It's amazing how fandom finds a way to solve the most pressing of issues with new Nintendo consoles. Amid reports that the Switch dock is actually scratching some screens, we've seen hordes of industrious individuals creating special covers and selling them on Etsy, which means you can how safeguard your console's display and make the otherwise dull dock look gorgeous at the same time.
Check out some of the best ones below.
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Comments 98
Definitely an opportunity for Nintendo's merchandising people here - put quality microfibre on the other side and you're good to go.
Love it. If I ever were to dock mine.
i really cant believe it's that hard to put the switch into the dock without it getting scratched.
NICE! Definitely going to get one of these, well, not that mine comes out the dock, just nice to look at
@SegaBlueSky There is microfiber in the screen side
Well some of them do, not all
great solution, I'll definitely buy one of these.
Been docking and undocking a hundred times since launch. I've had no scratches at all on my screen. My guess is people aren't taking the care to dock it properly and are instead just throwing it in with reckless abandon.
That said, I did order an anShield tempered glass screen protector. Only because I like the feel of glass and it has an oleophobic coating like phones making for a smooth touch experience (The plastic screen is a bit grippy).
Are those affiliate links?
Damn this is a great idea.
@Drummertist I'm extremely careful with my Switch and I got scratches within the first four times of docking and undocking. Warped docks are a thing. The scratches aren't on the display part of the screen so I'm not really upset though.
Been watching the rise of these on Reddit; pretty clever designs. But where are they getting Nintendo fabric from?
Still seems like a fire hazard to me.
@Paddle1 yep they are - I've added in the notice as @Damo forgot (sorry!). We'll try and automate this notice going forward...
@Drummertist I can confirm this, no scratches but those covers are pretty so I might buy one.
Great idea. I like the Mario one
I've also been docking and undocking multiple times a day and no scratches so far. I haven't even been that careful to be honest..
i have honest to god had zero problems with my switch dock, no scratching or anything. really, is everyone else's switch dock lined with barbed wire?
I'd get on of these covers just for looks though!
@2CUTE4YOU
You can get specialty fabrics all over the place. Honestly though, they probably print their own.
Going to get the one with Daisy's pic in it for obvious reasons.
Switch cosies. Brilliant.
@Drummertist Do you know if Nintendo's official screen protector is also glass? Because I also feel plastic is a little to sticky to the fingers
Reports of dock-scratched screens seem to be fake:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zb7qWC5bGpY
@Drezus it's plastic film
@2CUTE4YOU all over in craft stores that carry fabric. My wife got a ton of types on clearance so all our pot holders are game/nerd related. Showed her these, she's getting it done!
I might get one because they look nice and will add some color to the otherwise very bland-to-look-at dock.
What about heat? Are they safe?
Aw, so cute ! :3
What is made of ?
Fabric ?
@fbnaulin
Yeah thats my concern also, as the switch can get quite warm after extended play. Hopefully soon Nintendo can give an updated response on the issue from feedback provided.
@fbnaulin as they don't actually cover any part of the console I don't see how it would be an issue - the heat shouldn't be escaping through the screen when docked. I'm no expert though!
@antdickens The exhaust port is at the top of the console - should be fine.
Necessity is the mother of invention, indeed.
More nonsense for fanboys to throw money at Nintendo, for a solution to a problem that should not been there in the first place.
I haven't scratched my Switch but should I use the microfiber dock cover over a tempered glass screen protector?
@fbnaulin since they do not cover the air vents, I don't see how this could be a hazard.
@geordie uh, this isn't by Nintendo...
It'd be even nicer if the Dock didnt even have a front cover. There is ZERO reason for it and should just be a cradle like the Wii U gamepad had
@6ch6ris6 It's not. Neither mine or my sons have scratched at all after at least a couple dozen insertions each. The one picture that I've seen of a Switch with a scratched screen did not look like it was scratched from the dock.
I haven't scratched my Switch, but I will say that I'm seeing very slight lines on where the scratches WOULD be, however since day one, I have been taking it in and out from the dock with extreme caution but I can tell for some people, that taking it out normally ("recklessly" to those who want to accuse people of damaging their own product for some reason) might eventually wear on the screen and honestly, consumer fault or not, you take precautions in the design so that can be avoided in the first place.
Example: See Nintendo making cartridges taste bad to stop children from putting it in their mouths. They did something to prevent it, so it's up to the consumer to not do something as reckless as swallow it.
In the case of the dock, Nintendo has shown through advertising multiple times on how quickly you can pull the Switch from the station. They've even shown it to to so "smoothly" when in reality the thing clunks in and out based on if you've lined in up with the output. Disclaimer that I'm not particularly blaming Nintendo, but it's common sense that when you design a product, you have to take everything into account. Your grandma won't know that the Switch screen can possibly get scratched by it's own dock. Your child wont know that you can jam the straps on shut if you put the wrong one on by accident.
Try thinking a little bit about those who don't have gaming sense before assuming that people are just idiots and don't treat their products right.
Switch dock is not dull.
It's understated cool!
I have not had any issues with docking mine but you have to give it to these people in jumping on an opportunity to make money.
Wow I didnt realize my poor word choice. Should I buy a microfiber dock cover instead of a glass screen protector?
I haven't scratched my console and just want it to stay that way.
I got a screen protector asap, like you should with any device. No scratches yet. Hopefully when j does get scratched, I'll just have to replace to protector.
Also, I want one of those. Need to set up an esty account now .
That's adorable.
@Kyranosaurus
Ah, yes.
Sounds make a sense.
A NON Gamer can scratch Switch easily because they have NO idea how to treat it properly.
@ECMIM your quite right, my apologies, that's what happens when you to try to sneak online, while at work and don't pay attention
@2CUTE4YOU Joann's Fabric stores
@6ch6ris6 It's not hard at all. I've been docking/undocking my Switch a lot since launch day and I haven't gotten any issues on my screen yet. I gently place the system in and out of the dock. In fairness though I do have a screen protector on there as well so if it ever did get scratched, luckily that's the protector and not the Switch...but still, I think people need to realize this is a $400 piece of tech (in Canada at least when all is said and done) so it should be treated like a $400 piece of tech.
Oh man, I'm going fro see if my little sister (who also loves the switch) will make one of these for me. I love the Zelda ones!
I had bought it from Google lead services
(Mod edit: your link didn't work)
@River3636
Just another one of the switch complaints everyone likes to talk about.
I've undocked mine 20-30 times. Not one scratch or issue.
@Drummertist How much did one of those screens cost you?
You could cut off the front part of the dock since its not necessary anyway. I wonder if anyone has tried that, I'd be curious to see what that looks like
@saturn_hero I just saw an article about that this morning so it can be done. But there's probably warranty issues with that though.
Just so everyone knows, these were made with JoAnn Fabric's Nintendo fabric collection, which actually happens to be 40% off (I was there yesterday checking it out). Not telling anyone not to support the fine Etsy crafters, but it should be known that these can be made for a couple bucks and 15 minutes with thread and needle!
Interesting but I find them a bit too "standing out"; would prefer something a bit more subtle with a pattern or logo.
Purchased the UK Zelda one via affiliate link! Have a bagel on me 👍
I'm just being reeeally careful until my screen protector arrives.
I guess i'll pick up the Majora's Mask cover when I pick up my Switch in a couple months. Though I think my Switch's screen would be fine without it, but the aesthetic of it just looks too good to pass up.
I think they're a good idea, and look nice, but they're mostly using official art, presumably unlicensed? Couldn't they use their own art? Isn't that the whole point of sites like that?
@Dpullam $12 but it comes with two.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N3ASPNV/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_ynUXyb89S7EDN
I love the Mario one 😱 it's so colorful and pretty.
I've already got a couple of scratches on mine and I am none too pleased. I have been quite gentle with mine, after reading that the dock scatches the screen. I just bought the 2nd screen protector on this list. That machine isn't leaving the dock again until it arrives.
These look gorgeous... but people are nuts.
@Gen0neD
No, I wouldn't be pleased either if I were you.
I am curious though- I got a glass screen protector but for the first week I wasn't using one. I never scratched my screen, but I did notice that the rubber in the dock which the bezel of the screen contacts, I noticed it would smudge streak lines sometimes which looked incredibly similar to a scratch. But with a little rubbing, I realized it wasn't a scratch at all.
Have you tried rubbing it out to see if it was just the rubber making friction against the screen?
@Dpullam @Drummertist
I thoroughly recommend those screen protectors from the link. Super nice, goes on perfect using hinge method for alignment and shower method for 100% clean application
..wow, nice way to cash in on new system fears..lol ..everyone's out to make a buck I guess..
..for those worried about overheating issues, I'll be selling Zelda BOTW Fire Extinguishers...
I know the screen is 100% important but can we all get some Switch Pro Controller "Silicone" protection now? The damn thing hasn't even gotten one love from 3rd part accessories. Wii U Pro Con got it early but for Switch, nope. Anyone here come across one please let me know, thanks!
@Drummertist @JaxonH Thank you both for your advice! Those are the ones I will use then!
Edit: Just ordered them too!
A completely alternative solution would be a dock without a front cover. It would of course have to be slanted to prevent the switch from falling over. In addition, it could then be configured to detect if the HDMI cable is attached. If it isn't, then it outputs to the Switch's screen, if it is, to the TV. It would remove the need for the kickstand then as well.
And to make a dad joke on the name for this project:
make a stand
... :-/
I took my dock apart yesterday and added some adhesive microsuede strips to the inside. While I haven't had any scratches, I didn't want to take the chance. It worked like a charm, although these don't look bad and are obviously much easier to install since they simply slip on and you don't have to disassemble you're dock.
@dequesi I wish I had that dock. Mine isn't bent or curved as far as I can tell, and it puts microscopic scratches on my Switch every time I use it.
It's driving me crazy.
I just bought a Zelda one. I'm excited to stop worrying about my dock, haha.
This won't work. Think about it: It's fabric. Does fabric PREVENT damage on screens? No, no it doesn't. It causes damage. With scratches being such a limited issue, it's not worth doing this. You'll actually have a higher likelihood of causing damage to your screen.
That said, this may have created a market for Dock covers. Maybe make them adhesive stick-ons instead of dock cozies. There's not a painted logo to peel off or anything, like on the unit itself, so why not?
@JaxonH Sir, I almost rubbed the screen off, trying to clear up those scratches. Admittedly, a couple of them were what you speak of, but a few of them weren't. They're legit scratches. I'm bummed too. I was aiming to keep that thing immaculate for years. Truthfully, this a glaring oversight on Nintendo's part. Even when I 1st unwrapped it, I thought not having some padding there might scratch the screen but, I gave them the benefit of the doubt and as it turns out, I shouldn't have. Dammit!
Pretty sure Nintendo will stop these guys from using their copyrighted characters.
@ChronoX
It's licensed fabric available at any JoAnn's Fabric.
@ChronoX
Nah, they'd have to go after 1,000 different people then. Etsy is all small, homemade crafts, nothing on a large scale.
@imgrowinglegs Maybe mine is doing the same: if they are microscopic I'm not seeing them
@dequesi They're thin, but they spread all over the place. Always on the right side. It's so annoying.
@PeanutCrunch These are lined with flannel or micro suede. Hopefully those are both up to the task.
@imgrowinglegs Contact customer support. My impression is that these are isolated instances and they're working to fix them. The photos we all saw were scratching the left corner. It's not a common issue and it shouldn't happen.
@dequesi ''Reports of dock-scratched screens seem to be fake:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zb7qWC5bGpY''
Great find m8. This will shut up all the tards out there
Nintendo suing in 1, 2 ..switch!!
Wind Waker Switch Cozy?!!? Screen protected and Styling! Shut up and take my money!
Aren't the fifth one (from top to bottom, left to right) and the 9th one the same? It does looks like it!
Flammable material or no?
@ArmoredGoomba ..Yep, Super Flammable!..you want to preorder a BOTW Fire Extinguisher?..
@dequesi Mine aren't happening in that spot though. All of my scratches are on the right side, near the middle.
Maybe I'll call support...but maybe I'll wait until I beat Zelda and the Shovel Knight DLC.
Hm, if on the slim chance I ever get a Switch for whatever reason, I'll have to look into getting a Blanc cover.
There are so many cool crafts on Etsy! I think I'll go check out one of those Wind Waker mural Dock Socks...
-clicks on one of them-
https://apps.ghostery.com/apps/affiliate_window
UH OH................
I have been using eye glass cleaning cloth....cut a few strips, stick with double side tape...works great.
http://amzn.to/2mUsIVZ
Firstly, these dock socks look awesome and i may purchase one! That being said i will be purchasing one for purely aesthetic reasons, not because my Switch screen is getting scrathed. It isnt, and this is after multiple docking and undocking. Sure, if you are going to ram in the switch into the dock like a 2 year old on steroids of course its going to scratch the screen. But thats like complaing to Microsoft or Sony that their pads are easily broken if you stamp on them a few times.
Im afraid im no good at providing Links but if you are interested go on youtube and check out the "Switch durability test" to see just how strong the switch actually is. Dont believe the hyperbole folks. Some people always give Nintendo a hard time and seem to hold them to a higher standard than everyone else.
Do want, but not at current shipping prices to the UK... ;_;
Nice and simple solution.
Tempting... lol
These are fantastic! I love them, had to get one of the Windwaker ones. However, I had to navigate to Etsy and do it manually as your affiliate links triggered my adblock. That has never happened with your affiliate links before. Are these ones broken? @damo
I'd rather be careful.
@6ch6ris6
It definitely isn't, it's more difficult to scratch the screen unless you ate obviously trying.
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