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Nintendo DS Lite Stereo Grip - White | 
| From: DreamGEAR
Category: Video Games
List Price: $19.99
Buy New: $16.99
You Save: $3.00 (15%)
New (2) from $16.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  11 reviews
Sales Rank: 4691
Platform: Nintendo Ds
Color: White
Media: Accessory
Operating System: Nintendo DS
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 10.3 x 8.9 x 2.7
MPN: DGDSL-917
Model: DGDSL-917
UPC: 837742009172
EAN: 0837742009172
ASIN: B000MCXTRM
Release Date: February 28, 2008
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Customer Reviews: Read 6 more reviews...
 Getting a grip on your DS Lite October 12, 2008
I realize this review is going to be lengthy,I apologize in advance but bare with me on this. I dissected the review into paragraphs for ease of use. If you just wanna know if these grips work for you, look up the subtitle "A look at the grips and how they perform". I felt the need to address a design flaw they had in the DS since day one, which is likely why your looking into these products anyhow.
*TWO SIMPLE BUTTONS TO SOLVE THE DS'S PROBLEMS SEEMS ONE REDESIGN AWAY*
The Nintendo DS may have been the pioneer of touch screen technology in main stream gaming, but it was bulky and unpleasant in terms of hand held comfort. Then comes along the Nintendo DS Lite, a slimmer version of the original that manages to brighten it's back light a bit and lose a few ounces, but still suffers the same ungainly set backs. So what's the DS doing that is making it hard on our knuckles and cramping our hands up? The answer surprisingly isn't it's size if you can believe that. It has more to do with the top screen creating an unbalanced feel with a jarring elongated horizontal design. The major problem is in the way you have to hold this thing to play. Your required to keep your hands near the top of the bottom screen where the weight of this thing is off center. Now imagine if Nintendo simply moved the D-pad near the bottom of the device while leaving the A,B,X,Y, and R buttons where they are near the top, then switch the L button onto the back of the DS like a trigger button. That's it...shift two simple buttons and the problem for most of us is solved! Your hands would balance the weight out on this thing. Then suddenly, more than half of us wouldn't even consider third party "wing grip" devices such as this Dreamgear stereo grip. Ahhh but alas...
So your wondering does that design flaw mean you NEED these grips? Will it make gaming on the DS Lite more approachable for longer periods? Yes and no. But in order to answer your question a little better, let's take a look at what your going to be playing with.
*A LOOK AT THE GRIPS AND HOW THEY PERFORM*
This is not a bad stand alone product. It fits snuggly onto your DS Lite and clips it in place to secure it. The grips themselves provide dual speakers for stereo sound performance which is at least two times louder than the DS alone. Of course you need 2 AAA alkaline batteries to juice it up. And from my own experience using the thing, it's pretty fair on battery life as well. The grips protrude into a wing span which forces the hands into the D-pad and the buttons themselves. It's almost like holding onto a Gamecube controller that has it's own TV screen minus the cords. Unfortunately it's not perfect. The grips them selves have been designed to allow players to equip their DS game cards and GBA games, but offers no access to your stylus. And if you don not remove the cartridge slot protector for the GBA game slot before equipping this grip, you will have effectively blocked access to your GBA slot as well. The DS game card slot is not so easy to access due to the grip's bulky design, so you'll need nimble fingers to swap between DS games. If you happen to have a wrist strap then you'll need to dangle and drop it through the right hand shoulder hole before snapping the DS Lite into place on the grips. This is because there would not be enough reach when forcing the strap around the back side then under the grip. Additionally, while you have access to the AC adapter port needed to charge the DS lite, the added layer of plastic on the grips make the plug on your adapter feel loose. The largest drawback however is that the grips are entirely situational. It really works like a charm in some D-pad intensive DS games and yet, winds up hurting your hands MORE when used in other types of games. It's not at all compact either and you'll most certainly need to detach the DS lite from the grips in order to use a carry case if you have them. It's brightest perks are it's added speakers and the relatively cheap price. The grips are a wonderful thing when all you need is the D-pad, but it can be a pain for games that require intense use of the touch screen or even the main buttons. If you have the money i'd say go ahead and buy these even just for slight occassions as any relief is welcomed. But since it's the postion of the DS buttons themselves that are the real cause for all these cramping problems, you might find that the grips really can't do as much to help as you might have wanted or needed.
 Alot easier to hold October 10, 2008
I have mild arthritis and it sure does help to have a better grip. The sound is good. I can play alot longer because I don't have to take so many breaks to rest my hands from holding the game. My grip is more relaxed.
Excellent Product August 26, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is absolutely the best item I have invested in for my Nintendo DS system. It gives great sound and makes the DS very easy to hold onto. If you have somewhat small hands you know that the DS can be hard to hold and makes you hands cramp after playing for awhile. This item helps to relieve some of the ease of holding onto it while playing a game. It also has 2 clips at the top for holding the top screen into place while playing. If you have a hard time hearing games when you play this is a great item to have it makes the sound of the DS a lot louder than normal. An excellent buy for $13.05. I highly recommend this product.
 Great Deal...Okay quality July 28, 2008
For the price you cannot beat this accessory for your DS.
The Good
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I have fairly large hands and the grip is much more comfortable for holding.
The speakers definitely increase the volume over the DS.
It holds the DS securely. I was worried it could fall out, but this has not come close to happening yet.
The Not-So-Good
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The speaker quality is pretty weak (although what do you expect at this price). If you turn your DS all the way up, you get some noise/static.
There is no auto-power off for the speakers. You have to manually hit the turn off switch which is in the back of the unit (and not very noticeable. I have left it on accidentally many times (wasting the grips batteries).
OVERALL
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I would recommend this accessory for any DS user. The added volume and comfortable grips make it well worth the price. Even when I use my headphones, I use this just for the grips.
Better than Carpal Tunnel syndrome June 10, 2008
This device really helps, especially if you use it alot. Will definately improve your game.
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