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does 3ds xl have screen scratching problems?
- Thread starter coopolon
- Start date
Twilight Gap
Member
They attempted to fix it but the problem persists for some and has not been fully eradicated.
Though there's a very simple workaround - screen protectors. I'm surprised more people are not yet accustomed to buying them on Day 1 with a handheld device - especially a touchscreen one. You're guaranteed to drop it at least a couple of times, and it could get dirt and scratches from your fingers and pockets.
Though there's a very simple workaround - screen protectors. I'm surprised more people are not yet accustomed to buying them on Day 1 with a handheld device - especially a touchscreen one. You're guaranteed to drop it at least a couple of times, and it could get dirt and scratches from your fingers and pockets.
Notor!ousG
Member
When you open your 3DS box when you buy it, it comes wrapped in some plastic bubbly material.
Just cut out some and place it between the screens when you stop playing... you'll be fine!
If you wanna know what I mean... starts from 4:00
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cU_xGRUgL7Q
Just cut out some and place it between the screens when you stop playing... you'll be fine!
If you wanna know what I mean... starts from 4:00
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cU_xGRUgL7Q
IrishNinja
Member
yeah man, i typically keep an exacto & a few quarters in between the screens to keep em shiny
surely that's the only reason this happens, not something stupid, like ive had handhelds for years and carry it in a protective case yet this has magically happened to me & many many others here somehow, you're onto something here i suspect
i hear you, but
1) maybe its in my head, but even when properly applied, i feel tap-sensitive games like say Theaterrhythm lose a bit've sensitivity
2) i really shouldn't have to barring damage i directly create, rather than a design flaw
I've had mine since launch and unfortunately I just started to notice the scratches a few weeks ago. Ugh. I actually never had this issue with the original 3DS. I believe I know what caused this to happen, but that isn't going to make those light scratches go away.
Oh well. I guess I'll pick up the inevitable 3rd revision whenever it eventually comes out.
Oh well. I guess I'll pick up the inevitable 3rd revision whenever it eventually comes out.
DaxMedFlax
Member
Any way to swap the upper screen yourself? It seems like it would be a simple enough operation, but I`m unable to find replacement parts..
Twilight Gap
Member
Ya a little sensitivity is lost, but your touchscreen will definitely last longer. It's a good practice until they create a crack-free, dust-proof screen (and in this case, a scratch-proof one).
It's a very poor design flaw to have the screen scratch itself though. Nintendo's engineers have been slacking since the Gameboy Micro.
rockmanjoe
Member
Mine doesn't have any scratches of any sort.
SEGAvangelist
Member
YES! YES! YES! Very annoying, and screen protectors are not a fix. They never fit just right and can cause the top screen to peel off when removing them.
infinityBCRT
Member
If you carry it in your pocket all day, and you don't have baggy pockets, then yes, the screen will scratch. If you just keep it at home and make sure you don't put any pressure on it while its closed, then no, it won't scratch.
I do like carrying around my 3DS when it's in use, so I ended up having to put the 360 rubber feet on it. I ended up using 4 because I found 2 wasn't enough
I do like carrying around my 3DS when it's in use, so I ended up having to put the 360 rubber feet on it. I ended up using 4 because I found 2 wasn't enough
baxter2231
Member
Well i tried doing it online but there is no option for it scratched itself just for scratches, so it failed. I looked a bit online and some people said to call, so i did. When i explained it they didnt argue with the claim. However they said when it arrives they will judge if it was my fault or the defect. Its there now but not sure if they made that judgment yet. It was under warranty so if they agree its their fault its free. You can check if its in warranty on their site by using the serial number on they system and its box.
Deactivision
Member
I thought I had detected scratching on my 3DS XL after a week or so of owning it, and started keeping a cloth between the screens for protection. On further examination though, I concluded I'd been experiencing neoGAF-induced hallucinations and there were no scratches after all. I ditched the cloth and no problems since.
A red XL I recently bought for my son had its top screen scratched right out of the damn box. Lined right up with the bottom screen's borders. We didn't even turn it on and I went right back to the store to exchange it.
Fastest swap out I ever did.
So there you go.
ss_lemonade
Member
I find it baffling how Nintendo didn't fully fix this widespread problem with the XL. Maybe some people keep them in tight cases that force pressure onto the XL, thus making the top screen still touch those ridges? I know my non-xl 3DS does with my case, which seems to apply more pressure than normal since I also stuff in all my game cartridges in there.
I also think this is the reason why my 3DS was starting to show top screen issues similar to the DS Lite (top screen with messed up colors until I wiggle it a bit). I don't leave it inside its case anymore when at home and the top screen problem seems to have gone away (for good hopefully).
2x 360 rubber feet btw remedies my scratching problem
I also think this is the reason why my 3DS was starting to show top screen issues similar to the DS Lite (top screen with messed up colors until I wiggle it a bit). I don't leave it inside its case anymore when at home and the top screen problem seems to have gone away (for good hopefully).
2x 360 rubber feet btw remedies my scratching problem
Green Wiggly
Member
I've got them on mine, and I think they came out pretty nice. You can't see them at all, and there's no color distortion. I really liked the application process as well. You temporarily stick the protector to the system with adhesive strips (tape basically), then pull on a tab that applies the protector across the screen. The nice part is that you get everything in place before the protector is deployed. There were quite a few bubbles after I pulled the protector into place, but they all buffed out with a cleaning cloth in a few minutes. Don't use the cardboard thing they give you, it's sharp.
I have maybe a 50/50 success rate applying screen protectors, so getting one right on the first try was a relief.
OT: I don't have any scratches yet, but I use screen protectors, keep a microfiber cloth between the screens while it's closed, keep it in a hard case when I'm not using it, and I never take it anywhere.
Twilight Gap
Member
They're not a fix, but they definitely help to protect your screens from the elements, accidents, and general wear and use. You just need to find good quality ones and apply them properly. I never manage to get mine dust free unfortunately, but I don't end up with screen problems either.
DeVeAn
Member
Well, starting carrying my XL with everyday to work. I have the nicks in a vertical line. Also ACNL has made my bottom screen scratched to hell. I used to take extreme care of my stuff but, I wouldn't get much use out of it. I have now just accepted the fact that its going to happen and I just don't give a fuck. Feels good.
EleventhDoctor
Banned
Mine has recently started to show the scratches on the right hand side-which is very upsetting. I called Nintendo to report it and hopefully setup a repair under warranty-but they wanted 120 for the repair and 10 for shipping.
Sucks.
Sucks.
I do not recommend the Hori screen protectors. I had them for the PSP and it was great, but the 3ds xl ones are extremely cheap in comparison. It left shriek marks on the top screen protector when i used the card they provided to remove air bubbles and not there is weird slight discoloration on the protector that distracts from the picture quality.
Clockwork5
Member
If you are not careful with it.
EleventhDoctor
Banned
I kind of feel the same way. I'm not doing anything excessive with my system-I play it, close it-put it in my Club Nintendo pouch. Why is this my problem-it's clearly a manufacturing issue.
Deputy Moonman
Member
Use a dreamgear comfort grip. The padding helps keep the screens from being scratched. Problem solved and much more comfortable to hold. But good luck getting your xl in your pocket lol.
RPGCrazied
Member
Have had mine for about a year now, screen protector on the bottom screen. No scratches yet on top screen. I take care of it though, I wipe it down after finishing a game session, and I keep it in a case an don't open it until I want to play again.
bronk
Banned
This is a wonderful attitude about it. Im trying to apply this attitude to everything but it's damn hard for me lol
peanutbutterlatte
Member
The fact they didn't manage to fix this between hardware upgrades is fucking unforgivable. It's like they refuse to acknowledge it as an issue. It's a big issue. It's not meant to do that. "Put a cloth between the screens" should not be a proper solution on a piece of hardware designed as a clamshell.
This is such a sore point for me.
I am so careful with it, and in the end, the micro fibre clothe I put between the screens caused even bigger scratches (somehow a piece of dust or something made a dent, I don't get it).
Right now I don't use a clothe, but I bought a screen protecter, which makes it get more scratched, but at least it's not permanent.
I don't get how it gets scratched either. It seems impossible. But it's one banged up device, and that has given me pain.
I am so careful with it, and in the end, the micro fibre clothe I put between the screens caused even bigger scratches (somehow a piece of dust or something made a dent, I don't get it).
Right now I don't use a clothe, but I bought a screen protecter, which makes it get more scratched, but at least it's not permanent.
I don't get how it gets scratched either. It seems impossible. But it's one banged up device, and that has given me pain.
I guess an update. No scratching for me yet but I almost always put a cloth between it and I also attached some rather large rubber bumpers. With the bumpers I really don't see how it could possibly scratch so the cloth is probably unnecessary but I keep it in anyway. Makes it convenient to always have it near to clean the screen although it is obviously still a hassle.
bronk
Banned
I had a blue 3ds XL scracthed first day so I returned it for another blue one. In a week that one scratched too and i'm careful with my stuff. I return that one and ignore 3ds XL for quite awhile until they released the black one. I decide to buy it and I havent had a single scratch. I take it with me in a zippered hard case and everything. It's weird maybe the earlier batches were defected? Who knows.
It might not really be something that CAN be fixed easily while still being a clamshell. The 2DS may well be the only true fix without a system overhaul: remove the clamshell aspect entirely.
... Although if they just made both screens widescreen in the first place they would've had nice symmetry and avoided this issue entirely. They'd also have less wasted screen space for the 2DS revision given it'd just be a bar of plastic in the middle rather than the bottom half being cropped further.
Steve McQueen
Member
Same problem. Got the same marks on my 3DS screen protector.
dinazimmerman
Incurious Bastard
I have 2. Neither have scratching problems.
I use a screen protector and always carry my 3DS in a carrying case.
The screen protector most definitely has developed two horizontal scratches right where the two screens meet. It's not as drastic as the original 3DS but without a screen protector your XL will eventually scratch.
The screen protector most definitely has developed two horizontal scratches right where the two screens meet. It's not as drastic as the original 3DS but without a screen protector your XL will eventually scratch.
Bought a black XL at launch. After a week of it I didnt had any scratches but had a dot on the screen which I dont know how the fuck it got there and couldnt remove it.
Exchanged it and got a new one with Screen Protectors, Which I bought 4 of them. In case they get scratched I can replace them. Also got the Club Nintendo DS Bag.
Exchanged it and got a new one with Screen Protectors, Which I bought 4 of them. In case they get scratched I can replace them. Also got the Club Nintendo DS Bag.
Chezzymann
Member
I started getting dots on mine, but then I put a screen protector on and I don't see any more. I think thats all you really need to do to prevent them.
If you're still paranoid, stick a microfiber cloth (like the ones used with glasses) between the screens when you close it.
If you're still paranoid, stick a microfiber cloth (like the ones used with glasses) between the screens when you close it.
Yeah, my XL had basically nothing until I decided to start carrying it in my pocket again after the StreetPass update. Then it started developing lots of little scratches. I'll probably replace the screen protector sometime once it bugs me enough, it's half the reason I wanted it afterall.
VARIA
Member
Yep, so it has happened.
My 3DS XL has started developing those dot/scratches along the top screen.
They look like this:
I never carry my 3DS in my pocket nor do I slam the system shut. I was really hoping Nintendo had gotten their shit together after the scratching issues with the first system.
Ah, well, fuck it.
My 3DS XL has started developing those dot/scratches along the top screen.
They look like this:
I never carry my 3DS in my pocket nor do I slam the system shut. I was really hoping Nintendo had gotten their shit together after the scratching issues with the first system.
Ah, well, fuck it.