T20 personal scanner

[aravain]

Has someone written up a T20 version of the "infamous" StarTrek tri-corder? At what tech level could something like that exist?

The question comes from a crime that our party was investigating. Since we are diplomats/merchants/adventurers, I argued that while we could jury rig some equipment from our Tech14 starship, somethings like that would not only not normally be standard equipment, but may not even exist. Another player argued that if we have Imperial standard equipment (for the most part), surely the equipment not only exists, but should be a normal part of any relatively large ship's store.

So the final questions are:

1) Do man portable scanning equipment exist, ala TriCorder?

2) What are the stats and tech level?

3) Feelings on availability/TOE?

My opinion to run the crime scene over the ship's lateral array several times was not appreciated.

 

[Andrew Boulton]

What are you scanning for?

 

[aravain]

Things that may help in investigating the crime scene:

Chemicals,blood (type, perhaps genetic information),latent prints, skin and hair samples,any residual material,etc.Things that may escape a layperson or general search.

Immagine CSI and all they do. Does some one gadget have the ability to gather most or all of this information, or do we default back to Tech level 8 proceedures and technique? Is it reasonable to have this type of equipment in a standard ship's locker?

Thanks for any imput!

 

[plop101]

I seem to recall something like that in T4's Central Supply Catalog. IIRC, a scanner that you could put different chips into it to scan different functions.

I'll dig it out tonight and see if I memory was correct.

For my campaign(s), I wouldn't mind seeing a more portable Ore Sampler. The canon one from Beltstrike is TL8, 25kg. Kinda hard to carry around.

 

[The Hinterworlds Rambler]

Dr. Gwerf, Vargr Academic here... I have used (ruf) two scanners of my own design in the feild for several years... while no fast and hard rules have been set to it, I described its basic capabilities, when I was "Born" so to speak...

Portable Electromagnetic Analyzer
(EM Intensity/Source/Material Composition (like a spectrograph)
HD Holocamera/Audio Recorder)

I have a photo of this, somewhere... a Terran once (ruf) remarked that it resembled a "ColecoVision Joystick from the 80s", whatever that is...


Portable Chemical Composition Analyzer
(Composition/Hazardous Materials/ Material Properties)

This is often mistaken for a coffee grinder... a device with interchangeable lab glass cylinders, that can adapt to most chemical composition studies... looks sort of like one of those steel thermoses, but (ruf) with a glass top... The hazardous materials selector can also be set to most Major Race physiological system...

Both of these are linked to whatever computer I am on at the time, forming a crazy triad of scientific fun for everyone!

I am also working on development of a Triangulatable series of ultrasonic resonators, for use in the desitometer type role... making a 3d picture of good resolution for archaeological digs... Probably a device similar in size to a Surveyor's Rig, with the resonator and two "Targets" akin to specialized hydrophones, set at oblique angles to make the 3d...

 

[The Hinterworlds Rambler]

Dr. Gwerf, Vargr Academic here... I have used (ruf) two scanners of my own design in the feild for several years... while no fast and hard rules have been set to it, I described its basic capabilities, when I was "Born" so to speak...

Portable Electromagnetic Analyzer
(EM Intensity/Source/Material Composition (like a spectrograph)
HD Holocamera/Audio Recorder)

I have a photo of this, somewhere... a Terran once (ruf) remarked that it resembled a "ColecoVision Joystick from the 80s", whatever that is...


Portable Chemical Composition Analyzer
(Composition/Hazardous Materials/ Material Properties)

This is often mistaken for a coffee grinder... a device with interchangeable lab glass cylinders, that can adapt to most chemical composition studies... looks sort of like one of those steel thermoses, but (ruf) with a glass top... The hazardous materials selector can also be set to most Major Race physiological system...

Both of these are linked to whatever computer I am on at the time, forming a crazy triad of scientific fun for everyone!

I am also working on development of a Triangulatable series of ultrasonic resonators, for use in the desitometer type role... making a 3d picture of good resolution for archaeological digs... Probably a device similar in size to a Surveyor's Rig, with the resonator and two "Targets" akin to specialized hydrophones, set at oblique angles to make the 3d...

 

[The Hinterworlds Rambler]

http://groups.msn.com/SidurHaskiDesignConsortium/tuthamannigshprovisioners.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=22

there it (ruf) is...

 

[aravain]

A great illustration and I can cobble together its functions from your discription; keep up the good work!

The questions still stand on availability,tech level, cost,etc. Since there appears to be no "standard" device in T20, how about CT?

In fact, how about an opinion based in your Traveller campaign: what would exist in your (meaning everyone's) view of ability,tech level, and effect on game play.I would hate to depend on a machine (or use it as a crutch) instead of role-playing/thinking, but I know that other players in my current campaign may not be as,er,......"old-fashioned".

 

[The Hinterworlds Rambler]

Well, I built mine (with help from Clancy University's Technology Center...) back in 992 in the Diaspora Sector... TL 13? Its (ruf) certainly miniaturized enough...

I think the science involved with scanners is so not cutting edge, that production of (ruf) scanners for all forms of roles are possible...

as to its effectiveness in a game environment, it would depend on the Referee establishing a line between normal expectancies (ruf) and giving too much away to the PCs...

I personaly enjoy the portability of the unit, and its (ruf) ease of use... I also like how it combines scanners of different functionality in one unit... sure beats the old days, when i would show up to work (ruf) carrying two suitcases of instruments... yik yik yik!

 

[cmdrx]

Not a tri-corder, but still kinda Star-Trekish is the PRIS Binoculars. I think they were first introduced in MegaTraveller (correct me if I am wrong) and can be best described as 'Geordivision'. The PRIS (Portable Radiation Imaging System) can be set up to pick up a wide range of EM spectra (but not radio waves). Very useful in engineering to find hot spots or weak points on the hull. From MT Imperial Encyclopedia: TL12 2kg 3500cr

I think they might be putting this gadget in the up and comming T20 Players Book. I am not sure what the bonuses and game mechanics would entail.

Other Scanners would be the Chem Scanner (a portable chromatograph) and the Biosniffer. The Biosniffer is very close to the Tri-Corder for detecting amount and type of life forms. The Biosniffer can only work in an atmosphere and is TL14. Again, it may be coming out in the Players Book.

 

[aravain]

Now we are cooking! (or scanning)

Adds to my list of possible equipment choices. Any opinion on availability/TOE on a 1000 ton freighter?

Thank you for the imput.