ScoutPalDB Requirements

You can buy a ScoutPalDB-ready new Pocket PC PDA and scanner package from ScoutPal, or you can use the hardware that you may already have or plan to purchase somewhere else, as long your equipment meets the compatibility requirements below:

  1. ScoutPalDB is compatible only with Pocket PC devices that have Windows Mobile 2003 or newer operating systems, specifically Windows Mobile 2003 or Windows Mobile 5 or Windows Mobile 6 or later.
  2. If you are shopping for a Pocket PC, read the "Pocket PC's" section below to learn more.
  3. If you are also shopping for a Pocket PC scanner, read the "Bar Code Scanners" section below.
  4. If you already have a Pocket PC, PLEASE CHECK your Pocket PC's operating system BEFORE attempting to install ScoutPalDB.   It will NOT be compatible with ScoutPalDB if it is anything else other than 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 on your Pocket PC]
  5.  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.
  6. 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 exactly 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 see illustrations that will help you determine if you have a Windows Mobile Pocket PC or a Windows Mobile smartphone, or something else entirely.
    • An 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 a fine 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".
  7. You will need a way to copy files from your computer over to the Pocket PC's SD card.
    • Preferred method:  Use an SD card reader/adaptor.  Many newer computers have slots for SD cards built-in. Although you can install and update ScoutPalDB using a sync cable, it is easier and faster if have a way to write directly to the SD card. SD card adaptors are inexpensive, for example, Radio Shack sells one for $13:  http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3118203
    • Or, you can communicate with the Pocket PC using its sync cable and Microsoft's ActiveSync/ Mobile Device Center software.  Pocket PC's typically include a CD with synchronization software, but you should instead install the latest version, directly from the Microsoft download websites:
  8. You will need to have Microsoft's .NET Compact Framework 2.0 installed on your Pocket PC. The new PocketPC's typically already have this, if yours does not, no problem.  The ScoutPalDB setup procedure includes steps to do the upgrade as necessary, or you can do it now: [Get .NET CF 2.0 for your Pocket PC]
  9. Memory Requirements:
    • ScoutPalDB Program:  Unless you have loaded up your Pocket PC with a ton of other programs, you will almost certainly have room to install the program directly in your Pocket PC RAM memory, as it is under 100K.  You can also install the program on a memory card if space is an issue.
    • ScoutPalDB Database:  Although the current ScoutPalDB ISBN database is close to 100 MB in size, a storage card of 1GB or greater capacity is recommended.  This will provide plenty of room as the ScoutPalDB databases grow, including room for planned UPC databases.
  10. Storage cards are inexpensive and widely available, both online and at retail stores, including Radio Shack, for example: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2253809 .
  11. Scanners:  You will want to get PocketPC that has an SD card slot for memory and a CF card slot for a CF scanner.  Although the other combination (SD scanner and CF memory) can be used, SD memory cards are inexpensive and widely available, and CF card scanners are more ruggedly built than SD card scanners.
  12. If your Pocket PC has only one card slot, but it also has Bluetooth, you can use a Bluetooth scanner like the Microvision ROV Bluetooth scanner.

    13. Pocket PC's:

    We recommend that you shop for the Pocket PC that meets the requirements, as well as one that fits your personal needs. The most widely-used Pocket PC's are the Dell Axim (no longer sold new or repairable by Dell) and the HP iPAQ.  If you want a single, integrated unit that you can hold in one hand, you will want a Pocket PC that has both a CF slot and an SD (also called SDIO) slot.  That way, you have a slot for the memory, and a slot for a CF scanner.

    If a PDA does not have a CF slot, but it does have Bluetooth, then you can use a Bluetooth scanner, but you will need to hold the PDA in one hand, the scanner in your other hand, and the book in your third hand.

    Some scouts rely on a template that will sound a "beep" when a book meets a price/rank criteria.  If you have a Bluetooth scanner and you can rely on a robotic "buy" signal like that, then you can put the PDA in your pocket, freeing up your other hand for picking up books.  You can attach a wired or Bluetooth earphone to the PDA so that only you can hear the beep.

    An example PDA that both a CF slot and Bluetooth is the widely available HP iPAQ 210.

    Example iPAQ searches on:

    You can sometimes find used Axim's and iPAQ's on eBay, for example the Dell Axim X51, or the IPAQ h2215.  There are hundreds of model variations, so check with the seller to confirm that their offering has an SD slot plus a CF slot, and that it has a Windows Mobile 2003 or later operating system.

    You can buy a new Pocket PC and scanner from ScoutPal:

    Learn more about our hardware packages:

    Pocket PC phones:

    At the present time, ScoutPalDB runs only on Windows Mobile Pocket PC (WMPPC) 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".)

    These phones do not have CF card slots, so you would need to use a Bluetooth scanner.  (Nearly all of these phones have Bluetooth.)

    A few examples of Windows Mobile 6 Pocket PC phones:

    Carrier Available Direct From Carrier Available used on eBay, etc.
    Verizon Wireless XV6900 - Touch Pro - Touch Diamond - Saga - Omnia Treo 700w - XV6800 - SCH-i760
    Sprint PCS Mogul - Touch  Treo 700wx
    AT&T Wireless Incite - Fuze - Epix Treo 750 - Tilt
    T-Mobile   Wing
    Phone models come and go nearly every day.  Some of these models may no longer be available new, although you may be able to purchase them on ebay.  Please check cell phone company websites and/or visit their stores to see their latest models.  When shopping used, be sure that the device unlocked or branded for your carrier.

    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 or 5P model is by far the most popular choice:

    Basic design "M" Series - Class-1 laser scan engine
         		 "P" Series - Class-2 laser scan engine
    (not necessary for indoor scanning, useful when
    scanning outdoors, like at garage sales.)    		 "E" Series - imager scan engine
    (Attractively priced, but not recommended,
    as performance is sub-par and highly
    dependant on lighting conditions.)
    CF card 5M 5P 5E
    SD card 3M 4P 3E
    Bluetooth Cordless 7M 7P 7E

    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.expansys-usa.com/p.aspx?i=135151

     

    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"