How do you disassemble an Inova T4 (Tiros)?

[maxhawk]

I read that the whole bezel and lens assembly is "user replaceable". I was able to get the SS bezel, lens, and o-ring off, but I can't figure out how the Tiros optic comes out. I don't want to start forcing it with tools and risking damage.

Has anyone taken one of these apart? Does the T3 come apart the same way?

TIA.

 

[Gunner12]

I think most Inovas can be taken apart by using the freeze and pop method.
Place the flashlight(no batteries) underwater and fill every corner with water. screw the tailcap back on under water. place the light vertical in the freezer. wait for the water to freeze. the expanding water should push the Tiros optic and the bezel up. repeat until you can remove the assembly. Some have chipped the optic with this method.
But I'm not sure if it will work with the T4

 

[yellow]

How did You get the front part out without using freeze-pop?
I was not even able to do this, even as I no longer did not want to damage the light.

T1, T2 and T3 will all work (just did it on a T1) but I would not risk it on the T4/5 because of the switch.

PS: the led was damaged, seems the clear part of it was/is glued to the optic. When the front part is already out, there should be some space around the optic + it itself has a "placing ring" where any contact does not damage it. Try to pry it left/right there several times. The led cover will break off then and the optic is free. Removing the clear dome was easy here.
Sure the led is junk then, but who cares for that lux (when one plans to put another one in)