taking metal detector on the plane

**xmenbg** · 29-08-2011, 10:42 PM

hi,
i am going abroad and i intend to take the detector with me.do i have to put it in the checked baggage or in my hand luggage?i saw li-ion battery are not allowed.

thanks

**guildy** · 30-08-2011, 06:45 AM

I have just got back from Thailand OZ and Hong Kong I took my SE with me I put the stem in my checked in an control box with battery pack out but in same bag head phones and coil in hand luggage had no problems apart from them having a close look at the scanner at every airport 7 flights :thumbs:

**bottletop** · 30-08-2011, 10:53 AM

You don't say which country you are visiting, some are very touchy about metal detecting and assume you intend to plunder their heritage!

I regularly take amateur radio equipment on aircraft and put the valuable items in hand luggage, hold luggage is thrown around and more likely to be lost or broken into by baggage handlers. I do take the precaution of carrying a licence for the country I am visiting and receipts, etc. I have never had any issue with airports or airlines in USA, UK, Spain or Portugal... Not even a query as to what the electronic items were in the bag.

On one occasion I took a lot of photographic equipment to Mexico, I had taken the precaution of writing to the Mexican Consulate in London asking permission to take the gear into Mexico... Several other photographers in the group didn't bother and had a lot of hassle at the Mexican airport, I got a handshake and walked through after showing the letter from the Consulate.

Bottom line is don't assume anything and take any necessary permits and paperwork (including a receipt for the detector).

Dave

**Slow_n_low** · 30-08-2011, 11:18 AM

Take the control box in your hand luggage minus batteries and put the rest wrapped well in your suitcase, make sure any batteries you have are in there packaging or wrapped really well.

**Iron Mask** · 30-08-2011, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by Slow_n_low

Take the control box in your hand luggage minus batteries and put the rest wrapped well in your suitcase, make sure any batteries you have are in there packaging or wrapped really well.

But the may ask you to turn it on. I have had them ask me to turn on my notebook for a second.
When I went to Corfe in 2009 I had my control box in my carry on and also my pointer. The security people had fun with the pointer as they thought it was better than theirs.

**xmenbg** · 30-08-2011, 02:52 PM

You are allowed to take on the plane only lithium ion battery exceenigd 100 but not exceeding 160 watt-hour rating.it does not matter hand luggage or checked luggage.im not sure but i think gpx 4800 is 86 watt per hour.

**xmenbg** · 30-08-2011, 03:20 PM

Sorry my mistake.it is 68wh.
mAhx1000xV=wh.
Gpx 4800- 9200mAh(9,2Ah)x7,4V(voltage)=68Wh

**chipmonky** · 30-08-2011, 05:05 PM

Never had any probs even returning with more gold than I left with

.
Have a nice trip

**Kyle** · 31-08-2011, 05:47 PM

this is taking air testing to extremes

**des** · 01-09-2011, 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by Kyle

this is taking air testing to extremes

Good joke Kyle...well done!

We travel with metal detectors and bits and pices of regularly.

Place the coil and shafts in your STOWED bag (where they allow up to 20kg) making sure the coil cable isn't scrunched down with any weight on top of it! Also wrap any battery in bubble wrap and put that in the same stowed bag.
Carry the MAIN UNIT (control box) with you in hand luggage.
At check-in, declare the detector to the person issuing your Boarding Pass - casually mention you have "a metal detector" in the stowed bag: they usually don't gve it a second thought.
At the start of your trip through the Security Q as you are placing your bits on the conveyor, mention you have a metal detector part to the staff.
They will be 'more interested in' your liquids / gels and laptop!

Happy travels

Des