I promised to give you more info about the Google Nexus One skin from BestSkinsEver and I always try to follow through. They sent me a test skin and it’s installed and looks real nice.
This is the first skin I have tried from BestSkinsEver and I must say that it works really well. The fit is done almost perfect with all the edges wrapping around and closing up most of the important gaps. The design is done very well.
Here the pieces next to my phone ready for installation
They recommend using a small spray bottle to apply your home made water / washing up liquid solution. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a small spray bottle handy so instead I mixed the solution in a small glass using the recommended amounts and then poured the solution into a plate allowing me to lay each part of the skin in the solution to ensure that it was fully covered. This worked fairly well, but I’m sure a spray bottle would have been much easier.
Here’s a couple of close up shots of the skin before it was installed. I’ve altered the colors and place alight behind them on purpose to enhance the skin itself so you easily see the shape.
Here the while kit I used
Before handling any of the pieces you should always be sure to get some of the solution on your fingers to prevent any marks from getting under the skin. I just dipped the ends of my fingers into my solution before I started each piece.
As recommend, I started by installing the screen portion of the skin first. Wetting the screen cover and then applying to the Google Nexus One was easy. I tried to allow most of the solution to drip from the screen cover back into the plate before I applied it to the device. Once placed on the screen I was able to easily maneuver the skin into place and then use a credit card to scrape out any air bubbles and extra solution before leaving it for a few minutes to settle into place.
I then started working on the side pieces, which are the most difficult as they are narrow and have to wrap around the side of the phone. The best way, as recommended, was to apply the piece as close as possible and then leave it alone for 15-30 mins so it becomes more tacky. This worked well and the piece was soon in place.
Here’s a couple of shots of the pieces are they where left to become more tacky
I continued to work around the phone a section at a time until the whole phone was completely covered. I found using the palm and other fleshy parts of my hands best for getting the end and rounded parts of the skin to mold into place, pressing my hand and holding in place for a few minutes before releasing. I continued this process after everything was in place ensuring no edges would come off the phone. Again, as the device is left longer the skin becomes more tacky and it’s easier to get the edges to stay in place.
When you first complete installing the skin you will probably see some hazing or residue beneath the skin and think that something is wrong. Ignore this as it takes a couple of days to everything to fully settle and the end results will be most satisfying.
I did leave my phone turned off overnight to try and let everything get the best chance to settle into place and it appeared to work great. My phone is now fully covered and protected from scratches and dirt.
Remember, this is by no means a replacement for a real cover. If you drop your device, this isn’t really gonna protect it too much.
Hope this helps anyone looking for a skin for the Nexus One. I would definitely recommend these skins to you guys.
And thanks to BestSkinsEver for providing the skins for this review.
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Simon,
I have read on some other screen protectors that the proximity sensor does not work as well in low light. The screen protector blocks enough of what little light there is and the screen does not come back on when pulled from the face, or worse yet, goes off because the prox sensor doesnt work well with the skin.
Have you seen this problem with these skins or do they have cut-outs in the prox sensor area(upper left of glass above screen)?
I used the same skin on mine and it works fine with the light sensors
Simon,
I have read on some other screen protectors that the proximity sensor does not work as well in low light. The screen protector blocks enough of what little light there is and the screen does not come back on when pulled from the face, or worse yet, goes off because the prox sensor doesnt work well with the skin.
Have you seen this problem with these skins or do they have cut-outs in the prox sensor area(upper left of glass above screen)?
I used the same skin on mine and it works fine with the light sensors
I’ve used a few skins from Bestskinsever.com and will continue to use them as it does a phenomenal job at preventing scratches and doesn’t hold finger prints like the bare screen does on my G1. I plan to get it for the Nexus as well. On tip I suggest is only following the soapy water technique on the large pieces (front and back). For the skinny pieces I’ve found it actually easiest to not get any solution on the skin and just line up one end on the device and simply hold the other end (with the first end sticking nicely already) to line it up down the side and let it touch and then you just have to press firmly as you go down from the first part. Just don’t pull hard or you’ll stretch it and it may be too long.
I’ve used a few skins from Bestskinsever.com and will continue to use them as it does a phenomenal job at preventing scratches and doesn’t hold finger prints like the bare screen does on my G1. I plan to get it for the Nexus as well. On tip I suggest is only following the soapy water technique on the large pieces (front and back). For the skinny pieces I’ve found it actually easiest to not get any solution on the skin and just line up one end on the device and simply hold the other end (with the first end sticking nicely already) to line it up down the side and let it touch and then you just have to press firmly as you go down from the first part. Just don’t pull hard or you’ll stretch it and it may be too long.
I’ve been using it for about a week now and I think it works pretty well. I thought the fit is a little ‘off’ but overall very nice. I used the phantom screen cover instead over the BSE though because it was a better fit to the screen I thought. Overall, it does a good job but just for safety measure I have a case also. I know OCD….:P
I’ve been using it for about a week now and I think it works pretty well. I thought the fit is a little ‘off’ but overall very nice. I used the phantom screen cover instead over the BSE though because it was a better fit to the screen I thought. Overall, it does a good job but just for safety measure I have a case also. I know OCD….:P
The pictures are now shown.
Pls renew.
The pictures are now shown.
Pls renew.
The pictures have been fixed.
Sorry about that.
The pictures have been fixed.
Sorry about that.
what soap works better for the solution?
I just used regular Dish Soap and I think the product I used was DAWN.
From what I have read, you can mix any normal Dish Soap to create the solution.
Those areas of their instructions really don’t give you much to go on.
fairy for example?
what soap works better for the solution?
I just used regular Dish Soap and I think the product I used was DAWN.
From what I have read, you can mix any normal Dish Soap to create the solution.
Those areas of their instructions really don’t give you much to go on.
fairy for example?
If you want more information, you can view their FAQ at:
http://www.bestskinsever.com/blog/index.php/faq/
and the actual installation instructions can be found here:
http://www.bestskinsever.com/blog/index.php/application/
Hope this helps.
If you want more information, you can view their FAQ at:
http://www.bestskinsever.com/blog/index.php/faq/
and the actual installation instructions can be found here:
http://www.bestskinsever.com/blog/index.php/application/
Hope this helps.
Simon,
I take it your skin is holding up (still sticking) just fine? I’ve used BSE on my previous phone (G1) and my wife’s G1 so I’ve done a few applications before tackling the N1, but this go around the bottom corners never seemed to stick well. I think it may be due to applying those pieces without solution (I may have stretched it). I’m getting another skin to apply as after explaining that I couldn’t get the corners to stay down they are sending me another (at no charge) and included a link to this article for reference on applying. Just another reason I rave about BSE. Top notch customer service!
Simon,
I take it your skin is holding up (still sticking) just fine? I’ve used BSE on my previous phone (G1) and my wife’s G1 so I’ve done a few applications before tackling the N1, but this go around the bottom corners never seemed to stick well. I think it may be due to applying those pieces without solution (I may have stretched it). I’m getting another skin to apply as after explaining that I couldn’t get the corners to stay down they are sending me another (at no charge) and included a link to this article for reference on applying. Just another reason I rave about BSE. Top notch customer service!
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Anyone have tips to get one of the stubborn corners to stay down? Everywhere else applied great!
Lots of patience. I found that applying to flats and then leaving the rest to dry for 20 to mins made it tacky and easy to apply.
Then you have to constantly keep applying pressure until it no longer raises.
They are not easy, but once applied properly will give a great protective cover.
Use hairdryer to apply a little heat and this will make it stick really well.
Anyone have tips to get one of the stubborn corners to stay down? Everywhere else applied great!
Lots of patience. I found that applying to flats and then leaving the rest to dry for 20 to mins made it tacky and easy to apply.
Then you have to constantly keep applying pressure until it no longer raises.
They are not easy, but once applied properly will give a great protective cover.
Use hairdryer to apply a little heat and this will make it stick really well.