iMP 10 miles high...

[riverrock]

straight to the point -

is it safe / allowed / advisable to take am iMP-400 for in-flight entertainment?

Flight will be inside EU by the way.

[FlameGrilled]

'Safe'...??

Depends on what you mean by 'safe'.

There is no interference hazard to onboard avionics, so in that sense it's safe.

However, since 9/11 (and the Lockerbie incident) the use of walkmans etc has been kinda frowned on by airlines and it's quite possible that you may come unstuck.

Best thing to do.. is contact the air carrier (i.e. the company providing the flight) and seek their advice. Some may be ok, some may not be.

Let me put it this way...

On those rare occassions i do go abroad, i often take (legally) a VHF hand portable radio transceiver which is (as you'd expect) illegal to use on an aircraft. I have no such desires, so it's usually packed in the carry-on luggage with the battery packs kept in my booked-in luggage (the stuff that goes into the hold).

Since Lockerbie, however, i've ended up having to literally carry the whole lot with me in it's manufacturer's box.. and demonstrate that it is in fact a fully functional set (not a bomb or incendiary placed inside a convenient radio casing). Only then, when the people at customs clear it (has to be done before it gets booked in as part of my main luggage, daren't take it as hand luggage), can i safely travel with it.

I got no hassles with Customs and airline regs, since they are there for precaution over such things... but it's harder work now than the days i used to have to go to Hungary & the old EB countries with the kit.

As a closing note - have a good laugh at the expense of any iPod'er or similar user who is stupid enough to use their player (if they get away with it) and uses a FM transmitter to allow their companions to share the music via radio-equipped walkmans and stuff. That is a major case of *ouch* slapped paws, and also opening them up for arrest by airline staff.

The use of unlicensed radio equipment, unlicensed as in not licensable for use in aircraft, is a criminal offense.. (internationally) as well as a massive safety hazard.

FG

[coreman]

The simple answer is "Yes" it will be "safe" to use in flight...I fly a lot and use my iHP-120 on every flight..never had a problem with customs or security..they see literally thousands of these things every day.

[FlameGrilled]

Well, of course the simple answer is 'yes'. The real answer is, as i have already explained, is to get in touch with the air carrier - as they have, even if customs say otherwise (i.e. they ok you taking it through), the final say on what you can or cannot use on their aircraft or aircraft they lease.

I merely pointed some of the reasons why you could encounter problems and why - and that's as important as a simple answer, since it's unlikely you'll get a proper explanation if you asked at the time of a refusal.

FG

[riverrock]

thanks guys... maybe I'll just take my MuVo 128 instead

[riverrock]

No more replies hmmmmm.... was mentioning a Creative product here like farting in a crowded train? " Lemme outta here quick!!! "