Seeking opinion on magnetic board for demo and airplane

msgreg · #1

I will be travelling by airplane soon and would like a full-size go set for the airplane.

I was thinking about the well-reviewed YMImports Deluxe Go Game Roll Up Magnetic Portable Set.

The catch is that an airplane tray is 16 x 10 and I'm wondering if the roll up board will just flop over the top/bottom of the tray.

I also happen to want to get a magnetic board for table-top demonstrations. I am prepared to make my own, but thought that this Roll Up Magnetic set would also serve that purpose, too. I can stick the board (which I understand is also magnetic) on a magnetic white board and hopefully the stones would stay in place when the board is almost vertical.

I really like the fact that it rolls up, which I prefer to the solid folding magnetic boards which don't pack nearly as small.

Comments on whether this board would serve either or both purposes?

dankenzon · #2

Hi

It happens I have that portable set.

It is bigger than the tray in the air plains (I am thinking on the trays where you eat in the commercial planes). It is very handy and light. Will get easily inside your backpack.

For vertical display.. may be too small. For the quantity of people who would see clearly you better get a table.

Anyway is a great set and a great buy

msgreg · #3

For tabletop demonstrations, I'm thinking about 5-10 people gathered around a small table.

If the board itself is magnetic, I might be able to get some steel bars to reinforce vertically. TSA should allow 7 inches or less.

So is the board itself magnetic and will it stick to a refrigerator, for example.

And are the stones strong enough to hold vertically?

dankenzon · #4

I don't think the stones attachement to the board is that strong, but should be enough as long as you don't move strongly the board. Let me try it later with the board.

msgreg · #5

That's awesome. Thanks for your time and help. I just noticed the description "The go stones are magnetic so don't worry about a sneeze, a bump on the car, or airplane turbulence on the plane messing up your game. The board is magnetic too! Stick it to a chalkboard or dry erase board for small group instruction".

Thank you for spending your time confirming some of these details!

As for the plane, I shopped steel bars, 1/2" seems perfect cut and arranged to meet TSA requirements. I'll post a link to details if/when complete.

Thanks for checking stone strength dankenzon!

Phelan · #6

I have a very similar set to that one, and while it does work for demo purposes (stones and board hold vertically), I doubt it would be good to play on a plane. It's too big for a tray, and probably not comfortable to play on your lap.

For plane rides, I recommend a foldable magnetic board. They're smaller, and the playing surface is sturdier. They're also cheaper, although you might have to get them from asia.

Edit: Also, feel free to check and add to TravelGoBoards.

mohsart · #7

I second both that the board will work vertically (a friend used one of those on the refrigerator when we were in China) and that it's probably too large for a airplane tray.
But surely you wouldn't have to look at Asia to get a foldable set!

/Mats

Phelan · #8

I meant looking to asia for a cheap foldable set. While you can find them elsewhere, they're much cheaper there.
mohsart, just tried looking at your shop for magnetic sets, but the prices are not available. Are they out of stock?

mohsart · #9

Starting at SEK 200:- (about €20/$30) for this one. They are in stock but the shop is closed for now. Will open in a couple of weeks or so.
While I admit prices are lower in Asia, the shipping costs most probably are higher so I'm not sure it is cheaper all things considered than to buy from a local dealer.

/Mats
PS Note that this is not to promote my shop. I'm only local for the Swedish players and I advice USA based players to buy from USA based shops etc.

Seeking opinion on magnetic board for demo and airplane

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