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Review: BodyGuardz for BlackBerry Posted in BlackBerry Cases on 12 Feb 2009 10:27 by Ryan Blundell | 
34 comments
If you want to maintain your BlackBerry’s sexiness, you have to keep it protected. It brings a tear to my eye to see true BlackBerry abuse. Some scratches and nicks are one thing, but when a BlackBerry looks like it was dragged by horse through town is just awful. As soon as I purchased my Curve almost a year ago, I bought a black skin to protect it. It added some bulk to the device, as far as size went. Since then, my Berry has been looking great for its age, but the skin has become dull and worn looking. Should I opt for another skin? Should I let my Berry run around in the buff like “Curves Gone Wild”? Enter BodyGuardz from NLU Products! BodyGuardz are transparent, thin skins that offer all over protection from scuffs, dings and whatever you carry in your pockets. While my Berry slips into something a little more comfortable, click on for more! Got it Covered  Excellent marketing! NLU Products offer scratch-proof skins for more than just BlackBerrys. These custom fit skins can be used to protect your PSP, iPod, MacBooks and more. The material used for the skins are also used to protect the front of your vehicles from the elements. This material is tough as nails! When they asked me to try out their product, I leapt at the opportunity. I had been eyeing their product in the CrackBerry store for months. I loved the BlackBerry skin I had sported for so long, but the BodyGuardz skin gave me the chance to bask in my Berrys naked glory.  Read the instructions on the left carefully! The packaging opened like a book, perhaps a new chapter in the story of protection. Within this package I found:
 All you need for complete protection The solution is crucial during the “fitting” portion, as it will prevent the adhesive skin from sticking to you, and itself, as you position it on the Berry. The customized sets are custom cut to fit your device. Hence you cannot use an 88xx skin for the 83xx series. I cannot stress the following key points enough when dressing your Berry:
Seeing as I was going to be a while, I waited until our little CrackBerry Abuser-in-training was in his crib, and my wife was deep into 27 Dresses before I dove in. I started off with the Battery door skin, it went on easy enough. The skin covers most of the area, with a millimeter on each side to allow for easy door removal. A rectangular hole was left for the camera, flash and mirror. The LCD skin came next, followed by the difficult part; the sides, bottom and keyboard perimeter. I’ve never been good at corners, and I was having a hard time getting with either getting them to stick, or preventing bubbles from forming. This is where the squeegee came in. I gently glided it over the applied skin, making sure it would end up nearly invisible. If you have any difficulties with the application, let the problematic section sit for a few minutes and then try working at it again. You may have better luck. Once I was finished I realized the hardest part yet; I couldn’t touch my Berry for 12 hours!! I went to bed to pass some of the time by. Berry is only skin deep Once the 12 hours were up, the Berry looked almost perfect. All of the foggy patches were gone, leaving behind my Berry and the BodyGuardz skin. The corners I had trouble with earlier, were not sticking well and bubbles formed. This was purely an aesthetics issue as the corners were still protected. Perhaps I didn’t spend enough time, carefully applying the skin. Now all that remained was a field test. Having babied my Berry for so long, it was difficult to let loose. I need some ideas so I watched their video showcasing the skin. Since applying the skin, I’ve been carrying my Berry in my pocket with coins and keys. I’ve been tossing it in my drink holder in the car, the organizer on my desk, you name it. The skin showed no sign of wear and tear. With these results, it’s hard to see why the send you 2 full sets. Maybe the second is a backup, in case you mess up during the application process, like I did. On top of this, NLU Products offers life time replacements! The Verdict Folks, I am sold. I can now revel in my BlackBerry, as it was meant to be. Though the BlackBerry skin added protection, it also added to the Berry’s dimensions. The BodyGuardz skin is more like a transparent membrane, offers protection while displaying the beauty that is the BlackBerry. You can either purchase the full set, or the LCD skin alone. The CrackBerry Store offers the BodyGuardz Skins for various BlackBerrys, all for $24.95. With this kind of protection, I guess I should stop babying my BlackBerry. Sigh, they grow up so fast... Pros
Cons
Check out the full BodyGuardz lineup at ShopCrackBerry.com >> Bookmark/Search this post with:
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Since writing this review, I've upgraded to a Bold. I'll be picking up a BodyGuardz skin for it too!
I am guessing this is just like the Invisible shield. I wonder if all are just the same. Btw i liked the "Curves gone wild" title!
And like the BestSkinsEver, but the BSE is only 6.99, but you have to use your own squeegee (driver's license worked great) and your own solution (like he said in the review, just water and baby shampoo).
I purchased a BB Bold Full Body Kit from BSE and while the material is the same (as it is for the others) the fit was not exact and frankly lacking.
Unlike BodyGuardz and Invisible Shield BSE made the coverage on the front of my Bold a single piece instead of multiple separate pieces, the end result was me tossing it in the trash and ordering Invisible Shield.
Now that I have the Storm on Verizon I will look into BodyGuardz and see what they offer. Also for the price they are charging you get TWO SETS, not one like BSE or Invisible shield.
I've actually been selling these skins in my store for a while now. The second i got my blackberry, I immediately put on the lcd and back door skins. I didn't bother with the sides because they were a lil too much work...but none the less, its been protecting my curve for a few months now without a scratch on the protected surfaces. Warning: I didn't read the instructions at first and i had streaks and weird bubbles all over my blackberry...but thats why it comes with two of each skin :)
When i first got my storm i was trying to find what to use to protect it, well about a month ago i bought the BodyGaurdz, mainly cause i kept hearing about them evertime i searched for BB skins and such. i read about them and thought i would give it a try.
Well i must say at first i was a bit frustrated with it all, but as soon as i calmed down, and took my time, it really looked nice. I was worried about the foggy-ness clearing up. And let me tell you now it is Crystal Clear. Since it has skipped across the pavement (i was horrified) but when i picked it up, not a scratch in it. Only the back needed to be wiped off with my hand of the dirt that it had on it.
I have everything except for the silver edging covered, mainly cause i havent had the time to be patient enough to sit down and do it yet, but thats what is going to happen this weekend. I think this is an amazing buy for my BB.
If you are worried about it fitting in the sync cradle dont worry it fits just fine. So i would say if you are looking for the naked look of BB and you want great protection this is a great buy.
I have the 8900. I have purchased the Zagg version and the BSE version. Frankly, I am not impressed with either. I am on my third - waiting on 4th Zagg, due to the wrong size being produced for the 8900. The BSE was terrible. It would not adhere properly at all. I trimmed one of the Zagg shields and was sort of happy with that. I will check the bodyguardz website and see if they make one for the 8900. meanwhile I have spent about $40 just in screen protectors alone :(
They are hardly noticeable and work pretty good. But they do scratch. I'm not sure how but I scratched the skin on my LCD. I ordered a replacement from their site for $4.95. They offer lifetime replacements for a good price. Hopefully I won't scratch this one.
Buying a protective film for your Berry is a crapshoot because the best skin available is subjective to who is writing the review. This is the primary reason why I haven't pulled the trigger yet, but I will definitely take this review under advisement.
I'd really love to hear from someone who has tested BSE, BodyGuardz, InvisiShield, Surface Armor, Case Mate Clear Armor and Privacy Screen, Phantom Skinz, and SmartPhone Experts. Any volunteers?
Sure....if youre funding it. :D
I have used BSE, InvisiShield, Case Mate Clear Armor and their Privacy Screen.
What I have found is that the material used is indeed different from one to the other.
I had so, so results with BSE on my Pearl. The corners would turn up and come off the devise. Dirt would get under those turned up edges and it looked terrible. And, I could never get an installation that didn't have some bubbles in it.. I think I used two or three sets on my Pearl. Honestly, I would not use their product again.
InvisiShield... again, the results were acceptable, nothing to write home about. I would take a neutral stand on this product.
Case Mate Clear Armor... Their Bold kit only comes with two pieces... the screen shield and a piece for the bottom of the front where the AT&T logo is. The screen shield went on very easily and once I used the soft card to press out the bubbles, the instal was 100% clean. After about an hour it was dry and perfectly clear... not one bubble and the fit was exact. I didn't use the small "smile" piece for the bottom of the Bold as I have it in a skin anyway and that is covered.
Case Mate Privacy Screen... I had this on my 8820. It is a dry application, no water used on this. So you have to be very patient and careful not to get bubbles to close to the center of the screen that you can't get out. The backing film that you have to take off to apply the screen was a major hassle. It was hard to take off the adhesive side protective film and on the top side, I had to use a piece of tape to pull a corner up so I could peel it off. Mine applied with no bubbles, but it was not a perfect fit on the 8820. It was a little long and didn't sit flush with the screen around the track ball area. It never came up, but it had a line of air running from side to side at that point of contact. I could never get it to lay down exactly at that point. That said, the screen worked very well. You can't see anything from the angles that they claim it works best at. I would give this, at least for the 8820, a 9 out of 10.
From my perspective, the Case Mate Clear Armor was the best product for the money. It laid down perfectly well, the bubbles came out, it dried 100% clear, and, it was cut to the exact dimensions of the screen. Oh.. one hint: pull the die cut piece for the ear piece opening off the shield before removing it from the backing sheet. You will never get it off the shield once you remove it and get it wet. Take a very sharp tweezers and pull it off the shield while it is still dry and on the backing.. I guarantee it will make you install 1000% easier and you won't stretch the shield out of shape trying to get it off once you lay down the shield on the screen.
Good Idea.
You know, I've never actually used any of these invisible skin products... think I might buy them all and do a good head to head to head to head to head comparison video/review.
I need this especially since my sister's Jack Russell Terrier ate my first BB Storm!
Best Skins Ever work just as well and they only cost $10!!
bestskinsever.com
I have one on my storm right now
i use the invisible shield product and i think it's great. strangely though, i noticed a small rip recently, but emailed zagg about it and the sent me a replacement right away (lifetime warranty - but i had to sent in my damaged one as soon as i got the new one). installation is tricky, but having installed the shield on my sister's, my mom's and my berry, i'm practically a pro, even when dealing with the tricky sides. on the little pieces though, dirt slowly gets in under there, but it hasn't been too bad this time around (probably because i installed it properly). i would definitely recommend it. it's about $25, but that includes shipping, and there are plenty of 20% off coupons floating around the internet...
i love my bodyguards, but it's starting to lift in a couple corners of my storm:( and i just applied it christmas eve:(
but it HAS kept a couple scratches from ruining my screen!
i recently became an expert at applying invisible shield. unfortunately my first subject was my storm. i messed up the first piece on the battery cover. ughhhhh! since then i've applied it to my girlfriends cell, son and daughters ds lite, tom tom and i'm still looking for stuff to protect. the second set definetly would have come in handy to fix my mistakes. long story short buy body guardz since they give you a back up. last but not least: SOAK THE DAMN THING AND YOUR HANDS BEFORE APPLYING! GOOD LUCK!
Everyone needs a bodyguard. It's a necessity it has saved my life a couple of times. Everyone should have one.
I can really use this
just need to know is it bullet proof ..lollol
I wear protection now so does my berry
I've got BG on my Storm screen and it's great. The first application didn't go so well, but the 2nd looks great. Be sure to follow the video off the BG website to a tee! It gives the screen a nice tackiness and smudges are much much less noticeable than with the VZ screen protector.
With this on, can it fit in any holster too?
I find it a bit of overkill that BG gives you a piece for the battery cover on the Bold. Since the battery cover is covered in fake leather how does the BG work with all those lines and creases? It is not a flat surface so their has to be a major amount of air pockets. I can't imagine it has the ability to suck itself into all those lines and creases. And then, if you had to take it off, I am wondering if it would damage the finish on the "leather".
My Case Mate Clear Armour came with only the screen protector and the piece for the bottom of the front (where the logo is). I find that to be exactly what you need for the Bold. Covering the back makes no sense to me... just my opinion. Oh... I have had the Case Mate on for nearly a month now and no issues with turned up corners, dirt under the corners or dirt around the edges of the protecter. As I stated above, it is the best protecter I have ever used.
I have tried the BSE and BodyGuardz on my Bold. THe BSE's were cheaper, but I didn't like the way the pieces were cut. They combine the screen protector and part of the side bezel in one piece. Unfortunately, the screen is not flush with the side bezel, and it had really ugly pockets of air, and it would not stick no matter how long I held it there. It just kept pulling away. The BG had separate pieces, and while it theoretically may not offer the exact amount of protection in that problem area, I can't tell the difference and it looks a whole lot better. I did the side pieces as well, but I did not put the back piece on. I may do that if I get a smooth batt cover instead of the faux leather thing. The BSE did include pieces for the 4 buttons at the top whereas the BG did not. I wouldn't think much of it, but I did notice some wearing of those buttons (especially the ones right next to the trackball), so I took the BSE button covers and placed them last night. So I guess I kind of have a hybrid skin. :)
Between the two, I'd recommend the BG. The BSE's may be much cheaper, but the BG's seem to fit better (especially on the sides and with the separate bezel and screen protector pieces). Both can be a pain to put on, but having no scratches is nice.
How well would these skins work with the Seidio Spring clip Holster? Would they protect the silver on the Bold or would the skin just get messed as well?
So the Storm has a floating screen and I'm worried about the application with liquid on the screen getting down around the sides and fouling something up. Does anyone have any input on that?
Does anyone have any discount coupons for BodyGuardz? I googled, but didn't find any which works.
Thanks
I did purchase this for my storm. It's a little high in price but is all worth it. If we spend this much money on a Blackberry than you better have it protected. My only complaint would be the the guardz on the chrome side but I think I'll get better the next time apply it.
If you want to keep your BlackBerry well protected and still have a great looking device, then you need to get the OtterBox Defender Series. This thing thoroughly protects your phone from a 36" drop, scratches and even rain! This is by far the best protection out there. But don't go by what I say... visit OtterBox.com and see for yourself just how great this product is. And another plus... Made in the USA!!!
i just went to the crackberry store and dont see one made for the new 5380I curve. are there plans for one in the very near future?
Thinking of purchasing this product. I like the BB holster but with a rubber skin case on, my Storm won't fit. Does anyone know if it will fit?
I very patiently and carefully installed this item on my Storm. It is well designed and fits well. But, I must honestly say that afterward I was not pleased that the subtle flat finish of the Storm was lost. I think that if you don't mind a rather cheap looking shiny finish, go for it. But, I am disappointed with the appearance of the finished product. I have removed it. Lesson learned.
It's like a second skin for my BB !
Pros
- Doesn't even look like it's there.
- Negligible weight gain.
- Lifetime replacements.
Cons
- On my phone on the side the skin is missing the portion above the headphone plug.
- The cutout for the chrome on top of the phone is short.
- Getting it to stick on the curvatures of the BB is a pain.
- Cannot use your device for 12-24 hours.
How does the BG come off? Does it leave any marks on the BB? I guess not since nobody complained about it but still I would like to have an answer from somebody who did try taking the Guardz off. It seems to me like all of you put it on and are of general opinion that it is tricky but am not seeing any info on taking it off and the cons of this process.
I dropped my new BB8900 today and it HURT!
Thanks.
I have a BSE on my Bold 9000 and it looks good for a while. As mentioned above the screen is not flush and that area had a very slight edge but I had to go over it a bunch of times as it dried.
Then the smaller pieces got lint under the corners and it has gone downhill fast.
Also it doesn't protect from more than a scratch, I had keys in my pockets and the rubbing left dents in the skin (I will have to wait to take the skin off to see if the BB got damaged too).
Application takes time and patience, I did mine and all together it took 3 hours when you count all the times I had to go back and re fold down stubborn corners.
If you don’t mine buying 10 skins and reapplying every 4 months or so, it’s great. You can barely tell it’s there. But don’t expect this to guard your berry against big drops