TX digitizer replacement - did it myself and life is good (so far!)

Question

Many TX users are aware of an issue involving TX digitizers, namely, that some of them are susceptible to gradual failure.  In my case, both of my TX's developed the same gradual failure in the lower left Graffiti input area of the screen.  That area of the digitizer would lose sensitivity to the point where stylus strokes became unrecognizable unless I really applied uncomfortable pressure.  It would become gradually worse over the course of several weeks to several months, to the point where Graffiti input became absolutely maddening.
Not only did both TX's develop the same problem, but I have had both of them repaired/replaced under warranty, and then the replacement digitizers developed the same problem.  I was all for having Palm continue to replace them for "free" under warranty, but that involves about $12 each time to ship and insure the package to Palm's Texas facility...and neither of them is even a year old yet so...
For about $60 each, I purchased two new replacement glass digitizers from www.pdaparts.com.  They, and several other online sites, had been out of them for some time (first, there was apparenly a bad batch, then word was that there was a shortage of some material that goes into their manufacture).
I replaced them myself this evening, using a combination of the video instructions from www.pdaparts.com and a very helpful thread from Brighthand Forums.  Not only do they work, but I have regained that old feeling of control that I had with my old lllxe...a nice firm and responsive surface rather than the slightly "spongy" feel of the newer plastic digitizers that went into the TX's OEM digitizers.
Note: Replacing the digitizer yourself will void your warranty.  But replacing a faulty digitizer with a better one than Palm uses, can help you regain your sanity.  Your choice. 
Personally, I would probably do the same thing again, i.e. let Palm replace it once or twice before taking the plunge.  I know there are users who swear that their TX's original digitizers have never given them a second's worth of trouble.   I just ain't one of those lucky users.  And I use my TX pretty heavily throughout a typical day, so I can't have the digitizer failing like this.
The first one took me about 45 minutes (including time to get my hands to stop shaking).  But after I had done one, the second one took no more than 15 minutes, from start to finish.
Any questions about the process, feel free to ask. 
Post relates to: Centro (AT&T)
smkranz
I am a volunteer, and not an HP employee.
Palm OS ∙ webOS ∙ Android

Answer 1

  I installed this same digitizer in my T|X some weeks ago.  Some discussion of my experience may be found in this Usenet posting and subsequent thread.
  The stock digitizer in my T|X had always had some significant alignment issues (for which PowerDigi was able to compensate very nicely) and sensitivity which was uneven, but which usually required a heavier touch than I liked.
  Eventually, it began to develop a “dead spot” near the upper left.  My T|X was under warranty, so I probably ought to have sent it in to Palm to be repaired, but I wasn't willing to be without it for the required amount of time, and I've heard enough reports of other T|X owners getting unsatisfactory results this way.  I'd heard enough good reports about the PDAPARTS.COm digitizer, that I decided that the only acceptable way to repair my T|X would be to install one of those.
  After however many weeks it has been, I am still very pleased with the results.  It continues to work flawlessly; it is much more sensitive, so it doesn't require nearly so heavy a touch, and I very much like the hard feel that it has, compared to the spongier feel of the stock digitizer.
  My wife's T|X still has its stock digitizer, and it has so far not shown any of the same problems that mine did, or for which the T|X has become notorious, but the feel is noticeably inferior.  She's content with it the way it is, but I think that if I were to ever buy another T|X for myself, I wouldn't wait for the stock digitizer to fail.  The PDAPARTS.COM digitizer is simply superior in every imaginable way; and, in my opinion, a T|X with the PDAPARTS.COM digitizer installed is sufficiently superior to one with the stock digitizer (even if it isn't defective) to be very much worth the expense and trouble of installing it.
Post relates to: Palm TX