To get the cameras working with the ViewSonic VX500+ LCD monitor that we have (or to see if another monitor will work with the VGA output) open DT Connect, then click on Video and for the Video Mode set the output to 1024×768 (for other monitors, try all options to see if any of them work)
To take the laser altimeter apart, you only need to unscrew the little screws on the perimeter (8 on the wide sides and 2 on the narrow sides). The large screws on the lens side hold 2 aluminum bars and the 2 little screws hold some circuitry)