DS screen protectors...use 'em?

[Kid Ice]

I was playing Pac n Roll yesterday and made a pretty good scratch on my DS screen. I bought a kit mainly to get the thumb stylus and it came with a few screen protectors.

My questions:

-can the screen protector hurt the DS screen in any way?

-does it affect gameplay at all?

-does it affect the appearance of the screen?

[Vinnysdad]

I have an original DS not the lite and have had a screen protector on it since day one. When the DS is on I cant really tell the screen protector is even on and it hasnt affected the touch screen at all. I am glad I put it on because I can see the marks on the protector and the touch screen would look like crap if it wasnt covered.

[digitalmouse]

It depends on the brand really. I know from personal experience that the Pelican screen protectors are horrible. This is due to the fact that they are a 'goo' based protector. I felt like they made the touch screen a little less responsive, and when you want to remove the screen protector you will have a sticky residue on your screen. Definately stay away from those kind of protectors.

If you want some good screen protectors, I would go with the Martin Fields brand. I have a set of those on my DS right now and I don't even realize it most of the time. They wont affect your gameplay at all. The best part is you can take them off, clean them, and then apply them to the screen again.

Another brand some people like is Hori. I don't know too much about them, so I'll let someone else take it from here.

[Promophile]

First of all, DON'T buy a pelican or intec screen protector. They're cheap, hard to apply, and its almost impossible to put one on without getting air bubbles.

I've had a Hori screen protector on my DS since the day I bought the system. I HIGHLY recommend Hori protectors, you can hardly even tell that they're on the system, and I'm not exaggerating on that! A Hori protector will cost you $5-10, that is, if you can find one. When i got mine they were really hard to find, I had to visit 7 game stores before I finally found an EBgames with one left.

They really don't affect gameplay at all, I can't notice any difference between a DS with a Hori protector or not when it comes to touch sensitivity.

As for damaging the system, as far as I'm aware as long as you DO NOT use a protector that uses adhesive, you won't damage the system. The hori protectors are static cling.

Oh, just some advice. If you're a perfectionist like me, make sure that

1. You make sure the DS screens are ABSOLUTELY clean and free of all dust

and

2. You apply the screens in a room with little or no dust floating around

If not prepare for an hour or two of aggrivation as you try to apply the protectors without creating air pockets.

[Enixis]

I'm personally using Martin Field's screen protector. Like digitalmouse said, its hardly noticeable. Hori is good as well from what i hear, but i had a mate who hated it coz Ouendan (a ds jpn import) completely destroyed his screen protector.

[Promophile]

Hori is good as well from what i hear, but i had a mate who hated it coz Ouendan (a ds jpn import) completely destroyed his screen protector.

I don't know what he did when playing Ouendan, but I can't imagine how rough you'd have to be with the system to destroy a Hori protector. I've played plenty of games for the DS that involve lots and lots of touch screen use and abuse, and mine doesn't even have a scratch.

[itobandito]

Yeah I have hori on my lite and my original. Its great. My wife has an original with the pelican protector, its complete garbage. looks like there is sand in it. Which reminds me I have to attempt to get that off.

[WizDawg]

I use Hori which I bought at EBgames and I haven't had any problems.

[Xizer]

The Invisible Shield is the way to go. It's scratch-proof.

[Haoie]

On my DS, I never used 1. As a result there are some minor scuffs with can be seen if held to a light. Nothing major.

[ozyr]

I don't use a screen protector at all. I use my DS a lot, and so far in over a year+ of use, no scratches at all. And yes, I've looked very closely at it - if the scratches are there, they are microscopic!

Thus, my answer to this thread - Nope, don't use them (on any of my portable systems)!