Review cover GuliKit Dock (Hardware)
Official GBAtemp Review

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One of the Nintendo Switch’s most impressive features is the dock, allowing gamers to seamlessly enjoy a home console and handheld experience by just docking and undocking the Switch. However, the dock is itself quite bulky and not ideal to carry around, so what about a dock that literally fits in your pocket? That’s the Gulikit Dock for you and it’s the product that we’ll take a look at in this review!

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GuliKit isn’t a stranger when it comes to innovation in the Switch hardware department. Its detachable power bank for the console is one of the sleekest I’ve seen. The company has expanded its library of Switch peripherals and with its Dock, it seems like GuliKit’s innovation streak hasn’t swayed a bit.

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Cuboidal in shape with a matte black finish and adorning the GuliKit logo on top, the GuliKit Dock is an inconspicuous device which packs more than what meets the eye. The front part features a magnetic lid which protects the USB-C plug from damage and dust, while the underside packs an anti-slip mat to safely rest the device on your gaming desk. Flipping the lid up reveals the USB-C port as well as vents allowing free flow of air from the console's fan so that it does not heat up during your gaming sessions. The back of the dock holds a Dock Mode button switch and three ports; namely an HDMI out, a USB 3.0 and a USB-C to accommodate the original Switch charger. For more technical details, the device boasts the following:

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When it comes to build quality, the GuliKit Dock looks and feels sturdy with its tough plastic casing. The addition of an anti-slip mat gives gamers an additional layer of security preventing the device from falling and subsequent damage.

GuliKit’s dock for the Switch functions like the official one, with less USB 3.0 ports, yet having the advantage of being really compact (85 x 85 x 24 mm). The existing USB 3.0 port can accommodate other peripherals like headsets and controllers, but having just one might be inconvenient as you'll have to compromise between devices. Better charge your wireless controller beforehand so that you can plug in your best headphones! There is a Dock Mode button that allows users to toggle between TV mode and dock mode--I have to admit that this button isn’t the most ergonomic, and requires quite an effort to reach and activate. On top of docking your Switch, the GuliKit dock can even double as a charging dock for some phones (see list below). While it would be way more convenient to have it accommodate all phones charging through USB-C other than the few listed, you'll likely get this device for your Switch rather than for your phone. Additionally, plugging in those compatible phones will launch their "desktop mode" like Samsung's Dex mode.

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Now I know what your main concern is: "will this brick my Switch?" Nintendo’s latest console is, after all, notorious for not liking third-party docks, but GuliKit offers a “no-brick” guarantee and I haven’t come across any issues with using this dock myself. I have been seamlessly docking and undocking my console for weeks and it has been running flawlessly; I even tend to leave my GuliKit Dock on my gaming desk thanks to its compact size, as opposed to the original dock, which I would have to store after my gaming sessions. Nevertheless, if you want to play it safe(r), GuliKit also offers a cheaper DIY kit for you to connect the original Switch dock's innards to GuliKit’s compact dock.

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At about $27 at the time of writing, the GuliKit Dock for the Nintendo Switch presents itself as an affordable alternative for the original dock should you need a replacement or a second one which is easier to carry and supports certain phones.

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Verdict

What We Liked ...
  • Compact and portable size
  • Compatible with some phones
  • Affordable
What We Didn't Like ...
  • Dock Mode button switch is hard to access
  • The Nintendo Switch is known to not like 3rd party docks
8
out of 10

Overall

All in all, the GuliKit Dock is a nice-to-have device which you should consider if you are looking for a secondary or a replacement dock for your Nintendo Switch with a discreet footprint.
IDK, I'm not a fan of having the screen out in the open like that, you know? If you have a cat or a dog, imagine it getting all excited and jumping at the screen, potentially scratching it, or someone passing by has a glass of Coke and spills it all over the screen.

Those are the kinds of concerns I have when it comes to docks like these, in addition to the bricking question.
 
I might have to pick something like this up at some point, albeit a 'DIY' version.

I dislike the official dock because it's relatively bulky when travelling.

One potential flaw with this design though is the lack of any support at the front, I could imagine someone accidentally tilting it forward, putting stress on the USB-C connector.
 
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IDK, I'm not a fan of having the screen out in the open like that, you know? If you have a cat or a dog, imagine it getting all excited and jumping at the screen, potentially scratching it, or someone passing by has a glass of Coke and spills it all over the screen.

Those are the kinds of concerns I have when it comes to docks like these, in addition to the bricking question.
if your cat doesnt wear expensive jewelery, you dont need to be afraid of a scratched screen. The cover of the touch is out of glass. hence minimum 7H. :)
 
It says the output-resolution is 1080p/2k/4k, yet the switch can only handle 1080p I heard. Atleast the normal dock cant handle more. did you try that out, or is that meant for other devices?
 
While I do not trust any full third-party dock, the DIY kit looks of decent quality. I use another common case replacement. In it's case, being light weight and lacking any antislip rubber on the bottom makes the thing move around a whole bunch so that's a plus for this one. Plus this one coming with the USB-C connector and ribbon skips the annoying part of removing the USB-C connector from the Nintendo dock and lets you go back to it with no effort at all.

If you're thinking "why bother with a slim dock?" in general, travel is a major reason. In my case, I recently moved across the country with all of my belongings going into storage. That meant only what fits in my car is what I have for the next few months so having a small dock let me focus more space for tools, clothes and other items just plain more important than video games (Sorry PS4, desktop PC, etc...). I also travel for work at times and the slim dock (much like travelling with an android box and hard drive) lets me relax in the hotel a whole lot more.
 
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H
I've just been looking for smaller, 3rd party alternative docks and I think I'm going with this.
 
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I wonder if anyone can make a homebrew that forces 4k@30 just to really test if this outputs at 4k.
 
This would be great for my living room, especially since the original dock is too tall to fit in the entertainment center Cable box slots, and also too big and obtrusive if I put it on the top in front of the TV.
 
I just got one of these a few weeks back and have been pretty pleased with it. I really wanted another small dock to take travelling and couldn't wait until January for the Genki Covert Dock so I pulled the trigger on this one. It's been pretty nice so far. The build quality is definitely there. I am of course worried about the brick potential but all of the Amazon reviews were positive (for what that's worth) and it seems somewhat reputable. I went through the whole Nyko saga and even had the innards of my original dock in a replacement shell, but that dock ended up breaking from me using a nyko power plug -- go figure. Hopefully this one keeps working well, it fits really nice in my travel case along with a charger and some controller stuff!
 
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Can you please update the review to include a picture of the PCB included inside of the Gulikit Dock alongside a picture of the official dock's PCB?

I'd really like to know if it's another Coov Hboard i3 in there. Considering the official PCB fits inside of the Gulikit Dock shell, it's possible there are two side USB ports that are just hidden inside the shell.
 
I wonder why nintendo went the sleezy TX rout of bricking switches w/ 3rd party docks? anyways something this compact it may be one of the best alternitives yet nvm did research and seems it's a voltage issue that fries it
 
IDK, I'm not a fan of having the screen out in the open like that, you know? If you have a cat or a dog, imagine it getting all excited and jumping at the screen, potentially scratching it, or someone passing by has a glass of Coke and spills it all over the screen.

Those are the kinds of concerns I have when it comes to docks like these, in addition to the bricking question.
Honestly, if someone spilled coke on the switch, the screen would be the least of my concerns. Much more worrying would be the possibility it would get into the air vents on the top of the console. Those are just as exposed in the original dock as they are here.
 
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The cons about third party dock isn't true, because this dock use the original chipset of Switch dock, you need extract it from the original and put on this to get it working
 
The cons about third party dock isn't true, because this dock use the original chipset of Switch dock, you need extract it from the original and put on this to get it working
There is a kit version of it that lets you do that, yes, but the standard one comes with it's own board entirely
 
Because... I own a Switch, and made sure to watch a scratch test? Lol, it's definitely plastic
To be a switch owner, doesnt help at all, but yor 2nd argument is valid. Obviously Nintendo took the cheap way, which surprised me, since the price for hard coated plastic and standard glass is not a lot for rectangular non bended cover lenses. But the downside of plastic is immense. thanks for your input!
 
To be a switch owner, doesnt help at all, but yor 2nd argument is valid. Obviously Nintendo took the cheap way, which surprised me, since the price for hard coated plastic and standard glass is not a lot for rectangular non bended cover lenses. But the downside of plastic is immense. thanks for your input!
It does help because it does mean I've... Well, touched it. I could tell it was plastic before watching the scratch test I mentioned.
 
It does help because it does mean I've... Well, touched it. I could tell it was plastic before watching the scratch test I mentioned.

Believe me, the haptic of very thin glass, like dragontrail, xensation or gorilla is like plastic. By touching, but not scratching or bending you would not feel the difference. I had a 21.5“ foil sensor laminated with 0.55mm carrier glass on my desk. It feels and sounds like plastic.

By the way, I am a PCAP FAE since 2007, and thougt it is glass, until your veto. This should be somehow a proof that it is very very hard to recognize the difference only by touching.
 
Believe me, the haptic of very thin glass, like dragontrail, xensation or gorilla is like plastic. By touching, but not scratching or bending you would not feel the difference. I had a 21.5“ foil sensor laminated with 0.55mm carrier glass on my desk. It feels and sounds like plastic.

By the way, I am a PCAP FAE since 2007, and thougt it is glass, until your veto. This should be somehow a proof that it is very very hard to recognize the difference only by touching.
It could never be glass anyway, the original dock has been known to scratch the Switch's screen.
 
It could never be glass anyway, the original dock has been known to scratch the Switch's screen.
yes, but this is a total different argument as „i touched it, so i know what material it is“, right? I never had a problem with scratches, so I didnt followed the dock discussion.
 
Sup, so after all this years any broken switches or other issues form using this dock :D?
Doesn't work at all with the Switch OLED (at least mine didn't). Only capable of outputting at 480p for some reason on the OLED. Ended up gifting it to a friend and ordering the Genki Covert one instead.
 
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