X-Ray machines& memory cards

[gary o]

Do airport x-ray machines wipe the pictures off digital camera memory cards?.I ask this as i haven't travelled with a digi camera before & don't want any nasty surprises when i get back from my trips early next year.

[frankvw]

No risk there as far as I know. I never had a memory card wiped, and my camera goes through x-ray machines quite often...

[EN830]

Like Frank I've never had any problems, however my gear has always gone through as hand luggage and not in the hold. I believe that the machines used to scan hold luggage are of a higher rating.

It maybe a good idea to keep the cards with you and put through as hand luggage rather than taking the risk.

[gary o]

I'd never put my camera in the hold,i'd want it back in one piece!

[frankvw]

Good plan !

[LesB]

Memory cards and the like hold their data magnetically. X-ray machines use high energy radiation of an order which has no significant magnetic component.

I would however advise against leaving memory cards lying on or next to desk telephones, TV sets or hi-fi loudspeakers.



.

[EN830]

I'd never put my camera in the hold,i'd want it back in one piece!

Neither do I, unfortunately as a result of recent alleged terrorist actions, things have changed a little and they (airlines) now scrutinise every piece of hand luggage and if like my camera bag it's over a certain size then they insist on it going in the hold.

Mind you, I tend to travel by boat to the UK, so don’t have this problem often.