Topic: Screen protectors

@Victoria Same here! I think the screen protectors are designed to get scratched easily so that a) you think you've saved your screen from damage, and b) to keep you buying new screen protectors. It sounds like a money making scheme to me. As far as I can tell DS and DSi screens don't scratch that easily. That said I did manage to rip a scratch in my old DS Lite playing Pokémon Ranger 2, so I'm not gonna bother with those games any more. I'm using a screen protector on my DSi, but to be honest I don't think I'm gonna bother with it for much longer. But remember kids, if in doubt, use protection!

i might just get a micro fiber cloth then

I'm starting to wonder that now. I spent about half an hour laying paths on Animal Crossing, which involves a lot of dragging across the screen. I have heavy scratch lines from it, and the screen protector now looks a mess. It really sounds like the screen protectors need to come in multi packs if they need changing out every few weeks.

And what a scam selling them with extra stylis! How many of those could you possibly need? Do people break them? It's not like you're going to leave it lying around like a pen that someone could walk off with.

The screen protector is taking the damage your screen would itself. If it's got scratch lines in it, great -- that's what it's there for. Mine was scratched up to all hell when i finally traded in my DS Lite, but the scratches on the protector weren't visible if I was playing a game; they were only visible if I held it up to the light just the right way. No big deal. Also, that screen protector is taking damage that alternative styluses (read: fingernails) might leave behind if you get lazy and don't bother with digging out the stylus just to get past the warning screen and into the game.

also, you do know your DS itself came with an extra stylus, right? Even Nintendo acknowledges that some people are going to be silly and lose their styluses by mistake. It happens, I just wish they wouldn't sell them in a package because I know I won't need them and I'd like to pay less for the protectors overall (a penny saved is a penny spent on another game) and not have as much clutter sitting around.

Well, my brother said is dsi already has scratch on the screen. I'm not sure what its from though. Anyway, If you don't do it now you may reget it later.
By the way, you shouldn't have to constantly replace your screen protectors. One set should last awhile, I would think. A few scratches should not bother your view of the game, because when the ds is on scratches should be less noticable(unless it's REALLY bad).

I put the screen protectors on my new DSi and it looks HORRIBLE after just 2 days of use. Nothing but deep scratches. It looked absolutely pristine after a week of no screen protectors. Maybe I just got a cheap yucky brand or something. I had a protector on my DS Lite for years and it looked okay (a little scratchy, but MUCH better than the DSi screen looks after only 2 days).

It's really hard to find any DSi accessories at all around here, so the ones I got came in a bundle w/ a case, car charger, game cases, headphones, etc. So maybe they cheaped out on the screen protector in order to reel people in with a slick-looking carrying case. I'll definitely be replacing this protector the instant I can find another one! It truly looks like Wolverine has been playing it without a stylus.

Make sure you've removed the thin plastic layer on the top of the screen protector (in addition to the plastic over the adhesive side.) This layer scratches MUCH easier than the protector itself. The first time I used a screen protector, I didn't realize that extra layer was there until I had used it for a while and ended up with a tear in it. It is like the "protective tape" that is always on LCD displays, etc when you buy something new. I hope that makes sense...

I never used a screen protector on my original DS from the time I bought it in early 2005, until now when I replaced it with a DSi. It does have some very light scratches on it, but they're invisible while you're playing, and I couldn't feel them when I used the touch screen.

For those who think that all the scratches on your protector would be the same on the screen had you not used one, that should not be the case. The protectors are thin and less durable than the touch screen, so it would take much longer to scratch the actual screen so long as you are being gentle with it.

@kknight - thank you for the idea, I did take both sides of the screen protector off though. I wish that were the problem! I think I just got a cheap one; I'll go with a nicer one as soon as I can find it.

I was contemplating just taking it of, because the real screen seems fairly durable. However, I just got Rhythm Heaven and Big Bang Mini, and consequently am beating the living crap out of the screen! So it needs protection! Those games are FUN!!! Big Bang is especially hard on the screen; things get hectic and I just forget to be gentle!

Yeah, I've been playing Rhythm Heaven and Elite Beat Agents lately and I wouldn't dare to play either of those without a screen protector.

Been awhile since I bought screen protectors, if someone finds one that is more durable than others, maybe they could tell us which one.

Sorry to bump up an old post, but I wanted to tell you what I found. I couldn't stand the scratches on the old screen protector any longer. I ordered an 'officially licensed' protector by Hori and what a difference! This new feels a lot thicker, and is really smooth when running the stylus over it. I've been using it for 4 days now and there's not a mark on it. Unlike the other one I had that got scratches from day one. Obviously I just had a cheap one to begin with (it came free with a 'essential pack' when I bought the DSi).
Here's a link to the protector on the UK Amazon site so you know which one I'm recommending.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Officially-Licensed-Screen-Protective...

I dont like the glue residue it leaves on the screen after you peel the protector off so, I use my DSi for only touch screen "light" games and my DS light for games that are heavy on the stylus imput such as EBA, Ouendan.

Hm, I think I'll take a gander at those Hori ones once my current generic ones, which really don't seem to be that great, get too scratched. I typically wait a few months (as long as six) before I change them out.

my ds screen is scratched to hell and back so when i get my dsi, im going to buy 2 of those moe-foes.

Need help!!! Just bought DSi screen protectors and it making my screen look really blurry. Its official Nintendo products. And can you use the protector screen labeled Top for the Bottom screen as a replacement or is it different and the other? Does the blur go away after it settles more cause its only been about an hour since I put them on and I did a pretty good job with no dust or bubbles under screen. And how do you guys get the screens off when you change them and what about left over residue?

Are you sure they're official Nintendo products? If they have the Nintendo seal all it means is that they're authorized vendors for that product; nothing more, nothing less. It shouldn't look blurry at all. I've never had that kind of problem with screen protectors before, so I don't know about that. As for the top protector you probably can only use it once you cut it down to size, since those usually are bigger than the ones for the touch screen.

I've never had any problem with residue or the like. To remove you simply need to get under one of the corners of the protector - typically I use the "flattener" that comes with the protectors for that - and pull it up just enough so you can peel it off by hand then.

Maybe I've just been grandfather'ed into these protectors with my old PDAs(of which I wish were still made, darn you Dell!), but the best way to put them on is to use the plastic wedge it comes with and to just walk it on with that. Bah, this is hard to explain but it just takes practice. Sorta think of it as putting on a band-aid. Just peel it back a bit to stick it on, and then peel the rest as you smooth it on slowly.

Now, about the difference in the protectors for "Top" and "Bottom" is mostly the cut. The plastic is the same but the top on is bigger because of the design. At least for the DS Lite, cause that's the only DS I have. If you don't have to use the top one then just cut the size for the bottom, but it may be hard to get it perfect or just look off. Don't do this if it bothers you too much.

Residue? Pfft, that is the least of your worries. Protecting the life of the screen is the most important thing. I didn't use one for the last Dell Axim X30 and regret not spending the extra money on it. I miss that old thing.. Besides, those protectors are designed to go on once and that's it, if it comes off you can't put it back. Besides, you could just wipe that stuff up if you need to but if you get the protector on good, you will never need to take it off so that arguement is moot. OH! Don't forget to clean the screen good before getting it off, you can get the anti-static wipe a little wet if you need to, just blot it with water with your finger and that will be enough. If you are too afraid of that, then just dry wipe with the cloth those protectors come with. And before you put it on, some good protectors will have it's one protector that you will need to remove to make it crystal clear. I've used one on mine sense the DS Lite first came out and never had to change it.

Also, one last thing I want to add doesn't really go towards that topic but it does have to do with the touch screen. While trolling forums about caring for PDAs I came across a little trick to keep the screen in the best responsive shape as can be and it was keeping the edges clean. You see, the casing around the screen doesn't fully meet with the glass. This is due to the design of touch screen, as there is a thin plastic layer where the electric conductive gel is under so when it is pressed in a certain spot will sense this and input this digitally. Anywho, if you get a piece of paper and then rip off a corner you can use that to get under the very edge of the screen and get out any dust or garbage. This crude will interupt inputs and cause the screen to give false readings. You would be surprise how the smallest bit of dirt will messing with the touch screen. Just did that with mine and got a lot of crude, so thought I would just give my little tidbits to interesting anyone out there.

EDIT: Holy Mother of a Boomer! I really went off on thise subject... I need a better hobby... D:

No way TheScarletWolf, that's a good and helpful hobby
Thanks for the tips, I never thought about the edges.

Thanks alot guys. Thats a Lot of really good info. So get this after I posted I was like there is somehting way off with this protector and .......Oh Snap I forgot to take that other Dagnumit I forgot to pull that other tiny little sheet of plastic off!!! So its on now and It can barely be seen. Im happy and I cleaned the crap out of it and only got 1 tiny little dust spot under it so Im cool with that too lol. Thanks guys for the input. Its just that my DSLite got a little banged up with Oendan and EBA and the DSi cost a bit more to replace so I dont want to risk it again. Thanks again guys.