HumminGuru Orbit Vinyl Record Static Remover

Those responded with being in a location where static problem almost non-existent…well, I live in Texas and yet to use any type of static treatment. All of my record collection purchased new, even with thorough cleaning; I occasionally hear a tick or pop. So that tells me either I am doing a crappy job of cleaning or there is room for static treatment. 

I like automation so Orbit would be a welcomed addition to my TT setup. 

Harpo, That device you bought may be fine, but an alarm bell was triggered when I read that it has a copper element that needs periodic cleaning.  Devices that work to produce ions such that there is a metal element that periodically needs cleaning or replacement often also produce ozone, which is not good for humans.  They are usually used in "clean rooms" needed for manufacturing or other medical endeavors.  Normally, they are turned on only when humans are out of the room. Although probably only a tiny amount of ozone is produced in the process of deionizing an LP surface, I'd advise you to be careful with it.

I was an early adopter of the original Zerostat (I’ve had models with white, red, and blue plastic bodies), and suffered with it’s idiosyncracies for years (the pistol needs to be squeezed and released verrrrry slowly. Irritating!).

It was a relief when the Kilavolt No.103 by Nagaoka was introduced, as it is operated with a simple on/off button (3-5 seconds is all it takes). By the way @lewm, the Kilavolt emits only positive ions. Also worth noting is that for maximum effectiveness, Nagaoka advises "spraying" the LP with the disc held in one’s free hand, rather than on the turntable platter. One YouTube hi-fi reviewer (I don’t remember his name, but he is bald, bearded, and tattooed) verified that claim in his review of the Destat III (which I also own. I waited to buy until I found one at a very reduced price).

Which brings me to the HumminGuru Orbit. It emits both positive and negative ions, and must be used with the LP on the platter. It therefore treats only the play side of the LP, rather than both sides. Handheld guns may be used on both sides of the LP, for instance immediately after cleaning and drying on a vacuum machine. As they say on The Shark Tank, for those reasons I won’t be adding an Orbit to my LP maintenance kit.

As for the Hudson "Antistatic" Arm/Brush, it may have some value as a dust remover on LP’s being played, but is obviously incapable of negating a static charge.

As the Kilavolt had been out of production for many years, the Destat III would be my first choice for static removal from LP’s. Too bad it’s price is so unattractive to many.

Lewm.  I only use the static fan for brief moments.  I turn it on, pull the album out and let the fan blow on it to help the sleeve release from the record, I pull the record out and hold it under the static fan for a few seconds, flip it over and hold it for a few seconds and. Turn the fan off.  Then put the record on the turntable.  The static fan isn’t on very long.  Also it has a dial on the front to clean the copper element.  Periodically you just turn the dial back and forth once or twice and that’s it.  Yes you can smell the ozone but it’s only on for maybe a minute or so total.  No big deal.  Seems to work well.  

bdp, I am not sure what you are getting at when you say "Handheld guns may be used on both sides of the LP, for instance immediately after cleaning and drying on a vacuum machine."  It's fine to do that but one cannot assume the LP is going to be free of static charge on the later occasion when you choose to play it, if that was your implication.  Cleaning the LP only helps to eliminate dust and dirt; it does not confer immunity to static charge build up.  Charge happens when you remove an LP from a paper sleeve, even if it was inserted into the sleeve in a presumably static-free state.  Or it can happen in an instant when you yourself are charged up after walking across a wool carpet or etc, and you then first touch the LP.  Dis-charging needs to be done just before play.  (You probably know all this; I am just reacting to what you wrote.)

As regards the Destat. I was prepared to buy one during our annual trip to Japan, last June.  I found out, at least by inquiry in some of the major stores in Akihabara, the electronics mecca of Tokyo, that the device is not even sold in Japan. They'd never heard of it.