---
key: mechanic/electronic-devices--family-g20
type: mechanic
id: electronic-devices--family-g20
lang: en
title: Measurements and detection
summary: >-
  An instrument turns an invisible property or signal into a reading. The player
  aims it, obtains a result and interprets the finding.
updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
status: active
url: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/electronic-devices--family-g20/
jsonUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/electronic-devices--family-g20.json
markdownUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/electronic-devices--family-g20.md
aliases: []
tags:
  - Electronic devices in games
  - World
sourceIds:
  - source-4e22a7f341a5d0ce
sources:
  - id: source-4e22a7f341a5d0ce
    title: Subnautica
    url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/264710/'
    verifiedAt: null
relations: []
placements:
  - catalogId: electronic-devices
    id: family-g20
    title: Electronic devices in games
    url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/electronic-devices/#family-g20'
    categoryIds:
      - section-2
supersededBy: []
attributes:
  preview:
    updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
    title: Measurements and detection
    description: >-
      An instrument turns an invisible property or signal into a reading. The
      player aims it, obtains a result and interprets the finding.
    image:
      src: images/mechanics/subnautica-scanner.webp
      width: 1440
      height: 810
      game: Subnautica
      sourceUrl: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/264710/'
      originalUrl: >-
        https://shared.akamai.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/264710/ss_e182b6b20bb797500f9f63c561586d920d44e37c.1920x1080.jpg?t=1777456112
      credit: Unknown Worlds Entertainment
      rights: © Unknown Worlds Entertainment. All rights reserved.
      caption: The scanner is ready to examine a target
      alt: >-
        Subnautica: the right hand holds a scanner displaying READY TO SCAN,
        facing a fish and the underwater environment.
      markers:
        - x: 68
          'y': 64
          label: READY TO SCAN status display
        - x: 49
          'y': 54
          label: An object in front of the instrument
    tips:
      - Explain what the instrument measures and what it cannot detect.
    examples:
      - title: Subnautica
        url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/264710/'
endsAt: null
provenance: >-
  Original editorial design catalog consolidated from project discussions on
  2026-10-20. Complete discussion item lists and contextual limitations are
  preserved; linked primary sources support specific techniques, not the entire
  classification. English translation was prepared with machine assistance and
  editorial review.
license: CC-BY-4.0
codeLicense: MIT
attribution: gamemechanics.pro contributors
catalogKey: catalog/electronic-devices
---
# Measurements and detection

id: electronic-devices--family-g20
type: mechanic
key: mechanic/electronic-devices--family-g20
lang: en
status: active
url: https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/electronic-devices--family-g20/

An instrument turns an invisible property or signal into a reading. The player aims it, obtains a result and interprets the finding.

## At a glance

![Subnautica: the right hand holds a scanner displaying READY TO SCAN, facing a fish and the underwater environment.](https://gamemechanics.pro/images/mechanics/subnautica-scanner.webp)

[Subnautica](https://store.steampowered.com/app/264710/) · © Unknown Worlds Entertainment. All rights reserved.

1. READY TO SCAN status display
2. An object in front of the instrument

- Explain what the instrument measures and what it cannot detect.

- [Subnautica](https://store.steampowered.com/app/264710/)

## How it works

Devices: Device; Smartphone; Terminal.

## Variants

### Variants and applications

<a id="family-g20-variants"></a>

- Take reading. Rule: Find out the temperature, radiation, pressure or other parameter. <a id="variant-g20-01"></a>
- Reveal the invisible. Rule: Find an object or phenomenon through a special mode of the device. <a id="variant-g20-02"></a>
- Select range. Rule: Switch frequency, sensitivity or scan type. <a id="variant-g20-03"></a>
- Calibrate. Rule: Set up the device according to the standard in order to trust the result. <a id="variant-g20-04"></a>
- Take a series of measurements. Rule: Hold the sensor or repeat the test for a reliable output. <a id="variant-g20-05"></a>
- Distinguish between signal and interference. Rule: Weed out false positives and environmental features. <a id="variant-g20-06"></a>
- Place a network of sensors. Rule: Select measurement points for sufficient coverage of the area. <a id="variant-g20-07"></a>
- Identify by database. Rule: Compare the scan, face, number or other sign with reference data. <a id="variant-g20-08"></a>

## Context and limits

Author's taxonomy of actions, task forms and end-to-end conditions for design. Categories overlap. References support individual families, not every variant.

## Connected materials


## Sources and provenance

Original editorial design catalog consolidated from project discussions on 2026-10-20. Complete discussion item lists and contextual limitations are preserved; linked primary sources support specific techniques, not the entire classification. English translation was prepared with machine assistance and editorial review.

- [Subnautica](https://store.steampowered.com/app/264710/) (id: source-4e22a7f341a5d0ce)

CC-BY-4.0 · gamemechanics.pro contributors