Mobile Devices and Winter

[michael87cn]

Wasn't really sure where to post this.

I'm a first time owner of a 3DS XL, it's my first mobile device. I use it everyday on my lunch break at work to great enjoyment.

However, with winter coming I've been getting a bit worried about how the weather might affect it. I work outside all day, and usually keep it in my back pocket. I've read that you need to give electronics time to acclimate to room temperature before using them (I can take my lunch break inside where it is warm). Will being in my back pocket be enough to keep it warm enough to safely use? Or will I need to give it like 15 minutes to acclimate?

I could just figure this out through trial and error.... but I'm sure at least one person has experience with this, mobile phones being so common and all, lately.

If its any help, I live in Utah. It gets cold enough here to snow, that's about all I know. I only just moved here this year (after winter), from Florida where I spent most of my young life growing up.

I'll probably need some winter clothes to keep me warm in a month or two when it gets freezing outside, so maybe if I get something with an inside coat pocket that will be better?

Any advice is appreciated, thank you!

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

I'm also from Florida, so my experience here is obviously limited, but from what I understand going from warm to cold actually isn't that big of a deal (and in fact, cold temperatures can be good for portable electronics in particular, since it can extend battery life), but going from cold to warm can cause condensation, just like it does with a pair of glasses. If that happens, you mainly want to make sure all the condensation has evaporated before you turn the system back on.

 

[J Tyran]

Depends on how cold is cold and if you are keep it in a pocket or a bag, -5 to -10 wouldn't affect a mobile device much if its kept in a pocket. As you are keeping it in your back pocket and presumably next to your skin it should be fine, leaving it in a cold outbuilding or vehicle and then bringing it inside or stuffing it into a pocket carries more risk.

 

[Weaver]

It should be fine. I live in Canada and I've never had a mobile device stop working due to temperature shifts.

In fact, electronics being cold is generally a good thing (so long as they don't form condensation). It's heat you should be worried about

 

[Smooth Operator]

As long as you keep it away from moisture things should be fine, so I actually wouldn't recommend your pockets as clothing loves to soak up anything around it or at least put the 3DS in a bag.

 

[Yopaz]

As long as you keep it away from moisture things should be fine, so I actually wouldn't recommend your pockets as clothing loves to soak up anything around it or at least put the 3DS in a bag.

I'd second this. Also if possible if you have an inner pocket on your jacket I'd say that's preferable to your back pocket. That's what I've been doing and mine works fine. We usually get about -18 here at the coldest which is about 0 in silly degrees (Fahrenheit).