ScoutIQ offers three scanning modes under the Settings tab. (Follow the link to learn more about the Settings Tab in ScoutIQ and ScoutIQ 2). Each mode balances speed, connectivity, and how current the scan data is.
Your selected mode also determines where ScoutIQ gets its information. Because database and live results contain different amounts of data, the Scout Screen may look different from one scan to another. This is expected.
Which Scanning Mode Should I Use?
No signal: Database Only
Weak or inconsistent signal: Data + Live
Strong signal: Live Only
Database vs. Live Results
The same item shown using database and live data. Small differences in pricing, Sales Rank, offer count, or purchasing recommendations are normal because Amazon data changes frequently. Learn more about differences between database and live scans.
Database Results:
Use downloaded data that may be up to 48 hours old. The cover image does not appear, the title may be shortened, Column 3 displays only the lowest New offer, and Column 4 remains empty.
Live Results
Retrieve current offer pricing, Sales Rank, and Buy Box information from Amazon. The cover image and complete title can appear, and all four offer columns can populate. An FBA column may still be empty when Amazon does not return FBA offers.
Understanding the Four Offer Columns
The offer section uses the same four-column structure in ScoutIQ and ScoutIQ 2:
Used All: Used offers from both Merchant Fulfilled and FBA sellers
Used FBA: Used offers fulfilled by Amazon
New All: New offers from both Merchant Fulfilled and FBA sellers
New FBA: New offers fulfilled by Amazon
Prices appear as landed prices, meaning the item price plus shipping.
ScoutIQ displays a selection of the lowest offers returned by Amazon rather than every offer on the listing. For a complete explanation, visit the ScoutIQ 2 Scout Screen guide or the original ScoutIQ Scout Screen guide.
Database Only
Database Only is the fastest scanning mode and works without Wi-Fi or cellular service.
Use it when sourcing in thrift-store backrooms, warehouses, university basements, rural areas, or anywhere with unreliable service.
Keep these limitations in mind:
Results come from the database currently downloaded to your device.
Two users with databases downloaded at different times may see slightly different results.
Title searches are unavailable.
Items missing from the database may display “No Results Found” in ScoutIQ or “Product Not Found” in ScoutIQ 2.
Column 3 displays only the lowest New offer, and Column 4 remains empty.
Download the latest database before each sourcing session using a strong, uninterrupted internet connection.
Having trouble with the download? Review the database troubleshooting guide.
Data + Live
Data + Live offers the best balance of speed and current information when your connection is available but inconsistent.
This mode:
Searches the downloaded database first.
Performs a live Amazon lookup only when the item is missing from the database.
Helps fill database gaps without slowing down every scan.
If ScoutIQ finds the item in the database, you will see a database-style result. If it must retrieve the item from Amazon, you will see a live-style result.
That means two scans completed in Data + Live mode can look different depending on where ScoutIQ found the information.
Live Only
Live Only retrieves information from Amazon for every scan.
Use it when you have a strong Wi-Fi or cellular connection and current pricing is your priority.
Scanning speed depends on your connection quality and Amazon’s response time. If your connection becomes weak or unstable, scans may slow down or display a Network Failure message.
If you see “The item you have scanned is not found on Amazon,” Amazon could not locate a listing for that item. This message is not caused by your scanning mode.
Perform a Live Lookup at Any Time
When viewing a database result, tap the Live Lookup icon to refresh that item using current Amazon data. This icon appears like a Wi-Fi signal symbol in ScoutIQ 2, and as the words "Live" in ScoutIQ Original.
After the lookup, the Scout Screen may display:
A cover image and complete title
Updated pricing, Sales Rank, and Buy Box information
Additional New and New FBA offers
A Live Lookup requires a working internet connection.
Subscription Access
Seller 365 and ScoutIQ Standalone LivePro subscriptions include all three scanning modes and the downloadable database.
ScoutIQ Standalone Live Basic operates in Live Only mode.
Review ScoutIQ Plans & Pricing for complete subscription details.