I'm looking at buying either the pro-106 or the pro-197. The USB cable costs $35 and the sofware is extra. Where do you but the software and how much might it cost???
Also, does the software really make programming much easier? This is my first scanner, so would I be able to just program without the software?
Thanks!
EDIT: I have a Dell Inspiron with Windows 7. It's a pretty new computer. Would the scanner and software even work on it???
The earlier posts do a good job of answering many of your questions, but here are my answers, along with some comments that may be helpful.
"The USB cable costs $35 and the sofware is extra." Please note that Radio Shack often offers the cable for half price if purchased along with the scanner, a great way to save some money. Please note that this sale is only good if the purchase is on the same ticket as the scanner. Forget to buy it then and return to the store for the cable and it'll be full price.
"Where do you but the software and how much might it cost???" The link provided on an earlier post is your best source since it's updated if/when they change. Most of the software is about $35 - $50. Most also have a 30-day free trial for the full package (no limited features, just the time limit) so it's best to try them all and see which one works most closely to how you work. The features on them all is pretty much the same, they just use different user interfaces.
"Also, does the software really make programming much easier? This is my first scanner, so would I be able to just program without the software?" I'll take on both of these together. Just like working on a car, you can replace a piston yourself, but it's lots of work and many chances for error so it's probably best to have a trained mechanic do it for you. You can follow the manual's instructions and program it yourself, but miss one step (or even get them out of order) and it may not work as you desire. Using software to program it can be as simple as connect the scanner, select the desired system and download it to the software, make any desired changes (or add other systems), and upload it to the scanner.
I also run 64 bit Windows 7 and have had no issues with either the cable drivers or software. I believe that the correct driver (an older version probably, but one that works fine) is included with Windows 7. Most folks I've heard of that had issues were caused by trying to force the wrong driver (like the 32 bit version).
Be aware that most of the software requires you to know the correct COM port the driver assigned to your cable. You may need to use the Windows "Device Manager" to locate which one was assigned so you can properly set the software to match. Although it's a USB cable, the required information will be in the "Ports (COM & LPT)" section (the exact section name may vary from this, depending on which version of Win 7 you have). Mine shows up as "USB Serial Port (COM4)", which would indicate I would need to have my software use COM-4 to talk to the scanner.