Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - MiNewt USB - how to get the head open

The MiNewt USB appears to have a different head than the .X2 version. While the X2 version is held together by hex screws, the USB version has no such screws and appears to be glued together?

Has anyone been able to get one of these apart to upgrade the emitter?

I have not. I was thinking of getting one of these. Does it put out pretty good light for it's size then?
Sorry, I can't answer your question.

Yes, it's pretty bright, definitely brighter than the older model Nite Riders that others in my group use. I don't think that any of us have the X2, though, so I can't compare against that.

But, it does give plenty of light, and we ride through some really dark areas.

It does only have one mode, though, so if you're looking to also have it blink or use low mode, you'd have to get the regular MiNewt X2.

thnx for the info.

Shuffles do you know whats inside the new light? The older model minewts benefited from upgrading the LED, the new USB one might not. Either way maybe run it for a season before doing so, should be brighter leds out next year.
If there are no screws its probably glued.

No I don't know what's inside, but the docs state that it's 110 lumens, as opposed to the x2 models which are 150, so I'm pretty sure it's could benefit from a P4.

Edit: Thanks JiveTurkey for the correction!

^110 lumens for Mini-USB

OK, so I received the new SSC P4 U bin LED from DX yesterday; that thing's really small. I'm gonna have to use some reading glasses to solder it in.

I'm going to try to hit the MiNewt with a hairdryer for a few minutes, and then try to pull the head apart. I'll let you know how it goes.

On another subject, what do you recommend for camera settings to do beamshots for comparison? I have an older Nikon digital that does not do manual exposure settings, as well as a Nikon D90 film camera. Thanks for any suggestions.

could try baking it at 150* or so to get the glue loose

My wife would be pretty unhappy if it melted the housing or cable in the oven ;)

the next batch of cookies will have added flavor LOL

Heat gun might work if you go fast, not sure if a hair drier gets hot enough, since the heat isn't as focused as the heat gun.

Good luck and keep us posted. Are you going with a normal P4, Q5 or R2?

P4 U bin

I think boiling in a pot(inside a heat proof plastic bag of course) is a good start.
Shuffles have a good look at the old and new LEDs and make sure they are the same before you do this.

I have an X2 and a minewt usb. The light output difference is hardly noticeable, I would not opened a ninewt to upgrade it.

OK, so I got it done last night. Opening the case was much easier than I thought, I didn't even heat it. Just put the back end in a vice covered with leather, and gripped the front end in channel lock pliers, also covered in leather. Facing the front of the light, it just takes a slight clockwise turn (maybe 1/8 inch) of the front half of the MiNewt to release the glue holding it in the slot/channel. In fact, it came open so fast that the lens, reflector, and o-rings came out before I was ready. I though I'd broken it, but it turns out that's the way the head goes together.

It was a very easy solder job, a little super glue on the channel, and twist it back together. Voila.

I had an opportunity to do it while it was still daylight, so I didn't get before and after beamshots. <- stupid, I know. But I think it's brighter than it was, although it may have more of a hot spot in the center than it did before. That may be because I didn't get the reflector in the right place? (But I can't figure out how else it might go together)

Back of light after opening. You can kind of see the channel that the tab in the front half slips into:
http://lh4.ggpht.com/spam.catcher.fuse.net/SP77dXnsgvI/AAAAAAAAAYg/VUcJSS487o4/s576/DSCN1501.JPG

Here is another view (sorry about the crappy focus on my old Nikon digital):
http://lh3.ggpht.com/spam.catcher.fuse.net/SP77dmaeI2I/AAAAAAAAAYo/RVspoKFEtG4/s576/DSCN1502.JPG

Here is the board the emitter is mounted on after slipping it out of the back end of the head:
http://lh3.ggpht.com/spam.catcher.fuse.net/SP8izvcVTaI/AAAAAAAAAZk/_W_a2gOXI6g/emitter%20panel.JPG

And here is the inside of teh front half of the head. Again, you can sort of see the tabs (there are three) that slip into the back end of the head:
http://lh4.ggpht.com/spam.catcher.fuse.net/SP8iz7ZJcoI/AAAAAAAAAZs/98zHqZDlXtU/Inside%20of%20front.JPG

I really do wish that I would have been more patient and gotten beamshots before and after, but ...