Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Ft Walton Bch, Fl
Posts: 24

I think a poice scanner springboard would be very useful to the traveler. You could listen in on road contruction reports, know where accidents have shut down roads, and possibly incorporate the ability for weather alerts. I would think that present technology could be made to fit on a springboard especially with the open connector slot.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Endicott, NY USA
Posts: 60

But why buy a police scanner that plugs into a Visor, when you could just buy a regular police scanner? I fail to see the inherent benefits in such a pairing (just like I fail to see the benefits in the FM radio and television springboards that were mentioned earlier). If the entire broadcast paradigm changed, so that maps of accident scenes (with annotated alternate routes) or weather maps could be broadcast alongside the regular scanner chatter, then I could see a benefit. Otherwise, it makes no sense.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Salem, OR, USA
Posts: 91

It eliminates one more device that you would need to carry. Plus, it would give you all the benefits of computer controlled scanning while still being portable. But we're all aware of the political issues involved and there would likely be a very small market for such a device. So I don't see it happening until Springboards really catch on.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Endicott, NY USA
Posts: 60

It's really only "one less device" if you don't use any other Springboards. Besides, chances are if your using a police scanner,
you're relatively stationary... in your car
for instance. Again, I don't think this is an instance where Springboard technology would benefit the device in question.

-- Wizard

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Ft Walton Bch, Fl
Posts: 24

Sorry. I will learn to make more sense next time. I can see everyone's point except for one thing:

Why buy a police scanner springboard when you can buy a police scanner?

Then why buy an MP3 springboard when you can buy an MP3 player for half the price? Why buy a cell phone springboard when you can get them free w/activation? A good GPS receiver that fits in your pocket can be bought for around $100.

Because we all love gadgets. Never underestimate the power of a gadget.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Endicott, NY USA
Posts: 60

Believe me... I'll NEVER underestimate the importance of a gadget. I was arguing FOR the GameBoy Springboard in an earlier thread.

I guess what I'm trying to say is... the things you mentioned (GPS, MP3, cellphone)
require software to run them, a medium in which to run that software, and a display of some kind. For that reason, they make good Springboards; you're leveraging the Palm OS to run the software that those devices use, and you're using the Visor screen as both a display and an interface to the device. To be honest, I think the MP3 player is a MARGINAL example of something that should be a Springboard. For a police scanner, sure, you could pre-program channels that you wanted to scan and use the display as an interface, but otherwise why attach it to a Visor, especially since an interface and programmable settings are already features on most scanners? Same thing with an FM radio... what's wrong with the dial interface and click buttons for presets?

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: PEI, CANADA
Posts: 33

Have you ever tried programing scanners? I have and forget what most of the channels are. Plugged into the visor, one could keep lists and in fact download lists from areas that they may be traveling to.

Trouble is that there is to small a market for this. It would be too costly.