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- Nov 2, 2012
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If you own a Lazerer LZCS of any model, please take note of the following:
The heatsink block, more than likely, is NOT FASTENED TO THE HOST BODY IN ANY WAY. At least, in the case of this particular unit, the heatsink block was not fastened by setscrew, adhesive, or any other meaningful method. It was "friction fit".
What does "friction fit" mean? It means that if you drop the unit, it gets screwed up. First the focus got screwed up. Then the whole unit got screwed up in that it wouldn't light up at all. Turns out the heatsink block shifted within the host such that the electrical connection between battery and driver was broken. And of course, that same shifting is what buggered the focus in the first place.
I was cheesed off, so I broke open that pointer and set wrong to right. Now it works just fine. Hell, the beam focus is better than before. I made sure to put just a tiny dab of glue onto the heatsink block to more firmly bind it to the host body. Here's hoping it works in the longer term.
Obviously, it's never good to drop a laser pointer. But any half-assed pointer should be able to tolerate the occasional drop. They are carried in pockets, they are small, they get dropped. Deny that and you may as well deny that a bear shits in the woods.
Also, I did confirm to my satisfaction that the LZCS host is substantially the same as the Laser 301 host. The only difference is that the LZCS and the 301 use different diode modules.
I hope this information helps if you have one of these units, drop it, and get stuck with a goofy focus or non-working unit. More than likely, the heatsink ring/block wasn't glued down, it shifted, and now the unit needs to be broken open and the internals reset.
I'm more and more of the opinion that if one wants a quality laser pointer, one is far better off commissioning a unit from one of our reputable members than by bothering with Chinese trash. I don't believe that there is a GOOD Chinese manufacturer out there, there are only "less bad" ones. Forget them, I say. Next time I want a good laser, I will commission one here and accede to whatever terms the seller requires to make it so.
ETA: I'm guessing 3.8mm diode. I wouldn't swear to it. These hosts are available online - look up "laser host" on ebay and it should come up. I would love to have a 520nm in this host.
The heatsink block, more than likely, is NOT FASTENED TO THE HOST BODY IN ANY WAY. At least, in the case of this particular unit, the heatsink block was not fastened by setscrew, adhesive, or any other meaningful method. It was "friction fit".
What does "friction fit" mean? It means that if you drop the unit, it gets screwed up. First the focus got screwed up. Then the whole unit got screwed up in that it wouldn't light up at all. Turns out the heatsink block shifted within the host such that the electrical connection between battery and driver was broken. And of course, that same shifting is what buggered the focus in the first place.
I was cheesed off, so I broke open that pointer and set wrong to right. Now it works just fine. Hell, the beam focus is better than before. I made sure to put just a tiny dab of glue onto the heatsink block to more firmly bind it to the host body. Here's hoping it works in the longer term.
Obviously, it's never good to drop a laser pointer. But any half-assed pointer should be able to tolerate the occasional drop. They are carried in pockets, they are small, they get dropped. Deny that and you may as well deny that a bear shits in the woods.
Also, I did confirm to my satisfaction that the LZCS host is substantially the same as the Laser 301 host. The only difference is that the LZCS and the 301 use different diode modules.
I hope this information helps if you have one of these units, drop it, and get stuck with a goofy focus or non-working unit. More than likely, the heatsink ring/block wasn't glued down, it shifted, and now the unit needs to be broken open and the internals reset.
I'm more and more of the opinion that if one wants a quality laser pointer, one is far better off commissioning a unit from one of our reputable members than by bothering with Chinese trash. I don't believe that there is a GOOD Chinese manufacturer out there, there are only "less bad" ones. Forget them, I say. Next time I want a good laser, I will commission one here and accede to whatever terms the seller requires to make it so.
ETA: I'm guessing 3.8mm diode. I wouldn't swear to it. These hosts are available online - look up "laser host" on ebay and it should come up. I would love to have a 520nm in this host.
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