I'm getting kinda' sick of the cheap keychain pointers. It's not that they're cheaply made, but that they don't last. I routinely carry one in my pants pocket, and I'm guessing they get affected by the humidity in there during hot weather. Every summer, several of them die on me.
Well, I'm tired of replacing them. I want to fix the one I have (shockingly bright, actually) and think about a long term replacement. Presumably what is happening, is that the button is being affected, or possibly some iffy solder joints are "wearing out." I could probably fix it in 5 minutes with a soldering iron. IF I could get it apart.
It's the keychain type with the red rubber button. Other than a hacksaw, is there any way to take these apart? And, if not, is a higher capacity battery practical? Or would the higher current kill it? I could always stick it in a 3-AA flashlight body...surely WalMart sells those.
Anyway, I'm tired of just throwing them away. Long term, I want something better. I've found several 2-AA penlight red pointers on eBay, some for as little as $6 after shipping. Certainly cheap enough. Would these be any better?
Here's a pic.
Thoughts? Opinions? I teach a class, so I use it as an actual pointer...this isn't a showoff kind of "mine is bigger" purchase. I just want it practical, and longer lasting.
-- Chuck Knight
Well, I'm tired of replacing them. I want to fix the one I have (shockingly bright, actually) and think about a long term replacement. Presumably what is happening, is that the button is being affected, or possibly some iffy solder joints are "wearing out." I could probably fix it in 5 minutes with a soldering iron. IF I could get it apart.
It's the keychain type with the red rubber button. Other than a hacksaw, is there any way to take these apart? And, if not, is a higher capacity battery practical? Or would the higher current kill it? I could always stick it in a 3-AA flashlight body...surely WalMart sells those.
Anyway, I'm tired of just throwing them away. Long term, I want something better. I've found several 2-AA penlight red pointers on eBay, some for as little as $6 after shipping. Certainly cheap enough. Would these be any better?
Here's a pic.
Thoughts? Opinions? I teach a class, so I use it as an actual pointer...this isn't a showoff kind of "mine is bigger" purchase. I just want it practical, and longer lasting.
-- Chuck Knight
