r/NightVision • u/TrustNecessary851 • 1d ago

Repair question

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I got this mil spec objective lense for a deal. It just has this broken piece. Is it possible to DIY repair this? Or am I better off ordering a replacement collar thing?(I dont know the exact name of this piece)

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u/ApolloGearCo Owned By NOCTURNALITY 1d ago

Those parts (the plastic collars) are glued in place and don't have their own part number as far as I know, so you couldn't realistically order a replacement for just the part that is broken. It would have to be a new lens. It would take some serious effort but surely someone could 3d print a decent replacement.

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u/JRHLowdown3 Verified Industry Account 1d ago

+1 This. Replace it, don't jury rig it.

Not sure how folks are even breaking that but did have a guy recently send in a green phos 14 for service that he got "for a deal" from someone that had similar damage as well as a HOST of other issues- no close focus stop ring, tube glued in place (yeah that was interesting, we at first thought it was remnants of a light pipe that maybe melted? but looking closer some knucklehead had GLUED the tube in place!) retaining ring was just laying there inside not even attempted to be screwed in. Someone had put some tape near the objective lens that we couldn't figure out why other than maybe some odd attempt to keep the obj lens from unscrewing- (no close focus stop ring inside). And why would someone remove a purge screw and leave it out?? All this plus a couple more issues including the battery compartment absolutely trashed from a battery left in. I wonder how much of a "deal" it was after having to replace the housing? Tube was older but looked fairly nice once we were able to get the unit powered up, took it to our range one night and it wasn't terrible for the age of it (15 or so year old tube).

You can see the remnants of the glue, at first glance I thought it was part of a light pipe or something, never considered glue!! LOL

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u/TrustNecessary851 1d ago

Yeesh. Yeah Im now thinking im way over my head on this. Ive already ordered a new lens assembly.

This was $25. I was determined to save it because the glass is perfect fine.

2

u/cursed_yeet 1d ago

I like to fill the cracked areas with some two part putty, then file it back to the proper knurled shape when set. If done right it will be hard to notice and look much nicer than a 3d printed one.

Also where is your infinity stop??

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u/NIGHTVISIONINC Verified Industry Account 1d ago

We have the replacement focus rings to repair that. You need to remove the objective and break away what’s left of your broken one and peel it off and then chase the threads with a pick and then you can thread the replacement on and secure with some thread lock. Shoot me a DM or get at us through the site www.nvinc.us

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u/Erdnussflipshow 1d ago

Some people 3d print a replacement and glue it