Can Anything Beat the Steam Deck KillSwitch?
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- čas přidán 28. 05. 2024
- The dbrand Project KillSwitch has been my primary grip and case for the Steam Deck since it launched. In this video we're going to look at a bunch of other alternatives to see if any of them can dethrone this stellar option from a company with less-than-stellar marketing tactics.
Items featured in the video:
dbrand KillSwitch: dbrand.com/shop/grip/steam-de...
Spigen rugged armor case: amzn.to/3JSJIoU
Spigen thin fit pro case: amzn.to/3y9prsO
tomtoc A05 case: www.tomtoc.com/products/fancy...
Satisfye StyleGrip: amzn.to/3yayWrL
Mepatem case: amzn.to/3WuXTYM
tomtoc gray case: amzn.to/4dwh62E
tomtoc black case: amzn.to/3wfQt19
Waterfield magnetic case: www.sfbags.com/products/steam...
Spigen rugged armor pro: amzn.to/4dvwnAt
Some of the items featured in this video were review items sent to me by the manufacturers. All opinions are my own, they did not see this review ahead of time, and no money was exchanged in any way.
Timestamps:
00:00 introduction
03:49 dbrand KillSwitch
07:28 Spigen grips
12:30 tomtoc grip
18:57 Satisfye grip
30:36 Mepatem grip
37:05 grip summary
38:18 tomtoc cases
40:35 Waterfield case
41:58 Spigen case
43:59 new video format feedback
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Theme song written by Jim Gray of Our Ghosts:
ourghosts.bandcamp.com/track/...
More music here: / posts
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This video is for entertainment and educational purposes only.
#SteamDeck #dbrand #killswitch #pcgaming - Hry
Full studio tour at 500k subs?
Also, thanks for the feedback re: JSAUX and Skull & Co grips, those flew under my radar. I just bought them and will test them when they arrive!
Very much interested in the JSAUX. I’ve been wanting the Killswitch but after their twitter issue recently don’t want to support a company like that. Thanks for your reviews/insights 👍🏽
nice cant wait.
Looking forward to those especially the skull.
I have the Skull & Co, while I can't compare to the others... I love it!
I had the killswitch but for some reason wanted to test out the jsaux mod case and fell in love with it and love that they include an adapter for the dock as well. The skins from dbrand even fit perfect with the mod case
I've been playing on my Steam Deck all day and my wife told me to get a grip so I bought one. She's thoughtful like that bless her.
Brother, I am blessed with a thoughtful wife as well. I was up until 2 AM playing with my wired Xbox 360 controller, and she walked in and said, "you really need to learn to disconnect." So I bought a wireless controller and headset and it has been life-changing.
😂🤣
@@MorganSuhm XBOX 360, bro
So dbrand reached out to you and you said "Nah man, I don't wanna do it"?
HAH! russ is iconic!!
Proceeded to make a 45-minute Killswitch ad for free
UPD: People in the replies not getting the joke 😭😭😭
@@andreymagnuss being unsponsored means a lot more for everyone I think. I don't trust a sponsored video as much, who knows what's actually real if a company payed for it?
So you’re deaf? He explained why he did what he did in a r-word-proof way.
@@andreymagnuss Saying someone makes a good product, when they think its a good product, and not taking money from them isnt an "ad"
When your friend recommends you eat at a specific pizza place, do you tell him to stop advertising? lmao
"You can be kind and run a company at the same time." -Russ (my hero)
I hope more people at companies try to do this
No but see Dbrand is unkind _ironically_ and therefore it's ok for them to be complete assholes
So now we're in a judging the book by its cover situation
dbrand is being mean on the outside, but only as a joke. It is actually a very kind and customer-oriented company
Meanwhile a company like Nintendo wants to have an image of kindness on the outside, but is actually a very rotten and anti-consumer company on the inside
The fact that some people would rather pick the latter over the former really curdles my stomach...
@@Thornskade I respect your opinion.
@@Thornskadepretty good take ngl
Love this new style of video Russ. A very natural feeling, off-the-cuff review. And don't even feel obligated for the cuts and edits. I personally prefer the more personal feeling videos that have the bumps, mistakes and your thoughts. It adds to the authenticity of the video. Going forward would love more videos like this.
i prefer how professional and well presented his usual videos are, but I know how much work it takes so will take whatever videos I can get
I've been using the Jsaux Mod Case since I got my deck and it fills all my needs and then some
Same with me. I was surprised the Mod Case wasn't on his list.
i think jsaux is actually better since it doesn't have any of the 3 nubs under so u can dock it with any kind of docks.
1:33 getting solid relationship advice in a review video 😂
Totally wasn't expecting that in a video from Russ, but he wasn't wrong 😂
The skull and co grip is pretty nice. They have a coyote gray color which looks really nice on my current steam deck.
Big fan of that one with the back button attachments, they both help in widening my grip when using my deck for longer sessions
The built in stand/base is great and not so thick as it prevents fitting in the dock I have.
This is the one I use, it replaced my killswitch case. Love the built-in kickstand and it's more comfortable than the DBrand case.
The skull & Co is pretty much perfect in my book. The only downside to it is that the deck gets too thick for the official dock, but with the built in stand up capability you can just stand it in front of the dock.
I got this one, plus the back button and joystick covers. The back buttons I was iffy on, but once they were on, it felt weirdly MORE ergonomic since it's contoured to share of your finger, whether you're pressing down with your top finger, or pressing up with your bottom finger. It does make the Steamdeck heftier, but the color is really nice and my hands cramp less.
I use the JSAUX Mod case. I'm a lil bit disappointed that you didn't try that case (but I understand if JSAUX didn't reach out and send you one to review). I think it is the best bang for your buck case for the Steam Deck, especially since it can come with many different accessories and the case is moddable. Cheaper than the Killswitch.
It amazes me that despite being not only a pro but feasibly the best at what he does, Russ still does have those doubts or maybe insecurities at taking that next step at his game. I mean, production values are at the roof but he still worries about quality and doing it the right way.
It's inspiring!
Love the experimentation with the format and especially taking a look at all these different options for grips! I just bought my killswitch a couple days ago, but I’m glad to see that there’s quite a few options out there as well! Keep up the good work, always love seeing your videos on my feed!
I've been happy with the JSAUX ModCase. Surprised to not see it in this video.
Poor man’s killswitch (I use it and it’s great)
Yeah same, and it also comes with a dock adapter in the box which makes it a way better deal then the KillSwitch...
I feel like it’s the most comparable. Only minus (to me) is the gaps between the triggers and faceplate. It isn’t fully shielded like the kill switch. That being said it hasn’t been an actual problem for me.
Same. That’s what I use and I expected to see it be part of this comparison. Love the adapter for the steam dock.
I'm very surprised too. Why?
I boot up Emulation Station, start a video slideshow and use a kickstand to prop it up and have a little show of games clips. So awesome to do when working at a desk.
Great way of ruining the battery life :)
This is a great format! Very complete evaluations of a ton if case options, easy to jump around thanks to distinct sections and chapters, and more "authentic" feeling feedback thanks to the second cam you talk into
I got the JSAUX ModCase because I already needed a USB Hub for my home office. If you need other peripherals while setting up accessories for the Deck, it might be worth getting a JSAUX ModCase bundle. The kickstand is kind of loose, but I don't rely on it too much. I only wish it had some integrated Micro SD Card storage.
I'm surprised to not see the Skull&Co grip case here, it's better than most of these tbh.
I tried that case. I really didn't like that one. It wasn't very protective. Also felt flimsy
I tried that one, i didnt like it and it felt very flimsy. I dont think it would iffer any kind of protection
What a great Review! Crazy how much details you give and examples, I don't own any of these but the way how you describe them makes it easy to imagine.
Great video! This was a great video format! I like the more relaxed feel of it. I haven't used a grip with my Steam Deck yet, so it is nice to see the variety of grips on the market currently!
Honestly, Russ just seems like the type of genuinely nice guy you'd want to just hang with, grab a beer, and talk gaming all afternoon! 😆
Love the video setup! Seems you feel ready to open up! 🎉 Good luck in your further journey!
Incredible timing. My steam deck oled arrives tomorrow so I was looking into these! Thanks Russ
I'd highly recommend checking out the JSAUX ModCase £30 on amazon and, imo, comparable to the killswitch. Comes with the cover, kickstand and a dock adapter!
I have the Skull & Co. Grip Case and love it. The built in stand works great, too.
I got the Jsaux Modcase ($30) and it's IMO just as good as the KillSwitch. Integrated Kickstand and travel cover for that same price. + it has a whole ecosystem of add on already that can connect to the back of the case.
FYI, from an engineering perspective, the ridges on the tops of the case make the top covers stiffer than a flat cover. So, it will protect the screen better by prevent that large flat area from bending into the screen and possibly scratching it.
I’m thinking about getting a steam deck and accessories and everyone has only really said they get the kill switch and I appreciate an actual side by side comparison of all the different cases. There’s not really many videos that showcase them so I appreciate it!
Love the content, keep up the great work!
I am glad to see you airing your concerns about dbrand as a company. When they first came out I really liked them, but completely agree that their ‘edginess’ has gone too far. In addition - their prices have just gone up and up. I know they need to make money but the margins on their products have to be SO high now that it’s not even funny.
I really love the Skull & Co gripcase. It has a flat bottom, so you can rest your Steam Deck on its edge, just by sitting it down-- no kickstand required.
Same here the grip is so good! Wish it had a front cover
The side view was very nice being able to see the profile of the products. Especially on those thumb sticks, you could really tell how tall they were!
I got the KillSwitch travel version when it first launched and it is my #1 accessory for the Deck. I absolutely LOVE the texture they put on it.
I have a JSAUX case for my Steamdeck and it’s great because it’s so cheap and it’s not that bad.
JSAUX's modcase is probably the best grip for me specifically. Yes, a lot of people dont need a grip that you can strap a power bank to, but its what works for me.
The Killswitch actually has this as an option too. Of course it costs more though.
I ordered the kill switch travel kit at the same time as my oled deck a few months ago planning on it being my, well, travel kit. And since then I’ve never really felt all that safe throwing it in the laptop sleeve of my backpack when travelling due to the uncovered back intake vents and just a creeping feeling that the deck is getting squished. I’ve really wanted a full all-around hard case that fits the killswitch grip without the travel cover inside of it to dispel any fear I have of it having too much pressure on the device in a bag. Great video Russ, came at the perfect time for me!
I like the camera set up! Makes you way more approachable. Keep the good work, man.
I’ve been using the DBrand for a long while now. Always loved it. When I upgraded myself to the OLED model, I gave my son my LCD deck and bought him a Jsaux case from Amazon. It’s a VERY good contender against the DBrand. $30 and it’s just as comfortable, in my opinion.
Thanks for the long content, Russ. Your loyal fans love it!
7:45 that is cool way to record.
Love it how you always find something new to improve !
This was an awesome video. Such a fresh and more personal perspective of RGC. I got a bit of gear talk and a bit of marketing ethics too lol. I'm along for the ride!
Skull & Co grip is a great alternative as well
Really like the new video format. Keep up the great work.
Love this format! A lapel mic might be something to play around with for videos like this 💕 love your work, Russ
The new format is great Russ! It's got a nice casual vibe, like Dave 2D (I think he might have three cameras, and maybe something to switch between views on the fly, it probably took lots of practice). If it's easier for you on the post production end, I say keep them coming!
Good comparison with Dave2D
Fun video and new format! Hope to see the full studio tour soon.
My Deck setup currently is just a matte OD Green skin from DecalGirl (great skins), a JSAUX screen protector, and the Deckmate. I did add some rubbery grips, but not sure if I will keep them on yet.
love my mepatem grip. I haven't tried others but it really gave me what i was looking for
IMO, the TomToc shoulder bag for the Steam Deck is by far the best way to travel with one, and all the goodies you might want to take along with you. I've used it on dozens of trips, and I can fit basically everything I want at my seat in it: steam deck, charging cable, battery bank, noise cancelling headphones, SD cards, etc...
I’m a big fan of the satisfye one. It does take a little getting used to the massive grips, but now I love it. Like you I’m not a fan of Dbrands marketing strategy. I don’t mind the satisfye branding all over the place, rather deal with that than give money to a company I don’t really like.
I dig the new setup! Great roundup!
This format was so enjoyable to watch 🎉
Russ - props from down under; you are the man! Love all your content 😊
Can't wait for the 500k tour! New layout works well, whatever makes your life easier!
I like this format. Keep experimenting!
I use the JSaux version of Killswitch and love it. Also use back button risers and like those. Might just be my hands but I struggled to use the standard back buttons.
I have been using that Hepatem one in transparent purple for about a year now, it's literally perfect comfortable and often $10 in amazon sales.
I'm loving my Skull and Co. Gripcase with Deckmate universal adapter combo.
My preferred grip is the Satisfye one. It’s comfy for my big hands and I love the bit at the bottom for fitting into the valve dock.
I got the Skull and Co grip case for mine and like it so far. I like this video format.
The new format is great. Feels very thoughtfully edited. And my Killswitch has basically never been taken off from my SD. It's so well made and feels great to hold and play on for long stretches. That logo on the Satisfye is so in your face. I'm glad dbrand did not doi anything similar with their protective cover.
Great case and so easy to takeoff and put back on that is so important and that travel cover just makes it so worth it especially if you go traveling a lot and camping or something
I appreciate you saying what you did about D-brand. I almost bought the steam case and was holding off on a preorder but found their marketing so off putting I cancelled my order (and sold the deck, later, to get the Ally).
Really cool video Russ, I watched all 45 minutes of it without skipping. I wish this video came out two months ago before I bought a different 29 CAD (21 USD) case, but I don't regret my purchase at all!
I was considering the Killswitch, but was hesitant by the pricing. Watching a few other videos, I was quite intrigued by the Auarte Case (can go by a different name). It wasn't as expensive compared to the other name branded cases so I decided it was worth a shot. Much like the Mepatem case in this video, the quality, fit and feel was a pleasant surprise. The best part is that it fits in the Valve case too, so I get to save some money there. I would highly recommend others who are looking to spend not too much to look at this option too. It comes with accessories such as glass screen protector, thumbstick risers, USB-C riser which makes it a very good deal!
Thanks for bringing the lip feel Russ. I’ve always looked at screenshot and wonder hence held off on many purchases. I’m looking for something that adds more grip to the already excellent grip of the steam deck. Was eyeing Satisfye one earlier as the grip is the most prominent
100% with you on the ambivalence re: dbrand. I’ve got their kill switch and it’s my go-to. With the case on top I can toss the deck into my bag and have it be protected without adding too much to its already huge bulk. The kickstand is useful for using the deck in desktop mode as a luggable computer.
I got the Sonicgrace clear case, which you can't buy anymore. It was identical to most steam deck clear cases but a bit higher quality with a kickstand. My takeaway was that as long as you only put it on and never take it off, it's an excellent case. The plastic tabs on it though are too small and you will definitely break them taking it off, resulting in a bad fit. The kickstand was a necessity to save space in my bag, which was very tight already. All clear cases usually have the benefit of not screwing up the fitment for bags and docks.
For a steam deck bag I got the MVRPDXC Carrying Case. This is a REALLY good bag. I got it because it was the only bag that had room for:
A folding keyboard
Small mouse
Backup battery
SD cards
Portable Dock
without putting all that weight on the analog sticks, which is the main flaw of MANY steam deck bags. My viewpoint was if I was going to get a steam deck, I would make damn sure it was a ZERO compromise setup, which I definitely succeeded with these products.
Another great video, thanks Russ! I actually just ordered a dbrand killswitch case today, I liked their case for my S23 Ultra and although I agree that their marketing gimmicks are a bit cringe, they make good products and have good customer service. I just hope it's not too hard to apply the skin!
As for cases, I've been using the Jsaux Steam Deck case and it's actually pretty good, feels sturdy and it has a secret compartment for a charger or something, even fits a small mouse I've found. Plus it fits very well with a grip too.
I love the different set up. Like you mentioned some different decor will be a good upgrade for the multi angle set up. Good job switching it up and trying new things Russ! Also I’m still patiently waiting for your rg35xx h set up video please 😂
I like the new camera setup! Only suggestion would be the black background with the black shirt might be something to change. Keep up the good work!
I got the Spigen Rugged Armor one and I love it. The grip doesn’t bother me, but when I remove it, it feels like I got a new deck. I find hard to press the back buttons but that’s because I’m not used to them.
it amazing video shots I love how this channel work hard and grow with best content!!
I'm digging this different filming format. Don't get me wrong, your usual way is great too. It's just that by doing it this way, it actually kind of almost feels like you're doing a live stream, plus it feels more one on one too. I think you should consider doing more videos this way! Either way, still a great video as usual!👍
Russ, the new camera angles for the videos are an awesome touch!! Just wondering though, is anyone else hearing a faint whistle through the entire video? Maybe the mic gain is a bit high?
very informative video, hope to see one about slings or bags!
Great video! It'd be awesome to see how these grips/cases fit with popular docks. Compatibility was a major factor in my decision to purchase the Killswitch case and Valve's dock, even though I usually prefer my JSAUX case and dock over those of other competitors.
Can't wait to see your impressions for the JSAUX modcase, I chose that due to price as well compared to the dbrand being too pricey, My partner doesn't like the sandpaper feel on the sides but that doesn't bother me as much.
I did get the first cloth tomtoc cloth travel case for free and am fairly happy with it, though I don't use it or take my deck anywhere.
For the most part I do like having the hard front cover option as well as a grip cover but honestly when I do take it places I am usually throwing it in a bigger travel bag with my laptop/tablet and other devices so something smaller to help isolate it is nice.
I’ve had the JSAUX Protective Standing Case for Steam Deck/OLED for months now. Cheap and works great. It also fits the regular Steam deck case :)
I really appreciate your opinion and the way you talk about what you prefer and what not. for me I don't use a protextive case as the steam deck feels allready large itself even when I have bigger Hands. And I don't take the Steam Deck with me that much. I considered to buy the tomtoc one as it fits better in my backpack.
I was one of the first pre-orderes and recieved both the magnetic and the updated versions of the killswitch. They sent out the updated travel kit and it came with the adapter for the official dock.
That being said I have one of the original Jsaux docks and the kill switch does fit into it. It's a snug fit, but it does work.
Have had the Spigen grip for about six months now, and I can honestly say that if the lip/edge ever bothered me to begin with, it certainly doesn't anymore. I really have no complaints about it whatsoever, especially considering how affordable it is compared with the likes of the Dbrand grip.
Russ, I took a chance on the JSaux Modcase for my Steam Deck and for $30, I’ve found it to be pretty decent. The dbrand Killswitch is great and I would’ve bought one but it was the price (and marketing) that I didn’t care for.
I wish you did a comparison to the Modcase in this video but hey, I’m glad you did a more extensive deep dive on the Killswitch.
That's so weird. I love dbrand's marketing because it's funny. I know they're not being serious so seeing them being mean to everyone, including their partners is so amusing to me. It reminds me of some older video games that had no qualms about insulting the player, mostly point and click adventures or for another example there was this RTS called Z where the announcer started belittling and insulting you when you were currently losing. That's my type of humor
But I guess that explains why companies generally don't try to be a character or even are kinda sterile. Because even though you'll gain an audience, apparently there are also people who really can't stomach your act
Totally loved the new format.
Thanks so much Russ I love my Steam Deck I have my 1TB SSD upgraded with LCD Model. This video very helpful.
Man that's some timing about losing your first love. 3 year relationship just ended and boy is it difficult but boy are you were you spot on. Anyways, I own the Killswitch case and have almost never taken it off. Cheers to the fantastic content Mr. GameCorp
The best I’ve found is the skull and co. Case and case. Has the stand built into the case itself. Perfect. No need even to put inside the dock. Just sits in front and plugs in
Stick risers are a game changer if you play FPS/TPS games. I’ve had them on my controllers since I was playing Destiny 1 on the Xbox 360, they really do help a lot. The taller pivot means you can have finer granularity in your aiming, they make a huge difference.
However, I don’t think I’d bother with them on a handheld where I’m happy to sacrifice a little controller accuracy for portability and convenience. Steam deck is big enough as it is.
Love the new setup. Could be good for a "mail time roundup" kinda thing. Or maybe monthly "what's coming up" casual video.
Great video as always Russ. I was expecting that you have the Jsaux mod case for comparison.
Drake, put your pen down, RGC just dropped a new video!!
Implying Drake writes his on lyrics. 🤔
Drake don't write shit lol
Don't worry, I don't think he's ever picked up a pen lmao
@@GvlvxyMilk He certainly wrote that last whack song lmfao
Drake needs new ghost writers because they honestly have been terrible lately
For the Steam Deck black screen issue, it is a defect, and that happened to my husband's Steam Deck, and we had to RMA it. I have a career in the IT field and I tried everything from another SSD, reinstalling the os, to swapping his Steam Deck screen for my Steam Deck's screen, etc, and no luck (even some other things Valve told me to do, I had already done). Video output kept working fine on it, but I couldn't get the built-in screen to function at all. There was no physical damage to his screen either. When my husband had the issue occur, all that happened was his battery died while he was playing a game, so he just plugged in his Steam Deck charger and when he tried to turn on the Steam Deck again to play, that's when the screen stopped working. (I even swapped the battery on his Steam Deck for mine to see if that would make some sort of difference. It did not).
Love the content Russ. Sucks big companies think that way. Hoping for the ROG Ally grip video next!
I like the Skull and Co case. Added velcro tape to the back for usbc hub. Works great.
I like seeing you with the second person Camera, it makes you a bit more of a real person. You should definitely continue with this set up :)
A short fall destroyed the RB on the LCD deck. After that I bought a Killswitch and never looked back. I'm so happy with the case and grip texture, I wouldn't even bother looking for other options at this point.
Can confirm the Skull and Co case is quite good. As others have said, the self stand is awesome. Also, I found the dBrand Stick Grips are amazing. I found the stock thumbsticks slippery and these grips are the best I’ve used and the gyro-touch function works almost flawlessly
I have a few cases and what i use the most is the Jsaux Mod case, imo its the perfect case
Thanks for the video, I've used the JSAUX one since i got my original steam deck & it's perfect. From this video none of the ones you've shown would temp me away from it
Great video! Kinda shocked to not see the JSAUX Mod Case. Other than the back being a bit smudgy, I think it's a good option around $25.
I like the 2 camera format. It's a nice change. For me, I don't feel the need to go past the Valve case. I throw it in my sling bag, and it travels nicely.
Love the new style of video, and if it saves you time then even better! So now you might have time to play the Odin 2 more often 😂
43:14 "...a couple changes of clothes." 🤣
I love the Spigen case. Along with my Steam Deck (ofc, with Spigen grip), I have my Ugreen portable charger and slim 65w charger in there, all my cables and memory cards, and my PS Vita slim with a sleeve on it (from Onstent).
New camera setup hype!
I've been really happy with the Benazcap Steam Deck Case with the JSAUX Carbon fiber stickers and thumb stick covers (which are Gyro Compatible). I'd recommend the color black vs the transparent one, seems to have a better quality plastic.
I bought the Mumba Blade Series. It’s an inexpensive grip that just works, and it fits my iVoler dock.
I've always used Spigen cases and I also use one on my Steam Deck. I find that they offer a lot of durability and functionality while being very minimal and slim, which I appreciate a lot. Many Deck cases are so bulky that they interfere with a lot of other accessories like the stock case for example, so you have to buy into their "ecosystem" (if one even exists), or just accept other accessories won't fit properly. Oh also I actually like the lip lol! I find the stock steam deck even though it's very wide doesn't fill the innermost palm enough, with the lip it does, at least for me.
I love this content. Do you think it would be possible to get an updated video on docks as well? Have docks gotten better since your previous video?
I'm just here to say that there are definitely people out there (like myself) who don't like the smoothness of the inside top part of the joystick. When my thumbs get sweaty they tend to slide around.