ScoutPalDB FAQ

ScoutPalDB is presently in Beta. This means that we are continually adding features to it.
We believe that we are on-track for a final product that meets everyone's expectations.

Yes, we offer complete Pocket PC and scanner packages. The PDA and scanners are brand-new, with manufacturers warranty. If you buy a package from us, we get everything setup for use with your ScoutPal subscription, so when you get it you can just open up the box, learn how to turn it on, and then go out scouting. Plus, we include a free SD memory card and a card reader (for easy subsequent database updates), as well as free priority mail shipping within the USA.

Alternatively, you can use the hardware that you may already have or plan to purchase somewhere else, as long your equipment meets the ScoutPalDB hardware compatibility requirements.

"Getting Started" instructions for our PDA/scanner packages:

(See the cables and accessories that come with an HP iPAQ 210 package...)

Please visit our Features page.

Please read our ScoutPalDB2 Early Release page.

Yes, we can login to your computer and operate it by remote control to show you how to do basic computer and PDA operations like downloading and copying files.  Please call us at

We also have a collection of YouTube videos (produced by ScoutPal and others) that demonstrate elementary computer and Pocket PC/SD card file operations.

Or, you can call ScoutPal for further instructions to mail your PDA to us, and we will set it up your PDA for you for a flat $25 fee, which includes insured return priority shipping back to you.

Yes, absolutely.  The ScoutPalDB program gets setup and runs on your Pocket PC, not on your computer.  But you will need a way to transfer downloaded setup files and database updates to the PDA's storage card.  Some newer Mac's have an SD Card slot built right into them, if yours does not, no worries:  SD card adaptors are inexpensive and widely available, for example, Radio Shack sells one for just $13.  The ScoutPalDB setup steps include instructions for using an SD Card reader during ScoutPalDB setup, in fact, it is the preferred method.

Scanners are input devices, just like a keyboard. They send bar code digits into your Pocket PC, just as if you had tapped them in from a keyboard. Scanner support is an issue that is not directly connected with ScoutPalDB. Your scanner needs to be setup so that it can send bar code digits into any program that is running on the Pocket PC.  ScoutPalDB will recognize US EAN-13 digit sequences, and automatically transform them into the underlying ISBN.  General guidelines for identifying and scanning book bar codes can be found at http://www.scoutpal.com/db/howtoscan

Please visit http://www.scoutpal.com/db/howtoscan/ to learn how to identify and scan book bar codes.

This information is available through the ScoutPal interactive web site lookup. If your PDA has wireless connectivity (Cellular data service, WiFi, bluetooth connection to a cell phone, etc., or if you have a Pocket PC/phone like a Treo 700w) you can add an optional  "Fetch" button to the lookup display, and do an online lookup on the same screen with a single tap to fetch full ScoutPal real-time wireless lookup results, including Buyer Waiting, Edition Info, abebooks.com results, as well as "drill-down" for 3rd party offering details.

Visit the template center to learn how ScoutPalDB lookup results can be customized.

Some Windows Mobile devices (typically pda/phones) will only play audio files through a stereo Bluetooth headset.  Phone calls may work with your mono headset just fine, but nothing is heard when a media file is played by ScoutPalDB or by the PDA's Media Center application.  Some ScoutPals have told us that they were able to use this free utility to route stereo media playback to a mono Bluetooth headset.  (Note: Run the utility *after* you have paired the headset, not before.  If you then run the utility while the headset is paired, it will disconnect the stereo sounds.  Disclaimer: This utility is not a ScoutPal product, use it at your own risk.)

Tap Start / Settings / System / Screen, then choose the orientation desired, then tap ok.  Watch Video

You can disable whatever button may be currently setup to rotate the screen:  Tap Start / Settings / Personal Buttons. Watch Video

Follow the steps on this web page to disable or re-enable Window's built-in Extract Wizard

  1. A ScoutPal subscription is $9.95 per month, or $29.85/quarter.
  2. Each subscription gives one person access to all ScoutPal features, including use of ScoutPalDB for ISBN lookups.
  3. Each person using ScoutPal, regardless of how they use it, must have their own subscription.
  4. You must not share your ScoutPal Login with anyone else.
  5. There is a free trial for our standard ScoutPal cell phone lookup service. The ScoutPalDB feature requires a paid subscription.
  6. We have kept to the same subscription price since ScoutPal was introduced in 2002, and we have no current plans to increase our subscription rates.
  7. Our price is held low by our expanding subscriber base, so please spread the word.
  8. If/when ScoutPalDB is no longer designated as "beta", the base subscription price will not be affected by that event.
  9. The subscription is monthly or quarterly, your choice, there is no contract.
  10. Future optional premium releases of ScoutPalDB will include databases for UPC searches on products other than books.
  11. We intend to stay competitive. But if you later find greater value with another service, you would simply cancel your ScoutPal subscription and move to them, and your equipment will work with any other service that runs on a Pocket PC.

A ScoutPal Add-On subscription (for family members or employees) is half price, at $14.95/quarter (3 mos.)