Nova Alpha tail-cap modification

[xgeek]

I have had my Nova Alpha for a few days now and one of the safety features that I do not like is the tail-cap dongle. Mine was a bit sloppy and I had to get the dongle in just the right position for it to work. The slightest movement of the laser would cause the dongle to move and the laser would turn off.

Rather than send the laser back from the UK to Canada I decided to see if I could either repair or bypass the dongle feature.

Now for these that don't know, the Nova Alpha series come with a 5 point safety system.
1) Inbuilt lens cover
2) 2 second delay from pressing the button to the laser turning on
3) LED laser on indication
4) Key switch
5) Dongle

The dongle is just a 2.5 mm mono jack that when plugged into the side of the Alpha allows the circuit to be completed. For my needs this is an overkill and the key switch is all I need to make my laser safe from the kids at home.

Anyway I removed the tail-cap and I was able to unscrew the nylon insert (see picture below). Once unscrewed I was able to solder a link wire across the 2.5mm jack socket to bypass the dongle completely.

I know this won't be a common mod as most have the X series that does not have a dongle, but if you do have an Alpha and want to bypass the dongle then this post is for you ;D

Cheers

XG

 

[xgeek]

.

 

[LarryQ]

2 Questions.....

First, Won't modifying the laser void the Warranty??...you just got it....

Secondly aren't you exposing yourself to a lot of potential liability for "Intentionally bypassing a built in safety device"?

Just wondering...

Larry

 

[xgeek]

Of course any modifications may void your warranty. If I have a major failure I can remove the link and send it back. They will never know unless they have read this post.

Not sure what you mean by this "Secondly aren't you exposing yourself to a lot of potential liability for "Intentionally bypassing a built in safety device"?"

Liability from who? If I acted like a jerk and blinded someone I am sure having a safety dongle won't save my ass. BTW The X series has NO safety features.


Just as a side note: Do this mod at your own risk. I posted to help others if they had a dodgy dongle socket. I hereby do not endorse any changes whatsoever to to anything you may own. If you are the laser police SenKat did it!!

Phew do you think I am covered now?

 

[SenKat]

GAH !!! Why SenKat ?!?!?!?!?! LOL !!!!

Poor me, I get blamed for everything Actually guys, time for me to come clean - I own wicked Lasers, and I have been watching you ALL....your day of recconing is coming up soon....MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA !

On a second note....DAMN this is good coffee ! Gotta run and change out the IV now, and have the grounds stufed right in the fast way

 

[Daedal]

I CALLED IT!! You and your flaming avatar... goes well with all the TimeLord pictures we see of you! ;D ;D

That was my unscripted humor there for a second... ;D

Well... I have nothing to do with this thread... so I'll just shush...

bye now... :

--DDL

 

[LarryQ]

Ahhhhhh It all comes clear now....
Senkat=WL

Anyway...

Yes, the X series have none of those safety features...but that's because the MFG did not install them, not because I intentionally disabled them.

Accidents do happen....and with a lawsuit crazy world..I just see disabling a safety device, that the manufacturer felt was needed, as something I wouldn't want to have to answer for in a court of law...



I think that your solution was an elegant one!!!
I like the simplicity...really this was not intended to be a slam at you!!!

I guess I have too many Lawyers in my family!! ;D

But that's just little old paranoid me..... :-[


As far as the warranty...well...that's up to you.

Larry

 

[Comidt]

Nice, I will probably do that once./ if I ever get one.

 

[Ashton]

Acctually the X series DOES have a tail lock, mine has it, in fact and it works quite well (annoyingly, though, the keys are plastic... will have to recast them in something more durable one day when I have time...) and if you have or are around kids and insist on carrying your laser (read: teachers, councilers, etc) I think it's paramount that tou have a tail lock on it.

 

[LarryQ]

No..the X series does NOT come with a tailcap lock...if yours has a tailcap lock than someone added it...it is available as a seperate item (@ 15 bucks I believe).....

This will also explain why your X series won't fit into a dragon case!!!

(Sry for the hijack here Guys)

The taillock for a n X series makes the overall length of the laser LONGER and thus MAY NOT fit into a Dragon case..

Larry

 

[Ashton]

lol, I dont have the lock in place in the Dragon case, that would REALLY make the end hand out. and yes, I appoligize for misleading ppl, it is an OPTIONAL safty feature.

 

[LarryQ]

Well...Darned...I thought I had found the problem!

Again..SRY for the Hijack ..

We now return you to your OP's topic......
;D