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Nintendo Switch Dock Replacements/Shells

PapaEmeritus

PapaEmeritus

Member
Checked but didn't see any other threads.

Apparently Amazon now at least has 1 dock replacement, the catch, you have to take the circuit board out of the switch and put it into this. I'm kind of tempted to give it a go.
I imagine we'll see more and more docks and or shells popping up in the near future. I know there was another post of someone, maybe on reddit, that was 3d printing docks, so I guess this is similar.

Anyone tried this yet or maybe it just hit today, in which case no one would have.

24.99

Link: https://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-Replacement-BASSTOP-Portable-Original/dp/B071YVC3NJ/ref=sr_1_14?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1494531637&sr=1-14&keywords=nintendo+switch

I'd love for these to just come out as a spare, meaning not just a shell.
 
This one needs a " *not to scale" disclaimer:

HQtsEbq.jpg
Click to expand...
 
I assume the need to gut is because it's a proprietary protocol on the USB-C-to-HDMI-out setup. The circuitry is probably not as basic and cut-and-dry as people fuss about, but it's probably also just custom enough that no one can make a clone cheaply yet without outright violating patents.
 
How hard could it be to reverse-engineer the dock chip?

Official dock will be 100$, no way a piece of plastic, a display-port chip and 2 USB ports cost more than 15$ to produce in 2017.
And we need a spare one ASAP for lunch breaks at work.
 
Jackano said:
How hard could it be to reverse-engineer the dock chip?

Official dock will be 100$, no way a piece of plastic, a display-port chip and 2 USB ports cost more than 15$ to produce in 2017.
And we need a spare one ASAP for lunch breaks at work.
Click to expand...
USB-C docks can get pretty expensive, so there's that.
 
I'd hoped someone would come up with something like this. I've already dismantled the front of my dock but this should work even better and look nicer.
 
The ability to take it with you anywhere is really convenient. I'm always worried about throwing the original dock in my bag, cause I don't want the flaps to bend and start scratching my unit. This device would throw those worries away!

I'll wait for one of y'all to bite, before jumping though.
 
Don't like the idea of the HDMI and USB-C cables coming out from the side. That's one area where Nintendo got it right.
 
OG dock looks cooler

Jackano said:
How hard could it be to reverse-engineer the dock chip?

Official dock will be 100$, no way a piece of plastic, a display-port chip and 2 USB ports cost more than 15$ to produce in 2017.
And we need a spare one ASAP for lunch breaks at work.
Click to expand...

Official dock is available on Nintendo's website for $50.
 
Neoxon said:
USB-C docks can get pretty expensive, so there's that.
Click to expand...

I got USB-C cables for less than 2€ on dx.com and that works perfectly.
So then again, I'm really curious to know the real cost of the chip. All the rest looks/should be cheap.


Peltz said:
Official dock is available on Nintendo's website for $50.
Click to expand...
Bundle in Europe contains the AC adaptor and a HDMI cable. If it's 89$ in the US it will be like 90€ here. So the entry price really looks like 100$ to me.
 
gameongreggy said:
Literally was just laughing at that. Wonder if the switch still displays an image when connected, prolly not I'd imagine.
Click to expand...

It does not, and it's part of the reason the screen is covered on the original dock. Nintendo doesn't want to give customers the impression that it's just a charging dock and that the system can be played while docked.
 
Seeing this, I was wondering if it's possible to get an usbc extender, and use a stand rather than the current dock. As in, I have the nintendo dock, but just plug my switch in which would sit on the nice adjustable stand I got so I don't rely on the kickstand. It would make the ks8000 tv input hijack easir to deal with as well.
 
Ghostshark said:
Seeing this, I was wondering if it's possible to get an usbc extender, and use a stand rather than the current dock. As in, I have the nintendo dock, but just plug my switch in which would sit on the nice adjustable stand I got so I don't rely on the kickstand. It would make the ks8000 tv input hijack easir to deal with as well.
Click to expand...

Something like this?

Nintendo Switch Stand, Lamicall Foldable Playstand
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZAYH58/?tag=neogaf0e-20

Does anyone have any experience with this stand in particular? Is there a better or more premium option available?

And to answer your question, yes, it is entirely possible to use a USB-C female from the dock to a USB-C male into the Switch itself.
 
Jackano said:
I got USB-C cables for less than 2€ on dx.com and that works perfectly.
So then again, I'm really curious to know the real cost of the chip. All the rest looks/should be cheap.



Bundle in Europe contains the AC adaptor and a HDMI cable. If it's 89$ in the US it will be like 90€ here. So the entry price really looks like 100$ to me.
Click to expand...

Oh boy, I hope you have house insurance, for when you use those cables with anything that delivers any amount of power. 99% of Chinese USB-C cables don't meet the USB-C spec that they genuinely pose a safety risk.
 
Iced said:
Don't like the idea of the HDMI and USB-C cables coming out from the side. That's one area where Nintendo got it right.
Click to expand...
...but they come out from the side on the official one too?
JayBabay said:
Something like this?

Nintendo Switch Stand, Lamicall Foldable Playstand
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZAYH58/?tag=neogaf0e-20

Does anyone have any experience with this stand in particular? Is there a better or more premium option available?

And to answer your question, yes, it is entirely possible to use a USB-C female from the dock to a USB-C male into the Switch itself.
Click to expand...
Yeah I have one of those, well one of the many other branded versions at least. I don't know how it compares to something like the Hori one in compactness, it folds more or less flat but not super thin cause the hinges and the little legs stick out a bit, but I figured it makes up for it in height and angle adjustability. And if you don't need to charge you can fold the bottom piece all the way up and use it as a stand that way too, kinda like this: /. It's more stable if you play on a bed or something and just want a better angle for the screen.
 
So it has zero electronics or connections. It's a $25 plastic shell to jam your Switch dock internals into. Seems a bit pricey for that.
 
Also has no guide for the USB... Seems like a bad idea. Gonna fuck up the connection. Trying to wiggle it in every time.
 
NimbusD said:
Also has no guide for the USB... Seems like a bad idea. Gonna fuck up the connection. Trying to wiggle it in every time.
Click to expand...

Honestly you can't really fuck it up that badly, only goes in at one entry point.

I wouldn't really roll the dice on this. They use a stock Xbone pic for their "Switch" dock and the fact you have to dismantle your previous dock's circuit board is just weird.
 
JayBabay said:
Something like this?

Nintendo Switch Stand, Lamicall Foldable Playstand
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZAYH58/?tag=neogaf0e-20

Does anyone have any experience with this stand in particular? Is there a better or more premium option available?

And to answer your question, yes, it is entirely possible to use a USB-C female from the dock to a USB-C male into the Switch itself.
Click to expand...
L96lKpQ_d.jpg
Click to expand...

This is the stand I'm using, and it appears to be that exact stand except rebranded. It works fantastic, feels durable, and looks decent.
 
Some coworkers wanted to play 4-player mario kart after work today. Feels dumb to have to detach and lug around the whole dock just to connect it to a tv at work. These DIY projects speak to me.

This is all I need:

Apple-USB-C-Digital-AV-Multiport-Adapter.jpg
 
timshundo said:
Some coworkers wanted to play 4-player mario kart after work today. Feels dumb to have to detach and lug around the whole dock just to connect it to a tv at work. These DIY projects speak to me.

This is all I need:

Apple-USB-C-Digital-AV-Multiport-Adapter.jpg
Click to expand...


Yea. It'd be pretty great if someone could engineer that up. Or just let Nintendo release it.

Dongle > Dock
 
timshundo said:
Some coworkers wanted to play 4-player mario kart after work today. Feels dumb to have to detach and lug around the whole dock just to connect it to a tv at work. These DIY projects speak to me.
Click to expand...

That's why Nintendo sells spare docks. Buy an extra to keep on you at all times and leave the original attached to your television.
 
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