Should You Buy the Gulikit Compact Portable Dock for the Nintendo Switch

In this video, we unbox and test out the Gulikit Compact Portable Dock for the Nintendo Switch available from ValueQ.

I'll admit, I have tested a TON of different dock options for the Nintendo Switch. From the time it was released, I was looking for ways to play my Switch on more than one TV. Once the Switch Lite was released, I expanded my search to docks that I could also use as charging stands for the Switch Lite. The folks at VauleQ reached out to me recently to see if I'd be interested in carrying one of the newest docks they now carry, the Gulikit Compact Portable Dock.

Gulikit has been making accessories for the Switch and Switch Lite for quite some time. Their Bluetooth adapter is quite well known and held in high regard. They have taken their talents and applied it to a new portable dock for the Nintendo Switch, and it is one of the smallest I've tested to-date. Like other docks, the AC Adapter is not included and you will need to supply your own. I highly recommend you stick with the OEM Nintendo Power Supply to avoid any issues with bricking that happened back when 3rd party docks first started shipping. They also offer a "No bricking worry and 1-year warranty" to provide peace of mind.

From the box, I was impressed with how teeny-tiny this dock was. It is super small and reminds me of the overall footprint of an AppleTV, but it is even lower profile. Interestingly, the USB-C port has a magnetic cover to protect the port when you are transporting it. Very smart! The magnetic cover doubles as a support for the back for your Switch to lean against and provide support so that the USB-C port isn't the only thing holding your Switch upright. I've had a few issues getting the cover orientated properly as it is supposed to sit at a specific angle, but that's more about user error than anything else.

The Compact Portable Dock is pretty straightforward regarding its ports. It features one HDMI output, one USB 3.0 and one USB-C Port. It would have been nice to have more than one USB port to be able to attach 2 USB controllers, but you can use USB hubs to get more USB ports if need be. There is also a button on the back which allows you to toggle between tabletop and TV mode.

Connecting to my television was a snap, and I did use the Nintendo Power Supply to avoid any issues. One concern I have with 3rd party docks is the accuracy of color reproduction and added lag & latency. First off, the color reproduction and the quality was pretty good, no issues there! For lag and latency, with my Pro Controller, I did not detect any additional lag or latency when playing any games. And while it doesn't output the video from the Switch Lite, it will charge the Switch Lite and facilitate using USB Controllers while in Tabletop Mode.

One additional benefit is the option to use this dock as a DeX dock with my Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus. It took a little extra time getting the USB-C Port lined up in my phone for some reason, but I was able to get it connected. I was happy with how easy this was to use, as I am actually a big fan of the DeX format and tool.

Why it RoX:
- Small Size
- Facilitates Tabletop Modes for both the Switch & Switch Lite
- Samsung DeX compatible
- Good color
- No additional lag detected
- anti-slip base
- No bricking worry and 1-year warranty
- Firmware Upgradeable

What Could Be Improved:
- More USB ports
- Getting the cover aligned can be a bit confusing
- No Bluetooth for Headphones
- Lacks Ethernet support

Should You Buy One?
This is one of the more compact docks out there, and the magnetic cover is a really unique way to protect things. For the money, this is a really nice solution, but it isn't perfect. I do wish that Bluetooth audio was integrated, so I could use BT Headphones. Some people would prefer if the dock had an Ethernet port, but you need to remember that the OEM dock doesn't even have this. And finally, I do wish that it had a second USB port, but I can get around this with a USB hub. Overall, Gulikit did a nice job with this dock, and something you should consider checking out.

#NintendoSwitch #SwitchDock #Gulikit

The footage used in this review are used under the Fair Use laws, referenced below:

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/107

Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright.

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.)