Flash Cards/Mini-disks + XRays = Good or Bad?

JustinSampson

Senior member
Aug 11, 2001
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Hey,
I'm planning on going on a trip this week and I was wondering if X-rays would mess with Compact Flash Cards and Mini-Disks (plus the mini disk walkman)?

I just don't want to have my mp3's and pictures wipped out. :)

Thanks,
Justin
 

Hayabusa Rider

Admin Emeritus & Elite Member
Jan 26, 2000
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AFAIK x-rays are a problem for photographic films, but at not for anything else, at least not at non lethal doses.
 

GoSharks

Diamond Member
Nov 29, 1999
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i know your mds will be safe, becuase you need <high amounts> of heat to change the data on them. and also becuae i've brought them through an xray a few times too :)
 

Rkonster

Golden Member
Feb 16, 2000
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I have heard both for minidiscs. I have had some friends that have had theirs messed up after the machine, but there were only a few isolated cases. I don't know what went wrong with theirs. Most people do not have problems. As for compact flash, I haven't heard anything bad happening. I personally have sent my digicam through without trouble.
 

randomlinh

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
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linh.wordpress.com
CF should be fine. a photo mag was doing a comparison of digital vs film.. one of the things they mentioned was a couple of 256/512 CF cards is the same as a several rolls of film.. and several rolls of film in a xray protected bag looks like a big black box.. and well.. airport security these days may be delaying you a bit ;)
 

Demon-Xanth

Lifer
Feb 15, 2000
20,551
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A little tip, if you get picked for a "random" security check, expect it EVERY TIME. On my last trip I was 4 for 4. The xray booths didn't stop me for my huge ass joystick (steel case, arcade components, PC, PSX, and DC compatible), but I had to continually watch people try and figure out what it was when they opened my bag at the gate.

...and flash is unaffected by xray, though I've heard that irradiation (such as what they do with food) permenantly damages them.