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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

S3 Arctic rebuilds?

danefex

danefex

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I'm just curious if anyone has thought of or talked about repairing or rebuilding anybodies S3 Arctic seeing that so many of these lasers are failing upon arrival. I'd be interested in doing this myself once my G2 gets here at the end of this month because the host is that damn attractive. I also don't know if the smartswitch would complicate a rebuild or not so I thought I'd throw it out here....

On a different note, I donated $10 to LPF yesterday because I've gotten a lot of valuable information from this forum since recently joining. Thank you for making this such a great experience! :bowdown:
 





Tech_Junkie

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Its in bad taste to post what you donate. Thank you though.

We have a member Mikee (not correct spelling) that is going to refurb his Arctic. Its a great host, but $200+ and 3 months wait is not worth it IMO.
 
danefex

danefex

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Bad taste really? Damn I have some schooling ahead of me I guess, pls forgive my poor taste on that one. I thought the forum would appreciate it since I'm new. My bad & point taken...

I will try and find Mikee's(sp?) posts on the refurb then because I am very interested despite having not received my arctic just yet. Thanks for not killing me TJ - according to the matrix 'everyone falls on their first try' :)
 
Tech_Junkie

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Dont take me wrong, I'm just very direct.

The forum does appreciate it. The reason why we dont post how much is because some people can only afford a small denomination. We want to treat people who donated $1, just like people who donated $100. This way everyone is encouraged to donate whatever they can afford.

Mikee hasn't started the build yet. We have another user who is doing the same thing, but he has loaned it out to see if someone can copy it. So it may be a while before a finished build is posted.
 
danefex

danefex

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I have no problem with that Junkie, I prefer to be put in my place when it's that obvious - I appreciate your constructive criticism & can only say it won't happen again.

I'm also fine on waiting for any posts on an S3 rebuild. I haven't even gotten mine yet like 1000s others so it's not like I have any 'patience' issues :) I'm just eager to make this thing the best that it can be - and it seems a rebuild with a solid 1W diode will be the way to go assuming the amp setting can handle it. Many thanks for the 411 TJ!
 
Tech_Junkie

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WL uses the same Casio diode that you can buy here. All the 1W 445nm diodes are from Casio. The reason why they fail is build quality. WL rushed it. They tried to be the first in the market, and in turn they shot themselves in the foot because they were not ready for the flood of orders, and the crappy quality of the G1. The odds are you will get a decent laser if they ship you a G2.
 
Coherent Light

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I'm going to give My Arctic a make-over soon. I will post updates as it progresses along.
 
danefex

danefex

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Tech_Junkie said:
WL uses the same Casio diode that you can buy here. All the 1W 445nm diodes are from Casio. The reason why they fail is build quality. WL rushed it. They tried to be the first in the market, and in turn they shot themselves in the foot because they were not ready for the flood of orders, and the crappy quality of the G1. The odds are you will get a decent laser if they ship you a G2.
Click to expand...

I couldn't agree more with you on the whole WL S3 Arctic launch, I've been following it for months now... I've also ordered a kit from Jay and that same casio diode from Dave to make it all complete (got the batteries too of course) I had no idea WL used the same one though. That tells me a lot, I'd love to 're-do' the whole thing minus the rushed production IF my G2 turns to the crapper.

I don't know how to double quote on this reply but I can't wait to see the updates from Coherent_Light on his progress with his arctic make-over :D I will definitely follow how all that goes!
 
Tech_Junkie

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Nova, Dragon, and any other laser companies that are selling the 445nm laser all get diodes from Casio projectors. In fact they cant even buy them in China, so they buy them off US retailers.

Blue lasers have always been DPSS lasers, and hard to manufacture. Thats why they cost so much. Casio came up with a cheap blue diode, and it has exploded in the market since.
 
danefex

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Yes yes... I've read good reviews on those diodes which is why I went that route. I just didn't know how commonly the Casios were in the 445nm arena.

I've seen the spartan & a few other 1Ws but I have one turnoff with these handhelds and it is this... I just don't want a laser that looks like a mini maglite. Call me crazy, I won't argue - but I'm just such a sucker for an attractive host which is why I passed the spartan and/or the hulk & went with one of jayrobs 18650 stainless steel kits instead.
 
Coherent Light

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The Arctic host is nice, but it can be improved upon. The H/S sucks not enough contact area, so out it goes. The Arctic should have adjustable focus, so that's another goal. I am considering some other changes as well.
 
danefex

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Coherent Light said:
The Arctic host is nice, but it can be improved upon. The H/S sucks not enough contact area, so out it goes. The Arctic should have adjustable focus, so that's another goal. I am considering some other changes as well.
Click to expand...

I will be paying attention to your progress & I'm glad we share the same (mod) interest with this specific laser.
 
Tech_Junkie

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Yeah I dont like obvious flashlight hosts either.

I have one of these coming in the mail this week.

 
danefex

danefex

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Tech_Junkie said:
Yeah I dont like obvious flashlight hosts either.

I have one of these coming in the mail this week.

Click to expand...

Top notch build quality is right, that's a beaut. Nice job on picking that to add to your collection.
 
jayrob

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I bought one of those hosts too...

They are pristine!

It is machined to perfection. Thick aluminum/polished. :)

It also has a very nice recessed, forward clicky tail switch that allows momentary on if you want. :cool:

I have an A-130 diode in mine. Set at 1070mA's. It is a high efficiency diode putting out 980mW's with AixiZ 445 glass...

Ehgemus.jpg
 
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