Shade Technik
Gaming
Video & Cameras
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Funding ends on Jan 23, 2025 at 03:59 PM PST.
DeckSight is a 1080P AMOLED display panel that drops into an LCD model Valve Steam Deck with no major modifications. DeckSight surpasses the stock LCD in almost every specification, making your games look sharper, more colorful, and with perfect black levels.
This is currently the only way to get an OLED display into the LCD model Steam Decks. DeckSight was designed for people eyeing the newer OLED model Steam Decks. The LCD models are still quite capable gaming machines, and have other modding potential not yet realized on the OLED models. DeckSight can also save a reasonable amount of money over trading your LCD Steam Deck for an OLED model if the newest display technology is what you’re after.
There has been much talk amongst tech enthusiasts about how OLED panels use more power than LCDs. While that may be the case for some OLEDs, which we can’t speak for, DeckSight has been proven to use less power than the stock LCD that is supplied with the Steam Deck. You can find out more about it here in our power overview video, which demonstrates this in our power testing.
DeckSight also uses one of the newest touch controllers from FocalTech, so the touch response should be better than the stock LCD.
DeckSight is not compatible with OLED models of the Steam Deck. This screen upgrade is for LCD models only.
| Feature | DeckSight | Steam Deck LCD | Steam Deck OLED | DeckHD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1280 x 800 | 1280 x 800 | 1920 x 1200 |
| Display Tech | AMOLED | IPS LCD | AMOLED | IPS LCD |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 400 nits | 1000/600 nits | 400 nits |
| HDR | Yes¹ | No | Yes | No |
| Contrast Ratio | >1,000,000:1 | Unlisted | >1,000,000:1 | Unlisted |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz+ | 60 Hz | 90 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Surface Finish | Matte/Gloss | Matte/Gloss | Matte/Gloss | Matte |
¹DeckSight is capable of HDR but not yet fully implemented, though it objectively appears to present as HDR currently.
DeckSight begins with an off-the-shelf bare OLED panel featuring in-cell touch technology. The supplier customizes the cover glass to meet Shade Technik’s specifications, including size and coatings. Once produced, these panels are shipped to Shade Technik, where they are programmed to function seamlessly with the Steam Deck using specialized equipment.
If the campaign reaches a high enough order quantity, the panels will be further customized. In the current design (shown) the panel’s FPC connector does not line up with the cutout in the mid frame of the Steam Deck, this is the reason for the shape of the included "display to motherboard" FPC cable. While this generally doesn’t add much extra effort to the installation process, the general redesign of the panel will be more convenient overall as the panel’s FPC connector will be placed in the same spot as the original LCD panel. Moving forward, all DeckSights will be produced in the way they exit the campaign.
After testing and packaging, we will send them to Crowd Supply’s fulfillment partner, Mouser Electronics, for worldwide distribution. Learn more about Crowd Supply’s fulfillment service under Ordering, Paying, and Shipping in their guide.
The risk of manufacturing defects is low. Samples have been produced reliably and without issues. If defects occur, the panel supplier is obligated to replace faulty units. With only one external supplier involved, there’s minimal complexity in vendor accountability.
DeckSight should have no issue complying with CE regulations but for the initial launch, CE compliance will not be pursued and DeckSight will not be available in EU countries that conform to CE. This is likely to change in future restocks if the demand is high enough to warrant formal compliance in those regions.
DeckSight requires a custom BIOS, which has already been developed and tested on the latest Valve release, though updates to the patched BIOS are likely to occur throughout DeckSight’s lifecycle. The supplied executable BIOS file won’t require anyone to build it, just flash it with the programs included in every Steam Deck with Steam OS. While Valve hasn’t updated the BIOS for LCD models recently, future updates may temporarily disrupt DeckSight functionality until re-flashing is performed.
To address this:
These proactive measures should address any concerns of BIOS updates causing anything more than a minor inconvenience.
"The specs for the screen make it sound like a very appealing upgrade..."
"DeckSight offers higher clarity, richer colors, and outstanding performance in black, surpassing standard LCD screens in nearly every aspect."
Produced by Shade Technik in Easton, PA.
Sold and shipped by Crowd Supply.
OLED Matte screen upgrade for Steam Deck. Comes with FPC cable and screen removal tool kit (2 plastic pry tools, 2 plastic picks, 1 small Phillips screwdriver, 1 suction cup)
OLED Gloss screen upgrade for Steam Deck. Comes with FPC cable and screen removal tool kit (2 plastic pry tools, 2 plastic picks, 1 small Phillips screwdriver, 1 suction cup)
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