can use the enclosed plastic pick to remove any bubbles. When you are happy with your efforts, remove the top protector and your shield is in place.
Using the shield
This is all nice and tidy, but how well does it work? I have used my iPad for a week with the VITREO shield in place. I've played games that required frequent finger movements and used both my fingers and a stylus. I have read books for several hours over the weeks time, constantly turning pages, and I have typed using the virtual keyboard.
I also used the iPad camera. I have an iPad 2 so it does not have a Retina screen, but with the VITREO shield the screen is clear and bright. I have not felt the need to clean the screen once in the past week, even after putting it to the ultimate test — letting my six month old grandson play with it.
Do I recommend it?
I do. The bottom line is that I am very pleased with this product. It is pricy at US$69.95, but anyone with a new iPad can consider this an investment in the future resale value of their product. The rest of us can enjoy a brighter, cleaner image from our iPad while we both enjoy it and protect it without the hassle of flimsy screen protectors.