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durmanx
25mW Classic Wicked Laser
Joined: 14 Oct 2005
Posts: 25
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 Posted: 10/25/05, 6:10 PM Post subject: Problem wi |
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Wow - I finally received my <10mW and it is awesome! It's really a step above the <5mW toys elsewhere on the net!
Anyway, despite how great I think it is, I have a two small problems with the laser.
1) Every now and then, it won't turn on when I press the button. If I shake the laser gently (hearing a slight movement from the batteries moving) it would then turn on. It almost seems like there's some kind of bad connection. I tried using fresh batteries, and made sure there's no obstructions in the battery compartment. The terminals seem ok, as does the spring. I don't want to mess with anything else and make it any worse.
2) The other problem (more frequently) I'm having is sometimes I press the button and the output is not as good as it should be. It doesn't vary (like starting out weak and getting brighter or vice versa), the beam/dot just stays dim. Again, if I give it a gentle shake it and then press the button, it usually works fine.
I've been taking extremely good care of the laser and have not let anyone else touch it without my supervision. I've been kinda protective of it to be honest.
So, is this normal for this type of laser, or is it broken or defected?
Please, anyone (esp. Nexus) let me know. I would hate to be without it and have it replaced, but I want my first green laser to work right (so I can show my friends & recommend wickedlasers to other people ^_^) Seriously, any help is greatly appreciated - thanks!
- Durmanx |
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Athoul
Wicked Lasers God
Joined: 13 Sep 2005
Posts: 7539
Location: Canada
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| Posted: 10/25/05, 8:27 PM Post subject: |
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Ok this seems to be a common event that happens in pen style lasers. From your description I am almost 100% sure that what is happening is that the batteries are not making a full solid connection with the end cap. Here is a solution that should solve your problem.
1. take a very small piece of tin foil or other conductive material, then roll it into a tiny ball.
2. Fit it into the end cap that you place on when you insert batteries.
This should help make a tight connection and will solve your shaking problem. Let me know how it goes.
Sean. |
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Nexus
Wicked Lasers Master
Joined: 02 Jun 2005
Posts: 756
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| Posted: 10/25/05, 9:23 PM Post subject: |
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Email wicked@wickedlasers.com if you think the laser needs to be returned for service/replacement. You have 3 months.
Best Regards |
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durmanx
25mW Classic Wicked Laser
Joined: 14 Oct 2005
Posts: 25
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| Posted: 10/27/05, 12:21 PM Post subject: |
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I tired the tin foil suggestion (thanks Athoul!) and that seems to work (although I'll have to see over the course of a couple of days)! Thanks for your help, and thanks Nexus for the quick response & IM - you guys really have great customer service!
Cheers,
Durmanx |
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chargerman
Wicked Lasers God
Joined: 08 Sep 2005
Posts: 1735
Movie(s): 2
Location: Big Horn Mountains, Wyoming
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| Posted: 10/27/05, 1:24 PM Post subject: tin foil |
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Be carefull Durmanx, You don't want that aluminum floating around down by your electronics! I had a friend do the same thing and it worked great, untill he forgot about it after he had it stored with no batteries,  He didn't notice the foil missing when he put in new batteries and it never worked again!  Cheers Dale
just my 2 cents
_________________
Best Regards Chargerman
Great divergence calculator 
http://www.pseudonomen.com/lasers/calculators/ |
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Athoul
Wicked Lasers God
Joined: 13 Sep 2005
Posts: 7539
Location: Canada
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| Posted: 10/27/05, 2:53 PM Post subject: |
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Dale brings up a very good point, you might want to make the foil a press fit in the end cap(basically cram it in there).
cheers, |
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Greenymeany
Modified 10mW Greenie
Joined: 20 Oct 2005
Posts: 19
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| Posted: 10/27/05, 4:53 PM Post subject: |
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| I had the same problem with a laser made by leadlight from vital*spirit on ebay. When i used it, it wouldnt turn on and when it did come on, it would flick on and off while i was holding the power button. I think its something to do with the cap not being screwed in fully. Not totally sure. |
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Athoul
Wicked Lasers God
Joined: 13 Sep 2005
Posts: 7539
Location: Canada
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| Posted: 10/27/05, 6:43 PM Post subject: |
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Could be, I think this has alot to do with the spring used for the negative terminal inside the laser. Sometimes it might be a little bit shorter in length (maybe a bit squished). A more permanent solution to this problem rather then a ball of foil stuffed in the end cap could be to solder a round metal disk in the end cap. About 1-2 mm thinkness should solve the problem for good.
cheers, |
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durmanx
25mW Classic Wicked Laser
Joined: 14 Oct 2005
Posts: 25
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| Posted: 10/28/05, 9:51 AM Post subject: |
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Would extending the spring where the " - " end of the battery goes be a solution? I don't want to ruin the electronics and I don't have a solderer (and not experienced with one - I'm a computer programmer, that should give you a clue ). IS this worth sending back to wicked and getting a replacement or should I seek out help from a capable friend and get the end cap soldered?
Again - I appreciate all the help you guys are giving me.
Cheers,
durmanx |
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durmanx
25mW Classic Wicked Laser
Joined: 14 Oct 2005
Posts: 25
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| Posted: 11/01/05, 1:44 PM Post subject: |
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Sorry for the double post - but it looks like I'm stuck with the foil solution. Steve from wicked said that this won't hurt the laser. It really stinks that I have to do this for something brand new. I also wish the 15mW was available when I was looking for one for a b-day present. I would have spent the extra 10 bucks, but all the was available was the 5mW, the 10Mw, and then the jump to the 65mW (or maybe it was 55mW).
Thanks again for all of your help! |
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kushy04
Fusion Laser
Joined: 10 Oct 2005
Posts: 355
Picture(s): 1
Location: Clarks Summit, PA
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| Posted: 11/01/05, 2:29 PM Post subject: |
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| AAA batteries aren't all the same size... one brand of AAA's may be 1/2 a mm shorter than another brand... its enough to make a loose connection. It isn't WL's fault at all. |
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durmanx
25mW Classic Wicked Laser
Joined: 14 Oct 2005
Posts: 25
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| Posted: 11/01/05, 7:13 PM Post subject: |
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I understand that, but as a 1st time laser buyer I wasn' aware of all of this and I kinda got let down. I can deal with it and I'm sure I'll buy more lasers from WL in the future.
One thing I don't understand is where this poilcy fits in (displayed on their FAQs section):
"Q: What if I have problems with my Wicked Lasers product?
A: We guarantee all our lasers for 90 days. If you have a problem with your laser within that time frame, send it back to us. We will send a new replacement back, no questions asked; we'll even pay for Express mail. The only exception is if the laser has been disassembled. "
I fall into this category, yet I was told to use tin foil to fix my problem and no mention of, "return it and we'll replace it - no questions asked." This is why I'm bewildered at the e-mails I've been getting as opposed to the way the CS is viewed on this site....
Thanks for your input,
durmanx |
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kushy04
Fusion Laser
Joined: 10 Oct 2005
Posts: 355
Picture(s): 1
Location: Clarks Summit, PA
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| Posted: 11/01/05, 11:46 PM Post subject: |
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| eh... if you want, you could probably quote them on it and they would kind of be obligated to send you a new one to replace the one you have. |
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durmanx
25mW Classic Wicked Laser
Joined: 14 Oct 2005
Posts: 25
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| Posted: 11/21/05, 12:29 PM Post subject: |
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I take it back...... I take it all back..... Wickedlasers is untouchable with their customer service, quality, and customer satisfaction!
Nexus worked hard with me to make sure I was happy with my Wickedlasers experience and allowed me to upgrade to the 55mw from the 10mw I had. I sent the 10mw back and when they received it, I had the 55mw from China to New Jersey in just 3 1/2 days!!!
My problem was I got too anxious and too suspicious - we'll I'm glad Wickedlasers stuck with me and provided service above & beyond the norm. I must say I am extremely happy with my 55mw! 
Thanks so much Nexus
Cheers,
Durmanx
P.S. My laser came labeled <60mw (how cool is that!) and I've had no problem popping red balloons and so far I've been able to make a match smoke (hopefully I can make one ignite - but I know thats more for the higher powered lasers). The beam is unreal at night and I can even see it during the day inside.... yaaaahooooooo I feel like a kid that just got what he wanted at Christmas! |
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Davidgojr
Wicked Lasers Master
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 768
Location: USA
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| Posted: 11/21/05, 7:51 PM Post subject: |
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Sweet, I'm happy to hear that it all worked out!
_________________
Click http://freewebs.com/photodavidgojr before buying to view photographs and learn about Wicked Lasers in action!
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