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Most of today’s high-end computerized radio systems come with large function screens that allow you to filter through their menu systems. It’s great having the large screen, but its large size makes it easy to scratch if you’re not careful.
I was in that boat at one time; the moment I got my Futaba 4PX I immediately pulled the screen protector off to reveal a shiny, new faceplate. That was good and all, but after a couple months of use the screen started to get scratched up. This bummed me out a bit since I’m extremely careful with my equipment. I sent my radio in to have the screen replaced and when I got it back, I set out to find a good screen protector solution.
I made my way down to the local Walmart and found a huge selection of screen protectors from a company called ZAGG. I grabbed one designed for the Apple iPad Mini; it’s much bigger than my 4PX screen but I figured I could use multiple sections from it to make screen protectors for my other radios as well.
Items Needed For Install
• Transmitter with a screen that needs protecting.
• ZAGG Invisible Shield Screen Protector (or similar).
• Scissors and possibly a sharp hobby knife.
• Some patience.
Note: While we are applying this screen protector to a Futaba 4PX transmitter, this procedure should work with any radio system that has a screen on it.
Here’s my 4PX with the Futaba screen protector on it. It’s worked great at preventing scratches but as you can see it’s getting a bit hammered after many times in and out of my transport case. Looks a bit shoddy – definitely not acceptable.
Here’s the screen protector I’m going with; ZAGG’s Invisible Shield Premium Screen Protector. It’s the Premium version so it has to be good.
Here’s the contents of the ZAGG Invisible Shield; a large screen protector, Application Gel packet, lint-free cloth and plastic squeegie.
The first step is to match and cut a section of the screen protector to the size of your transmitter’s screen. If your original screen protector is still available, you’re in luck. Simply remove it, stick it to the ZAGG screen protector and cut it to match. If the original screen protector is not available, you’ll need to cut a piece slightly larger than your screen and trim it to match. One thing to note – you will see the 1’s across the top of the protector. These indicate the TOP surface of the screen protector. This is VERY important when it comes to installing, so make sure you keep the ZAGG screen protector correctly orientated all all times.
Our ZAGG screen protector cut to match the original. It doesn’t have to be spot-on perfect, just as close as possible.
The next step is to pull the clear (not the yellow) protective coat off our ZAGG screen protector and swab it down with the Application Gel.
Apply the ZAGG screen protector to your radio’s screen, Application Gel side down, and press into place. Using the squeegie tool, slide it around to remove any air bubbles. I found the full-size squeegie kind of hard to use so I cut it down to make it easier.
After a few minutes, all of the bubbles should be gone from behind the protector.
I would suggest waiting a few minutes for the screen protector to ‘cure’, then slowly pull off the yellow top layer to reveal a great looking screen protector install!
Links
Futaba, www.futaba-rc.com
ZAGG, www.zagg.com
