When I first heard of X-Doria’s (http://www.x-doria.com) Defense and Defense Pro line (with pricing starting at US$14.99), I thought, “This is the screen protector for me and my iPhone.”

I’m clumsy enough that I need a screen protector on my iPhone 4S. The goal of the Defender series is to help you get it on straight the first time and make it easy to get rid of air bubbles. X-Doria’s solution is brilliant — or would be, if it worked.

The system sports an alignment grid printed on each piece of a Defense screen protection. To install you:

° Clean the screen of your iPhone 4 or 4S (there are also iPad versions).

° On your device, open up Safari and go to http://www.defen.se . Here you can watch a video on how to install the Defender/Defender Pro or simply go to the next step.

° Open the onscreen grid on the web site.

° Starting in the center, match the dashed line on the Defense/Defense Pro to the blue line on the onscreen grid.

° Continue by slowly rolling out the Defense onto your screen.

° Use the included card to squeegee away all air bubbles. Start from the middle of the iPhone screen and push toward the edge.

Ingenious, right? In theory, it is. The problem is that the Defense screen protector doesn’t line up with the onscreen grid. When I aligned the dashed line on the Defense to the blue line on the onscreen grid, the screen protector protruded from the bottom of my iPhone and covered the Home button and the camera eye.

You can apply the Defense by eye-balling it. But this makes it just like any other screen protector out there — difficult to apply.

X-Doria’s Defense 360° works better. It provides provides full screen protection with full touch control. It’s comprosd of a protective shield that completely covers your iPhone front, sides and back but allows total control of iPhone’s multi-touch screen.

Purportedly, the tough polycarbonate construction provides all around protection from scratches, marks, and other hazards. However, the Defense 360° feels rather flimsy, especially for $29.99. If you use it, I’d suggest also having a sturdier case to slip it into when you’re on the go.

Ratings:

Defense: 0 out of 10

Defense 360°: 5 out of 10

— Dennis Sellers