FIELD REFERENCE / Tools & mods
Probably Stolen Scav Scanner Guide
A scavenging aid belongs on the outing, not back on the shop counter.
Carry one owned Scav Scanner with your outing gear when you search the Dumping Grounds. The community reference describes a chance of an additional find after successful scavenging and says duplicate scanners do not stack. Electronic parts upgrade it; a bonus chance does not guarantee a valuable result on every search.
Evidence note: exact extra-find rates come from a community data reference. Developer notes corroborate the scanner's upgrade cap behavior, but we have not independently playtested the probability model.
Choose the right scanner for the job
If your goal is finding more salvage, buying a different scanner because the name looks similar will not substitute for the Scav Scanner. Check the exact item name before investing scarce early credits.
| Device | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Scav Scanner | Helps the scavenging loot process. |
| Aug Scanner | Checks a customer for Aug identity. |
| AquaScan | Shows liquid composition. |
| Gene Scanner | Inspects animal traits. |
Evidence: Scav Scanner item description · Game Wiki Station: Aug Scanner · Developer announcements and fixes
Find the tool and prepare the outing
The archived item description identifies Dr. Jackson as an acquisition source. Treat that as a place to check, not a guarantee about every visit's stock. Compare the available scanner with your cash reserve before buying it.
Our recommendation is to pair the purchase with an actual scavenging plan: space for finds, a route you intend to repeat and a way to handle injury or other outing costs. A tool that stays in storage cannot pay back its price.
Evidence: Scav Scanner item description
Use it on a Dumping Grounds trip
- Move one scanner you own into the gear you take on the outing. Do not leave it on the shop counter and assume ownership alone is sufficient.
- Inspect your backpack and leave free space for the ordinary search result as well as a possible extra item.
- Travel to the Dumping Grounds after closing and perform the normal search action. The scanner supports scavenging; it is not the customer-scanning interface.
- Inspect the results after each successful search. Distinguish a bonus find from the value or identity of the ordinary drop.
- Bring the scanner home with your other tools and record its upgrade state before the next trip. Keep comparison conditions consistent if you are checking its effect.
Evidence: Community reference: junkyard scavenging
Read upgrades as a chance improvement
Developer notes specifically state that a fully upgraded Scav Scanner no longer accepts wasteful extra electronic parts. If an upgrade no longer applies, check whether the scanner is already capped before assuming the material is wrong.
Our advice is to upgrade in stages. More bonus finds may help a frequent scavenger, but the same parts could serve another working machine. Decide based on how often you use the scanner and how easily you can replace the upgrade materials.
| Setup | Reported behavior |
|---|---|
| Base Scav Scanner | 15% extra-draw chance in the community data reference. |
| An upgrade | +5 percentage points to that chance. |
| Fully upgraded | Listed cap of 100%; this is not a guarantee of a particular valuable item. |
| Two scanners carried | Only one applies; the reference says duplicates do not stack. |
Evidence: Community reference: junkyard scavenging · Developer announcements and fixes
Why it can seem inactive
| Observation | What to check |
|---|---|
| No extra item on one attempt | The effect is probabilistic below the cap; one result is not a test. |
| The scanner is still at the store | Bring the owned tool on the outing. |
| A search was unsuccessful | The referenced bonus belongs to successful scavenging, not a universal free item. |
| A second scanner adds nothing | Duplicates are not a stacking strategy in the reference. |
| No more electronic parts can be applied | Inspect the upgrade level and possible cap. |
| Bonus loot is disappointing | An extra draw changes quantity opportunity, not a guaranteed rare-item selection. |
Evidence: Community reference: junkyard scavenging · Developer announcements and fixes
COUNTER QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions
Do two Scav Scanners stack?
The item description and community scavenging reference say only one benefits you at a time. Do not buy a duplicate solely to double the effect.
Does it identify Augs?
No. That is the Aug Scanner's role. The Scav Scanner belongs to after-hours scavenging.
Does 100% mean guaranteed rare loot?
No. The stated cap concerns the extra-draw chance in the reference, not the rarity or value of the resulting item.
Sources & evidence
Source notes identify the basis for this guide. Your current in-game tooltips and dialogue take precedence when a patch or mod changes a mechanic.
- Community reference: junkyard scavenging ↗
Community data-based reference for scanner chance, upgrades and tools. Exact item drops remain random.
- Scav Scanner item description ↗
Archived demo item description supports one-scanner-only behavior and acquisition; current upgrade behavior is cross-checked against developer notes.
- Game Wiki Station: Aug Scanner ↗
Community reference for energy use and scanner result states.
- Developer announcements and fixes ↗
Official patch notes. Used for changed behavior, including filter removal, evaporator residue and mod compatibility.
Found a discrepancy? Send the page link and supporting evidence.