Best screen protector? . And don't recommend whitestone dome (i will explain why)

YesThisIs

Member
Sep 10, 2017
8
2
0
So got my shiny new Note 8 week ago. Also with that got the Whitestone Dome screen protector and alcantara case.

Tried to install screen protector:

1st. attempt: The screen lined up incorrectly from the bottom, tried to "lift it up to the position" just created more airbubles and the glue poured out from the sides.
After cleaning my Note 8 with the alcohol swipes, (It was a mess to try to clean the phone AND the glass screen protector)
2. attempt with the second bottle of glue..... There was a dust particle on the glue itself. Great.

Wait for a week to mobilefun to ship me another one. (while doing so i was "dry- practicing" to get it 100% correct this time)

3. attempt was a charm.... until.... when the glue spread there was 2 small air bubbles... Take the second bottle and "tap" the small air bubbles away. (while doing so being extremely nervous about that the screen protector might move or great new bubbles). Managed to get the bigger one out but there was the small one... Didn't get that out.

Light up the UV light and call it a day. Only problem is now there is small air bubble that is pretttty distracting to say the least.

So, now i am with 50€ in my account from the order. (Because i demanded that they refund me this horrible product). I am left to choose new screen protector.

My options that i have read:
- Rearth invisible defender - The problem with this is that there is "snowfall" effect and the screen is too damn sticky (according to reviews)
- IQ Shield - The problem with this is that the S-pen (according to reviews) leaves trails to the TPU protector. Because it's so soft and it will not cure overtime.
-Zagg invisible shield - Unresponsivnes and the fact that it has "raimbow" -effect on the screen.

New one that i just founded out about:
-Powerpeak Base- According to this guy (Install Jimmy is Promo's "Base Screen protector for Samsung GALAXY S8 & Note 8 here) Its pretty good. Might be ad though... Does any of you have experience on this?

The whitstone does have pretty good responsiveness and all that good stuff. But the problem is the installation and even when i tried to be 100% accurate with the installation, it still greated air bubbles. And the fact that there is a HUGE risk that the glue when cured can cause damage to the screen.... More specifically if you manage to cure the glue when the glue is over the earpiece... you are ****ed with your 1000€ phone.
 

Bullitt3309

Member
May 28, 2012
23
2
0
San Antonio
I am doing the poor mans whitestone. LOCA glue and cheap amazon tempered glass. Took me two tries to get it right. So with two screens and glue, out $20. I did buy a UV lamp for dual use. My phone and girlfriends nails. I had the ZAGG on my S8+, didn't like it at all, unresponsive. But i bet if you glued it on with LOCA it would be good.
 
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YesThisIs

Member
Sep 10, 2017
8
2
0
I am doing the poor mans whitestone. LOCA glue and cheap amazon tempered glass. Took me two tries to get it right. So with two screens and glue, out $20. I did buy a UV lamp for dual use. My phone and girlfriends nails. I had the ZAGG on my S8+, didn't like it at all, unresponsive. But i bet if you glued it on with LOCA it would be good.
I am sort of guy, who can easily mess things like that up... So not going to risk it.
 

YesThisIs

Member
Sep 10, 2017
8
2
0
Galaxy Note 8 Screen Protector [2-Pack][Not Glass], Yootech [Case Friendly] Galaxy Note 8 Wet Applied Screen Protector BUBBLE-FREE for Samsung Galaxy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0756DBXWP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_xFOJgXZGMrAdo
This one seems a little less rubbery imho.


Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
I did check that thanks! Only problem is that i live in EU (Finland) And Amazon will not ship that item to me.... Looked up in Ebay and they will add 20€+ to the original price...

Bummer tho,.
 
Jul 5, 2017
36
70
0
Hello, this is Whitestone.
I am so sorry that you had a terrible experience with our product. Air bubbles can be very frustrating on a new screen protector. We are constantly trying to solve the problem of air bubbles, and the seesaw type has drastically reduced it but not fully eliminated it.
I am very thankful for your patience to give our product three tries before you made your decision and also for a detailed feedback on what became wrong.
Since you have given a lot of effort on our product, we will try and help you out if you are willing to give our product another chance.
Feel free to contact us through here, or our homepage, or any social media.
Again I am terribly sorry.
 

xile6

Senior Member
Dec 2, 2008
1,659
195
0
Dallas
Only use skinomi wet i stall protectors.
Use it before on my note edge 4. The spen did leave marks.
But with the note 8. I dont see any marks. So either the protector is better or the tips are softer
 

twistanesh

Senior Member
Dec 2, 2009
95
27
0
Only use skinomi wet i stall protectors.
Use it before on my note edge 4. The spen did leave marks.
But with the note 8. I dont see any marks. So either the protector is better or the tips are softer
do you forsee it lifting up on the edges? did you get the techskin one that comes in a twopack?
 
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Limeybastard

Senior Member
Oct 3, 2013
6,648
1,118
253
Florida unfortunately.
I'm currently going through a batch of clear protection film HD skins on my Note 8. Generally are average, but some dont cover the edges that well or some have too much orange peel, or some are not cut correctly. Typical chinese "dog" turd.

So far. Spigen, coverage is excellent, but suffer from a lot of orange peel. Illumi Shield , coverage is rubbish, one side ( left side ) is cut shorter than the other. But less orange peel.

Amovo front and back clear film, the worst ever. The pikeys didnt even inc a lubrication spray with their aggrssive adhesive film. Secondly the film that you remove to apply was stuck like gorilla glue to the actual film. You know, the tab that say "peel here first" and " peel here last".

I dont care less for the glass crap for curved screens, but in search of a half decent clear film currently. The search continues...:(
 
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KBeckett

Member
Sep 14, 2017
37
4
0
I'm currently going through a batch of clear protection film HD skins on my Note 8. Generally are average, but some dont cover the edges that well or some have too much orange peel, or some are not cut correctly. Typical chinese "dog" turd.

So far. Spigen, coverage is excellent, but suffer from a lot of orange peel. Illumi Shield , coverage is rubbish, one side ( left side ) is cut shorter than the other. But less orange peel.

Amovo front and back clear film, the worst ever. The pikeys didnt even inc a lubrication spray with their aggrssive adhesive film. Secondly the film that you remove to apply was stuck like gorilla glue to the actual film. You know, the tab that say "peel here first" and " peel here last".

I dont care less for the glass crap for curved screens, but in search of a half decent clear film currently. The search continues...:(
I'm looking at IQShield and Skinomi right now but don't have enough info to decide on one or the other. Would love to hear about your experiences with other non-TGSPs and if you ever come across one you would recommend.
 

Limeybastard

Senior Member
Oct 3, 2013
6,648
1,118
253
Florida unfortunately.
I'm looking at IQShield and Skinomi right now but don't have enough info to decide on one or the other. Would love to hear about your experiences with other non-TGSPs and if you ever come across one you would recommend.
Im primarily using and trying non glass type films, similar to the stuff used to protect car paint protection. My background includes being able to apply paint protection film on cars so these are all from the same mold that I have been trying. BTW, heat of a hairdryer will aid in adhering the curved edges once applied- slight tip.


I have not tried IQShield yet, sorry. So far the Spigen one fitted well coverage wise,but their film is very aggressive in the orange peel front,

I might try Skinomi next, but I have heard they cut their films short to save a few bucks.

Lets liase and share our experiences with these type of films, cheers.
 
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YesThisIs

Member
Sep 10, 2017
8
2
0
Thanks for all of you for the help and responses.

Yes the IQshield and Skinomi are on the top of my list... They are around 20€ including shipping to Finland from Ebay. A bit expensive but lets see....
 

raffstyle

Senior Member
Jul 25, 2009
98
9
0
Gotham
Im currently using IQshield version 2 (case friendly) for about a week now.

I've done a lot of wet install before so i know what to expect using this type of screen protector. Its been a week now and so far no lifting on the curve part of the screen. it is smooth to touch, sensitivity is normal and very good. Im using a VRSdesign slim case and it works well, all corners fitted very well.

I also used skinomi before and if i remember it right IQshield is more smoother than skinomi in-terms of orange peel feeling. The only problem that is s-pen will leave marks when used with this kind of screen protector. (i tried it at the very bottom and its still have mark after a week)

I can give this IQshield a 7.5/10 score. LOL
 
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Dark4rce-2

Member
Mar 12, 2016
30
6
0
NW Lower MI
The whitstone does have pretty good responsiveness and all that good stuff. But the problem is the installation and even when i tried to be 100% accurate with the installation, it still greated air bubbles. And the fact that there is a HUGE risk that the glue when cured can cause damage to the screen.... More specifically if you manage to cure the glue when the glue is over the earpiece... you are ****ed with your 1000€ phone.
I used the tip of placing painter's tape over the speaker. I covered the speaker enough to not interfere with the glass. It worked great! I do have three small bubbles after two tries but can't see them unless I try. My wife's has one bubble in about the same spot as mine. The lower left corner about 1/3 up the screen where the curve starts. There a number of ways to avoid the creation of bubbles. I couldn't say them all because I'm not an expert in LOCA glue and it's properties. Experimentation is the only way to find out. :D
 

bamse84

Senior Member
Aug 17, 2013
380
117
73
Hello, this is Whitestone.
I am so sorry that you had a terrible experience with our product. Air bubbles can be very frustrating on a new screen protector. We are constantly trying to solve the problem of air bubbles, and the seesaw type has drastically reduced it but not fully eliminated it.
I am very thankful for your patience to give our product three tries before you made your decision and also for a detailed feedback on what became wrong.
Since you have given a lot of effort on our product, we will try and help you out if you are willing to give our product another chance.
Feel free to contact us through here, or our homepage, or any social media.
Again I am terribly sorry.
I am glad that you have started beeing more on forums and social media. I want to thank you for sending me a new one. Now i am waiting for it. Hope this time works.
 

Biff627

Senior Member
Dec 19, 2013
427
59
0
To be honest, it will be difficult to actually get most tempered glass protectors to stay on this curved glass.. Its a pain and it sucks because I would actually like to get one. I just ordered the whitestore myself..., but they wont be in stock again until the 30th...
I got the PowerPeak Base and it is utter garbage. I lost atleast 30% touch sensitivity and then it just eventually slid off of my phone from me trying to swipe so hard. The middle actually dried up and there was nothing holding the middle to the phone.
I despise the wet installs. They are too soft and will leave indents as you said.. So really its either try tempered glass protectors until you find the one you want, go with indents and wet installs, or just go no screen protector like me!
I have the wet install spigen ones but I tbh would rather go with no protector than use them.
 

Mike02z

Senior Member
Feb 3, 2012
1,952
794
0
Greenville, SC
Anyone planning on using a cheap protector with LOCA glue needs to check the strength of the LOCA. Some have reported they were not able to remove the protector after using some LOCA glue.

I had 3 attempts at the Dome Glass myself. The first one I got had a broken bridge. I could not get the glue in the right spot. Whitestone refunded me. I bought the next set from Amazon. Everything was perfect until I peeled the plastic off the back of the protector. There must have been a fleck of dirt near the side. I did not see it as I did not have enough light.

I sent the second one back to Amazon and just had to pay return shipping. With the third one I took a different approach. I used a totally level counter top in the bathroom. I ran the shower with hot water for about 10 minutes so the whole bathroom was steamed up. This kept the dust down. I cleaned the phone screen and when I removed the plastic from the protector, it somehow grabbed another piece of dirt. Due to the extreme lighting, I saw it and removed it before installing. It installed perfectly with no dust/dirt or air bubbles. I did the first cure with the UV light then took it out of the jig and wiped the sides, top and bottom with an alcohol pad. I then did the final cure. Not one ounce of glue seeped out. I did not protect the speaker or anything else. If this is done perfectly, this is the absolute best protector available IMHO. The problem is anything short of a perfect install will drive many of us with OCD crazy.

On Monday we traded in my Mothers iPhone and she went with a Note 8. The Dome Glass arrived today. This time, perfect install the first time. I wish Whitestone would include 2 pieces of glass per package since this is the most expensive Note 8 protector. Their CS is a bit slow but they did take care of me in the end. It's a bit of a ripoff to sell the kit for 49 but then only sell the glass and one tube of glue for 39. The refill pack should be 15-20 at the highest.

After a week, none of my edges are lifting at all. Some may be using cases that are not compatible. My protector does not touch my case at anyplace. I think cases that touch the protector have a good chance of raising the edges. Even if the case looks fine after install, if grabbing it makes the case touch the glass, it will eventually lift and get bubbles.
 
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