I've been running without protection for a while now but I'm going to put on the WriteSHIELD screen today. I'm taking your post as an omen of the end of my good luck. Once your screen gets a nice scratch or chip you just have to live with it and that really sucks.
Those cheap screen protectors are a nuisance IMHO because they DO get scratched up so easily.
The
WriteSHIELD with anti-glare actually improves the screen outdoors and they aren't very expensive. I've used them for years and never had to replace one because they never get dull or scratched.
Edit: Too late. When I went to clean my screen I found several scratches that I thought were smudges. But at least with the screen protector I can't see them anymore and of course they don't affect the stylus now. I really can't say enough about these WriteSHIELD screen protectors. It amazes me how they actually improve the viewing of the naked screen.