Hardware switch dock minimalist retrofit mod

I've seen smaller docks made of polycarbonate already, it's a simple build. If you have a 3D printer, it's even easier.

Here's a Linktendo to the travel dock:

https://www.jolimonkb.com/switch/

You can buy them as a stock mod kit or have one made custom to order.
yea thats very easy to print. That was basically my idea if i was to make a portable dock.
But in the end i dont think i would be talking my switch with me like that.
 
I dont know why Nintendo insisted on having a plastic cover in front of the screen when docked? I assume the Switch screen turns off once its plugged in since the focus is directed towards the TV so why have it blocked?
 
I dont know why Nintendo insisted on having a plastic cover in front of the screen when docked? I assume the Switch screen turns off once its plugged in since the focus is directed towards the TV so why have it blocked?
They didnt want it to look like the wii u and confuse people.
The wii u was great at confusing people.
Some thought it was a portable others thought it was a controller for the wii.
By blocking the front of the switch screen it no longer looks like a wii u gamepad.
They did alot better with there marketing for the switch.

And im sure there will be 3rd part docks rolling in soon.
But me im fine with the normal dock it works, looks nice, and i got a screen protector on and have no scratches.
 
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They didnt want it to look like the wii u and confuse people.
The wii u was great at confusing people.
Some thought it was a portable others thought it was a controller for the wii.
By blocking the front of the switch screen it no longer looks like a wii u gamepad.
They did alot better with there marketing for the switch.

And im sure there will be 3rd part docks rolling in soon.
But me im fine with the normal dock it works, looks nice, and i got a screen protector on and have no scratches.
I'm still reading up on different ways people apply protection to the inside of their docks. I dont want any 3rd party docks or use any screen protectors, just be able to prevent any scratches and use this thing as intended.
 
so im working on a smaller dock for travel.this is a smaller dock and will require retrofitting your dock components into the smaller one. here is an almost finished representation and will be printing todayView attachment 82010

it is only 80MM wide and the base is just about the same size as the main board. it is also a good size to balance the switch.

what do you guys think?
It looks nice, but is the thick part on the bottom really necessary? It makes the dock take up a lot more space than it would if all the components were in the back wall, like the original, and if necessary, it could have a piece that folds out from the back to keep it from falling over.
My ideal Switch dock is a design similar to the Wii U gamepad dock, with a taller back (to accommodate the PCB) which would still be rather slim so it would take up less space when bringing it with you.
This design would take up about as much space as the original dock does. It's not as tall, but it goes further back.

I'm still reading up on different ways people apply protection to the inside of their docks. I dont want any 3rd party docks or use any screen protectors, just be able to prevent any scratches and use this thing as intended.
I wouldn't put padding inside of the dock like some people have done. Short term it's a great fix, but long term it will collect dust and be worse than the unmodified dock.
Just use a screen protector. If you apply it perfectly you can't even tell it's there, and if you're not very good at putting them on, just get someone else to apply it for you (like a store that sells them)
Even without the dock scratching issues, the tablet design of the Switch makes it highly vulnerable to scratches, especially since it's not using a glass screen. It's highly likely that sooner or later your screen will accumulate scratches no matter how careful you are with it, because of dust buildup in whatever pouch/bag you're using. Unless you always keep it at home (or carry it like it's a baby) and never cover up the screen in any way, that is.
 
Last edited by The Real Jdbye,
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I'm still reading up on different ways people apply protection to the inside of their docks. I dont want any 3rd party docks or use any screen protectors, just be able to prevent any scratches and use this thing as intended.
Gotta get a protector.
Its pretty simply. The screen isnt made of glass its made of plastic. So there is a ton of stuff out there that is harder then the plastic screen.
Being harder means it will scratch it.
So dirt, sand, harder plastic, some finger nails etc... Will all scratch the screen. So any of that getting trap inbetween the screen and dock will put scratches on it if the 2 touch.

And most people think its the rubber pads at the bottom that are causing this problem but its more the top hard plastic. When your docking it most people put it in at an angle.

/
/ <---switch
| | <===dock

So the botton is rub on the front of the dock.

If it wasnt an electric device i would say put a little Vaseline on it and see where it makes contact with the dock at by checking it for the transfer.
 
Gotta get a protector.
Its pretty simply. The screen isnt made of glass its made of plastic. So there is a ton of stuff out there that is harder then the plastic screen.
Being harder means it will scratch it.
So dirt, sand, harder plastic, some finger nails etc... Will all scratch the screen. So any of that getting trap inbetween the screen and dock will put scratches on it if the 2 touch.

And most people think its the rubber pads at the bottom that are causing this problem but its more the top hard plastic. When your docking it most people put it in at an angle.

/
/ <---switch
| | <===dock

So the botton is rub on the front of the dock.

If it wasnt an electric device i would say put a little Vaseline on it and see where it makes contact with the dock at by checking it for the transfer.
Is soft Velcro easy and a simple enough solution? I tried applying microfiber cloth and taping it down but it's very amateurish.
 
Is soft Velcro easy and a simple enough solution? I tried applying microfiber cloth and taping it down but it's very amateurish.
Soft but it can hold dirt.
So if you take the switch out and use it. And some dirt gets on the screen. Then you put it back itm that dirt is wipe from the screen to the microfiber.
So now everytime you pull out the switch its rubbing on that piece of dirt.

Abd when i dirt i dont mean dust bunnies. Im talking about fingernail clipings, chips, pieces of food, sand etc...
And before you say your not a dirty person.
Dirt is everywhere, i can go outside and end up woth stuff at the bottom of my pants.

But yout free to try what u said.
Someone started to make some socks for the switch microfiber on the inside and the out a pattern or logo.
Cant remember where i say them it was on facebook.
 
Soft but it can hold dirt.
So if you take the switch out and use it. And some dirt gets on the screen. Then you put it back itm that dirt is wipe from the screen to the microfiber.
So now everytime you pull out the switch its rubbing on that piece of dirt.

Abd when i dirt i dont mean dust bunnies. Im talking about fingernail clipings, chips, pieces of food, sand etc...
And before you say your not a dirty person.
Dirt is everywhere, i can go outside and end up woth stuff at the bottom of my pants.

But yout free to try what u said.
Someone started to make some socks for the switch microfiber on the inside and the out a pattern or logo.
Cant remember where i say them it was on facebook.
Are you talking about this?
https://www.etsy.com/market/dock_sock

I like it and I believe it protects the dock well but I dont want to cover up the cool looking dock itself. Plus I dont know if all that fabric pressed against it will cause any heating issues.

Honestly I'm seriously considering using velcro even if I have to replace it like once a year or so.
 
Are you talking about this?
https://www.etsy.com/market/dock_sock

I like it and I believe it protects the dock well but I dont want to cover up the cool looking dock itself. Plus I dont know if all that fabric pressed against it will cause any heating issues.

Honestly I'm seriously considering using velcro even if I have to replace it like once a year or so.
Putting anything soft in there is just a bad idea. As others stated it will collect dust which will scratch the screen. And that happens faster than you think, you would want to replace it every week or sooner, and even then you are pressing your luck. Why are you so against using a screen protector? It's the safest and easiest method to truly protect your screen.
 
Putting anything soft in there is just a bad idea. As others stated it will collect dust which will scratch the screen. And that happens faster than you think, you would want to replace it every week or sooner, and even then you are pressing your luck. Why are you so against using a screen protector? It's the safest and easiest method to truly protect your screen.
Having a screen protector has its own set of problems. Dust could settle in between the protector and the screen overtime even if the initial application is flawless, there is also reports of the console being so warm it could melt the protector right onto the screen and personally I just dont feel I'm that great at applying screen protectors. I'd much rather just fix the dock scratching and use the system as its intended with no extras.
 
A charging dock, without TV output or circuitry, just an internal USB-C connection to the PSU, would be very handy.
I mean something replacing the kickstand functionality, but allowing you to charge it while you play (you know, solving the horrible design of where the USB-C is connected).
I would really use that on flights and train rides.
Having a screen protector has its own set of problems. Dust could settle in between the protector and the screen overtime even if the initial application is flawless, there is also reports of the console being so warm it could melt the protector right onto the screen and personally I just dont feel I'm that great at applying screen protectors. I'd much rather just fix the dock scratching and use the system as its intended with no extras.
I have a screen protector, and nothing overheats or melts. And if dust happens to get under it, just take it off and clean it.
The melting problem was not actually melting, but an incompetent guy installing it quite wrong (it was just air bubbles/dirt)
 
Last edited by sarkwalvein,
Having a screen protector has its own set of problems. Dust could settle in between the protector and the screen overtime even if the initial application is flawless, there is also reports of the console being so warm it could melt the protector right onto the screen and personally I just dont feel I'm that great at applying screen protectors. I'd much rather just fix the dock scratching and use the system as its intended with no extras.
Only place i ever had dirt get to with protector is the edges. And thats after a yr or so. And this is cellphones.
My 3ds protector looks band new and no dirt.
The switch isnt melting the glue of all protectors.
I got a nintendo one and its been fine. The glud melting was from that one brand and it wasnt melting it was peeling. They used a layer system.
So glue - clear film - glue - glass.
And there was separation between the clear film and glue
 
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A charging dock, without TV output or circuitry, just an internal USB-C connection to the PSU, would be very handy.
I mean something replacing the kickstand functionality, but allowing you to charge it while you play (you know, solving the horrible design of where the USB-C is connected).
I would really use that on flights and train rides.

I have a screen protector, and nothing overheats or melts. And if dust happens to get under it, just take it off and clean it.
The melting problem was not actually melting, but an incompetent guy installing it quite wrong (it was just air bubbles/dirt)
I just bought the hori compact playstand to solve the issue of charging while in tabletop mode. If I need something super portable I'll just 3d print the custom stand blunty showed in a video.
And I read about the screen protector issue and yes it was indeed just the layers of that protector peeling apart.
And if you install the protector correctly dust doesn't get trapped under it over time. My old phone had a screen protector for over a year and was still perfect like when I installed it, so I have no clue where that misinformation came from.
 
Not to knock your design considering i just threw together something in 3D builder, but did you consider making it in this style? http://gbatemp.net/threads/concept-diy-portable-mini-switch-dock.463720/
2-png.80653


The Switch already has a kickstand, so there's no need for a back support. So all you need is a flat surface with an indentation for the switch base and the kickstand.
 

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