Rapid strap magnets and memory cards

I guess this is a stupid question, because no one else seems to think it's an issue.

Couldn't the magnets on the Rapid Strap RS-5 affect memory cards, or possibly the magnetic strips on credit cards?

Would kill credit cards for sure. All cards with strips on them. I think the memory cards would be fine, they survive airport security.

Flash memory is not effected by magnetic fields.

Mark1 wrote in post #9967374
Flash memory is not effected by magnetic fields.

As I once proved to myself. I used to work in a lab with a 600 MHz NMR spectrometer. The magnet was strong enough to pull pennies from your hand from 2 feet away (and was very good at destroying credit cards). I once rubbed a CF card against the surface of the magnet and all the data remained intact.

I service MRI machines as part of my job. The machines obviously have very strong magnets to provide the basis for the MRI imaging. There are a number of circuit boards in the same room as the magnet with software and firmware flashed on chips (similar to images on your CF card). No issues. When working in the room, I do not bring my wallet in but have on occasion by mistake. Credit cards are pretty rugged. They can be ruined if you get close enough for a long enough time. Hotel room keys... Instant death!

Your flash cards will be fine in the strap pocket. Not sure I would keep credit cards or room keys in there though. The magnets in the strap are likely pretty weak, but with a long enough exposure they could be damaged.

Thanks. I don't know why I was thinking there would be a problem; probably because of past experiences with magnetic storage.

I'd like to pass along this quote that I found amusing, from Bill Frank, executive director of the CompactFlash Association: "A magnet powerful enough to disturb the electrons in flash would be powerful enough to suck the iron out of your blood cells."