www.nightvisionforumuk.com

Hi, just joined the forum today, trying to get into night vision (for interest and Army Cadets). Been intresested in NV for ages, just could never afford it (I'm 16, and now have an allowance and a job )

Out of interest, does anyone know a good source of spare parts for a Dipol 3MK? I might be laying my hands on one.

Hello Shaun, and welcome to the forum. I'm sure that you'll pick up lots of useful tips and advice from the fellas on here.

As for the D3MK, I'm afraid that you'll struggle for parts, as these are quite an old unit now, being sold by Hebridean Tech House quite a few years ago.

George

Thanks for the welcome.

Well that sucks. The one I might be getting is being sold as spares/repairs and I'm its something that doesn't involve a new tube....

If the tube hasn't gone, it may be worth tinkering with it.

I've had a D3MK in the past (a couple, in fact) and found that they were a great little unit. Forerunner to the Cobra Merlin, really.

I believe that I actually bought one as faulty, Diagnosed by the seller to be a faulty on/off switch. He said that once turned on, it wouldn't turn off, so the batteries had to be removed.

He was obviously an impatient fellow, as GEN1 units are notoriously slow to dim, once turned off. He mustn't have given it time to dim down, as it was working perfectly. Result!

George

According to the person I might be buying from, the IR illuminator turns on, but there is no image. Which in my experience (none) sounds like a dead tube

Sounds really lucky that you managed to get one that didn't really have a fault!

Could well be a dead tube then. But, could simply be wiring. If it comes with a DSA (day scope adaptor-normally the Cobra version) and the price is right (low) it could well be worth buying just for that, as you'll be able to use it with your next add-on.

George

I'm not certain about the DSA, I'll ask.

When it comes to servicing a pair of NV's, how do you go about not ruining the tube with normal light? work in the dark? My concern is that I'll open the case and fry whatever's left.

In my experience, so long as the tube isn't powered up, it should be fine.

If you have to work on the unit, and need to power it up, it shouldn't affect it if flashed up momentarily. You could also put some filter material over the tube to alter it's light intake.

Maybe someone who has worked on more tubed nv innards than myself could comment on this.

George

Ok, that sounds good. It does make sense if the tube is not powered its ok, as every online store has a photo of the NV's lense.

Sounds like more research for me, but thank you for the help

Shaun

Hi Shaun welcome to the forum,as you see there are plenty of members on here to help you out (nice one George )

Geoff