Check your batteries after you land

[BigGame]

Not sure if I got this rookie mistake by human error or overcomplicating packing. I checked my RMR sight before I traveled and when I landed in the hotel it wasn't working. Not sure if it was the cold temperatures in the cargo hold of the plane -51°f at 39,000 ft but, the sight was not operable. Mistake No.1 - I didn't pack spare batteries for the RMR (CR2032). I did have some in a spare light I have just by coincidence. I ended up buying a package of Duracell at the pharmacy in O.R. Tambo airport in Johannesburg. Mistake No. 2 - I didnt have the T10 torx bit for the screws. I have 10 of these at home but only a T15 with me. Fortunately hotel maintenance had one after a couple of tries. Fortunately my new best friend Bruce, who clears firearms at the airport, helped me through the process. My last resort was taking a cab to Safari Outdoor in Pretoria. BEST RULE: Keep all things simple for Africa!

 

[RSL]

Not sure if I got this rookie mistake by human error or overcomplicating packing. I checked my RMR sight before I traveled and when I landed in the hotel it wasn't working. Not sure if it was the cold temperatures in the cargo hold of the plane -51°f at 39,000 ft but, the sight was not operable. Mistake No.1 - I didn't pack spare batteries for the RMR (CR2032). I did have some in a spare light I have just by coincidence. I ended up buying a package of Duracell at the pharmacy in O.R. Tambo airport in Johannesburg. Mistake No. 2 - I didnt have the T10 torx bit for the screws. I have 10 of these at home but only a T15 with me. Fortunately hotel maintenance had one after a couple of tries. Fortunately my new best friend Bruce, who clears firearms at the airport, helped me through the process. My last resort was taking a cab to Safari Outdoor in Pretoria. BEST RULE: Keep all things simple for Africa!

Sorry for your issues. But those are lessons you will not soon forget. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

 

[Hogpatrol]

I always take spare parts, tools, scope mounting hardware, batteries, and cleaning equipment. Except for cleaning rods, I leave everything. Nick Bowker had a box with all different kinds of batteries that were left by hunters for those that needed them. My pack of the 2032s went there.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

I’m an over thinker. I pack plenty extra batteries for optics and flashlights. Any tool to make quick repair with also. Everything goes in a small bag and in my guncase.

 

[PARA45]

Thank you for sharing! I'm a planner and think of the what ifs on the items I'm taking. So, extra batteries and some basic tools do go in the gun case. Even though I think in the places I've hunted, I'm sure they have tools.

I've been taking a small headlamp to Africa since my first safari, and it has stayed in my day pack without being used. Last year's safari, we recovered my friend's Gemsbuck in the dark. Guess who was the only one with a flashlight? Me.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Not sure if I got this rookie mistake by human error or overcomplicating packing. I checked my RMR sight before I traveled and when I landed in the hotel it wasn't working. Not sure if it was the cold temperatures in the cargo hold of the plane -51°f at 39,000 ft but, the sight was not operable. Mistake No.1 - I didn't pack spare batteries for the RMR (CR2032). I did have some in a spare light I have just by coincidence. I ended up buying a package of Duracell at the pharmacy in O.R. Tambo airport in Johannesburg. Mistake No. 2 - I didnt have the T10 torx bit for the screws. I have 10 of these at home but only a T15 with me. Fortunately hotel maintenance had one after a couple of tries. Fortunately my new best friend Bruce, who clears firearms at the airport, helped me through the process. My last resort was taking a cab to Safari Outdoor in Pretoria. BEST RULE: Keep all things simple for Africa!

The cargo hold in an airliner is both temperature controlled and pressurized. Your batteries were not exposed to -51 degrees.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Also, remember if there is dust on the emitter, the place where the light comes out onto the screen, it can make the red dot appear scattered or look as if it’s not on. Make sure you don’t have dust on the tiny emitter window.

 

[BigGame]

The cargo hold in an airliner is both temperature controlled and pressurized. Your batteries were not exposed to -51 degrees.

Hey an author is allowed to embellish if it makes for a better story. Now I'm glad I left the polar bear out of this story!

 

[BigGame]

@Altitude sickness Thanks! I used a zeiss wipe and a q-tip to clean everything up. Now that it's all back in order, repacked, and ready for an Airlink trip to Vic Falls in 4 hours, only thing left is to nurse this major hangover from drinking last night...

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

@Altitude sickness Thanks! I used a zeiss wipe and a q-tip to clean everything up. Now that it's all back in order, repacked, and ready for an Airlink trip to Vic Falls in 4 hours, only thing left is to nurse this major hangover from drinking last night...

I told you not to try and match drinks with the polar bear.
Gumpy

 

[45-70guy]

I pack one of those fix it sticks kits and then put the bits I specifically need inside it, the batteries I’m not so sure they would die because of the cargo temps as my air tags run the same battery and they have been on multiple trips and still work.
Unless your battery was on its way out already then maybe it was the final straw

Any excuse to go to Safari Outdoor is a good one

 

[Scott CWO]

I pack my RMR sight, all batteries and my binoculars in my daypack/carryon.

 

[Schüler Jumbo]

All my optics, spare optics, binos, compass, etc are in Carry On. I don’t transport any of my optics in my rifle cases and if bolt gun, bolt out of receiver wrapped in bubble wrap in rifle case.

 

[Hogpatrol]

The only thing that concerns me with flying is people that don't know the regs on batteries and who will potentially cause a fire in the cargo hold.

FAA lithium battery regulations prohibit spare (uninstalled) lithium-ion and lithium-metal batteries in checked baggage; they must be in carry-on only. Most consumer batteries under 100 watt-hours (Wh) are allowed, while those 101–160 Wh require airline approval, and those exceeding 160 Wh are forbidden, unless they are specialized mobility devices. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Key Regulations & Limits

• Carry-on Baggage: Devices containing lithium batteries and spare batteries are allowed in carry-on.
• Checked Baggage: Only batteries installed in devices are allowed in checked luggage. They must be completely turned off and protected from damage/activation.
  • Spare Batteries: Must be in carry-on only and individually protected from short-circuiting (e.g., in original packaging or taping terminals).
  • Power Banks/Chargers: Portable chargers are considered spare batteries and must be in carry-on only.

 

[Philip Glass]

Not sure if I got this rookie mistake by human error or overcomplicating packing. I checked my RMR sight before I traveled and when I landed in the hotel it wasn't working. Not sure if it was the cold temperatures in the cargo hold of the plane -51°f at 39,000 ft but, the sight was not operable. Mistake No.1 - I didn't pack spare batteries for the RMR (CR2032). I did have some in a spare light I have just by coincidence. I ended up buying a package of Duracell at the pharmacy in O.R. Tambo airport in Johannesburg. Mistake No. 2 - I didnt have the T10 torx bit for the screws. I have 10 of these at home but only a T15 with me. Fortunately hotel maintenance had one after a couple of tries. Fortunately my new best friend Bruce, who clears firearms at the airport, helped me through the process. My last resort was taking a cab to Safari Outdoor in Pretoria. BEST RULE: Keep all things simple for Africa!

Thanks for sharing your experience. Spare 2032's are critical for me.