Reversing The Polarity – are magnets a risk to safety in the mountains?

February 15, 2018
7 Comments
If you’re venturing into the wilds and going to be doing some proper map reading and using a c
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More than bikes, I like what bikes do. I think that they link people and places; that cycling creates a connection between us and our environment; bikes create communities; deliver freedom; bring joy; and improve fitness. They're environmentally friendly and create friendly environments.

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7 thoughts on “Reversing The Polarity – are magnets a risk to safety in the mountains?”

  2. GPS units either use an actual magnetic compass or more commonly a differential compass. The differential compass only works if you are moving, so it’s still not fool proof.

  4. I managed to reverse the polarity of a compass many years ago by leaving it next to my camera in the pack. I realised so came to no harm, but I’ve been very careful where to keep the compass ever since, and it gets harder the more electronic stuff we carry about. Having magnets sewn into your clothing seems a really bad idea if there’s any chance you’ll be using a compass. Makes you wonder just how ‘outdoor’ the ‘outdoor’ brand designers really are.

  5. To anyone from the Outdoor Clothing industry:-

    Magnets are not a ‘worrying trend’. Those new zip pulls which accurately snap into place so zips can be fastened one handed are the best feature you can add to jackets and gillets. Thanks.

  6. To anyone from the Outdoor Clothing and Equipment Industry (and I used to be one) – Magnets in clothing and kit ARE a worrying new trend. The brand I worked for dismissed the idea years ago, precisely because of the issue with compasses. Getting lost is pretty inconvenient. It’s pretty inconvenient for members of Mountain Rescue Teams to drop what they are doing to go and look for someone.

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