This is a quick review of the VELLO Snap-On LCD Protector that I recently purchased for my D800.
The LCD protector that comes with my D800 is functional but has its flaws. It scratches rather easily, which of course is better than scratching the actual LCD that it protects. When it scratches though, if its not a gouge in the plastic, then it develops a haze that makes viewing your LCD more like looking through a plastic milk carton. The LCD protector that comes with my camera covers the LCD but does not prevent dust from getting behind it. Dust eventually gets behind the cover and generally becomes an annoyance after a while and thus forces me to remove it and clean it. Sometimes, grains of sand make their way behind the cover and this is a real problem because sand can definitely scratch my LCD. Something I absolutely don't want!
Looking at my camera and the LCD cover it came with, you can see its time to clean it if not actually replace it. There's a bunch of dust behind it and it looks like maybe a few grains of sand are back there as well. Not good! There are a few scratches and some haze developing, but nothing to get too worked up about.
The packaging for the VELLO Snap-On LCD Screen Protector is attractive. The instructions were simple and clear. Simple remove your old screen protector, clean the LCD if necessary, remove the plastic protector film on the new protector, and then simply snap into place.
It also came with a LCD protector for the top LCD panel. The instructions mentioned an eyepiece protector but this unit didn't come with one.
The back of the main LCD protector has a felt lining around the edges and this I suppose should help keep dust and other unwanted debris from getting behind it. Time will tell.
The small LCD protector had a small amount of adhesive it looked like around the edges to hold it in place. I simply cleaned off the LCD on the camera and then dropped the new protector in place. I applied a small amount of pressure to make sure it was secured and it seems to be firmly in place.
Once installed, the new covers looks great. Compared to the old LCD protector, the new VELLO has a much cleaner look to it. Its black instead of a translucent plastic and blends in well with the camera body to look like you don't even have a protector over the LCD. Images on the back of my camera are clear and vibrant. Its as if there isn't even a cover over the LCD. Time will tell how well this holds up and prevents dust and debris from getting behind the cover. I'll report back after some time on how it holds up.
The VELLO sells for $24.95 while the replacement Nikon cover is $16.95. For a few dollars more I believe this is really the better alternative to protecting your screen. Time will tell of course and I'll report back later with what I find after some real use of it.
