ScoutPalDB Requirements

• A Pocket PC running the Windows Mobile 2003 or newer operating system: Windows Mobile 2003 or Windows Mobile 5 or Windows Mobile 6 or later.
• If you are shopping for a Pocket PC, read the "Pocket PC's" section below to learn more.
• If you are also shopping for a Pocket PC scanner, read the "Bar Code Scanners" section below.
• If you already have a Pocket PC, PLEASE CHECK your Pocket PC's operating system BEFORE attempting to install ScoutPalDB.   It is NOT compatible with ScoutPalDB if it displays "Windows CE", or anything else except Windows Mobile 2003 or Windows Mobile 5 or Windows Mobile 6 (also called Windows Mobile Classic and Windows Mobile Professional.)
  [How to view the operating system version that is on your Pocket PC]
• ScoutPalDB is compatible only with Windows Mobile Pocket PCs.
•  If you have an older Dell Axim X5 running a pre-Windows Mobile 2003 OS, you might be able to upgrade it to Windows Mobile 2003 with this upgrade utility.
• ScoutPalDB is not compatible with Windows Mobile smartphones, or with any other sort of device that uses a Palm or other operating system that is not Windows Mobile for Pocket PC's.
  • A Pocket PC has a "touchscreen", and you use a stylus to tap on the screen and make choices.   In contrast, a Windows Mobile smartphone will not have a stylus.   If your device doesn't have a screen that you can tap on with a stylus, it is NOT a Windows Mobile Pocket PC, so it isn't compatible.
  • If you are not sure if your device is a Pocket PC or a smartphone, visit http://pocketpccentral.net to read descriptions and view screenshots that will help you determine if you have a Windows Mobile Pocket PC or a Windows Mobile smartphone, or something else entirely.
  • A well known example of a smartphone is the Motorola Q. Since the Q is not a Pocket PC, it is not compatible with ScoutPalDB.
  • There are many Windows Mobile Pocket PC devices that have cell phone capability (Pocket PC phones), like the Treo 800w from Sprint.  When coupled with a Bluetooth scanner they make an excellent choice for ScoutPalDB.
  • Although both Pocket PCs and smartphones are described by Microsoft as "Windows Mobile" devices, only a Windows Mobile Pocket PC is compatible with ScoutPalDB.  A smartphone is not compatible.
  • Marketing literature and Microsoft naming conventions can be confusing, for example some vendors will call their Pocket PC phone a "smart phone".

• ActiveSync/ Mobile Device Center installed on your computer.
  Windows XP Users: [Get Active Sync]
  Windows Vista users: [Get Mobile Device Center]
  (Pocket PC's typically include a CD with Active Sync, but you should instead install the appropriate latest version directly from the Microsoft download website.)
• .NET Framework 2.0 on your computer. [Get .NET for your Computer]
• .NET Compact Framework 2.0 on your Pocket PC. [Get .NET for your Pocket PC]
• Memory Requirements:
  • ScoutPalDB Program:  Unless you have loaded up your Pocket PC with a ton of other programs, you will almost certainly have room for the program directly in your Pocket PC RAM memory, as it is under 100KB, which is just 1/10 of 1 MB.  You can also install the program on a memory card if space is an issue.
  • ScoutPalDB Database:  Although the current ScoutPalDB ISBN database is around 88 MB in size, a 1GB or greater CF CompactFlash (CF) or Secure Digital (SD) storage card is recommended.  Either can be used.  This will provide plenty of room as the ScoutPalDB databases grow, including room for planned UPC databases.  If you don't already have one, 1GB SD cards can easily be found online or at "big box" computer stores for $20 or less.
• If you are going to use a scanner, then you will need another slot for the scanner, or you can use a Bluetooth scanner.  There are SD card scanners, and there are CF card scanners.  In our opinion, the best combination is a PocketPC with an SD card for memory and a CF card scanner.  SD memory cards are inexpensive and widely available, and CF card scanners are generally more ruggedly built than SD card scanners.  But the other combination (SD card scanner and CF memory) will work fine as well.
• If your Pocket PC has only one card slot, but it does have Bluetooth, you can use a Bluetooth scanner like the Microvision ROV Bluetooth scanner.

Pocket PC's:

We recommend that you shop for the Pocket PC that meets the requirements above, as well as one that fits your personal needs. You should of course also purchase your equipment from reputable sellers.  As long as the Pocket PC meets the requirements listed above, it will be compatible with ScoutPalDB.

The most popular and best-supported Pocket PC's are the Dell Axim (no longer sold new by Dell) and the HP iPAQ.    Best bet is a Pocket PC that has both a CF slot and an SD (or SDIO) slot.  That way, you have a slot for the memory, and a slot for a CF scanner.  An example is the HP iPAQ 210, which is widely available.  (ScoutPal also offers an HP iPAQ 210 and scanner package, see below.)

Example iPAQ searches on:

• Google
• Amazon.com
• Buy.com

You can sometimes find used Axim's and iPAQ's on eBay, for example the Dell Axim X50, or the IPAQ h2215.  Check with the seller to be sure that it has a Windows Mobile 2003 or later operating system.

ScoutPal offers complete Pocket PC and scanner packages, both new with manufacturers warranty.  If you buy from us, we get everything setup (for use with your ScoutPal subscription) so you can just open up the box, turn the PocketPC and the scanner on and start using it, plus we include a free SD memory card and card reader (for easy subsequent database updates) as well as free priority mail shipping within the USA.

Choose from the following packages:

Components (Factory new, with 1 year Warranty)	ScoutPal Packaged Price
HP iPAQ 210 Enterprise Handheld Pocket PC + SocketMobile 5m CF card scanner + The Scanner plugs into the top of the iPAQ, forming a single one-handed unit.	$799 Includes Free: Shipping Memory Card Card Reader
HP iPAQ 210 Enterprise Handheld Pocket PC + Microvision ROV Bluetooth scanner    +   Held as two separate devices, connected via Bluetooth radio.	$699 Includes Free: Shipping Memory Card Card Reader

Pocket PC phones:

At the present time, ScoutPalDB runs only on Windows Mobile Pocket PC devices, it is NOT compatible with Palm operating system devices like the Treo 650 and Treo 700p.  However, the Treo 700w and Treo 800w series (Sprint 800w | Verizon 700wx) IS compatible.  (The "w" stands for "Windows".)

Other examples of Windows Mobile 6 Pocket PC phones include:

Bar Code Scanners:

ScoutPalDB will work with any bar code scanner that is advertised as being compatible with your particular Pocket PC, and comes with a "keyboard wedge" driver. Every scanner made for Pocket PC's that we have ever seen comes with a "keyboard wedge" driver, so generally there are no worries about that. But we recommend that you purchase your equipment from a seller that has a return policy, in case there is a compatibility issue with your Pocket PC.

If you have a Pocket PC phone that only has an SD card slot, but it does have Bluetooth, you can use a Bluetooth ROV scanner.

A popular choice for users that have a Pocket PC with a "Compact Flash" card slot are the Socket CF card laser scanners. 

Here is a matrix of some different Socket Scanner model numbers.  The Socket 5m model is by far the most popular choice:

You can find Socket Scanners for sale at various prices throughout the web, for example do a Google search for "Socket 5m".  You can also find them listed on Amazon.com.  Here is an example of an online vendor that sells Socket Scanners:

http://www.mobileplanet.com/p.aspx?i=135143
http://www.mobileplanet.com/p.aspx?i=135145

You can also find Socket scanners used on eBay and other auction sites, try an eBay search using these terms:

• "Socket 5m"
• "Socket Scan"
• "Socket Scanner Card"
• "Socket Barcode Scanner CF Card Laser"
• "Socket In Hand Scan Card Laser"
• "Socket In Hand"