Topic: 3DS XL Eye Strain

Hey guys. I just re-entered the handheld world again after not owning one since the Game Boy Color was a big deal. However, I'm an avid Android gamer, and play PC and console games as well.

I recently picked up a 3DS XL ("old" model) and the thing murders my eyes--and I don't even have the 3D on. Within a couple minutes I can feel my eyes straining, especially when reading text in games like Monster Hunter 4, and after an hour my eyes feel exhausted, twitchy and sensitive to light. The screen seems to lack sharpness, ghosts a bit, and is just a much lower resolution from what I've grown accustomed to over the years on my smartphones and PC monitors. It reminds me of a bad LCD monitor I used to own that had the same effect. I've tried adjusting the brightness as well to no avail.

So I'm wondering, is the New 3DS XL significantly easier on the eyes? Have you guys heard similar complaints about the "old" 3DS XL? Maybe the image is more crisp on a normal-sized 3DS? I love the handheld otherwise--I'm having a blast with MH4--but I can't keep the thing if it bothers me this much. I'd appreciate your input.

...Never had issues with the screen, aside from the usual headaches from the 3D. But I rarely use that feature anyways...so, I dunno.

never had any sort of issue with the old 3DS XL. Played upwards of 500 hours of a variety of games with no issues. Now have a new 3DS XL and yes it is slightly crisper and also the 3D is much more usable - hardly ever turn it off now.

The resolution is the same on the New 3DS XL as it is on the original XL. However, the contrast seems to be better.

The issue you're running into is like the one I have when I don't play on a 3DS for a long time. Your eyes grow accustomed to viewing on larger screens with higher resolutions that it's difficult to play on a substantially smaller screen. The only way to resolve the issue is to continue playing on it, but take frequent breaks. Your eyes will get used to it soon enough.

But I play on my smartphone just fine, and it's a smaller screen than the 3DS XL. Also, I've read that the new 3DS uses a IPS screen instead of LCD. Maybe that would make a difference.

When I first got my 3DS my eyes hurt after a while but my eyes got use to it & now I don't have any problems.

How long did it take you to get used to it? I've been using mine for about 3 weeks now.

Not long about a few days/up to a week.

Hmm, well that's good news. Guess I'll just have to try the New XL in store for awhile and see how I feel.

I didn't like the 3D on the old 3DS/XL it really hurt my eyes even when I had it in the sweet spot so I always had it turned off. But the 3D on the New3DS took me about 3-4 days to adjust and it doesn't give me any headaches anymore and I leave it turned on at max all the time now.

I experienced watering eyes when I first used the NEW 3DS XL.

I thought it may be due to an uncalibrated IR light for headtracking.

The initial experience faded quickly with ongoing use.

What may help is getting reading glasses so that viewing the screen is more relaxing.

Reading glasses with 3 dioptre power or less may help in this respect.

I have dry eyes and the New 3DS XL has quite possibly the most comfortable screen(s) I've ever used in my life, and that's with 3D on all the time. Didn't own a 3DS before that though, so perhaps I would have said the same of the old XL.
I just know I didn't find the original small 3DS that comfortable when I occasionally had the chance to play it, which was always in full 3D, but that could be because the smaller screen required more convergence in 3D (I have above average pupil distance).

I'm sad for you that you're having trouble enjoying your new device.
I think you should give it a rest for a while, but if this is just the start and your eyes start hurting with other devices, monitors and TVs as well, you could look into whether you have problems with your eyes getting dry, in which case you should take care with which displays you use (whether they flicker), what kind of lighting is in your environment, whether you're getting enough fatty acids and whether you need to use artificial tears for your eyes.

Lastly, maybe you could do with a pair of glasses. Contrary to what seems logical, having sharper vision can make smaller resolution displays seem sharper and much less pixelated, since your brain has an easier time rounding out/defining the graphics. Yes, our brains can antialias too.

Oh yes, I have both glasses and dry eyes, haha. So I'm pretty particular about the screens I stare at. Certain monitors I can stare at for hours at a time (like the one I'm using now) with no issue, and others make my eyes teary and exhausted within minutes. Luckily I just tried out the New 3DS XL at the store and it was much easier on the eyes. I brought my XL to compare, side-by-side. My XL looked like a blurry mess next to it; the difference was night and day. So yeah, I'm pretty much settled on upgrading

Then you're the same as me, lol. Though if I drop some good artificial tears onto my eyes (especially my right which suffers the most) I can use pretty much anything.
Yeah, the New 3DS XL has fantastic screens, especially the top one. Rich colors and deep blacks. Much better than on the regular New 3DS in fact, where viewing angles are lacking and the colors too cold and unnatural. I can use the device for hours on end with the 3D always on no problem. I would just recommend that you turn off automatic brightness, as it makes the screen too dark too often, and is sometimes a little temperamental. Just remember to regularly manually adapt the brightness to your environment.
Good luck!

Awesome! I appreciate the input

Just wanted to follow up and tell you all I bought the New 3DS XL and it's so much better! It's more crisp, the colors are more vivid, games appear smoother, and the 3D face-tracking camera makes the 3D much more enjoyable. I highly recommend it to anyone else with sensitive eyes who can't stand to look at the old XL

So glad everything's fine in the end.
I was thinking about how it would turn out for you, hoping for the best.

I hope you'll keep posting here. You'll always have an interesting story to tell about your username.

Thanks for the very useful discussion folks. I don't have any particular eye problems, but I have been debating whether it's worthwhile upgrading from my 3DSXL. I do find I get eyestrain after an hour or so use in an evening, and it sounds from what you say that the New 3DSXL might be a real improvement from the viewing aspect. I feel an investigation and a probable new purchase coming on within the next few weeks.

I would say it's a worthwhile investigation The other improvements are great, too.

Thanks! I might stick around. People seem friendly enough