ESD Plastic Rod Lens Cleaning Swab (0.06/0.1inch), Sticky Gel Swab for Cleaning sensors, PCBs, SMTs, Cameras, Optical Lenses, semiconductors and E...

There used to be a product in the USA that was sold at camera stores that had a square sticky surface and was used to remove dust. The problem with the device was it left sticky residue behind on camera sensors, causing the photographer to take additional steps to clean the sensor. When I first received these sticks, I was skeptical as to their ability to pickup dust without leaving residue. Guess what, IT WORKS!!!!!! Not only does it work, but it's very clean and does not leave behind any residue. I would recommend these, however get the 5mm if you are cleaning a sensor, as it's touch to pin point with a 2.5mm if you have shaky hands (like me).

I got both the plastic rod style at 1.5 mm, and the paper rod style, at 2.5 mm, and am going to use the same review for both, as they function identically. My main reason for getting these is for cleaning photography equipment. Mainly sensors. I'm comfortable using wet swabs, and also have a lit inspection magnifier that fits onto the lens mount, which really helps me see what the sensor surface looks like. The auto shake function that modern cameras have helps a lot, but if you change lenses, even if you carefully hold the camera opening down (so that there is less possibility for dust to enter) eventually there are the slightly darker small blobs that show up in a sky, or other even field, and you knowit's time to clean your sensor. Sometimes it's just a matter of a few places, and maybe you're in the field. That was my main reason for getting theseas an on the go method for sudden bits of debris that don't just blow out. But, I have also had situations where even after a second swabbing, there were one or two stubborn bits, and these glue sticks have worked great. It's important to keep the tip from touching anything else. I have been able to use the back of peel and stick labels to transfer the debris onto from the glue stick. I also practiced initially, on a filter, at the gentle light touch that is best for doing work on sensors. Residue has not been an issue. The paper seemed like a less good material, as I was concerned it might shed, but in the few I've used, that has not been an issue. For my purposes I think I prefer the larger swab size, although I did use one cleaning out the socket pins on an IC socket that was dirty, and the smaller size came in handy for that.

I've used traditional swabs for years, and this is another level for cleaning sensors, so you DON'T ruin it. I shoot A LOT in the desert with sand, rain, and wind storms where sensors can get dirty quickly. I've used it to clean a sensor and lenses on the back sphere where I don't want to ruin them with sand from a storm. It's another tool in the arsenal for being a landscape photographer. Take your time, use a small micro blower to remove most of the sand or dirt, and finish it with these swabs.

These are okay at removing very specific particles from the surface of a lens or sensor. Not very sticky at all.

These are great for the intended use, and that is cleaning really tiny amounts of dust or specks of grit off of VERY sensitive surfaces, such as camera sensors. They are NOT designed for general cleaning of the entire sensor surface, they just take off tiny little bits of detritus without damaging anything or leaving behind any sort of residue. Dust bunnies, extremely small little bits of hair, a grain of sand, that sort of thing can be picked up with one of these sticks and when you're done, just toss it. I cleaned my DSLR sensor with a magnifying glass, a small flashlight and one of these sticks and made sure there is nothing on the sensor that I have to deal with in post processing. I was lucky in that I could see only three or four specks that have been showing up in post lately. Touch the viscous end of the stick to the speck and lift up (no swiping), it's gone! I wish I had started using these a long time ago.