Light Source Including a Ball Lens for Use With a Scope

A light source for releasable connection to a scope having a light guide including an input guide member having an input end face and a connector about the input guide member adjacent the input end face, the light source comprising:

• an elongate housing extending between opposing first and second ends;
• a solid state light emissive material supported at the first end of the housing;
• a controller supported within the housing so as to be arranged to controllably illuminate the light emissive material;
• a ball lens;
• a seat member surrounding the ball lens and supporting the ball lens in fixed relation to the housing and in proximity to the light emissive material;
• and
• a mounting socket supported at the first end of the housing and arranged for mating connection with the connector of the scope such that:
• the input end face of the scope is supported in proximity to said ball lens diametrically opposite from the light emissive material;
• and
• the input guide member of the scope is readily separable from the ball lens in proximity to the light emissive material.