Review: ZAGG invisibleSHIELD

During CES this past January, Neowin had the opportunity to catch up with the guys from ZAGG, makers of invisibleSHIELD, a polyurethane film designed to make your portable devices scratch proof. The invisibleSHIELD film was originally developed to protect the leading edge of helicopter rotor blades, and yes, it's that tough. They had numerous video clips cycling through a presentation that they had setup in a motorhome that depicted numerous stress and scratch tests.

After viewing their presentation and a couple of live demonstrations where they willingly threw their own devices into a bucket of nails and shook them around vigorously, only to emerge unscathed, we were impressed. But we've all tried some of these adhesive protectors before, and they were a pain in the butt to install. We always wound up getting air bubbles, wrinkles, or pieces that just didn't align properly, and consequently ended up curling up around the edges, sliding around instead of staying where they were put, or just flat out peeling off. So to show us just how easy it is to do a proper installation, the guys at ZAGG kindly offered to do a live installation for us, and I offered up my BlackBerry Curve.

And now, 2 months later, here is my Blackberry Curve, still scratch free.

So far, I'm impressed with ZAGG invisibleSHIELD. I've tried several other device protection devices for my Curve, including the neoprene sleeve (which was falling apart) that I disposed of in the video, other adhesive protectors, and non-adhesive "static stick" screen protectors. None of them lasted as long without complications as the invisibleSHIELD has, and none of them had a Lifetime Replacement Guarantee like invisibleSHIELD does. To quote their warranty policy:

The invisibleSHIELD purchase includes a lifetime replacement guarantee. We want you to feel safe and secure when investing in your digital life, and that you are confident the invisibleSHIELD is the strongest and most durable protection you will find. Purchasing an invisibleSHIELD will protect your investment for the life of your device. Proof of purchase and return of original product are required.

The Lifetime Replacement Guarantee is simply what it says: If your invisibleSHIELD ever becomes scratched, torn, or damaged in any way while protecting your device, we will replace the invisibleSHIELD at no cost to you, for as long as you own your device.

ZAGG invisibleSHIELD is available online and at retailers such as Best Buy and Carphone Warehouse. A full list of their retail locations can be found on their website. Full body coverage is around $24.95 for most phones and personal media devices, while partial coverage options such as screen only are available for less. They also offer protection for everything from entire laptop surfaces and screens, to the screens on digital cameras and the LCD displays on DSLR's.