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does 3ds xl have screen scratching problems?

C

coopolon

Member
I got a red 3ds xl in anticipation of smt 4. It arrived today and even though I have nothing for it, I really like the hardware so far.

I remember the original 3ds could scratch the screens when shut, is this also a problem with the xl? And if yes, what is the best way to protect it? Screen protectors? I really hate using screen protectors, don't use them on phone, nexus, or vita and never had problems but obviously I want to be able to shut my 3ds xl without worrying.
 
Yes, the top screen still gets scratched when the 3DS XL is closed due to the bezel of the lower screen just like the original 3DS. The scratching seems to depend on how harshly you close the screen and whether or not you take the console out and about with you or whether it just sits on a desk. Either way, a screen protector does the job if you want to avoid scratches.
 
Yes. Yes it does. I'm starting to see signs. :(

To be fair, I was a cruel master, throwing my xl around. If you be gentle, it shouldn't be a problem. I do see a tiny gap between the screens, the rough treatments are causing the problem more likely.
 
Mine hasn't had a problem. I always keep a cleaning cloth between the screens when it's closed, though. It's very inconvenient.
 
Mine is fine, but if you have that problem use these

http://www.xconsoles.com/products/replacement-rubber-feet-for-xbox-360-pack-of-8.html

I cannot speak for the quality of the Website -- just a Google search result.

k-bigpic.jpg
 
Mine has started developing little dots on the top screen in line with the lower screen after about half a year of use, but they're only visible under certain lighting conditions and not at all during gameplay... I'm afraid they'll get worse, though.
 
My roomates 3DS XL looks like someone tried to DJ with it and he barely plays it.
He thought I was trolling when I told him the system is defective when he asked why Amazon wasn't selling it directly.
 
Yes, particularly if you put it into your pocket and compress it more than it should, mine has a scratch =/, fecking Nintendo sometimes...was it so hard to have 2 screens of equal size >=(
 
ShirAhava said:
My roomates 3DS XL looks like someone tried to DJ with it and he barely plays it.
He thought I was trolling when I told him the system is defective when he asked why Amazon wasn't selling it directly.
Click to expand...
Well, it's not why Amazon is not selling it. They aren't stocking any Nintendo systems
 
Yikes, thanks for the replies everyone. I guess I will try putting a microfiber cloth in between and see how annoying that is, if it is too much I will look into screen protectors. Ugh.
 
Sadly, yes :(
Even though I always keep a cleaning cloth between the displays when it is closed, I noticed a line appering on the top display to the right, disappointing :/

I am waiting for another hardware revision for the 3DS...
 
To those with scratches on the top screen: Do you set things on top of your 3DS when its closed?

I've only had mine for a few months, no scratches yet, and I can see light through it when it is closed. As far as I can tell, nothing is touching the screen. Is it something that just gets worse with time?
 
mine doesn't have that problem... but as other users said... if that's a worrying factor for you, just buy some screen protectors. Those are really cheap.
 
...no? Mine's in a constant state of being moved around in bags/pockets and I haven't run into any marks on my screen protectors. Can someone post pictures? I haven't heard of this for the XL.

Ahmed360 said:
Sadly, yes :(
Even though I always keep a cleaning cloth between the displays when it is closed, I noticed a line appering on the top display to the right, disappointing :/

I am waiting for another hardware revision for the 3DS...
Click to expand...

Would you mind snapping a pic of it? If you're actually putting a cloth between, I don't understand how that would be physically possible.
 
Mine has some marks on each side, but I carry it around in my pocket a lot and also put it in a laptop bag when I fly around the country.
 
Yeah, my 3DS XL has the screen scratching problem. I now put a microfiber cloth in between the screens when I close it.
 
The Animal Crossing XL I have has protective pads large enough to protect my screen fine, no scratches whatsoever. My launch XL's protective pads, for comparison, have what looks like half the depth the AC XL's do, basically flat, and is probably really easy to scratch (I put 360 pads on that one just in case)

I guess it depends on the model you have.
 
Both my launch cosmos Black 3DS and white XL are pristine fortunately. My launch unit does get smudges that line up with the touch screen bezel on the screen protector however.
 
Drago said:
The Animal Crossing XL I have has protective pads large enough to protect my screen fine, no scratches whatsoever. My launch XL's protective pads, for comparison, have what looks like half the depth the AC XL's do, basically flat, and is probably really easy to scratch (I put 360 pads on that one just in case)

I guess it depends on the model you have.
Click to expand...

I guess what amazes me is that they knew there were these issues and they put a little lift on the launch XLs, but yet wasn't quite enough and then made them taller for the AC one. Seems like they should have done this to begin with.
 
My XL has the screen scratching problem. You might want to get a hard case to keep it in when you're out.
DiscoJason said:
I guess what amazes me is that they knew there were these issues and they put a little lift on the launch XLs, but yet wasn't quite enough and then made them taller for the AC one. Seems like they should have done this to begin with.
Click to expand...
Wait, does this mean new XLs don't have the problem?
 
Does anyone recommend the Hori 3DS XL Screen Protectors?

They're fairly cheap and Hori has always been reliable to me in the past. Are they quality protectors or just cheap crap?
 
I don't think a screen protector would solve the screen scratching issues caused by the lower screen bezel. Just go to your local hardware store and pick up some rubber bumpers.
 
bender said:
I don't think a screen protector would solve the screen scratching issues caused by the lower screen bezel. Just go to your local hardware store and pick up some rubber bumpers.
Click to expand...

How would a screen protector NOT protect from scratches?
 
Mine does. I noticed it after a few days of owning mine. Luckily I had already slapped on a screen protector day one.

I now keep a cloth in there to prevent any further scratches.

Also I notice that there is a gap when you close the 3DS, but if you press in the middle then the gap disappears.
 
Bucca said:
How would a screen protector NOT protect from scratches?
Click to expand...

I don't think screen protectors are designed to withstand that type of concentrated, constant pressure. Take a gander at some of the previous threads on the subject and you'll find people that had damage even with screen protectors affixed. It's why so many people recommend rubber bumpers instead.
 
I think it's worth asking: Could someone look up some pictures with the XL scratches? Like, more than one system with the same style damage? I've literally never heard of it being a problem before this, and I haven't been able to find any actual photos of the damage (as opposed to the damage on the original 3DS, which are very common).

Also, there's this:
cKYrYnr.jpg

I have a launch XL. These pads make it physically impossible for the screen to touch anything that would scratch from the bottom of the system, so far as I can tell. This is assuming you're not applying a damaging amount of pressure. I'm open to seeing evidence or explanations otherwise, but I can't actually understand it.
 
Gestault said:
I think it's worth asking: Could someone look up some pictures with the XL scratches? Like, more than one system with the same style damage? I've literally never heard of it being a problem before this, and I haven't been able to find any actual photos of the damage (as opposed to the damage on the original 3DS, which are very common).

Also, there's this:
cKYrYnr.jpg

I have a launch XL. These pads make it physically impossible for the screen to touch anything that would scratch from the bottom of the system, so far as I can tell. This is assuming you're not applying a damaging amount of pressure. I'm open to seeing evidence or explanations otherwise, but I can't actually understand it.
Click to expand...

Could being in a laptop bag or backpack or pocket for instance cause the scratches by forcing the screen down?

This is the thing I'm mainly worried about.
 
A friend of mine already got some scratches on the lower screen (how can this even happen?) and he only had his for 3 weeks, while I have mine for 3 months now and nothing had happened to it. I even slept on the handheld one night because I forgot to put it because I forgot to put it away before I dozed off in the middle of a fight (FEA). ^^

But if you really care about protecting your handheld then I can recommend you the official Nintendo bags for the DSi/3DS XL.

Link
 
Bucca said:
Could being in a laptop bag or backpack or pocket for instance cause the scratches by forcing the screen down?

This is the thing I'm mainly worried about.
Click to expand...
Only when it's compressed more than the default shutting width the 3DS screen normally is. Most circumstances it will be pocket that causes the strongest compression, as long as you don't pack the 3DS too tightly against other objects in your bags you are fine.
 
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