Brushoff™ High Tech Sensor Brush

BRUSHOFF, by Photographic Solutions, Inc. , is unlike any other sensor brush on the market. The BRUSHOFF design evolved from a NASA design and engineered to meet their rigorous requirements and specifications. It is not just an ordinary artist supply brush with a fancy name and high price tag ! Hold the BRUSHOFF and one instantly can see this is a solidly designed and built electronic tool utilizing science to produce unparalleled cleaning power ! Although the brush head is remarkably soft, the brush core is entirely electronically conductive, through an ingeniously designed grounding plug.

BRUSHOFF is conductive because the dust and lint that attaches to the sensor or lens surface is attached there electronically [dust has a negative charge and the sensor/ lens a positive one]. Breaking that electronic bond is the only way to both remove the debris and discharge the sensor or lens surface so new particles are not again immediately attracted to it. A mere artist brush cannot clean all of the dust, nor can it prevent dust accumulation, even immediately after its use.

To draw a parallel, the sensor surface is much like the face of a computer monitor. The dust is very hard to wipe off with a dry cloth. The result of trying is better described as "dust rearrangement" rather than "dust removal". Use BRUSHOFF prove it to yourself - a conductive brush can, if it is grounded, brush the dirt cleanly off the computer screen just as it will off your sensor. No longer attracted, the dust easily falls off.
As the amount of charge (and therefore the amount of attraction) on either the sensor or the dust is unknown, using a fiber with a pre-determined amount of positive charge hoping to electronically "vacuum" up the debris, may or may not remove all of the dust particles. It will remove particles when the fiber's positive charge is greater than the sensor's positive charge. 
The only way to always remove all of the particles clinging to the sensor is by discharging both the sensor and the particles. Then, and only then, can you be certain of having a clean sensor that electronically wants to remain clean. BRUSHOFF's unique blend of extremely fine fibers, softer than a lady's blush brush, provides not only a conductive path, but includes fibers with characteristics that make the debris want to mechanically cling to them. The debris is removed from the camera with the brush.

BRUSHOFF utilizes an especially designed microscopically fine special filament. This fiber acts as the "vacuum" to pick up negatively charged dust from the positively charged sensor.

Another feature found only on BRUSHOFF is the grounding plug which works because it provides a path to ground for the charges on both the debris and the sensor. While normally a human can briefly serve as a ground for small charges, in fact, if the human is ungrounded, the body electronically acts like a capacitor, not a ground. The human body can also be a lightening bolt to the sensor if it has a static charge. Just walking across the carpet on a dry day, a person can generate a 30,000v charge [that is what causes the spark between your finger and the doorknob]. The grounding plug insures that, regardless of any charges around it, the brush is grounded and electronically neutral. The plastic handle itself is a non-conductor which isolates the human from the brush. This allows the brush to be used in the field, away from any grounding source until one can locate a ground and discharge the BRUSHOFF.
Cleaning the BRUSHOFF is also quite simple. Use a clean PEC*PAD to wipe the bristles and dispose of the PAD. A 10 sheet package is provided with each BRUSHOFF.

Be sure your fingers do not touch any of the PAD that will come in contact with the unique and patented fibre materials. If brush should become contaminated, simple saturate a PEC*PAD with ECLIPSE Optic Cleaner and gently wipe bristles. Air dry for a few seconds and replace protective cap being sure cap itself has not become contaminated.

To further protect the BRUSHOFF fibres, they are fully retractable into the handle when not in use and a protective cap is also supplied.

Here's a great way to test the BRUSHOFF :
on your TV screen or monitor, which is probably covered with dust - First, turn off the screen so you have a dark background against which to see. Then, carefully blow on a corner of the screen (using your breath rather than canned air) ..... the dust seems glued in place.
Now use the Brush Off in that same corner ..... Dust is easily removed but a few bits will likely remain. Now carefully blow on those few bits. The dust is easily blown away !!!!

BRUSHOFF has removed the static charge and the dust practically falls off.

Imagine this effect on your CCD !!!!!