Should You Buy the CharJenPro Stingray Dockless Dock for the Nintendo Switch
70In this video, we unbox and test out the Stingray USB C Adapter for the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite from CharJenPro.
One of the things that makes the Nintendo Switch so unique is its ability to go from docked to handheld mode. The dock, however, is a huge monstrosity of plastic, something that is not easily portable. There is also no way to connect an ethernet cable unless you purchase a separate USB adapter. Never fear, as the creative minds at CharJenPro have a new solution for those who want to travel with their Switch and have access to all of the dock's features without a physical dock. The answer is what you see here, the Stingray.
Originally a Kickstarter program, The Stingray set out to answer a number of issues for Nintendo Switch, and Switch Lite, owners. The Stingray forgoes the huge plastic shell of Nintendo's OEM dock and replaces it with a single USB C dongle. Integrated into this dongle is a USB 2.0, USB 3.0, USB C power, HDMI, and ethernet port. All of these ports & connections have been configured into a device that will fit in the palm of your hand; extremely portable! There are even strategic vents placed throughout the adapter to help the Stingray dissipate Heat.
At the time of this video, the Stingray is still on Kickstarter & has been fully funded. There are two different ways you can purchase the Stingray, one with just the adapter itself which is what I purchased, and one that also includes an AC adapter. If you opt to go for the version that does not include an AC adapter, I highly recommend sticking to the OEM Nintendo one. Some may be concerned that using a third-party dock may brick their Switch. Let's be clear about this - it was never the docks that were the issue, it was the power supplies included with those docks.
Upon plugging everything in, I have to admit the video quality looked just as good as it does through the original dock. Whether I was playing a fighting game, racing game, or action platformer, I never felt any additional lag, latency, or delay. This truly did provide everything that my stock switch dock did, but in a much more compact and portable form. I do wish there was a way that I could do a speed test using the ethernet connection, unfortunately Nintendo does not equip the Switch, or Switch Lite for that matter, with a web browser.
While not tested on camera, I did test the Stingray with my wife's Switch Lite. As expected and advertised, the Stingray does not magically add video output to the Switch Lite. Thank Nintendo for that, they removed the video output chip from the circuit board. All of the other features worked perfectly however, from using USB controllers, my bluetooth adapter, and even the ethernet port.
Why it RoX
- extremely portable
- less than half the cost of the original doc
- maintains original doc's video quality
- integrated ethernet port
- available with or without AC adapter
- USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports
- early backers on Kickstarter will also receive a free screen protector
What could be improved?
- no way to stand the switch while in use
- not available in stores
- no other color options at this time
- due to limitations in the switch light, still does not allowed to switch light to connect to a TV
Should you buy one?
Anyone who has traveled with their Nintendo Switch knows how cumbersome and clunky it is to travel with the OEM dock. The Stingray absolutely addresses this issue with a fully functional yet compact design. From the word go it just worked, and that's exactly what it should do. The compact design lends it well towards taking with you when you are on the go. Its greatest strength is also possibly its biggest weakness though as if you wanted to use this for an everyday dock there's no way to stand your Switch while in use. That may leave your shelf looking a bit cluttered, and it's just not a good look. I will say I felt just ask connected to the system using the Stingray as I did with the OEM dock, and it's less than half the price! If what you are looking for is a second travel dock for your Nintendo Switch you will be hard-pressed to beat the features and value that the Stingray from CharJenPro delivers.
#NintendoSwitch #Stingray #CharJenPro
The footage used in this review are used under the Fair Use laws, referenced below:
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/107
The fact that a work is unpublished shall not itself bar a finding of fair use if such finding is made upon consideration of all the above factors.
(Pub. L. 94–553, title I, § 101, Oct. 19, 1976, 90 Stat. 2546; Pub. L. 101–650, title VI, § 607, Dec. 1, 1990, 104 Stat. 5132; Pub. L. 102–492, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3145.)