Product Requirements:
Screen Protectors are available for the following devices: Palm III/IIIc, Palm m100/105, Palm V/Vx, Palm m500/m505, Visor Deluxe/Platinum/Prism, Visor Edge, Clie 300/320/500, Clie 600/610/700c/710c, Handera 330, Compaq iPAQ, Casio E-125

By now, most of you probably know how strongly I believe in putting a screen protector on every PDA I own...even the PDAs I don't like (which shall remain nameless...). A screen protector just makes sense, unless you truly don't care if you scratch up your screen while entering daily notes or playing games.

If you hardly ever use your PDA, you might never need a screen protector...but I am willing to bet that if you are at this site reading these reviews, you are using your PDA like it was intended...and you are a perfect candidate for screen protection.

There are basically two forms available these days: "stick-on", and "slide-under." Stick-on protection uses an adhesive to affix the protector to the screen of your PDA. It is extremely easy to get air bubbles trapped under the protector when you are new to using this method. Since the stick-on protectors can be quite pricey - depending on which brand you buy - this can be a bit distressing for those that haven't mastered the stick-on installation method, but want proper protection for their screen.

Slide-under protection involves taking a piece of thin plastic, and sliding it under the sides of your PDA where they meet and cover a portion of the glass screen. This method never leaves bubbles, but if you aren't careful you can get dust under the protector which can be just as distressing. This is usually just a simple matter of making sure you apply the protector after you have adequately cleaned the PDA's screen and doing the application while in a clean environment.

I recently had the pleasure of trying a new, third type of screen protection, put out by Brando Workshop. For those of you that aren't familiar with Brando, this company is out of Hong Kong, and they have many innovative items that they offer for both Palm and Pocket PC OS devices.

Brando calls this new screen protection the Protector Plus. It is a bit different than either of the other slide-under protection types I have reviewed in the past. It is similar to the stick on type, but it is thicker and less flexible, more like the slide-under types. It is also basically meant to be the last screen protector you will ever buy.

Brando says that these new screen protectors are "removable, washable, anti-scratch, dust prevention, and anti-reflection." That definitely qualifies them as a new breed of screen protection in my book; so based on that description I had to give them a try!

I received protectors for both the Palm m100 and the Palm V. Since my Palm m100 is already so heavily modified by Brando, I thought it would only be appropriate to focus on this PDA while looking at their new protectors. Please realize while you read this that there are a lot of other PDAs that these protectors will work on; so if you like what I have to say about this protector, you might want to give the appropriate model a try on your own PDA - whatever it may be.

The first thing you will notice when you get your package is that there is only one protector in the kit. If you are used to receiving a dozen or so protectors when you buy screen protection, this might give you a jolt. Don't worry, you haven't been ripped off.

You'll also notice that this protector is a little bit thicker than what you are used to seeing (assuming you have tried other screen protectors in the past). It comes in a transparent plastic baggy, and there is a yellow arrow affixed to one of the sides. Each screen protector is custom cut to fit the screen of your particular PDA.

There are a couple steps you need to take to correctly install your protector: First, wipe down the screen of your PDA very well. It is important to get every bit of fuzz, dust, and "left-over stick-on screen protector gunk" off of there.

Next, you will pull on the yellow piece of tape with the arrow printed on it. This reveals the smooth, lightly sticky, part of the protector that will go next to your PDA's screen.

If you get any bubbles under the screen while applying, you can either slide a credit card over the screen to "squeegee" them out or simply pull the protector up and lay it back down. This is something you could have never done with an ordinary stick-on protector - but then, it is also something you never have to do with a slide-under protector. So there are a couple ways to look at this.

I managed to correctly place the protector, sans bubbles, on the first try.

There is a slightly textured side that faces up. It creates an experience reminiscent of paper when you write on its surface with a stylus. The only downside to this is that while the protector makes the screen anti-reflective, and virtually glare-free; it also seems to dampen the screen a bit, and make it appear slightly milky. This is a small trade-off, to be sure, but I just want you to be aware of it..

My m100 features a clear Brando Color Set replacement shell with a PDA Body-Guard Cool Plate

Personally, I prefer a more "glass-like" writing surface so I would like it if the screen protectors were just a little bit clearer and smoother, However, there are those that will prefer the matte finish these protectors provide, and they will like the "paper" feel..

I have had the Brando protector on my m100 for several weeks. I have taken notes, and played my favorite monochrome games - Pipeline and Pyramid - many times, just to make sure that the screen protector got a good workout all over and not just in the Graffiti area. I noticed no new scratches, the protector still looks brand new - Incredible! I should also point out that I am using the Pentopia Chameleon, and not a stock stylus.

Perhaps the coolest thing of all, is that is you should ever feel the need to clean your protector (though I don't know why you would want to), you can peel the Brando protector up, and wash it. Then you simply re-apply it to your PDA. The sticky substance on the smooth side of the protector will still work, even after being doused in soapy water.

I can recommend the Brando Workshop Protector Plus. I think it is a good value for the money, and I really like that it is virtually scratch-proof.

Price:  $12 (includes shipping)

Pros:
Virtually scratch-proof
Reusable
Easy to install
May be the last screen protector you ever buy for your PDA

Cons:
I would like a glossier writing surface, but this is my personal preference