OK. I tried about 30 searches or so, and could no find what I was looking for after reading about 900 posts. It could be here and I'm just missing it, but then again, I'm bleary eyed from reading.
Anyway, I have two lasers in question that I'd like to consider either upgrading or repairing if I can.
First up: Nova Alpha 125. Bought it in 2007, and it's out of warranty. Have two things that I'd like to correct on it. First, I'd like to change out the lens. I had a lens pen at one point that did a marvelous job of keeping the laser fairly dust spot/spray free. But, can't find it. Used a clean, microfiber cloth on the end of a q-tip, and apparently scratched the crap outta the lens. I've gone inside the laser, taken off the end cap, the heat sink, and removed the lens assembly (spacing the IR filter and the front lens to get back to min. divergence...pain in the butt!) and tried cleaning them using soft cloths, micro fiber cloths, compressed air...I think it's just scratched and there's nothing I can really do at this point.
Second on the Nova, after I had cleaned the lens as best I could, and put it back into the host, and reset the spacing between the IR filter and the front lens, I noticed that it was mode hopping. At first, I noticed that the beam was dim for about a half second, then would get back up to full brightness. Using Energizer Lithium AAs, with about 15-20 minutes run time, checked a second battery set, same issue. Looking through my green laser glasses, I'd see two dots on the wall, which would jump into one beam. Dang it. Mode hopping. Is there any fix for this, or, is it just time to either a) let the Alpha die a slow, complete death, or b) replace the diode? If it's time to replace the diode, how do I go about that? And, if the mode hopping diode can be replaced or repaired, can I replace or repair the front lens? Is there a focusing lens that can be put into the Alpha?
The second laser in question is a DX 200 mw red burner. It should be way more effective at burning than the green, but, it's about equal if not less. Can I replace the diode in that, on the cheap, or would it less expensive/risky to buy a similar unit from O-Like?
Any help, advice, or mockery will be accepted with gratitude. Thank you.
Anyway, I have two lasers in question that I'd like to consider either upgrading or repairing if I can.
First up: Nova Alpha 125. Bought it in 2007, and it's out of warranty. Have two things that I'd like to correct on it. First, I'd like to change out the lens. I had a lens pen at one point that did a marvelous job of keeping the laser fairly dust spot/spray free. But, can't find it. Used a clean, microfiber cloth on the end of a q-tip, and apparently scratched the crap outta the lens. I've gone inside the laser, taken off the end cap, the heat sink, and removed the lens assembly (spacing the IR filter and the front lens to get back to min. divergence...pain in the butt!) and tried cleaning them using soft cloths, micro fiber cloths, compressed air...I think it's just scratched and there's nothing I can really do at this point.
Second on the Nova, after I had cleaned the lens as best I could, and put it back into the host, and reset the spacing between the IR filter and the front lens, I noticed that it was mode hopping. At first, I noticed that the beam was dim for about a half second, then would get back up to full brightness. Using Energizer Lithium AAs, with about 15-20 minutes run time, checked a second battery set, same issue. Looking through my green laser glasses, I'd see two dots on the wall, which would jump into one beam. Dang it. Mode hopping. Is there any fix for this, or, is it just time to either a) let the Alpha die a slow, complete death, or b) replace the diode? If it's time to replace the diode, how do I go about that? And, if the mode hopping diode can be replaced or repaired, can I replace or repair the front lens? Is there a focusing lens that can be put into the Alpha?
The second laser in question is a DX 200 mw red burner. It should be way more effective at burning than the green, but, it's about equal if not less. Can I replace the diode in that, on the cheap, or would it less expensive/risky to buy a similar unit from O-Like?
Any help, advice, or mockery will be accepted with gratitude. Thank you.
