Dash Lambda
New Member
I've been considering putting my own PCB into one of these and playing around, but don't have one yet. Since a few of you seem to have taken yours apart, does anyone have measurements for the TWC board?
New 10th Doctor Sonic Screwdriver Universal Remote
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DrPenginsProps
New Member
I'm attempting to do the same. will be great to have some help as i have very little experience.
Doctor Octoroc
Sr Member
Definitely not. I would contact TWC about the issue. I emailed them when my end cap went missing and they mailed a replacement in a matter of days - and they sent TWO of them. Great company to deal with and a fine product, it just sounds like you got one with an issue. Although just make sure you've charged it all the way til the green light is showing on the slider since a partial charge won't condition the battery correctly.
Does anyone know how to fix this issue with the switch? Mine doesn't work now either, and this is the exact issue. Is there a way to replace the missing metal bit, or is just replacing the whole switch the only option?
N
NewtonDKC
Guest
I had dropped mine on a hard floor and broke the switch as well. Was horribly gutted about it. I took it apart but the Momentary Switch is sooooo tiny I don't have any hope that I could solder a replacement. Does anyone know anyone who does micro electronic repairs? I experimented with different things to try fixing but it's going to take someone highly skilled with micro tools. Thought about converting it to a River/Future Sonic bug that jst makes me want it fixed more so I can convert it (red mode is tricky tho!). Anyone have or know anyone skilled in such repairs that might do a one off repair that wouldn't exceed the cost of just getting another one?
Anyway, I did finally order a ysecond one as I absolutely LOVE this little device - have the 11th and opening 12th but they are just too big, 10's is perfect to take along everywhere! (Incidentally, if 12's was the size of the picture on the box - say 75-80% of the current size and weight - it would be all kinds of awesome!
But back to 10's : I was so fearful of dropping and breaking it like my first one that I at first wrapped rubber bands around the emitter and around upper half of the button switch so if I dropped it, it would have some "bounce" and hopefully protect the delicate switch. Then I settled on a better looking solution, which hopefully others can make use of or expand on for an even better solution - there's letter size sheets of thin foam rubber with a sticky backing that craft stores and WalMart sells. I cut out a tiny square of black (first white, but black looks better, blue is a little too much but choose a custom color for your own personalized Sonic!) that fit perfectly on the button switch, cut out a tiny hole int He middle for the activator button to stick out and light up. The foam rubber is just thick enough to match the button height (more or less). And yes, I have managed to drop it - not normally so klutzy but dang if I don't yank my keys out sticking to the magnetic cap and out it flops! The foam rubber protects it, perhaps enough that it doesn't slam the metal sequin into flatness. And it stil works great on demand giving a satisfying click with each press and lighting up as well! The black square gives it a 9th Dr or Aztec-y look IMO.
If Wand Co would maybe put a slight dip in the switch so laying it flat would mean the button wouldn't actually touch the surface yet a finger could still easily depress it, then I think far fewer would break. I'm sure they could design a clever yet simple solution to better protect the switch button. Until that revision, the little foam square works quite well, is cheap to implement, easy to remove if desired and doesn't interfere with it working!
Anyway, I did finally order a ysecond one as I absolutely LOVE this little device - have the 11th and opening 12th but they are just too big, 10's is perfect to take along everywhere! (Incidentally, if 12's was the size of the picture on the box - say 75-80% of the current size and weight - it would be all kinds of awesome!
But back to 10's : I was so fearful of dropping and breaking it like my first one that I at first wrapped rubber bands around the emitter and around upper half of the button switch so if I dropped it, it would have some "bounce" and hopefully protect the delicate switch. Then I settled on a better looking solution, which hopefully others can make use of or expand on for an even better solution - there's letter size sheets of thin foam rubber with a sticky backing that craft stores and WalMart sells. I cut out a tiny square of black (first white, but black looks better, blue is a little too much but choose a custom color for your own personalized Sonic!) that fit perfectly on the button switch, cut out a tiny hole int He middle for the activator button to stick out and light up. The foam rubber is just thick enough to match the button height (more or less). And yes, I have managed to drop it - not normally so klutzy but dang if I don't yank my keys out sticking to the magnetic cap and out it flops! The foam rubber protects it, perhaps enough that it doesn't slam the metal sequin into flatness. And it stil works great on demand giving a satisfying click with each press and lighting up as well! The black square gives it a 9th Dr or Aztec-y look IMO.
If Wand Co would maybe put a slight dip in the switch so laying it flat would mean the button wouldn't actually touch the surface yet a finger could still easily depress it, then I think far fewer would break. I'm sure they could design a clever yet simple solution to better protect the switch button. Until that revision, the little foam square works quite well, is cheap to implement, easy to remove if desired and doesn't interfere with it working!
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I got a new one from ThinkGeek, and just like every other time I have, I got one with some pretty bad defects. This is probably the 4th example of this product I've had, and none have had problems like I see on this one.
This time the main body has these fingernail looking scuff marks across the length, almost like it got caught in a machine sorter or something. There are several other random dull spots and streaks around the body surface as well, mostly only visible when you shine light on it right.
It also has some pretty deep dings in the tube.
And emitter lens is super loose and has a big gap where it connects, and it wont push down any further to close that gap. Everything else about the package seemed new, so I don't think it's a previous return. Of note, this is the revised version without the locking nubs on the slider.
EDIT: It also doesnt seem to be holding a charge, It wont do anything when not plugged in. I plug it in and it says its fully charged and the light is green. Left it charging, unplugged, wont do a thing. Again, this is my 4th copy of this product, so I know I'm using it right, I've never had the charge issue with my previous ones.
I know I can just exchange it back through ThinkGeek, but I'm afraid of getting one even worse, or a previous return which sounds like something that happens quite often. I've also reached out to TWC to see if doing it through them would be best, since they can actually inspect it before sending an exchange.
This time the main body has these fingernail looking scuff marks across the length, almost like it got caught in a machine sorter or something. There are several other random dull spots and streaks around the body surface as well, mostly only visible when you shine light on it right.
It also has some pretty deep dings in the tube.
And emitter lens is super loose and has a big gap where it connects, and it wont push down any further to close that gap. Everything else about the package seemed new, so I don't think it's a previous return. Of note, this is the revised version without the locking nubs on the slider.
EDIT: It also doesnt seem to be holding a charge, It wont do anything when not plugged in. I plug it in and it says its fully charged and the light is green. Left it charging, unplugged, wont do a thing. Again, this is my 4th copy of this product, so I know I'm using it right, I've never had the charge issue with my previous ones.
I know I can just exchange it back through ThinkGeek, but I'm afraid of getting one even worse, or a previous return which sounds like something that happens quite often. I've also reached out to TWC to see if doing it through them would be best, since they can actually inspect it before sending an exchange.
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Angelus Lupus
Sr Member
I'd say go through TWC, I had a problem with mine and the place I bought from (Firebox) said they couldn't help because it was past their warranty. TWC were very helpful and now I have a Sonic that works great and looks great, only 1 very minor ding and I'm 99.99% sure I did that.
AllonsyAlonso
New Member
I got mine and I was obsessed with it. Just to let people know here is how to disassemble it...
unscrew the end aluminium cylinder. Some sonics have very weak glue so just apply more pressure
the aluminium collar is held on by very strong clips that are on the collar so just use long nosed pliers pushed in and up the top of the slide to lever them out.
unscrew the end aluminium cylinder. Some sonics have very weak glue so just apply more pressure
the aluminium collar is held on by very strong clips that are on the collar so just use long nosed pliers pushed in and up the top of the slide to lever them out.
AllonsyAlonso
New Member
In FX mode do 4 short presses and then hold a fifth it will activate a flashlight mode this also works on 6 presses, 7, 8, 9, all the way up to 42 presses
funny that because in the hitchhikers guide to the galaxy the answer to life the universe and everything is forty two.
trickeyjoe
New Member
I just got mine. Quick question. I have charged it for about 30 minutes and unplugged it and the device is inactive. Does nothing. Is this bad, or is it absolutely necessary to give it the full 2 hours before ANY use is possible?
It works fine while plugged in, although when it's charging the light is not orange, it is green as though fully charged, and the voice instantly says "power cell regenerated". I'm beginning to think I have a faulty model...? Is there a way to fix, or must I return it? Or will charging for a long time allow it to recalibrate where it thinks the battery level is? (I had a similar problem with an old phone)
It works fine while plugged in, although when it's charging the light is not orange, it is green as though fully charged, and the voice instantly says "power cell regenerated". I'm beginning to think I have a faulty model...? Is there a way to fix, or must I return it? Or will charging for a long time allow it to recalibrate where it thinks the battery level is? (I had a similar problem with an old phone)
irrg
New Member
The more I think about this the more it sounds like we're at a point in history (6 years after Tennant left) where a LOT of stock will have these dead batteries. I think functional ones will become rare, since you have to keep recharging them every few months to maintain the battery's capacity.
trickeyjoe
New Member
I hope that's not the case... The supplier (Forbidden Planet) is sending a new one if they can, so hopefully this one will be better
Pastor Jedi
Well-Known Member
very nice
AllonsyAlonso
New Member
Yeah, I agree. It's funny that the CO toys never had the screws in anyway. The only problem is, the screw would probably stand out from the rest of our beautiful sonics!!!
Veldmaat
Well-Known Member
I ordered one of these yesterday, right after I found out about it.
It should arrive tomorrow.
I've been scannng the thread for hours reading up on it.
I love the Tennant sonic, and always hated the abiously oversized CO toys.
Can't wait to visit a local electronics store and turn off their wall of TV's!
It should arrive tomorrow.
I've been scannng the thread for hours reading up on it.
I love the Tennant sonic, and always hated the abiously oversized CO toys.
Can't wait to visit a local electronics store and turn off their wall of TV's!
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You usually have to charge it for about 4 hours when you first get it. If it charges okay the light on the slider should turn green. If it never does then you know you have a problem. If you do have a problem and the seller won't help you, I would contact The Wand Company directly, then have great customer service.
