Do you use a Screen Protector on your 3DS XL Bottom Screen?

I've always used screen protectors...for cell phones, my iPad, and, especially, my DSi to prevent any scratches from the stylus.

However, I just bought a 3DS XL, and I found that neither ZAGG nor BestSkinsEver make screen protectors for the bottom screen of the 3DS XL. After reading some forums, it seems some people have problems with the "wet-install" process messing up the touch screen.

So, I ordered a Hori Screen Protector...which is now in the garbage after getting bubbles that I couldn't get out...

I also know there are a lot of people that just don't use screen protectors and don't have problems.

Therefore, I wanted to get opinions on why you do or don't use a screen protector. If you do use one, which one? If you don't, have you ever developed scratches on your screen from the stylus?

Thanks!

I don't. Tried it before is it just didn't work well (with my original DS), so no I don't bother. I have minor "feather scratches" on the bottom screen that you can see when tilting it in the light, but nothing bad that I can notice it while playing.

ZAGG/BSE know that their product doesn't work correctly with the DS/3DS due to it having a soft top layer unlike the glass of smartphones.

Any screen protector made specifically for the DS works perfectly well.  It can be HORI or no-name China brand on eBay.  They all work great so long as you get it to apply correctly.  I usually go with the cheapest I can find and buy at least 3 sets, knowing it will take approx 3 tries before getting it perfect.  Sometimes using the 2 method works best:

1st set: apply to get all microdust trapped and off

2nd set: apply after 1st for dust-free bubble-free perfection.

I bought a crystal case from eForCity  that came with a free top & bottom set of screen protectors.  It looks and works great.

Special note: don't expect a DSiXL protector to work correctly on a 3DSXL.  The screens are slightly different and made my bottom touch screen completely unresponsive until I took it off.

My HORI screen protector went on flawlessly on my 3DSXL. Couldn't recommend it enough.

Yes.  3ds XL; Hori, and it installed painlessly and looks pretty good.  Didn't use a screen protector with the original DS because the first couple of ones I tried looked really bad.  But eventhough I was careful with the system, the screen still got pretty scratched up, so I decided to go with the screen protector for my 3ds xl.  Definitely recommended.

To be honest, I was disappointed in the Hori.  I installed it on the top screen, and it seems to scratch very easily, particularly around where the adhesive used to hold the screen protector in place.  I never had any issues like that when using Zagg.

moopher said:

My HORI screen protector went on flawlessly on my 3DSXL. Couldn't recommend it enough.

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This. Just applied it today in fact. Not only was it flawless, but Hori goes the extra mile in providing a built in process to help with a flawless install (i.e. multiple step method involving taping the screen protector to the device). They do something similar with the Vita, and I think it's excellent.

TheLongshot said:

To be honest, I was disappointed in the Hori. I installed it on the top screen, and it seems to scratch very easily, particularly around where the adhesive used to hold the screen protector in place. I never had any issues like that when using Zagg.

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Zagg or I should say wet-apply "self healing" skins resist scratches due to the type of material and really shouldn't be compared to regular dry apply skins in that regard. Personally, on a device like the 3DS I prefer the wet apply skins (i.e. BSE, Zagg, etc.) on the exterior of the device and regular screen protectors like Hori on the screens.

I'd also like to add that I've used several different "wet apply/self healing" skins on almost all my devices over the years and Zagg is probably the worst of the bunch, but it's the brand most people know due to retail presence. It's one of the more expensive options and probably one of the worst when it comes to the "orange peel" effect.

moopher said:

My HORI screen protector went on flawlessly on my 3DSXL. Couldn't recommend it enough.

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Same here, I put it on first thing out of the box. I turned on a humidifier to get the dust settled that was in the air, you can do that or run the shower really hot and do it in the bathroom.

This reminds me, I need to go get one, my daughter is going to get a Pikachu 3DS Xl for Christmas.

I ordered another Hori and some eforcity screens (since eforcity are cheap and may be worth a shot). I'll give the Hori one more try (and another $9). I will try the humidity trick.

When I installed the Hori the first time, I just got several specks of dust underneath, even after using a microfiber cloth, and I couldn't figure out a way to salvage the screen protector (because the specks were stuck to it). So, that's why I had to just throw it away. With Best Skins Ever (wet-apply), I can just take them off, re-wet them and try again.

Anyway, I also ordered a rubber-tip stylus from Amazon. So, if the Hori doesn't work this time, I may just go protector-less.

I've also tried the Hori brand one and it's phenomenal. I can also talk of their Vita screen protector which has just been totally fantastic.

Yeah, I have concerns about if/when I play games like Elite Beat Agents that require a lot of stylus movement. Even if a screen protector scratched more, that is replaceable. Replacing a screen is much more work...

However, most games won't require that much stylus movement, and the rubber-tip stylus is on the way...And it's just my wife and me using the 3DS.

So, while I do get nervous about possible scratches on a screen that isn't easily replaceable, it's nice to know most people don't have problems when they don't use a screen protector.

P.S. As an experiment, I posed the same question at Giant Bomb and got the opposite results.

FakeKisser said:

Yeah, I have concerns about if/when I play games like Elite Beat Agents that require a lot of stylus movement. Even if a screen protector scratched more, that is replaceable. Replacing a screen is much more work...

However, most games won't require that much stylus movement, and the rubber-tip stylus is on the way...And it's just my wife and me using the 3DS.

So, while I do get nervous about possible scratches on a screen that isn't easily replaceable, it's nice to know most people don't have problems when they don't use a screen protector.

P.S. As an experiment, I posed the same question at Giant Bomb and got the opposite results.

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There is no right or wrong answer... Well, except the people that think screen protectors affect touch screen performance, they are wrong (either that or they installed it wrong). The bottom line is accidents can happen, and if it does the 3DS is more susceptible to scratches due to the plastic screen. I use screen protectors because I know I can install them properly, and for peace of mind.

No.  I never use them on my gadgets.  I find them near impossible to get on without bubbles or dust spots, and that most degrade screen clarity some.

I've never had a device get scratches that were visible during usage, and couldn't care less about scratches only noticeable when the device is off and under a light source, so I don't see a need for them for myself.  Especially for the 3DS.  I never liked stylus control games, so I'm never using the touch screen for more than inventory management etc. (so not much swiping, just tapping--and usually with my thumb rather than stylus).

I used a nonadhesive NuShield protector with the original DS. The nice thing about it was I could remove it, clean it, then put it back on, if I wanted to.

I didn't use any screen protectors with my DS Lite and don't use one currently for my 3DS XL. My DS Lite was fine without one and I'm not worried at all about my 3DS XL.

FakeKisser said:

Yeah, I have concerns about if/when I play games like Elite Beat Agents that require a lot of stylus movement. Even if a screen protector scratched more, that is replaceable. Replacing a screen is much more work...

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I didn't have a single scratch on my DS Lite screen until I played Elite Beat Agents. Don't have a 3DS yet, but would never play EBA on it without a screen protector.

dmaul1114 said:

No. I never use them on my gadgets. I find them near impossible to get on without bubbles or dust spots, and that most degrade screen clarity some.

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Exactly the reason I don't use them either.

Just an update... I installed the Hori (second one I purchased). It was still a hassle, because I still had to deal with dust specks, but I was able to get them off and the screen protector is now basically invisible.

The big game-changer for me on this second attempt to install the screen protector was using scotch tape to lift up the screen protector after seeing dust specs underneath it and then using the tape to remove the dust. It took me a few minutes, but I was able to get all the dust out from under the screen and get it perfect.

With the first Hori, I saw dust specks, tried lifting the screen protector with my fingers, and I bent the corner, And I wasn't sure how to remove the specks without getting finger prints on it. So, the tape was invaluable.

I also installed it in my bathroom after running a hot shower. I'm not sure how much that helped, since I still had to deal with dust, but it didn't hurt.

Ultimately, I put screen protectors on devices for piece of mind, because I know that any scratch on a screen protector is temporary whereas a scratch on the actual screen requires a lot more work to fix.

So, for now, I'm set. If this screen gets a bunch of scratches really quick, I may just take it off and not replace it, but if it lasts a while, I will be happy and will be more likely to swap it out for another screen protector.

***Also, I got my Elago "Grip" Stylus, and I recommend it to everyone! It has a rubber tip that feels nice and will definitely be less likely to cause any scratches. Plus, it is comfortable to hold. The only downside is "storing" it, since it obviously doesn't fit in the stylus slot.

I baby all of my handheld devices. I put screen protectors on anything that will accept one. I have screen protectors on all of my Nintendo handhelds, my Sony handhelds, and even my smartphone. I have one on my Wii U gamepad as well. Most screens ought to be protected, and none more so than touchscreens.

Richard Kain said:

I baby all of my handheld devices. I put screen protectors on anything that will accept one. I have screen protectors on all of my Nintendo handhelds, my Sony handhelds, and even my smartphone. I have one on my Wii U gamepad as well. Most screens ought to be protected, and none more so than touchscreens.

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Is the Hori really better than the EMPIRE or CitiGeeks sets that comes with 3 3DS XL Screen Protectors? I got the CitiGeeks® 3x Reduced-Glare HD Screen Protector set from Amazon and was able to cover 2 3DS XLs fine though I did ruin one set. But the HORI single set is the same price as the 3 set from EMPIRE or CitiGeeks. I need one more set and would try the Hori but I'd have spares with the other two.

I have a screen protector on my DSi and I was glad I got it, especially when I played Elite Beat Agents or Cooking Mama. The screen protector was very cheap and came bundled with some DS game cases. As for my 3DS, I haven't picked up a screen protector just for the fact I don't own any games that are played heavily on the screen. My screen still looks great. 

MrGranger said:

Is the Hori really better than the EMPIRE or CitiGeeks sets that comes with 3 3DS XL Screen Protectors? I got the CitiGeeks® 3x Reduced-Glare HD Screen Protector set from Amazon and was able to cover 2 3DS XLs fine though I did ruin one set. But the HORI single set is the same price as the 3 set from EMPIRE or CitiGeeks. I need one more set and would try the Hori but I'd have spares with the other two.

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I don't know if the Hori is any "better" than the ones you mention, but I can say that Hori screen protectors (especially on the Vita) go the extra mile to make installation that much easier. The method they use (securing the protector to the device via "tape" first) is the same method I use when applying them to phones, but without all the extra work.

Dust and bubbles can be tricky, but I usually prepare my device pretty well before hand. I clean it and then right before I go to apply I use a can of air to spray away any last second dust. Then I slowly apply the Hori and push out the air bubbles along the way. I have not had to do a "do over" with a Hori with this method and a lot of this is due to the extras Hori provides in making installation easy.

Here's a video showing you a Hori PS Vita installation. Most screen protectors only have 2 steps, as you can see from the video, Hori adds a little more than the standard installation to help with making the process easier which IMO gives you a better end result.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kM-fTzN4RR0