Sliding the Switch in and out of the dock will inevitably scratch the screen
- Thread starter TVexperto
- Start date
I have had good experiences with skinomi so just ordered one off amazon. They are self healing and prevent finger prints. It is a wet adhesive application so it's a little different than lost protectors, but if you watch their video you shouldn't have issues.
Not glass but the it is shipping right away. I dont really see the need for glass either on a plastic screen, as glass is good for preventing a glass screen from shattering. A plastic screen won't shatter.
They have a lifetime warranty and will send you a new one free of charge if you fuck up the application or if something happens to the protector (peeling, etc). Or at least in the past they have sent me a free replacement.
D
Deleted member 286591
Unconfirmed Member
ValeYard
Member
Fuck, really? The picture on Amazon has it cut out.
Not sure, whether it'll limit the auto sensor in any way. Probably not. But still.
Would super appreciate any Orzly applies to post their experiences, especially regarding bubbling after application.
They all protect the screen, but as something covering the whole screen it becomes noticeable if the protector itself can't stay pristine. Barring cracking the glass, the glass protectors can basically stay looking good as new indefinitely.
Yeah I'm not sure it'd matter, outside of maybe light refracting differently cause the screen protector edge or something.
Compared to the one I got ("Fintie" or something off eBay), mine has a cutout (and maybe slightly smaller?) but doesn't have the curved edge. I don't see any adhesive issues at the edges yet and wasn't super cautious about dock mode or not after I put it on, but still a bit cautious. I think I docked to charge but didn't play, then played Zelda handheld a bit, then had it in the dock for a while for Puyo Puyo Tetris at a party, then Zelda handheld and charged overnight outside the dock.
7DollarHagane
Banned
Still no marks on my switch with screen protector. I dock and undock it multiple times a day because I have to remove it when using the ps4 but I mostly play docked when playing switch.
I've been trying to just dock it carelessly to see if anything shows up but nothing yet.
I've been trying to just dock it carelessly to see if anything shows up but nothing yet.
If your screen protector is tempered glass it will be very difficult to scratch using the dock. The tempered glass is much higher on Mohs Hardness Scale compared to the plastic on the Switch screen. In fact, I'd say its more likely now for the edges of a tempered glass protector to scratch the dock than the other way around. Thankfully that's not very likely since the edges are beveled.
Saint Gregory
Member
I was so hesitant to put a screen protector on since I hate them on phones but I bit the bullet and got the amFilm tempered glass proector from Amazon and it looks amazing. Went on flawlessly using that hinge method from the YT video, I only had to press out some bubbles afterwards.
I don't think that the video mentioned it but don't freak out if you see what look like smudges under the glass, I saw some that I couldn't explain since I never touched the back of the protector and put it on so quickly but it turned out that they were microbubbles that rubbed out with some firm pressing using a microfiber cloth.
I don't think that the video mentioned it but don't freak out if you see what look like smudges under the glass, I saw some that I couldn't explain since I never touched the back of the protector and put it on so quickly but it turned out that they were microbubbles that rubbed out with some firm pressing using a microfiber cloth.
Dreamwriter
Member
Note that there is no official Nintendo one. That company (I think it is "PDP") is calling theirs "official", but all that means is they paid Nintendo for the right to use the Switch trademark on the microfiber cloth
Nintendo has nothing to do with it.apieceofstrange
Member
amFilm is generously sending me another kit since I botched my first one. Hoping to have better luck this time since most people here have reported success, though I don't have a tremendous amount of confidence in myself.
Last night, I finally bit the bullet and docked my switch without any protection for the first time. Will probably just leave it there until the new protectors arrive and hope for the best. Playing BotW on a big TV with the pro controller is a completely different experience from handheld mode. Can't believe I denied myself for a whole week because of this scratching situation.
Last night, I finally bit the bullet and docked my switch without any protection for the first time. Will probably just leave it there until the new protectors arrive and hope for the best. Playing BotW on a big TV with the pro controller is a completely different experience from handheld mode. Can't believe I denied myself for a whole week because of this scratching situation.
Should have left the 2nd botched install on there in the meantime. It couldn't have been that bad.
Note that there is no official Nintendo one. That company (I think it is "PDP") is calling theirs "official", but all that means is they paid Nintendo for the right to use the Switch trademark on the microfiber cloth
This PDP screen protector is what I have on mine right now. I only bought it because it's the only one WalMart had and my amFilm tempered glass protector doesn't ship til this friday.
It works great, zero complaints, but I will pull it off once my glass one comes and never look back.
On Topic: I can definitely see some little smudges on the protector that make me think the dock WOULD be scratching the screen a bit if the protector wasn't there. I use mine primarily in handheld mode but do want to dock sometimes. Maybe I should get a USB extension cable so it could be "docked" but not slid into the cradle.....does that work?
If I can do it after the debacle that is my first one. You can do it.
Just do the hinge method, clean the screen good, do the wet wipe then the dry wipe and bam, you are good to go.
billmcdougal
Member
No issues with the tape damaging the underside of the system while doing the hinge method?
I remember reading that some grips or something were causing peeling.
Tonight I'm going to remove the 3ds screen protectors that I put in the bottom corners of my switch screen to protect it while being docked, and then put the tempered glass on.
Do old 3ds screen protectors have adhesive that might need to be removed?
The Main Event
Member
I'm currently using protectors from Biogenik while I'm waiting for the Orzly. It covers the sensor and I haven't encountered any issue.
My iPhone 6s Plus has a glass protector and it covers the sensor also. Doesn't affect it.
apieceofstrange
Member
I should have, but trying to lift the corner to get at the one spec of dust completely ruined it. Guess I should have learned my lesson from the first failed attempt. Seems like with these protectors you have to get it right the first time. Lifting and reapplying compromises the job.
I did do the hinge method, but that really only helps with the alignment of the screen (no issues there), not so much with preventing dust.
| Praxis |
Banned
Couldn't you just get someone to hold a hoover nozzle close to the screen as you're doing it?
Yeah I botched the first one with 1 small oily looking spot. I don't know how, because I didn't touch the business side, and I had thoroughly cleaned the Switch with the alcohol wipe and dried it.
But when I tried to lift and adjust it was all over.
Giftofgab24
Member
If you have no complaints why are you gonna take it off. If I were you I'd wait until there's something wrong with the plastic one before you replace it. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Yeah I don't blindly defend "favourite companies", I'm not a child.
I'm basing my opinion on my own Switch, which could not possibly be scratched by the dock unless a) the dock was bent/crooked b) I didn't take any care at all sliding it in and out or c) there was dirt or grit in the dock. Or all three.
I'm not doubting that this is a potential problem or that the dock design isn't rubbish - it is. But that doesn't change the fact that used correctly and without any defects or dirt/grit on the dock, it's easy to avoid damaging the screen. So the word "inevitably" in the thread title is hyperbolic at best.
Decals and skins people have been putting on the controllers have did something to the plastic. But the hinge stickers or scotch tape should be fine, I had no problems.
True but the hinge helps do it fast. So you clean it, put the hinge on, clean it again and make sure its all good, and perfect, then slap that baby on. The hinge helps with the quickness. Less chances for more dust to fall.
I did it in a bathroom after the shower was running. So that helped too.
NoMoreTrolls
Banned
Potential problem? It's a problem. Period. You can see how many people it's happening to. It just scratched my official Nintendo screen protector, and I've undocked it maybe 7 times, carefully each time. Thankfully I have a tempered glass one waiting in the wings.
At this point I think it's fair to question damage control posts from anyone with a Nintendo avatar, especially when they blame users for a manufacturing/design fuck up.
EroticSushi
Member
Has anyone even gotten the Orzly glass protector yet? Crazy how they claim to have shipped it a while ago yet no one has it.
Wait wait wait.
Hold on a sec. A dock which has two plastic rails in contact with a plastic screen, could not possibly scratch it?
Night Angel
Member
Citation needed. We've already had at least 3 posts from people who have stressed they've been careful and have scratches on their screens.
Once again, dismissing this because you haven't gotten scratches is idiocy.
And to claim the dock couldn't scratch the screen when used properly while proper use involves sliding plastic rails across a plastic screen is just... wrong.
Like any launch, or even post launch issues, it is not a problem for everyone. My two PS4 controllers were just fine, no analog stick deterioration. However, I burned through five 360s with red rings.
So it is a potential as there are people experiencing the issue and those who are not.
I meant you can potentially experience this problem, not that the problem only potentially exists.
Sure question all you like, I get that. But don't disregard a valid point because you're jumping to conclusions based on an avatar.
My only point was that the word "inevitable" in the thread title is incorrect and seems hyperbolic. It's not inevitable at all.
Night Angel
Member
If that was your only point why did you imply user error as the cause multiple times? Hmmm.
Because that's what makes it not "inevitable". Inevitable implies it's going to happen regardless of how you use it or how much care you take. Which is false.
Did you not read the rest of the sentence? You stopped right before "unless...."
NoMoreTrolls
Banned
Sure. It won't get scratched if you never take it out of the dock! What an ingenious solution!
Blaming the user for an asinine design decision is the height of corporate apologism. The design is shit and damages the product through regular use. If your solution is to forego the main use case of the product or to use surgical precision when removing the product (which is targeted at children), then I don't think I need to tell you how ridiculous that is. I'm not sure what's compelling you to rise to the defence of a poorly designed product.
The rest is just user blaming nonsense.
"Our product isn't designed like shit as long as you take outrageous care to baby it, clean it every time before placing it, and place it gingerly like a grandma trying not to break her hip"
AKA "the dock can't possibly scratch the screen as long as you dont use it in the way that it was a) designed to be used and b) 99.9% of people will use it"
Inevitably is absolutely the correct word.
Looks perfect. Is that an amfilm? I have one on order, but it'll be a few weeks. Have a cheap plastic one on for now.
Yeah I've not suggested that at all.
Don't think you know what inevitable means.
Yes the dock design is shit, and yes it can happen. Not denying that at all.
It's not inevitable though.
USB C Extension cable for Dock?
Tired of Switch-dock-scratch-gate? Use an extension cable instead.
Works perfect.
I wanted to test this method out for myself so I ordered a Cable Creation male to female USB C extension cable from Amazon and have been using it for the past 4 hours with no issue whatsoever.
No video flickering, no audio issues, no lag, battery charging works fine and best of all...no scratches on my screen!
People have been throwing around wild comments about an extension cable violates the spec (whatever that means, it's an extension cable...) and the Switch USB C socket isn't a normal USB spec etc etc etc.
Well, been working fine for me. I've tested it comparing it to using the dock - no difference. Taking the cable in and out during play - no difference. Now I'm no scientist so if this cable is in actual fact giving 0.01 volt too much or too little of power blah blah blah then okay it doesn't meet Nintendos spec (let's be honest, they want you to use their screen scratching dock and not some cable from Amazon) but as far as I can see, it works fine.
So it's safe to say the Switch does use a regular USB C socket and not some exclusive Nintendo design as all the pins marry up to do their jobs. Google the pin out diagram for a USB C cable. The extension cable is simply "extending" each pin from the dock and into your Switch.
Do the springs inside the dock push back against the cable connector? Yes it does but not enough to force it off. You could always use tape or something small and heavy to keep the spring down if need be.
FYI I bought the 1.6ft length and it's just right to reach inside the dock and enough length to connect to your Switch and lay the Switch flat on the table. I think the 1ft version may be a bit too short.
As for buying a cheap Chinese cable from eBay, your choice. The Cable Creation cables are well made with braided outer sheath and metal casing for the connectors on both ends. Their cables get my vote and can confirm the connector will fit inside the dock.
Tired of Switch-dock-scratch-gate? Use an extension cable instead.
Works perfect.
I wanted to test this method out for myself so I ordered a Cable Creation male to female USB C extension cable from Amazon and have been using it for the past 4 hours with no issue whatsoever.
No video flickering, no audio issues, no lag, battery charging works fine and best of all...no scratches on my screen!
People have been throwing around wild comments about an extension cable violates the spec (whatever that means, it's an extension cable...) and the Switch USB C socket isn't a normal USB spec etc etc etc.
Well, been working fine for me. I've tested it comparing it to using the dock - no difference. Taking the cable in and out during play - no difference. Now I'm no scientist so if this cable is in actual fact giving 0.01 volt too much or too little of power blah blah blah then okay it doesn't meet Nintendos spec (let's be honest, they want you to use their screen scratching dock and not some cable from Amazon) but as far as I can see, it works fine.
So it's safe to say the Switch does use a regular USB C socket and not some exclusive Nintendo design as all the pins marry up to do their jobs. Google the pin out diagram for a USB C cable. The extension cable is simply "extending" each pin from the dock and into your Switch.
Do the springs inside the dock push back against the cable connector? Yes it does but not enough to force it off. You could always use tape or something small and heavy to keep the spring down if need be.
FYI I bought the 1.6ft length and it's just right to reach inside the dock and enough length to connect to your Switch and lay the Switch flat on the table. I think the 1ft version may be a bit too short.
As for buying a cheap Chinese cable from eBay, your choice. The Cable Creation cables are well made with braided outer sheath and metal casing for the connectors on both ends. Their cables get my vote and can confirm the connector will fit inside the dock.
Except it is. All you have to do is carelessly put it in once, or oop there was the wrong bit of dust on the plastic rail and that made it scratch.
Let alone, this is a fucking mobile device, you throw that shit in a bag, its going places bumping things, rubbing things, a highly scratchable screen, its going to get scratched. But its sure as fuck going to get scratched in the dock.
Just put it in there it smudges it. Eventually that smudge going to be a scratch. You can go to asinine lengths to try and avoid it, but that perfect granny baby scenario is going to fail you.
If you rub the switch screen constantly, as the dock does, at least one of those times its going to scratch, its quite literally... inevitable.
I hate screen protectors, I never put them on any device, but the switch needs it to solve this inevitable problem. You could almost say they designed the dock to scratch the screen. So could go beyond inevitable to something like "destined" or "designed to". There is no excuse and no topic title is to harsh for this shit design.
The Switch is amazing and I couldn't love it more, but boy oh boy is the dock a world class fuck up. A revision will becoming and all of us will look like the sucker beta testers that we are.
GodParticle
Member
I got the amfilm on except for one tiny dust bubble in the middle...
At least it's not visible at all while playing. Still, my OCD can't stop thinking about it >_<
At least it's not visible at all while playing. Still, my OCD can't stop thinking about it >_<
People shouldn't have to carefully dock it like they are performing brain surgery it's a design flaw, the title is fine move on dude.
7DollarHagane
Banned
I'm using a standard hori plastic one so I would expect marks on the protector would be the same as on the actual plastic screen.
I still think that some docks are manufactured too narrow and most docks won't cause this issue.
I quote every single word. It's working fine and no scratch on the console. I put the console over a little medicine box leaving the vent of the back in plain air so the back of the switch can dissipate the heat without any obstacle!
PSFan
Member
Sorry, no. It's not inevitable at all. Not everyone is like you. We don't "throw our shit in a bag" with our mobile devices. And I don't even get smudges when docking and undocking my Switch. And I've done it several times daily.
It's looking like some of the docks may have small defects or imperfections in some of the docks that may be causing these issues.
You're really just trying to reassure yourself that your troubles with the Switch are the norm and it happens to everyone. It doesn't.
There's roughly 2 million Switch owners out there now. This is only happening to a small but vocal percentage of those owners. It's not inevitable at all.
I don't. I just position it over the dock and lower it in. Sometimes I even have to shift it slightly left or right, but still no scratches or smudges.
What should I use for hinges? Scotch tape or is there something better?
The docs have a huge defect and imperfection: plastic rails. I'm not having any problems with mine. As far as I can tell its not too narrow, is spaced normally and I have no scratches. But when, much like with the 3DS people start finding lines all over their screens, especially after years of use, its going to be obvious why: bad design.
I take very good care of my electronics, but you shouldn't have to make sure you are carefully sliding a product into a dock, the way its supposed to be slid in. It should be designed in such a way that simply using it causally doesn't fuck it up.
I don't understand why people are getting so defensive over this. Is the dock your wife or husband? Is it your first child? Are we scared word will spread and Nintendo will go bankrupt and Bill Trinnen will be panhandling on the street for money? Nate Bilhdorf will have to sell kidney? Miyamoto will start doing caricatures on the street? Just cause people are pointing out that the dock is a problem?
It's a shitty design. There is a reason if you buy a phone case or a kindle case or a case with anything with a screen, the part that comes into contact with the screen is rubber or soft fabric. Plastic rails? Yeah no shit some people will have problems.
I understand the benefits of the Switches screen being how it is, but at that rate, they should have taken into consideration how scratchable it is and designed appropriately. But they didn't, they screwed the pooch on this one.
In a month, or half a year, or years when peoples Switches are scratched in the same places where the plastic dock rails, rub against the screen, I will look back to this thread and the wind will whisper "it was... inevitable"
But I hope you enjoy the next how ever many years of babying your dock because its designed so well you have to actively use it in such a way to prevent it scratching your screen.
Depending on the protector you use, it may come with hinge sticker things, like the AmFilm one does. But scotch tape works fine too.
Not necessarily, not all plastics are the same.
There should be sticky "hinge" strips, otherwise yeah scotch tape should be fine.
Conkerkid11
Member
Even before I put my screen protector on, my dock wasn't making any contact with the screen of my Switch though. No smudges. No scratches. Nothing. Really seems like a potential defect of some docks or something.
Feels like if someone made a thread saying that "100%, your Joycons have sync issues" even though a lot of people's Joycons don't have sync issues.
Has anyone had success lifting up the amfilm SP and getting it to settle back down appropriately?
Hours after thinking I had a perfect application, I noticed a small small thin fiber (probably from the dry cloth) on the right side of my screen. Honestly don't notice it much while I'm playing, but if I think about it I can quickly move my eyes and find it.
I'm trying to convince myself to just leave it alone; as it otherwise looks great...but I can't seem to get over it lol.
I'm probably going to order a second set, but was wondering if I could lift it up, compressed air clean it out, and get it back down nicely. Or if it's just gonna end up looking like garbage anyways once I try.
Hours after thinking I had a perfect application, I noticed a small small thin fiber (probably from the dry cloth) on the right side of my screen. Honestly don't notice it much while I'm playing, but if I think about it I can quickly move my eyes and find it.
I'm trying to convince myself to just leave it alone; as it otherwise looks great...but I can't seem to get over it lol.
I'm probably going to order a second set, but was wondering if I could lift it up, compressed air clean it out, and get it back down nicely. Or if it's just gonna end up looking like garbage anyways once I try.