How To Replace/ fix a Sega Saturn Laser Pick up - Optima 6s Replacement Tutorial

[@robertzandraneeld7987]

Brilliant - got my Sega Saturn running after sitting in the loft for 20 years. Thank you for a clear and easy to follow set of instructions. Bob

[@RockerGaming]

Fantastic news really glad to hear it! Enjoy playing it again 😁

[@MrKrimstah]

Thanks another great video , is it worth calibrating the new laser or is it calibrated at the factory ?

[@DoYouNerd]

Nice! Seemed fairly easy, even if you're not 100% sure of what you're doing but are following along. I'm hoping a simple enough fix like this is all our 3DO needs!

[@RockerGaming]

This is pretty easy. there isnt much that can go wrong at all. I sure hope so too. I would really like to get a 3DO on the channel, if nothing else to say I have seen one in person, lol, and get you a working console!

[@RAMCARTGAMER]

Thank you from the UK! Its Saturn time!

[@JRussellRetroGaming]

3:55 Man, I cannot get over I have overlooked that simple part. I had bought 2 replacements Optima 6S JVC CD laser readers been wondering why they were not reading my disc, pulling my hair out for months wondering why it wasn't working, Only to now come across this video and saw that needed to be unbridged. Seriously man, THANK YOU so much for mentioning this thing that needs to be done. Thanks to you. Now my Sega Saturn's CD reader is fully working and now reads the game discs. \m/ I'll definitely credit you when I upload my Sega Saturn Gameplay. :)

[@RockerGaming]

Man love to hear you got it up and running!! Enjoy the games and console, its one of my favs!

[@JRussellRetroGaming]

@@RockerGaming No worries mate :) It was absolutrely a headache to try find sources on KZbin, the ones I saw from other people did not mention that from what I searched up. So glad yours did mention it. So glad after having it in storage since 2005. until now it works like a treat. I will be for sure, mostly heaps of Sega Rally gaming. LOL

[@komafoxy1019]

The solder blob explanation was helpful! Thx

[@zacharyrendon9657]

I'm waiting for an MK-80000A in the mail. Did I pick a decent laser? Thanks for your time and video

[@aussiedrumnerd]

Thanks so much mate. I fixed 2 Saturn’s using this video.

[@T0TALLYAWESOMEGUY]

Hi, I'm in the market to replace my Saturn laser. Your ebay links don't work anymore, so I'm wondering if you could please update them or let me know what to search for? Apparently there's JVC and Sanyo Saturn drives, I have a JVC looks same as your old one.

[@SaucyBegger25]

for those of you that have fitted your lasers. if the laser is moving but the disc wont spin, remember to remove the ball of solder connecting the anti static pads

[@RockerGaming]

SaucyBegger25 thanks for dropping this comment to help those who might run into the same problem! Much appreciated

[@SaucyBegger25]

RockerGaming no problem. I did some research before my laser arrived and apparently it’s a very common problem people are facing thinking there laser is faulty. I won’t lie, I totally forgot too so thought I would drop a comment with the symptoms and why. 👍🏻

[@kylepfeffer9427]

Is this the same glob he told us to remove? My disc isn’t spinning but I did remove the glob of solder he said to do.

[@SaucyBegger25]

Kyle Pfeffer very strange your disc won’t spin. Is the laser moving about. Don’t look into the laser as it can damage your eye. If you have removed the solder bridge across the 2 points and it’s still not spinning I would check ribbon cables. Undo everything then refit! I’m thinking the points are still bridged if your laser is jumping about though. Good luck

[@kylepfeffer9427]

@@SaucyBegger25 I can hear the laser engage but almost immediately it says drive empty.

[@alexj0101]

Nice video. Just ordered a Saturn off eBay, which is my 2nd one now, and the drive doesn't play certain disks that work on my other Saturn which doesn't have any issues with any disk.

[@RockerGaming]

Thank you, this looks like just the way to fix it 😁

[@zacharyrendon9657]

You are an awesome person! I just replaced the lens and nothing. Seems like no power is going to it, no picture also. Is this normal? Should I get a screen anyway? Thanks you!

[@RockerGaming]

yes you should still get a picture even its not working, Are you sure there isnt something else you didnt put back? Does the led light?

[@zacharyrendon9657]

@@RockerGaming yes, the green light

[@RockerGaming]

@@zacharyrendon9657 if you put the old laser back in does it work correctly?

[@JO-wy3wr]

Shit forgot to comment, so your video successfully helped me remove and install new optics drive however, I did not remove solder blob because the stupid seller on amazon said “no need to remove just install and you’re good” fucking bs there’s clearly a massive solder blob anyways I got my soldering iron today and gonna have another go at it shortly... but seriously this video is excellent and thank you so much for making/posting it!!

[@JO-wy3wr]

Anddd it’s working!!!

[@RockerGaming]

Fantastic, glad to hear it and cheers for leaving a comment 🍻

[@PowerPie5000]

I received a pristine condition model 1 Saturn (VA0) direct from Japan recently and the CD drive seems a bit temperamental. It could have been knocked about a bit during transit to the UK, but not 100% sure. I honestly thought the drive had been replaced at some point as it's a model I've not come across before. It appears to be the elusive Hitachi model (MECHA PWB JA00292)... Not too easy to source parts for! Basically, it boots some games fine, but then refuses to boot others... It ends up going straight to the audio player instead and shows it as an audio CD. The games are perfect with no scratches and work in my Victor Saturn just fine. Now... Do I try and replace the laser head first (Hitachi Hop-E1 I believe) , or do I just replace the whole unit with a more common JVC assembly? I'm not too keen in messing with the pots as I don't have a scope to measure with. What would you suggest? Cheers!

[@ItsTommiii]

Hey Rocker, I was fixing up my old saturn and it works however the spindle is super duper low. I was wanting to ask you if there are any tips or tricks to get the spindle back up? I tried a pair of pliers but it dudnt even budge an inch. I am stuck. Discs do spin and read but, its also scratching up my poor panzer dragoon.

[@nosheeatzooo]

Where did you get the Bootleg sampler disk from?

[@Lukas-kz4xm]

Hm, wondering if this applies to the Hitachi Saturn too?

[@cd4playa1245]

Is this optica 6 the best Saturn laser? I got some different brand and it’s a piece of crap. Total garbage, doesn’t even work. I’m so pissed lol. Please help.

[@djcrimmy]

great tutorial thanks for sharing and it looks a lot easier than doing a ps2

[@kellalizard]

Why does my sega Saturn laser look totally different to all the videos on KZbin? Where the bar and white plastic gears are held on by pins, on mine there's an extra black case.

[@kevinyoung7294]

After messing with the base pots i changed the laser and it works! Is it safe to leave the pots as they are? Dont want to work the lens harder than it should be and dont have multimeter

[@RockerGaming]

Glad you got your Saturn back up and running! Without a multimeter I would leave it alone for now. I would grab another laser just so you have it on hand and change it out if need be, but I think you should be in good shape! Enjoy the system and give me a sub if this helped you :)

[@kevinyoung7294]

I actually took another saturn apartcompletely and it didnt work when i put it back together. Tried everything, then got a cd going but it never liked the first or last tracks. thought it maybe the orange pot. Spindle height looks ok. Got it running games sometimes but i'm hoping a new laser or a bit of grease will solve it again.

[@chrisesposito5530]

My CD assembly has a white pot on the side facing the PSU, does anyone know what that does?

[@headbanz666]

Amazing tutorial, thanks!!

[@attilathehun0]

Great video, but unfortunately I probably can't get the ribbon back on. Me and 2 other guys tried putting the ribbon back on the Dreamcast, but failed. I had to have a pro do it. Tremors don't help.

[@retrobear9367]

Thanks for this. I just got my J Model 1 from ebay. Laser was doa ugh

[@makan95]

I had this exact problem with my saturn that i just bought. I tried everything and the damn laser just wouldn't do anything. As i ordered a new laser, I still tinkered around with the saturn desperatly trying to get it to work. And i saw a little lever under the laser assembly, and when i pushed that while the saturn was running, the disc started spinning and the game started up. So if you have this problem, try that first. It might save you some cash and the wait for a new laser.

[@zacharyrendon9657]

Can I still get a picture with a bad laser? I'm a new Saturn owner

[@raycarey21]

Installed new laser but now it's not spinning. Just doing a little jutter and stopping. Double checked the solder was fully removed and all connections are fine. Any ideas anyone?

[@justawajz]

Well said bro!!

[@rafael9285]

thank you!

[@RockerGaming]

No problem!

[@JFlow2786]

Is that same piece good for my japan console white and grey

[@RockerGaming]

Yes, this will work for most sega saturns. It does not work if your laser is a Sanyo CD drive, but you typically see those in model 2 sega saturns.

[@JFlow2786]

Yea was reading so far my drive is Optima 6S is good model 1 thank you I just order two on ebay

[@chrisesposito5530]

@@RockerGaming what does the Sanyo drive look like?

[@DatGameCollector]

Thumbnail is messed up buddy ! Wish I knew this once I broke my original one.

[@DatGameCollector]

Rocker Gaming resolution is off.

[@DatGameCollector]

yea its good now.

[@Scorpion24]

too bad the links are no good anymore