When I'm using it handheld, my favorite accessory is a pair of 2x magnification reading glasses. Blows up the screen, and makes it very nice... super easy to see everything.
But I'm in my 40s with bad eyes, so YMMV.
you need a steam deck version of one of these:
Before I thought of the glasses, I scoured the internet to see if anyone was selling something like this for the Deck, or if at least it could be 3d printed. Nothing out there that I found.
So could be a small business / side hustle idea for someone who could design and make them. Just tossing that out there.
I got some of these that clip on to my glasses for miniature painting, and they were very nice for being able to flip on and off as needed. Looks like these come in different magnification powers, which sounds handy, depending on one's needs.
The ones I designed and gave away: https://twystlock.com/ 😉
Specifically, the wall mount and belly stand.
Underrated comment
I remember seeing your original post on the 3d printing community too! Thanks for sharing here, I'll definitely be exploring those options. Love the idea of the belly stand!
Hah, thanks!
Those look very close to the Mechanism offerings, what are the advantages of your connector over theirs?
In reality, I love the belly stand.
Mechanism's stuff is great, the main differences between Twystlock and it are:
- Twystlock is an open connector, it can be used for anything
- Twystlock doesn't require any springs or heat-set inserts
- Twystlock doesn't require any supports when printed
- Mechanism latch may be more durrable, but I've tested the Twystlock wall hanger for over 1K mounts and it's still going strong
- I don't sell anything, and everything on https://nowsci.com/ is given away for free
So basically, I don't ever intend to compete, because I don't care. I made these to improve my CAD and engineering skills, and because I wanted them, as I do most things, and then send them out into the world 😉
Wired headphones. They dont ever need a charge and they make the content more immersive
I was playing with my shokz and I was like "ok well this is about what I expected". But those died and I still wanted to squash bugs so I plugged in my good headphones, holy shit dude it's night and day. I kind of feel those guys who miss the headphones jack on the phone now.
Anything particular?
Best $15 ive ever spent on headphones, and the mic makes me sound great too :)
Right angle USB-C adaptors to change the angle of the charging cable.
USB-C Y cable to connect power and external SSD at the same time.
External USB-C SSD:
https://www.kingston.com/en/ssd/xs2000-portable-usb-c-solid-state-drive?capacity=2tb
In order of frequency of use with my Deck:
My most used accessory is a hoodie with the single front pocket. The Deck fits in this pocket and is great to carry around the house. Doesn't fall out or anything.
Thick stick-on rubber button covers for the back buttons that make them far easier to press.
Deckmate. I primarily use this with a DIY phone holder to attach my phone.i watch movies while gaming in a dark room waiting for my son to fall asleep every night. Also great for the kick-stand, but I don't use that much.
A barrel connector to USB-C converter to turn my laptop charger into a 65W USB charger at my desk so I don't need to have multiple chargers and cables lying around. I also have a super small GaN dual port USB-C charger for travel. I would also recommend buying a bunch of used (branded) USB-C laptop chargers from eBay if you want multiple chargers scattered around the house.
Tomtoc carrying case.
My Synology NAS for easily transferring files to the Deck from other devices and for auto-backup of save files from emulated games using Syncthing.
90 degree USB-C connector along with a generic USB-C laptop dock. Extra long USB-C cable.
My hitbox controller for street fighter.
The Steam Link app on the PC to work as an instant remote access app to the Deck. Works great for setting things up (i.e. emulators) in desktop mode with the KB+M and screen shared to the large monitor.
Guitar hero controller......yup this still gets some use and is fun with the family.
Dualshock 3 controller (works natively with Deck Bluetooth connection).
PD power bank.
There are a number of options I haven't explored. I haven't touched anything on the inside of the Deck. You can get a bigger NVME drive or hall effect joysticks or a new shell. You can also get vinyl stick on skins for the outside. You can get all sorts of other mods. You can get to really significant surgical mods.
Try sunshine and moonlight for streaming. Better quality and you can wake your PC through moonlight on the steamdeck.
But harder to setup though.
I don't stream games with Steam Link. I use it to remote access the Deck and use it with the KB+M and monitor. Moonlight does work better for streaming games, but I play low requirement indie titles exclusively so I don't really need to stream anything.
Oh damn, I've been exclusively on zip up hoodies for the past 2+ decades, but that might convince me to pick up a pullover
I need to find an affordable GH controller. They’re crazy.
Facebook marketplace is flooded with these controllers in my area. The popularity of guitar hero games died a decade ago and the controllers are still floating around. I got an Xbox guitar, but like the buttons on my PS2 guitar (with USB converter) better. Try thrift shops as well. Or if you're handy with electronics and making things, then you'll find instructions online for making your own from scratch.
Would you mind linking those rubber button covers you mentioned?
auto-backup of save files from emulated games using Syncthing.
cool implementation.
Also, nice tip about the steam link on desktop trick. I'll have to remember that if I go to set up emulation sometime.
My Deckmate with the kick stand. I'm bedbound and it even works to prop it up on my tummy.
As Someone else who is also disabled. Got any other accessibility type things for the steam deck ?
Nope, sorry. But the Deckmate also has a VESA mount. There are probably some ways to mount it to help with playing.
Nowadays I'm not playing so much anyways. A laptop on a tiltable food tray table thingy gets much more use for YouTube videos.
Also, check out the bellystand that fmstrat created!
I've got something I can only describe as a "gamer's breastfeeding pillow", it's a sort of U-shaped pillow which you rest your arms and Deck on. Handy for a long play session if your arms get tired.
Any links to where to buy it?
I think this is the one I have, but any web search for "gaming pillow" should find plenty of options
...a "gamer's breastfeeding pillow"...
I laughed pretty hard at this!
My 8bitdo controller while I wait for my steam controller 2. And my evergreen charger so I can have an extra long cable while playing handled on charger.
I've got my sf30 pro charged up, going to be playing some UFO 50 with it!
This soft grip from Skull & Co. because it lets the deck stand up on its own.
Seems like nice quality for sure. I feel like I'm kind of torn between this and the accessory attachment systems that I've seen so far. I wonder if there's any soft grips that only go on the ends?
Except for a cheap stand I bought on Amazon, I don't use any accessories. My steam deck is either docked to my monitor or used in handheld mode. When docked, I use it mostly in desktop mode with mouse and keyboard. I use the same setup with my laptop from work when I work from home.
Before mine started to have problems and I had to send it in for repairs, I would definitely have to say either my dock or 3rd party switch controller, if that counts.
With the dock, official, I knew I had something I could use to just plug into a TV and call it good. Allowed me to go through Dead Money in New Vegas on the TV in my room, so I could have a better view of what was going on compared to the tiny screen.
And if the controller counts, I absolutely love using it in general even if I'm not playing games because of the headphone jack at the bottom that allowed me to be up in the middle of the night, listening to music (either in game or on desktop mode) without having to worry about the apartment above or my family hearing what I'm listening to. It's USB too, so no battery to worry about when I had my deck docked, especially since I'm not a big bluetooth fan and only use it pretty much when absolutely necessary.
Chinesium-silicone aloy case against sweaty palms
One if my best gaming investments
The Mechanism Deckmate, mostly with the Kickstand attached.
I also use it to attach a portable battery and the Kickstand to find comfortable gaming angles and while I'm charging it.
Other than that, I've got a pair of KSC75s to wear when I need them (I mostly just play my games muted anyway) and I guess the hall effect Gullikit sticks might count since my left stick developed drift.
jsaux ModCase and the amazon/aliexpress button extensions for the L buttons. Throw it on the seat of my truck or in any bag and it's fine. A little tape over the usb port if it's going to be particularly dusty.
A cheap slim case I got for my Steam Deck so the side seams don't get filled with gamer gunk. It also made the grips a little thicker so they felt more comfortable than without the case. And then some random joystick covers which provides some grip.
@technomad My #SteamDeck accessories:
* 1TB SSD installed on day 1 for my 64GB
* Bluetooth keyboard:
- for advanced use in desktop mode, like emulators setup
- to enter credentials in shitty EA wrapper for games* wired earbuds (KZ on AliExpress)
- For the way I treat my SteamDeck, a clip on screen cover was a necessity.
- A larger case with space to keep the charging cable with it, for longer gaming sessions at my siblings place.
- A tiny Bluetooth gamepad (fits in the case beside the charger) for easily adding a second player for (admittedly intimate) couch co-op.
For my smol hands, the Skull & co back button extensions.
Those look nice!
I think I bought a knockoff brand but these are great and just make it easier to press the back buttons, even if you don't have small hands.
Battery pack and battery strap.
Honestly in 3 years I never felt the need for any accessories, other than a 1TB SSD.
The Deckmate, super easy to play with portable batteries attached to the back.
Dock for playing on a large screen paired with a Google Stadia controller.
A JSAUX Dock, Vader 3 controller, and Phillips SHP9500 headphones.
Killswitch case from dbrand and the official dock
A 2m USB extension cable. I know it's supposed to be bad but it's unusable without one. And it hardly ever catches on fire.
I bought a 3 meter extension cable from a thrift shop. Europlugs are wonderful for how slim those are.
Official dock with a pair of 8bitdo controllers and their dongles.
