Quadcorder

"One more corder than the rest!"
Quadcorders are personal scanning devices. They are able to detect and locate organic, inorganic, and synthetic compounds and process the information to detect beings, minerals, technology, and much more. They can also scan objects and beings in extremely fine detail. The quadcorder has become the most important tool to many professions; medical professionals, surveyors, scouts, bounty hunters, treasure hunters, and many others rely on their quadcorder to be able to do their jobs.

Mechanics & Inner Workings

Quadcorders use circuits, wires, and crystals, powered by a common energy cell for data processing and storage. The actual scanning is done by an array of sensory devices originally developed by a dozen different species. The interface uses common buttons, screens, holoprojectors, and audio devices. A standard mid-range comm unit allows the quadcorder to interface with other devices in addition to communicate.

Significance

The world would be a very different place without the quadcorder. Many of the metals that are used were located with a quadcorder. Proper analysis of the environment was impossible before the quadcorder. Many diseases were diagnosed with, and eventually solved using quadcorders. Warfare would be significantly different without the ability to detect ambushes, and the land mine is essentially nonexistent because they cannot be hidden from quadcorders.

Item type

Sensory / Aid

Rarity

Due to their usefulness to beings from all walks of life, quadcorders are quite common for an item of such complexity. Small units, units integrated into armor, helmets, or other gear, specialized units, and other advanced quadcorders are less common, but can usually be found in most urban marketplaces.

Weight

Most quadcorders are 2 or 3 kilograms in total, but some, more advanced and expensive, are as light as a half kilo.

Dimensions

Typical quadcorders have a display screen and scanner component between 10 cm^2 and 25 cm^2, and a data and processing component around 15x10x5 cm. More advanced units can be as small as 10x8x2 cm, or are built into advanced armor.

Base Price

Standard quadcorders are common and, considering the advanced technology, inexpensive. They can be purchaced for an amount similar to the price of a small vehicle.