Nitecore BB2 – One of the best fan in your sensor

Once I made the transfer from Nikon to Sony, mud turned a problem for me. I used to be not solely transferring from one model to a different but additionally from a DSLR to a mirrorless system. Whereas my Nikons weren’t proof against sensor mud, it was by no means a giant challenge. I believe that the mirror protected the sensor from stray particles. With the mirror gone¹, mud gave the impression to be magically interested in the sensor each time I swapped a lens.

I used to combat mud with a Rocket Blower. However not too long ago, I additionally began carrying a small Nitecore BlowerBaby BB2 fan. It’s about the identical measurement because the Rocket however can do a bit extra. Truly, I prefer it a lot that I feel it’s the primary sensor fan on the planet².

The Overview

The Nitecore BB2 is a compact aluminum air blower. Type of like a powered Rocket blower – I’m really evaluating them in one of many subsequent sections. However first, the machine. The BB2 is about 14x6x3 cm. Kinda like a small, outdated, brick cellphone, which suggests it’s simple to grip. It’s not heavy however carries sufficient weight to really feel strong. In case you care about colours, it’s night-black with a contact of yellow³.

The field comprises every thing you should use the blower:

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• A Nitecore BB2 blower
• A USB Sort-C cable,
• A small plastic cowl
• Nitecore does promote a number of extra equipment (brushes, primarily), however these are further and also you don’t actually need them to start out utilizing the blower.

On the highest, you may see two of the principle options: a mud filter and an influence dial. On the proper facet, you’ve the on/off button, a USB-C port, and a retractable brush slider. There may be additionally a plastic cowl and an LED. That is just about it; It’s easy, and it’s sufficient.

By way of powering the unit, it fees a 33.6Wh battery (about 10 minutes of use) and fees by way of USB-C. In case you run out of juice, you may plug it in and use it off an influence financial institution. The ability button can also be a intelligent battery indicator: inexperienced is 50+%; Blue is 10-50%;  and pink is 10% or much less.

Nitecore BB2 vs. Rocket Blower

As you’d anticipate from a tool referred to as blower⁴, it blows wind. And it does so so you may clear a digicam sensor. It’s possible you’ll assume, why do I would like one other blower? And an $89.95 blower, once I have already got an $8.00 blower?  Properly, for a number of causes.

For starters, you’ve absolute management over the airflow – excessive, low or turbo (referred to as silent optical and turbo). You even have management over the blow period; You possibly can press and maintain, and also you’ll get wind so long as the button is pressed, or you may double-click for nonstop wind. Extra importantly, although, the BB2 has a mud filter, so any air you’re blowing at your valuable sensor is mud free, whereas with the Rocket blower, you might simply be blowing extra mud into the sensor.

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The Nitecore BB2 digital blower is rated for two.7kPa on its turbo setting, which is extra highly effective than the typical air blower (round 1.7kPa). I used to be a bit involved about utilizing this further energy on the sensor, so I gave it a scientific⁵ paper ribbon take a look at. You possibly can see the outcomes beneath, however nothing felt hurricane-style threatening to me.

Alternatively, this little further energy makes the BB2 significantly efficient at cleansing difficult-to-reach areas, like keyboards – in case you have small youngsters who like Cheetos⁶, you already know what I imply. Additionally, the BB2 has a small retractable gentle brush which is further helpful with keyboards.

One of many solely professionals for the standard Rocket Blower is the form of the output nozzle. The air blower has a a lot smaller output gap, which suggests the air is targeted in a selected space (much like a shotgun microphone). In distinction, the sq. form of the BB2 permits for much less management over the place the air is directed. Then once more, while you squeeze the rocket, I doubt you may train that management.

Lastly, the BB2 has a built-in LED – you may really see what you’re cleansing. By no means noticed an LED-equipped Rocket Blower. (although I feel that the AA1903 has a glow-in-the-dark tip.

Closing Ideas

General, the Nitecore BB2 Electronic Blower is a handy and efficient software for cleansing a digicam sensor, a keyboard, or any electrical machine. It does price like 10 conventional Rocket Blowers, so there’s a premium for that comfort.  In case you have the additional money to shell, and you’re the sort of person who hold their gadgets charged, you’re in for a deal with. In case you solely have $10 to spare, you already know the choice.

Footnotes

1.  To be 100% trustworthy, the mirror-protection function additionally got here with a back-pain function. That is one other story, although.
2. Sure, there may be at the very least yet another.
3. I’m extra of a black-and-red knight rider sort of man, however I may admire the batman-ish colour palate.
4. This simply felt like a very good place for a footnote.
5. Actually, not scientific in any respect.
6. OMG, there’s a pack of 64!