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I love to use my iPad 2 almost bareback, With nothing but the Smart Cover to protect it. This is, however, the gadget equivalent of wearing a t-shirt with no pants or underwear, and offers about as much protection in the outside world.
A few screen-gashes later and I was happy to accept GreatShield's EZseal screen protector. I usually hate screen protectors, but – despite some problems – this one turns out alright.
First, fitting. The GreatShield claims to be bubble free, and it is. This is done by making only the black, bezel-covering edges sticky. The central section is a mere window onto the screen. You can reapply as many times as you like, and also wash the sheet. Once you get it placed properly so the holes line up with the camera, home button and ambient light sensor, you should be good to go. If you have any "bagginess" in the cover, readjusting eliminates it.
The cover actually feels a little nicer than the screen, or at least a little easier for the finger to glide over. And it does an admirable job of protection. The edges don't peel away, and I have been tossing my iPad plus Smart Cover into a crowded bag with no problems.
No problems, that is, until last Friday night. I'm not sure when it happened, or how, but in the morning I saw a big, deep scar across the iPad's screen. Then I realized that the EZseal had taken one for the team, and the screen itself was unscathed.
It's not perfect, though. The model I tested was the anti-glare version. This cuts down on light transmission. Inside, you only notice this as a slight lowering of contrast when watching movies. Outside, it also scatters sunlight making the screen much harder to see. There is also a pixelly pattern in the protector, although you get used to this fast.
It's a compromise, but a good one. I will probably buy myself a glossy version, and although the freshly-polished screen of the iPad will always look nicer than any prophylactic, protection is often the more sensible option. The only rub is the price. At $50, you can find cheaper versions that work the same way. And yes, I know that Amazon is selling it for $18, but we list MSRPs here.
Overall, recommended, especially if you get a good price. Available in black or white. One aside: Is it me, or is the iPad 2 screen significantly more susceptible to scratches than the original?
GreatShield EZseal product page [Amazon]
