I am considering having an extra switch that I have repaired but I am avoiding it because I already had issues in the past when I needed technical support for other things. Nintendo support isn’t an option because they will replace it.
Could you share your experience when having services like these done here in Van and how everything went?
Thanks fellow lemmins!
Could I interest you in a YouTube rabbit hole?
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The running theme is that you need specialist tools to actually do it. The upfront cost is large, Hot Air Reflow Station, full PCB hotplate station, video feed microscope. But the actual parts that go bad are rarely actually very expensive. If you buy bulk the most you’re paying is like $1-$2/unit at the absolute most, and for the stuff that goes bad most often you’re looking at sub $0.10/unit. Then there’s the skill level needed.
There are places such as Vancouver Hack Space that remove the need of having the equipment!
Not really a huge upfront cost IMHO. The hot air and PCB hotplate are relatively inexpensive on Aliexpress.
The microscope could be expensive, but it’s not really necessary - they just have them because they’re youtubers creating content.
Could just use a magnifying glass with a pair of “helping hands” to hold things for a quick repair, or a jewler’s loupe set (my dad gave me a cheapo set for christmas which works fine). I’ve modded my own game consoles (never needed a repair), and modding was super-simple.
Eh, I have really good eyesight, I use a helping hand and magnifying glass, and while it works it’s not ideal. I occasionally do trace repair, so that may have something to do with it.