DS Daily: Protecting the precious

by David Hinkle { Aug 5th 2008 at 9:00AM }

You know, the DS Lite is a pretty affordable handheld, but it's slick design and glossy finish makes us so protective of our own. In fact, we'd say we're too protective. We only clean our screens with a damp 2-ply toilet paper. The extra ply is for safety.

How do you keep your precious looking pristine? Do you use screen protectors? Have a heavy-duty case? Or do you simply not care, relegating your handheld to a lint-filled back pocket in your pair of jeans?

Tags: case, ds-lite, gollum, precious, safety, screen-protector

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Jac @ Aug 5th 2008 9:15AM

i got my very own ds not too long ago and while i was hoping to find a HORI hard case i moved down a step for a crystal one which i keep artsy with stickers 8) (sadly i gotta take it out when i wanna play G.H.O.T.) as for the rest i have lint-free drapes with water-alcohol..takes off those smudgy bastards and bacteria and my paint finish is never compromised

elend @ Aug 5th 2008 9:39AM

A screen protector is a must on a handheld whos Screen is constantly being raped by a plastic pen. So, of course I bought some. I also bought a weird leather case from Hori for my DS. It now looks more like a Notepad from my Grandpa, but hey, it protects the really shiny exterieur of the DS. I am a true fingerprint-nazi and can't stand fingerprints on shiny surfaces, so without a leather case I wouldn't be able to touch my DS at all.

jim @ Aug 5th 2008 9:50AM

I don't see a need of a screen protector. I don't find a slight sign of scratch on the screen even though I don't handle my unit particularly gentle.

I'm also amazed at not only the plastic case itself but all the prints on the case hasn't been showing slightest sign of coming off.

My first gen iPod nano got scratches on the screen by wiping with tissue... I guess this is one of the area Iwata's claim: "the processor isn't the fastest but we're always using cutting edge technology in other things."

Patrick @ Aug 5th 2008 9:59AM

I use screen protectors, and I got a smoke-colored skin for my black DS. But I'm not entirely pleased: the skin fits loosely, and the case doesn't close all the way now; and I miss the shiny original look. It feels nice, though. When I'm not using the DS, I store it in a cheap vinyl case, along with all my game carts.

BlackDS @ Aug 5th 2008 10:02AM

Black (Fake) Leather Case (cushiony), Hori Screen Protectors & a Black DS Wrist Strap (purchased from Nintendo).

I use a microfiber cloth and the spray cleaner from my Sunglass Hut kit to keep the DS Lite & both screens clean.

I bought all of this on the day I got my DS Lite.

I'm currently on my 3rd set of Hori Screen Protectors (Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword ended up eating away a layer on my last set. Previously, my Hori Screen Protectors survived until Cooking Mama 2/Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games).

Peace.

iaaapsmo @ Aug 5th 2008 10:19AM

I always use screen protectors. Most of the damage on your screen will come from using fingernails or other things as a temporary stylus, so i only use NDS styli as well. I'll clean it with water and a microfiber i got for use on computer LCD screens. I don't really care about the outer case, so I decorate it with stickers and stuff... the sticker goo comes off pretty well since it has a glossy finish, and I have a nerf case, since it looks coolish, and is grippy.

Anyway, I figure there isn't much you can do if someone decides to drop your DS from 6'... in the air... so i don't play it in bed, which is lofted.

WalkingCarpet @ Aug 5th 2008 10:19AM

I've got a playthru case of some kind... I don't ever actually play through it though, I just need something to keep the thing safe while it's in my backpack between classes :)

one0fthethree @ Aug 5th 2008 10:31AM

I have the eye glass cleaner and cloth to spruce up the screen every day. The thing that keeps me cleaning is the smudging on the outside finish; my old white DS Lite didn't show a thing but the black one i own now looks like it attracts finger prints. But I baby that system more than anything else. My mom complains because I clean it more than my glasses.

elend @ Aug 5th 2008 10:38AM

Oh and I forgot my incredible bulky New Super Mario Brothers Stylus, which I fished out of those Gashapon machines one day. The original stylus is just too small for my hands.

morfeatire @ Aug 5th 2008 10:47AM

screen protectors. and thats all.
I love to play the classic, so... all this fingerprint and glossy finish protection is not needed. The thing is a sturdy war tank. it goes everywhere, bouncing inside my backpack and I don't care.

Now... the lite... My GF plays it... it's pretty cheap though, I won't be smothering her about cares. Let her have fun.

njbeetle @ Aug 5th 2008 11:23AM

never used a screen protector and haven't had a problem at all. I am gentle with it and don't let anyone else play (buy your own!). Do keep the DS in an imported Wall-E case as it does leave the country with me often.

Jacksons @ Aug 5th 2008 11:26AM

Eye glass cleaner, a lint free cloth and a pouch. I've never used a screen protector and there's not a scratch on it.

Puddles @ Aug 5th 2008 12:13PM

I've never used a screen protector, and my screen is as good as new.

I keep my DS in a $3 sleeve from dealextreme.com, and when I travel with it I put it, along with games and charger, in a $2 toiletry bag from Daiso in Richmond, BC.

Puddles @ Aug 5th 2008 12:19PM

And I clean it with a $1 microfiber cloth.

Char6296 @ Aug 5th 2008 12:35PM

Well... I clean my DS Lite every so often with my glasses cloth which is damp on one end, and then dry it off with the other. I have a case but I don't use it much, and my DS has a Guitar Hero decal on the front of it. That's pretty much it. Although I don't touch the screen with my fingers as a precaution. And the "aura detector" in PMD2 is a trap! Don't do it!

iruka @ Aug 5th 2008 12:44PM

Screen protector is a must for me especially since I like using my nails instead of a stylus. And besides, even if I'm using the stylus, playing TWEWY leaves the screen being beat up too much with all the slashing.

Have a crystal case too and placed a TWEWY skin in it. Although it's such a hassle whenever I want to play GH:OT I end up not playing it much.

Dartholomeo @ Aug 5th 2008 1:33PM

I use solely Pelican screen protector for my little DS Lite.

I carry a tiny backpack everywhere I go that holds my DS Lite with extra games, Zune 80Gb with headphones, PDA phone, wallet, and gum.

I use a cheap sunglasses cloth bag/case to hold my DS. LOVE IT! It feels like it was designed for the DS Lite itself. It doesn't take any extra room at all, and it protects the device from scratches, which is pretty much ALL I am looking in a case since I'm extremely careful with my gadgets and toys.

chispito @ Aug 5th 2008 1:43PM

When I buy a new DSL, which I'm going to need in the forseeable future, I may use screen protectors this time around.

There is moderate scratching on the touch screen, but it's actually the right shoulder button that is acting up and causing me to consider a new unit. Maybe I'll hold off and get it when I buy the US version of Korg DS-10.

chispito @ Aug 5th 2008 1:44PM

Brilliant graphic, btw.

chaindrop @ Aug 5th 2008 2:34PM

I've got a black DS lite in a silicon padded polycarbonate casing, with screen protectors and a cheap pouch which came bundled with my DS when I bought it. I usually just use the shirt I'm wearing when cleaning the screens, I also use some tissue and microfiber cloth, depending on which is within my reach.

Red @ Aug 5th 2008 2:35PM

I've got a ridiculously heavy duty case of some brand or another and not much else. I used to not bother, but then I learned that the plastic's not as durable as the older systems, and reasoned that if I'm going to have a broken DS I'd want it to have cracked for better reason than, "Well, the stewardess was giving me a dirty look, so I had to kick my backpack under the seat so we could take off."

Gennataos @ Aug 5th 2008 3:55PM

I don't use anything, although I am interested in the new Logitech case when it comes out. I just like the idea of being able to bring along some games in a nice, compact package.

SnipeU2Lumby @ Aug 5th 2008 3:58PM

Heh, I use screen protectors, but that's about it. It has withstood drops to the solid ground, thrown up in the air, anything basically. I probably should take better care of it...

Pratley @ Aug 5th 2008 4:22PM

The psp softcase works perfectly for a ds lite as long as you dont have a gba game in it. Ive been using it since the lite came out, first on my white one, now on my shiny gold one.

aliquis @ Aug 5th 2008 5:25PM

Screenprotector? Yes.

Couldn't care less for the rest though.

Dealextreme have screenprotectors from 1.5 dollar with shipping.

FantomRedux @ Aug 5th 2008 5:34PM

I don't use anything. I used to use the HORI screen protectors which came with a DSTT I got for a friend on my old Lite(and yes I mean a friend, I've got the vastly superior M3DS Real :P) but they scratched too easily. Now I've got my Green one, I just bought a pack of official styli, because the only reason my old one got traded in other than the broken R button (heehee) was the touchscreen was full of scratches from using cheap 3rd party styli.

DONT buy anything other than official! The nibs on the unofficial ones, or at least the ones I've seen, are the same hard plastic as the shaft of the stylus, which then scratches the screen.

My brother on the other hand uses the Spectrobes hardcase I bought (read: got from a freind working at GAME when Spectrobes came out) which has protected his DS a lot. I think it's more he can't be arsed taking it off than anything else though

pinOi32 @ Aug 5th 2008 10:11PM

I keep mine in a plastic bag, yo...

HARDCORE!!

chibi_wings @ Aug 5th 2008 10:40PM

hmm....I only have a case that I use when I take it with me outside the house. I'm usually pretty careful with it so it is in good condition. I clean it once a month (I don't really need to clean it more, as I said I take good care of it, plus I don't really mind finger prints on the outside, they only bother me when I see them on the screens) with soft toilet paper and windex =)

Sally @ Aug 6th 2008 1:09AM

$8 hori screen protectors and 3M microfiber cloth to keep the screens looking nice, and a Keys Factory case (that matches the finish, of course...)

The expensive screen protectors are definitely worth it, btw. They wipe clean easily and not a scratch on them after two months of extensive scratching. :)

Not too concerned about the outer casing; if it gets scratched up enough for me to care, I'll just replace the housing.

Thanatos @ Aug 6th 2008 10:43AM

Ive got the Hori screen protectors along with a DecalGirl sticker set and i was using a cheap crystal case but i just ordered a rubber/aluminum heavy duty case. I need to clean my screen protectors as my bottom one has smudges and a little lint in the corners and the other now has specs of dust in it after repositioning the top sticker.

Ralph @ Aug 7th 2008 8:12AM

My screen was fine until I bought phantom hourglass. Now it's so scratched, it sometimes misreads the touch of the stylus. My second DS Lite will be accompanied by a screen protector.

Josh @ Aug 20th 2008 5:38PM

Same here, but I'm waiting for the next DS redesign...

Jay @ Aug 11th 2008 12:43PM

I have to have my Nerf-type case on at all times. With four kids you never know what's gonna happen. I hate the new colors that Nerf put out, so i found my wife and I solid color ones on Ebay. Search for DS Nerf Armor and you'll find the off brand good ones I use.
Have to have a screen protector too. I also only like to use the nintendo branded styli (styluses) for the non sctratchability issues.

manaman @ Aug 26th 2008 11:21PM

Well,

I think I fall in the very protective category. I use an ArmorLite case, Hori screen protectors and invisibleSHIELD inside body protectors. I'm thinking about swapping the Hori protectos with invisibleSHIELD ones, though. All this is then kept in my super cool zippered case with games for traveling. Occasionally I'll just pop the system with a game inside in my cargo pocket with nothing else in it. When I do a detailed cleaning involving taking the ArmorLite off and wiping everything with a cloth sprayed lightly with a solution of half 90% isopropyl alcohol to half water with a drop of dish soap, I never see a scratch.

The only wear and tear on my DS is a little bit of discoloration immediately around the buttons and directional pad from before I got the invisibleSHIELD and the area that the invisibleSHIELD doesn't quite cover. Extremely minor, however.

Peace,

manaman