Taking a Silva 73R compass to NZ

   About to depart to New Zealand, and have been asked by son to take out a Silva 73R compass for his Javelin.
Question: Is it ok to transport it in a suitcase that will go in the HOLD rather than as Cabin luggage?
Is it permisable at all to transport a compass in an aircraft? 
Heathrow guide stipulates "No instruments with magnets"

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Dago Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 17 Dec 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 20	Post Options Post Reply Quote Dago Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Taking a Silva 73R compass to NZ Posted: 17 Mar 09 at 9:08pm
	About to depart to New Zealand, and have been asked by son to take out a Silva 73R compass for his Javelin. Question: Is it ok to transport it in a suitcase that will go in the HOLD rather than as Cabin luggage? Is it permisable at all to transport a compass in an aircraft? Heathrow guide stipulates "No instruments with magnets"
	Dago RS400

HannahJ Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 23 Jul 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 861	Post Options Post Reply Quote HannahJ Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Mar 09 at 10:06pm
	Compasses don't have magnets, they're affected by them, should be ok. I'm sure I've taken compasses on planes before.
	MIRROR 64799 "Dolphin" The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist hopes it will change; the realist adjusts the sail

alstorer Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 02 Aug 07 Location: Cambridge Online Status: Offline Posts: 2899	Post Options Post Reply Quote alstorer Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 Mar 09 at 7:20am
	compasses ARE magnets, albeit quite weak ones- if you want proof, place two compasses close to one another- they will align. Dago: I would recommend seeking clarifcation from the airline.
	-_ Al

Dago Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 17 Dec 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 20	Post Options Post Reply Quote Dago Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 Mar 09 at 8:28am
	Thanks for info. Trying to check with Singapore Airlines, no one availabe in UK, have been asked to contact their HQ in Singapore, which seems very odd. I always thought that compasses had to have some form of magnetic device inside them as well.
	Dago RS400

Dago Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 17 Dec 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 20	Post Options Post Reply Quote Dago Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 Mar 09 at 8:57am
	Finally got a reply from the Airlines. Yes they can be taken as Hold Luggage not Cabin luggage, just must not weigh more than 20 Kgs!! Thanks for your replies HannahJ & alstorer.
	Dago RS400

Adam@LDC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Groupie Joined: 13 Feb 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 54	Post Options Post Reply Quote Adam@LDC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 Mar 09 at 11:23am
	The compass won't work in New Zealand, you will need a southern hemisphere compass.
	Retail Manager, LDC Racing Sailboats

Dago Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 17 Dec 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 20	Post Options Post Reply Quote Dago Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 Mar 09 at 11:33am
	Hi Adam, Sorry to be a pain, but just to confirm your not making a funny , as I just packed it. Will it not be possible to read it anyway? If not, do you have an outlet in Auckland I can get one from on Saturday! Dago
	Dago RS400

Graham T Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Posting king Joined: 09 Apr 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 123	Post Options Post Reply Quote Graham T Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 Mar 09 at 12:49pm
	Seriously most compasses are weighted to suit which side of the earth you are on..... they tend to drag otherwise. I would contact Silva to check your compass....
	Osprey 55 "Tebutinnang" Osprey 1245 "Two Bob Bit" Miracle 1358 "Thumper"

HannahJ Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 23 Jul 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 861	Post Options Post Reply Quote HannahJ Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 Mar 09 at 8:12pm
	Well I never knew... I know you can reverse the direction they point in by drawing a magnet along the needle - did this once by accident. Don't know if this would make it work in the Southern hemisphere?
	MIRROR 64799 "Dolphin" The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist hopes it will change; the realist adjusts the sail

Graham T Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Posting king Joined: 09 Apr 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 123	Post Options Post Reply Quote Graham T Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 Mar 09 at 8:26pm
	Reversing the polarity and reading it back to front I guess could work but I'm no expert... best to contact the manufacturer - it may be fine as it is. Basically in the northern hemisphere the compass needle is pulled down as well as towards the pole so the southern end is counterweighted to stop it dragging on the compass body. The opposite is true in the southern hemisphere.
	Osprey 55 "Tebutinnang" Osprey 1245 "Two Bob Bit" Miracle 1358 "Thumper"