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What you need

  1. Logitech Circle Teardown, Not a Single Screw in Sight!: step 1, image 1 of 2 Logitech Circle Teardown, Not a Single Screw in Sight!: step 1, image 2 of 2
    • The Circle camera has no external screws. The first step to get in requires a plastic spludger: the dark colored ring is held on with double sticky tape.

    • Note: the ring is made of infrared transparent plastic, and includes lenses to help direct the night vision LEDs.

  2. Logitech Circle Teardown, A Peek Inside: step 2, image 1 of 1
    • It's all screws from this point out: a lot of them. Consider using bags to hold groups of screws together for reassembly.

    • Unscrew the four screws circled in order to remove the first ring.

  3. Logitech Circle Teardown: step 3, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the next ring by continuing to unscrew the screws in the circled locations.

  4. Logitech Circle Teardown: step 4, image 1 of 2 Logitech Circle Teardown: step 4, image 2 of 2
    • Finally, remove the last set of screws to access the inner parts of the circle.

    • Gently pull out the lens/battery assemble -- it's attached to a flexible ribbon cable that can rip, so be especially careful.

  5. Logitech Circle Teardown, Inside the Ball: step 5, image 1 of 2 Logitech Circle Teardown, Inside the Ball: step 5, image 2 of 2
    • Take care not to damage the flexible cable. On the connector, flip up the black plastic cam to release the cable. You can then remove the camera / battery assembly from the ball.

    • Note the extensive use of heat sinks and thermal interface (TIM) materials. This camera is delicately balanced thermally.

  6. Logitech Circle Teardown, Hidden USB Connector: step 6, image 1 of 3 Logitech Circle Teardown, Hidden USB Connector: step 6, image 2 of 3 Logitech Circle Teardown, Hidden USB Connector: step 6, image 3 of 3
    • Ho! What's that? Under a soft spot in the base is a hidden USB connector, presumably used for firmware loading in production.

    • To disassemble the base find 3 screws under the soft spot, punch through using a screwdriver, and remove the screws. After that both parts can be easily separated.

  7. Logitech Circle Teardown, Optical Chain: step 7, image 1 of 2 Logitech Circle Teardown, Optical Chain: step 7, image 2 of 2
    • The outer ring has lenses to focus IR light, and a hole for the camera lens.

    • The six infrared LEDs are on a thick board, with an aluminum heat spreader, and a connection to two solid metal blocks attached to the sensor board.

    • The lens is manually focused and secured with what looks like hot melt glue (this may cause focus issues over time).

    • There is just one piece of filter glass, flipped in place for day mode (higher end cameras use separate glass for day and night mode).

    • The optical sensor is at the bottom of the stack. It's surrounded by a clear plastic sticker (if you know why, post in the comments!).

Bryce Nesbitt

Member since: 11/30/14

1,023 Reputation

9 Guides authored

25 Comments

any ideas where get a replacement ribbon cable? I dropped the camera when opening the box and the base and camera separated (ribbon cable tore). I was able to disassemble with this guide, but now I need a new cable and Logitech is no help (I asked).

Thanks

David

David Ludder - Reply

We just had it fall off the table it was on and it did exactly the same thing... the base and camera separated (ribbon cable tore).

bradowenco -

I emailed the manufacturer of the cable to see if they can help, will let you know if they answer.

David Ludder - Reply

any word from them?

bradowenco - Reply

Nothing yet, I'll have to send another email.

David Ludder - Reply

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