cleaning gear for the vx2k
 

I have the most complete set of cleaning kit for the lenses, viewfinder, lcd etc. But I was wondering, what woudl be the best set to have for cleaning the internal mechanism ie tape heads etc. I'm going to be traveling out of the country with the camera and other filming gear, and i'm hoping I won't be hitting any problems with the camera. Moisture might be a problem so I'm bringing a lot of dessicant. Woudl the next thing be just a tape head cleaner? Is that it?

anyone? should i post this in some other subforum up top so i get more replies?

I normally only travel with a cleaning tape. Dessicant and plastic bags if it will be cold and/or humid where I'm going. Another set for the tapes too.

You need chamois-tipped sticks and a head-cleaning fluid plus the screwdrivers necessary to remove the tape door cover. And you have to know how to use them or you'll cause damage that will require a service shop to cure.

Take lens cleaning tools with you too.

how often should the heads be cleaned? is it a matter of time, as in intervals of time, or is it simply a clean it when dirty deal..?
How woudl you know the tape head is dirty? Thanks for the response

When the sound or video is bad, use a cleaning tape. I have a DSR-20 that has over 1000 hours on the heads and I think I've run a cleaning tape in it once. I know of VX-1000's that are over 8 years old that have had a cleaning tape run in them once, about 4 years ago when I did it.

If you always use the same brand of tape, you probably won't have much trouble. Read my post on tape brands at the head of this Forum for my position on this subject.