I've got a 7100 and it looks like it has a thin plastic screen cover with it. Are they ones they sell for this unit any different really?

Who knows if the ones you buy are different, but the one it comes with only lasts about a week and then the corners start coming up.

Is there any place where I can pruchase something else to cover it... lots of scratches ensue with te casing.

This is a radical thought - but I use the holster that it came with. I've had mine since 1 October with no scratches at all.

I use mine too, seems to be fine so far! Which way do you put it in the holster, with the screen facing inside the holster, or out?

Screen facing the hip; it is protected in case you hit a corner or something...