AcuraTLFan

Accessory Review:3M Vikuiti ARMR200 8.9in Screen Protector (Pack of 5)

What it is/does: Screen Protector with Anti-Reflective properties

Reviewed by: AcuraTLFan
Manufacturer: 3M
Model: 98-0440-3515-0
Specs: 8.9in Diagonal 16:9 Widescreen format
Price: ~$30 USD Shipped
Store: just Froggle.com it
Rating: 8/10
Manufacturer website: Manu. Link
Pros: Cheap, Reputable Company
Cons: To early to say

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3M release the Vikuiti screen protector line several years ago. It was partially discusses on this forum awhile back...it never got much attention due to limited supply and initial expensive cost. However, with TabletPC and touch screen monitors making its way into mainstream, these products are easily found for a good price. I already had a Photodon anti-glare screen protector on my 8.0 widescreen monitor...but I like to try new products.

The pack of 5 sceen protector came in a white mail foam envelope, it was sandwhiched against 2 pieces of cardboard. What caught my attention was that it came with an plastic Applicator but no cleaning cloth.





Application was straight forward, remove the plastic backing by pulling on the labeled tab...use the applicator to firmly apply the film to the screen while you continue to pull on the tab. I must say this film was one of the easiest to install. It requires no soapy water with some other films to help intsall. No bubbles, no dusts, no fingerprints.

|The following photo is of the 3M Vikuiti Anti-Reflective film.
V


| The following photo is the STOCK Photo without any film.
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| The following photo is of the Photodon Anti-Glare film.
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It's hard to see the difference but I'll try to explain it. Download the bigger picture.
1)Comparing 3M to Stock. If you look at the ring of light, you will notice that in the Stock one the light is more intense; you can see the light blurring out further from the bulb then the 3M does. The 3M is a bit less clear the Stock, that's expected since the film is a matte finish and it's not 100% transparent. So the 3M looks like it does do some anti-reflecting

2)Comparing Photodon to Stock. The Photon is clearly blurrier then the Stock one. So it does reduce the glare. I first posted my results in another thread about the Photodon not being effective...but having been using it for awhile, it does actually reduce the glare.

3) Comparing 3M to Photodon. Both the films are a matte finish (not glossy). The Photodon seems to be thicker then the 3M. the Photodon is also less transpartent then the 3M. The 3M films show finger prints easier then the Photodon. The adhesives used on both seem to have the same adherance level. They are not like stickers, they don't bond...the adhesive has a mininal adherance...it's enough to keep the film on the screen where it's suppose to be. This makes it MUCH EASIER to remove dust or reaapply if you mess up.
These film do work to some extent, but don't expect miracles...even Navi screens in Acura, Lexus, MB, aren't fully sunlight readable and they are also prone to reflection and glare.

Conclusion: Both these films do - do what they say. I rate them at 8/10.

*I'm only using 1 of the 5 I bought. I still have 4 left...if anyone is interested in buying the 3M Vikuiti and don't want to buy 5. I'll sell them for $7 shipped each...includes packaging and postage

DodgeCummins

I am interested in something like this...but it is hard to compare...

Can you take a photo with the display itself in focus? The edge of the monitor is blurry so it makes comparison difficult.

Is it possible to power on the monitor and then see what happens?

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tn6478

i order the photodon. it sucks big time. it made my screen even harder to see so i just took it off and threw it away there goes 9 bucks.

AcuraTLFan

I had it on auto-focus - focus at the middle of the screen. It looks blurry at the edge because that's what the camera sees. I had the monitor power cable installed and hidden in my car, I was gonna be a major hassle to take it out, so I didn't.

The reason I did it the way I did was that I could try to keep the conditions as close to the same as possible.

AcuraTLFan

At first, I thought it sucks. The reason why is that the anti-glare film will try to blur the image and it's hard to see because it's not really transparent, kinda milky in color. If the screen is getting hit directly with sunlight, then yes, it's harder to see, but then it would still be hard to see without the film and you will get glare. You either get a image that is washed out and harder to see, or get a better image that is hard to see because of the glare.

I like it now because after using it for awhile I notice that my entire screen doesn't get covered in sunlight. I usually get part to the screen in the sunlight's path while the other part of the screen still offer anti-glare.

Like I said, our 7-9inch monitors are already crap...don't expect miracles from a $10 item. They may offer some relief to the problem, but the problem is still there.

ptabb

I would like to purchase one of your screens

BiG K

I used a film to reduce glare and to protect the screen on my phone, it was quite thick. It didn't make the screen blurry at all, if anything, improved contrast and colours! Now I wish I knew what that film was, because I bought it on ebay and thought all films were similar like that, except I tried some "german" stuff, but that was really crap!
I am probably guessing it was 3M vikuiti, but who knows?!