NX70 Active Interface Cover Removal
 

Just purchased a Sony NX70 last week and I have to say that the design of the Active Interface Shoe cover that flops around just asking to be broken off while using the XLR module is a puzzlement.

The Active Interface Shoe cover of the NX70 can be removed by punching out the steel hinge pin with a pin punch. I used a pin punch with a 0.0390 inch diameter pin and it worked perfectly and easily. I saved the steel hinge pin in case I would ever want to re-attach the cover. Also, a very tiny rubber grommet is installed on the hinge pin. I found the grommet after I remove the pin, so I do not know the position of the grommet for re-installation at a later date. I'm not worried about it.

Once removed from it's hinge, the cover can still be used to cover the Active Interface Shoe when the XLR module is not being used. The cover snaps right in place just fine. If you would be worried about the cover not being attached to the camera, a strip of gaffer's tape would solve that problem.

Speaking of gaffer's tape, I used black gaffer's tape to cover the gaps next to the Active Interface Shoe. I plan to use the XLR module most of the time anyway. If I do want to use the NX70 without the XLR module, removing the tape will add only a few seconds to the reconfiguration. Besides, every camera I own has gaffer's tape on it for one reason or the other. I don't consider a camera mine until there's gaffer's tape on it. ;~)