Review of Genki Covert Dock -

The GENKI Covert Dock is a KickStarter project to ease the connectivity between the Nintendo Switch with big-screen displays. For Nintendo Switch owners, you will know what in order to connect to a big-screen display such as a 55 inch TV, you will need to use the docking station provided by Nintendo as part of the Switch’s package. This original docking station also allows you to display and change the Nintendo Switch at the same time. Alternatively, one can also look for a USB-C to HDMI adapter to convert the display to something more commonly used. However, this mode of connection would mean that you will not be able to charge your Nintendo Switch while connected to the display. And it is precisely this inconvenience that resulted in the birth of the GENKI Convert Dock for Nintendo Switch on KickStarter.com. I supported the project back in August 2019 while it was successfully funded one month after. Currently, the GENKI Covert Dock retails for US$74.99 at the GenkiThings website. My pledge at KickStarter cost US$69 which includes the GENKI Covert Dock unit, a USB-C 3.1 cable, and Global Travel Adapter Pack. Shipping costs another US$10. Production took a while and was further delayed due to the COVID-19 situation. I received my unit only in late May 2020.

What’s a GENKI Covert Dock?

So what exactly is the GENKI Covert Dock? Think of it as a Gallium Nitride (GaN) based power plug that has a USB-C data and PD charging port, a USB-A 3.1 port for accessories, and an HDMI 1.4 port for display output. Size-wise it’s much smaller than the power bricks for laptops and adapters for MacBook. To output the display of a Nintendo Switch to a big-screen display, you just need to connect a USB-C cable from the Nintendo Switch to the GENKI Covert Dock. From the GENKI Covert Dock, connect to an HDMI cable to your big-screen display. That’s all. No bulky Nintendo Switch dock nor special cables to carry around. Any other accessories that you want to connect to the Nintendo Switch, you can just connect it via USB-A to the GENKI Covert Dock too. One may say that we could just use any USB-C based display adapter to do the same. However, I’ve tried my fair share of such adapters to know not all work well and mostly can’t display and charge the Nintendo Switch at the same time. One good option of a USB-C display adapter is the original Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter which also costs US$69 apiece.

Verdict

The GENKI Covert Dock works as it said it would. So far I tried it on my Sony TV and Phillips Projector, both worked like a charm. The build quality of the device also feels good although it’s all plastic. Though the GENKI Covert Dock is a bit pricy, given that it’s a GaN-based power plug, the price is still acceptable. Also, I would say the longer than expected wait for its delivery was still worthwhile. #COVERTDOCK

The GENKI Covert Dock