In case anyone other than me has cracked the lens of their Flip camera (or one of its close cousins – it would probably work for them as well) here’s how I fixed mine after it had an unfortunate encounter with a curious cat and a stone floor 3 feet below. It turns out the “lens” you see on the outside is just a transparent dust cover, with the actual lens about half an inch down below. But the glass is quite thin, and if you crack it, the whole thing is pretty much unusable.
I had only had it a few weeks, and after verifying that the electronics still worked fine, I contacted Flip, and was told “sorry, we don’t repair that part of the camera”. In retrospect, I should have asked, if not that, then what? It seems like one of the easiest to break – and repair.
So I carefully removed the broken glass (fingernails or a toothpick or maybe a small nail or push pin will get you started – it’s really thin) and simply went down to my local watch repair store. They found a perfect match which lies flat on the 2mm edge. Cost me about ten bucks. But they’ll probably tell you that you have to mount it yourself. And here’s the important part: like me, you’ll probably be tempted to use super glue. DON’T. For any glue that fumes like super glue, the fumes get trapped inside the space between the real lens and the “watch crystal”, leaving a film on all the surfaces, to include the glass. Instead, use a non-fuming epoxy, and try to avoid getting too much glue under the lens, sticking to the edges if possible. Don’t worry, you have about 3 mm room for error along the edges of the watch glass. Voila! Ten bucks and you’re back in business.
I’m still waiting for a response from @FlipVideoBrand on Twitter. I’m not sure they’ve figured out the Twitter thing yet.
Hey thanks 4 d gr8 info ! I too had same prob, seems lens cover is really fragile and case bag they give is a waste. Any how got Flip lense cover fixed in watch shop.
Thank you so much for the genuis idea! I really like to shoot with my flip and carry it in my purse often…that’s how my lens cover broke. Yeah and flipshare told me that it would cost 79.99 to fix it! Ten bucks at a watch shop sounds much better. Kudo to you my friend.
Thanks for the feedback – when mine broke I didn’t find ANY option to repair and was kinda mad because it’s actually pretty easy!
Great piece of information. thanks for that as I have actually just broke my first flip camera lens and was wondering just what to do. Come check out my site sometime for the Flip Camera HD
Great idea, this is very useful to me because I also accidentally dropped my Flip camera everything is broken except the electronics. Thanks a lot for the information.
Esslinger & Co. [esslinger.com] sells a Flip Video Camera Lens Replacement Kit item# 110.161, which comes with the correct size crystal for replacing the lens and the tools needed to do the work, Easy Breezy!
Awesome, where were you when i needed you!
Hey Tom, what size diameter (in mm) crystal did you use and what thickness? email me at dj00140 at hotmail.com thanks a lot!!!!!!!!!
You want Mineral Glass like Esslingers site or their ebay The Mineral Glass is Hardened and tempered so it doesnt turn color, scratch or break easily, Plastic scratches very easily and is not what you want for a lens or dust cover! Plus they are the only ones I have seen with a tool kit and epoxy and an extra crystal in case you screw up or have to do another camera…
Flip broken lens repair kit
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180714135044&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT
Flip Broken Lens Repair kit WITH TOOLS
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180714135661&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT
Or you can get it from there website:
http://www.esslinger.com/flipcameralensreplacementkit-1.aspx
I’m just posting this because when I needed my camera fixed I contact them and some other guy on ebay and they were very helpful and fast shipping. Shop around though there may be new sellers on ebay or amazon to I dont know about,
Now I am about to purchase a Flip Slide for ym girlfriend anyone know if those use the same size dustcover? Thanks guys!
i am so glad you popped up when i googled the problem!! yep, flip declines and your advice is awesome! thanks a ton!
Thanks Marty you saved me. Knowledge is power.