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Apr 25 2005
Decal Girl Skins Review
PSP Hardware Review | Skin
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| Summary: Excellent
85
First off, I'd like to mention that these skins are exceptionally priced, at a mere $7.99+S&H. Not only does it look excellent, but it helps protect against fingerprints and light scratches, and your PSP will be easily distinguished from anyone elses. These look so good in fact, that every one of my friends that I showed it to actually thought that it was a face plate, and not merely a vinyl sticker placed carefully on top.
The skin is a bit difficult to get a handle of at first, and I don't really have any tips to help out anyone thinking of buying one either. I tried putting it on starting on one side and working my way to the other, but that just ended up off-center and somewhat diagonal. Then I tried from the top-down, and worked it little by little, but still had to re-adjust it bit by bit even after the whole thing was on. Thankfully the skin is completely reapplicable, and doesn't lose any of it's adhesive strength if you have to pull it off a few times. Another good thing is that just as the website claims, it leaves absolutely no sticky residue.
I've had the skin on for nearly a month now, and I pulled part of it up right before writing this review just to make sure, and the PSP was just as smooth as it was before I applied the skin. I live in Phoenix, Arizona as well, and was worried that the heat might affect it, and although I haven't left it sitting out in the sun (who would?!) it has been in my pocket on some fairly warm days this year, but it doesn't seem to have harmed it in any way. Also, if you want to remove your PSP Skin for whatever reason, you can reapply it to the backing that came in the package for safekeeping.
As far as sound quality is concerned, I can't notice any audible difference with the skin on. Whether this is because sound comes out of the bottom of the PSP, as well as the front, or because the skin is so thin that it doesn't really muffle the sound, or both, I'm not sure. Either way, in my humble opinion, there really is no sound issue with these skins. The only issue I see is that you may not be able to see your indicator lights (Power, Memory Stick, LAN, etc). I'm able to see mine, but that might be because my skin is lighter in color than most.
Overall I give this skin an 85. The material quality is excellent, the price is low price, leaves no residue, looks great and helps protect your PSP. Only a few minor things bring the score down, such as ease of installation and the fact that there are small areas around the buttons that which aren't covered by the skin.
One last thing. Decalgirl.com sells many of their skins on Ebay for cheaper than what their website charges. According to their online FAQ, this is because their skins on Ebay are mass printed using a slightly lower quality (5 year instead of 8 year) vinyl. To get the top quality vinyl, make sure you purchase from their website, and not their Ebay auctions or their Ebay store. You can also order custom decals from their site, as well as reversed decals, for use on the inside window of your car (or whatever else).
REVIEW IT
PRODUCT INFO
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Comments
04/25/05
18 
shirase
| Texas USA
Eh, until they get a clear skin, I can't really say I want one of these... It's hard to give up that sexy black shine, heheh.
+
04/25/05
6
kidazn
| California USA
then get a skin in all black, I'm waiting for them to release a custom templet
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04/25/05
3
Jivedaddy
| Tennessee USA
The review sounds like it was written by someone with a vested interest? Hmmmm. I could be wrong. 
I purchased one similar to the one above on eBay and found it to be difficult (at best) to install on the PSP. The glue is super sticky and a PAIN to get off if you change your mind.
JD
+
"Similar" does not mean same, this review only applies to Decalgirl skins.
+
04/25/05
20
AlgaeEater
| California USA
A somewhat similar topic was started on the "Inferior skins" on ebay.
These skins are a lot better and do look really nice. They apply easy and are also easy to take off. As I said in the other thread, the decal only covers the front side of your PSP, so for what it's worth it's kinda neat to customize your PSP just a bit. I got a white decal since the hand strap and earphones were already white, I wanted some type of design syngergy.
Nice to have, but if you don't have a decent case yet, you might want to drop your money on that before picking this up. It's a neat but far from necessary accessory.
+
04/25/05
mikelite
| New York USA
I had one for the DS that I just sold (so I could get my PSP) and I've got to agree, the quality is top notch and it really stands out. It'd have to be damn pretty tho to cover my PSP.
+
04/26/05
19
Flea
| USA
"First off, I'd like to mention that these skins are exceptionally priced, at a mere $7.99+S&H. Not only does it look excellent, but it helps protect against fingerprints and light scratches, and your PSP will be easily distinguished from anyone elses. "
"One last thing. Decalgirl.com sells many of their skins on Ebay for cheaper than what their website charges. To get the top quality vinyl, make sure you purchase from their website, and not their Ebay auctions or their Ebay store."
Dude, this is such a blatant ad pitch it's not even funny. This may or may not be a good product but this "review" reads like an ad all the way. I wouldn't trust it.
+
04/26/05
14
ProjectGSX
| Texas USA
I just ordered three of these skins yesterday. Ill post a review when I get them. Im excited. :D
+
04/26/05
13
SpyderMS
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Flea said: "Dude, this is such a blatant ad pitch it's not even funny. This may or may not be a good product but this "review" reads like an ad all the way. I wouldn't trust it."
Read the other reviews and/or posts about the same skins. They all speak highly of them. I'm not affiliated in any way with DecalGirl.com. The price is exceptional IMO, as I expected to pay ~$15 for the same thing, though I do admit, I also expected the skin to cover the back as well as the front, and it does not. I still think the price is quite low for such a great product though. As for telling people about DecalGirl's skins sold on Ebay, I was merely warning people in case they wanted to buy one, and saw that they were cheaper on Ebay. Apparently people arn't allowed to write complimentary reviews of good products without it being labeled as a sales pitch; however, if this review gets people to buy skins from DecalGirl.com, isn't that exactly the point of a review, to critique a product and let people know your opinion, so that they can avoid, or seek the product?
Anyways, for those interested, I've uploaded a pic of the skin on my PSP. It's certainly not the best skin design they offer, but I own a number of Spider-man things that people have bought me over the years, so this skin seemed fitting.
View image full size (1024x768)edited: Apr 26 2005
+
04/26/05
13
SpyderMS
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*double posted on accident*edited: Apr 26 2005
+
04/26/05
15
MichaelHBCA
| California USA
were there a ton of bubbles when you put it on?edited: Apr 26 2005
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There shouldn't be any air bubbles - the adhesive we use pretty much prevents air pockets.
Regarding the eBay commment - it's meant more for car graphics (which we've since mostly discontinued) - the FAQ on the site has been updated to reflect this - thanks for the tip.
Rest assured - these things are designed to be removed without leaving any gunk on your PSP (we try out new designs all the time - the last thign I want is a gooed up PSP). We tested a PS2 controller that was skinned almost 2 years ago and it removed easily and went right back on - without any resiude on the controller. Anyone wanting to see the pic, just email us and as for a picture.
Ryan
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04/27/05
15
MichaelHBCA
| California USA
RYAN AT DG--- I sent my money order in on friday. How long will it take before i get my Skin?
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04/27/05
13
SpyderMS
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MichaelHBCA said: "were there a ton of bubbles when you put it on?" Not really. I used the cleaning cloth that comes with the PSP to press down the skin once it was where I wanted it. The only problem with "bubbles" that I had was because the skin was about 1mm wider than was needed, so there was a little bit extra material in the middle once I had the skin aligned with the D-pad and the buttons. I was able to smooth this out fairly well though, and you can't tell where the extra material went. I don't even know where it went, but I don't care either, as long as the skin looks nice.
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