Detection Devices

Detection Gear

Macrobinoculars

p. 175

Macrobinoculars use rugged imaging systems to magnify far-off objects for their users.

Electrobinoculars

p. 175

Electrobinoculars allow the user to see normally in low light or extremely bright conditions, and can magnify targets up to ten kilometers away. Informational overlays also provide distances, elevations, and velocities of sighted targets. More expensive versions have built-in recording and playback modes.

When using Electrobinoculars, characters may also remove up to imposed due to long range or poor light.

Scanner Goggles

p. 175

Simpler than Electrobinoculars, Scanner Goggles enhance vision through a blend of light amplification and thermal imaging. They are common in illegal and combat situations, as they do not require extra effort or hands for their operation.

Scanner Goggles allow the user to see normally in dark conditions.

General Purpose Scanner

p. 175

Most Scanners are small, hand-held gear, designed to be simple and durable for field use by scouts and explorers. Depending on the model, they indicate the nearby presence of life forms, heat fonts, radiation sources, acoustic emissions, or any combination thereof. Some operate in all directions, displaying their results on screens or holodisplays, while others are directional and only give indications towards where they are pointing.

The Cryoncorp EnhanceScan is a typical example of this. Small enough to be carried by a single scout, the scanner has life-form tracking, motion sensing, metal detection, and the ability to intercept standard frequency Comlink transmissions. The motion sensing operates up to half a kilometer, while the remaining systems can detect targets up to a kilometer and a half, and the Comlink interceptor can catch signals from much further.

Hand Scanner

p. 175

"Hand Scanner" is a catchall designation for a wide variety of handheld scanning devices designed to run specific-purpose scans (as opposed to a General Purpose Scanner).

Some of the most common versions of these are medisensors, such as the RFX/K Medisensor made by BioTech Industries. The device can be used independently or plugged into a medpac or datapad, and displays a variety of useful bio-signs about the subject. Other scanners can check for atmospheric contaminants, poisons, vermin, or in the case of mechanics, micro-fractures or stress points.

Surveillance Tagger

p. 176

These small (less than three centimeters across) beacons are commonly placed on their target via darts or other surreptitious means, where they use adhesion or magnetism to stay affixed. Once in place, they relay information such as location, direction, and rate of movement to their user, making them invaluable for tracking an unwitting foe.

The most expensive models can relay information through obstructions over dozens of kilometers, while the cheaper models tend to have much shorter broadcast ranges and can be blocked by large buildings or thick masses of rock or metal.

HoloNet Homing Beacon

BH-ND p. 53

A Homing Beacon is a device that tracks a starship or its passengers and cargo even after a hyperspace jump. Homing Beacons depend upon using existing HoloNet transceivers to transmit their location back to their source. Consequently, their effectiveness is sharply limited when the vehicle travels to a system that is not connected to the HoloNet.

Homing Beacons vary substantially in size and in their means of application. Smaller models can be thrown by hand or manually attached to their targets. Larger ones may be fired from a rifle or even a vehicle-mounted weapon to track a more distant target. The size of the Homing Beacon is most relevant in determining the likelihood that anyone on the target vessel might notice its presence.

As long as a Homing Beacon is functional, the person who activated it may trace the associated target across the galaxy. No tests are required. so long as the target travels within known systems. A Homing Beacon remains functional indefinitely, unless it is deactivated.

Tracker's Goggles

BH-ND p. 54

Tracker's Goggles grant to the wearer's Perception skill checks to locate a target by sight. Additionally, Tracker's Goggles remove imposed due to concealment, darkness, or fog and mist from the wearer's Ranged (Light) and Ranged (Heavy) Combat skill checks.

Bioscan

BH-ND p. 53

A Bioscan is a device that scans for life forms as well as verifying their physical makeup for anomalies and identifiers. Biometric data can be compared against another sample or a recording of one previously obtained.

Using a Bioscan to scan an area for life signs grants to any Perception checks opposing Stealth. Using the device to verify a person's identity requires an Average () Computers check and a biometric identifier for comparison. The GM may modify this difficulty based upon any unusual anatomical characteristics of the target's species.

Com-Scan

BH-ND p. 54

Using a Com-Scan, a character can triangulate the location and movement of a known comlink or a transceiver with an Average() Computers check. The device functions out to close range on planetary scale. Prevailing atmospheric conditions or excessive background signals can reduce its efficacy.

Hunting Goggles

E-EtU p. 47

Hunting Goggles are a kind of scanner goggle specifically designed to assist professional guides and hunters in tracking their quarry. Along with the usual light-amplification and thermal-imaging sensors found in most scanner goggles, Hunting Goggles are equipped with an image magnification and enhancement system, a short-range motion detector, and a targeting system and micro heads-up display that projects aiming reticules and targeting information into the wearer's held of vision.

Hunting Goggles grant to any Perception skill checks made to locate prey, and thanks to their image magnification and enhancement, they remove up to imposed due to concealment, darkness, or fog and mist from all Ranged (Light) and Ranged (Heavy) checks.

ILF-6500 Life Form Scanner

E-EtU p. 47

With a database containing information on thousands of known species of wildlife and with space for recording new data, the ILF-6500 is most often used as the center of a security perimeter for scout or hunting encampments. Mounted on a telescoping tripod that can extend up to three meters and capable of monitoring an area nearly half a kilometer across depending on terrain and vegetation, this scanner can track and identify up to two dozen targets at a time, categorize and rank them in order of threat level, and alert its operators either by sending updates to their datapads or sounding a shrill alarm.

Setting up the ILF-6500 requires either an Average () Survival check or a Hard () Education or Computers check to ensure that the device is properly calibrated and located in the best possible area for taking full advantage of its scanning capabilities.

Long-Range Terrain Scanner

E-EtU p. 46

Typically mounted to slow-flying airspeeders or small landspeeders with a reasonably high maximum altitude, the LRTS allows a scouting team to make a comprehensive topographical map of a new planet quickly and efficiently. The radar transceiver is mated to a broadband sensor suite and mapping program that takes in billions of bits of data per second. In game terms, the LRTS has a range of long and can map quite a large area of ground in a single pass. Depending on the atmospheric conditions, the size of the area being mapped, and numerous other variables, the time required to thoroughly map an area can take from a few hours to a few days of concentrated effort.

Successfully using the LRTS requires an Average () Computers check on the part of the operator. Maps produced with the LRTS add to any Survival check made to navigate using the map plus an automatic for every two gained on the Computers check.

Ground-Penetrating Sensor Pack

E-EtU p. 47

Little more than a bulky stack of fine-tuned sensors mounted in an impact and weather-resistant plasteel case, the GPSP uses a powerful ground-penetrating radar array to look through solid objects to see what lies beneath. Either carried slung over an operator's shoulder by a stout strap or mounted to a small repulsor cart, the GPSP can see through soil, dense stone of various types, most kinds of ores and processed metals, organic and inorganic debris, duracrete, ferrocrete, and nearly any other kind of substance that might be encountered. There is an updated version of the GPSP geared more toward scholarly exploration, with a radar array specially tuned for penetration of inorganic, artificially produced building materials like the kind found in the ruins of ancient cities.

Using a GPSP does not require a skill check, but interpreting the unit's findings might. If the Game Master sees fit, they can require a Computers skill check to figure out what exactly the GPSP is seeing.

Combat Scanner

HG-DC p. 56

A Combat Scanner provides all of the functions of a general-purpose scanner, along with robust mapping and navigation capability, mission data storage and display, and hardened and secure communications with a one-hundred-kilometer line-of-sight range. External optics provide a 360-degree view around the bearer, and this imagery can be beamed to any communications device within range, or shared with the Combat Scanners worn by other members of the unit.

The Combat Scanner is integrated into a combat helmet with visor.

The Combat Scanner offers some of the features of a general purpose scanner, scanner goggles for night-vision capability, and a com scrambler. This means it allows the user to see normally in dark conditions, can be set to track motion, heat, and metal, and adds to any checks made to attempt to decode and understand transmissions from the combat scanner to other combat scanners.

Demolitions Scanner

HG-DC p. 57

This handheld unit is designed to detect the distinctive chemical and energy signatures of a broad range of explosive devices. The Demolitions Scanner can be used independently or connected to a datapad or combat scanner, and its data can be transmitted to a remote receiver. The Demolitions Scanner allows the user to detect concealed explosive devices, and adds to any checks to do so.

Holoscanner

S-FC p. 48

Used in spaceports and high-security locations throughout the galaxy, Holoscanners can detect the presence of dangerous or illegal items without the need to physically search individuals or cargo containers. Using a combination of sensors, energy receptors, and holo-imaging, these large scanners detect and identify virtually any form of weaponry or illicit contraband. While some rare materials, such as cortosis or nightshadow, can foil Holoscanners, vigilant operators watch for such obfuscation. Holoscanners come in various shapes and sizes, from small screens for inspecting individuals to massive machines designed to examine speeder trucks, cargo containers, and even light freighters.

Holoscanners reduce the difficulty of Perception or Vigilance checks to discover concealed items on a person or in a container or vehicle by two. A Holoscanner cannot typically scan an item or group of items with encumbrance higher than its own.