[Hobbes]

Implanted Commlink or Cyberdeck is found with a Cyberscanner.  Smuggling Compartment or whatever is found with Perception or a Cyberscanner.  You're changing what dice roll the GM needs to spot it.  Although I'd argue that a Cyberscanner is a touch more uncommon than a Perception skill.  :  )

Commlink in a Skin Pocket would be awful hard to spot if you were wireless off. 

The advantage of the implanted version is it's less Nuyen,  and you don't have to physically access it to turn the wireless back on (DNI).

The advantage of the Skin Pocket or Smuggling Compartment is you could use it for something else if the Commlink doesn't need to be hidden.

Clever use of custom form factor and Palming skill saves essence, but is likely the easiest to spot. 

But, yes, if you're at a table where cybersurgery is deemed necessary to swap around an implanted Commlink, get a Skin Pocket or Smuggling Compartment and carry on.  Cyberdeck is borderline if it fits in a Smuggling Compartment.  Tablet vs Light Pistol?  That's awful close.  Custom Form Factor Cyberdeck "Fits in my Skin Pocket"   :  )    And hey, you save Essence!   :  ) 

[Rooks]

 And they will be able to remove it with nothing more than a Complex action.

Vs just cutting it out... cause if it isn't running silent and it won't if it doesn't have a sleaze rating which you can only get with either a commlink with sleaze rating in it or dongle which is the whole purpose of this thread which leads us back to just a skin pocket with a datajack

[Marcus Gideon]

 And they will be able to remove it with nothing more than a Complex action.

Vs just cutting it out... cause if it isn't running silent and it won't if it doesn't have a sleaze rating which you can only get with either a commlink with sleaze rating in it or dongle which is the whole purpose of this thread which leads us back to just a skin pocket with a datajack

Any device can attempt to Run Silent. It's Logic + Sleaze, so having a Sleaze rating makes it more likely to hide. But it isn't a Sleaze action, so it doesn't "require" Sleaze.

And if your intention is to have a device concealed and undetectable if you're caught or captured... it's a Free action to trigger all your devices to deactivate wireless functions. If you had a Commlink in your belly button, you'd have to fish it back out and re-enable wireless after the threat has passed. If you have an implanted Commlink, you can always mentally turn it back on.

Core pg 451, Augmentation

Besides their wireless functionality, almost all cyberware devices are equipped with a neural interface (not to be confused with DNI) that lets you mentally activate and control their functions. You can use this in place of wireless control, preventing wireless hacking, as long as all of the “moving parts” are connected to your nervous system. An item that has a wireless bonus, however, can only gain that full level of functionality if wireless functionality is active.

You can't make phone calls or surf the Matrix with the wireless turned off, but you'll be safe from hackers. And it's just a thought to turn all that back on later.

[All4BigGuns]

...having a dongle hanging off your temple might look a bit weird.

Dongle Dreadlocks!

[Rooks]

 And they will be able to remove it with nothing more than a Complex action.

Vs just cutting it out... cause if it isn't running silent and it won't if it doesn't have a sleaze rating which you can only get with either a commlink with sleaze rating in it or dongle which is the whole purpose of this thread which leads us back to just a skin pocket with a datajack

Any device can attempt to Run Silent. It's Logic + Sleaze, so having a Sleaze rating makes it more likely to hide. But it isn't a Sleaze action, so it doesn't "require" Sleaze.

And if your intention is to have a device concealed and undetectable if you're caught or captured... it's a Free action to trigger all your devices to deactivate wireless functions. If you had a Commlink in your belly button, you'd have to fish it back out and re-enable wireless after the threat has passed. If you have an implanted Commlink, you can always mentally turn it back on.

Core pg 451, Augmentation

Besides their wireless functionality, almost all cyberware devices are equipped with a neural interface (not to be confused with DNI) that lets you mentally activate and control their functions. You can use this in place of wireless control, preventing wireless hacking, as long as all of the “moving parts” are connected to your nervous system. An item that has a wireless bonus, however, can only gain that full level of functionality if wireless functionality is active.

You can't make phone calls or surf the Matrix with the wireless turned off, but you'll be safe from hackers. And it's just a thought to turn all that back on later.

same with a skinpocket with a datajack inside

[DeathStrobe]

I'm in the camp that it doesn't require cyber surgery to repair and internal cyber deck or commlink. Why? Because the setting falls apart if you can't. Matrix damage is common enough (not saying that it's an everyday thing, but it does happen) that if you can't repair it with a simple hardware test  then no one would run wireless on for their cyberware.

Anyway, it's cyberware. A device, technology, hardware. It's meant to be maintained. It's not meant to be invisible. When you're cybered up, you can see it, which means it'll have access panels and ways to make it easy to maintain it.

For something like wired reflexes, I'd assume there would be a base control unit, I'm imagining at the base of the neck, which acts as a fail safe. If your wired reflexes get bricked the panel on the back of your neck explodes and suddenly you have to use those old meat neurons to send signals to the rest of your body. But say once you're out of combat, your friendly decker or someone with hardware, can go pop open the panel and swap out whatever fuse ignited in your wired reflexes to return functionality.

Similar, a cyber deck in your head, like the Mr. Data analogy already used, is how I see cyberdecks. Not a complete cyber skull, but replacing a part of your skull with a deck. Can you pop it out and work on it with your hands...I actually think it'd be cooler to use a series of mirrors or a drone by remote to repair it, but either way, I don't think it requires going under the knife.

It doesn't make sense that they'd make cyberware impossible to maintain unless you go into the cutting board every time. The cost seem insanely expensive. Then wireless on has a double cost, not only can you lose the ware, but you have to pay through the nose and find a street doc. That's ridiculous.

[Pap Renvela]

I'm in the camp that it doesn't require cyber surgery to repair and internal cyber deck or commlink. Why? Because the setting falls apart if you can't. Matrix damage is common enough (not saying that it's an everyday thing, but it does happen) that if you can't repair it with a simple hardware test  then no one would run wireless on for their cyberware.

Anyway, it's cyberware. A device, technology, hardware. It's meant to be maintained. It's not meant to be invisible. When you're cybered up, you can see it, which means it'll have access panels and ways to make it easy to maintain it.

For something like wired reflexes, I'd assume there would be a base control unit, I'm imagining at the base of the neck, which acts as a fail safe. If your wired reflexes get bricked the panel on the back of your neck explodes and suddenly you have to use those old meat neurons to send signals to the rest of your body. But say once you're out of combat, your friendly decker or someone with hardware, can go pop open the panel and swap out whatever fuse ignited in your wired reflexes to return functionality.

Similar, a cyber deck in your head, like the Mr. Data analogy already used, is how I see cyberdecks. Not a complete cyber skull, but replacing a part of your skull with a deck. Can you pop it out and work on it with your hands...I actually think it'd be cooler to use a series of mirrors or a drone by remote to repair it, but either way, I don't think it requires going under the knife.

It doesn't make sense that they'd make cyberware impossible to maintain unless you go into the cutting board every time. The cost seem insanely expensive. Then wireless on has a double cost, not only can you lose the ware, but you have to pay through the nose and find a street doc. That's ridiculous.

That's nice... but are you telling me you can repair reflex enhancers with just hardware if someone bricks it?

[DeathStrobe]

Yes.

[Senko]

Makes a certain amount of sense electrically as well its why we have wires and circuit breakers. Its all about protecting the asset if a problem happens you blow the fuse rather than melting a whole bunch of cabling then when you've fixed the initial problem you just replace the fuse rather than running a whole bunch of new cabling. In this case you can't really make the new wiring in the body melt itself (not unless you start houseruling burns and other phsyical damage from bricking) so there's a central hub with all the software that controls the impulses and its that unit which gets trashed, repaired and upgraded.

[Pap Renvela]

Makes a certain amount of sense electrically as well its why we have wires and circuit breakers. Its all about protecting the asset if a problem happens you blow the fuse rather than melting a whole bunch of cabling then when you've fixed the initial problem you just replace the fuse rather than running a whole bunch of new cabling. In this case you can't really make the new wiring in the body melt itself (not unless you start houseruling burns and other phsyical damage from bricking) so there's a central hub with all the software that controls the impulses and its that unit which gets trashed, repaired and upgraded.

No- it doesn't make sense given the description of what reaction enhancers are.
Just say we use Hardware to fix something implanted along nerve centers because handwaveum.
It makes more sense.

Or fall back on, Matrix repair rules says use Hardware (without regard to whether you can reach said item that needs repair) so it's Hardware. And of course, handwaveum.

[Herr Brackhaus]

Or just use the 4th Edition Augmentation rules.

Should a particular implant become damaged or disabled in some way—perhaps through a called shot attack, infection with gremlins, intruder nanites, a simple glitch, or as the result of the severe wounds rule—then it must repaired to get it working again (unless the gamemaster rules that it has been completely ruined and must be replaced). The nature of the repair effort may vary wildly, depending on the implant itself, its accessibility (is it reachable externally, or buried deep inside the body, thus requiring surgery?), and the nature of the damage. Some repairs might even be conducted remotely via the Matrix, such as patching up the software or downloading a firmware upgrade. Ultimately, the gamemaster decides what efforts are required, using the Build/Repair Table (p. 125, SR4) as a guideline. If surgery is called for, the surgery damage is the same as if installing the implant in question.

The same section has Implant Repair surgery listed as Cybertechnology + Logic (variable, 1 hour). In other words, ask your GM.

[ScytheKnight]

...having a dongle hanging off your temple might look a bit weird.

Dongle Dreadlocks!

That... could actually work. Especially if you're the type with lots of stuff woven into dreadlocks anyway, just hide the connecting cable inside one.

[Hobbes]

...having a dongle hanging off your temple might look a bit weird.

Dongle Dreadlocks!

That... could actually work. Especially if you're the type with lots of stuff woven into dreadlocks anyway, just hide the connecting cable inside one.

Long Hair, Piercings and Jewelry, all acceptable camouflage with a little creativity.  Or, again, custom Form Factor.   

[Marcus Gideon]

 And they will be able to remove it with nothing more than a Complex action.

Vs just cutting it out... cause if it isn't running silent and it won't if it doesn't have a sleaze rating which you can only get with either a commlink with sleaze rating in it or dongle which is the whole purpose of this thread which leads us back to just a skin pocket with a datajack

Any device can attempt to Run Silent. It's Logic + Sleaze, so having a Sleaze rating makes it more likely to hide. But it isn't a Sleaze action, so it doesn't "require" Sleaze.

And if your intention is to have a device concealed and undetectable if you're caught or captured... it's a Free action to trigger all your devices to deactivate wireless functions. If you had a Commlink in your belly button, you'd have to fish it back out and re-enable wireless after the threat has passed. If you have an implanted Commlink, you can always mentally turn it back on.

Core pg 451, Augmentation

Besides their wireless functionality, almost all cyberware devices are equipped with a neural interface (not to be confused with DNI) that lets you mentally activate and control their functions. You can use this in place of wireless control, preventing wireless hacking, as long as all of the “moving parts” are connected to your nervous system. An item that has a wireless bonus, however, can only gain that full level of functionality if wireless functionality is active.

You can't make phone calls or surf the Matrix with the wireless turned off, but you'll be safe from hackers. And it's just a thought to turn all that back on later.

same with a skinpocket with a datajack inside

Datajacks go in your brain, not in a skinpocket. They aren't just a wall jack for you to plug things into, they're installing a USB hub in the back of your neck. The only way to make it work with a skinpocket is to trail a data cable from the back of your neck, under your shirt, and into your belly button. At which point you're really just illustrating where you hid the Commlink.

[Hobbes]

Does the Datajack description actually specify a location?  Or can it go on your Kneecap?  I know historically it commonly goes somewhere in the skull, but you can find Artwork examples of the Datajack ports being on the neck, on the temple, on the back of the head...   

AFB so I can't check.  As a GM if a player asks for a datajack belly button I really don't have an issue with it.  Clearly YMMV.