3g/4g in a Cf-31 for use in Australia

My Cf31 didn't come with a mobile broadband WAN card. No biggie.

The one the seller normally had was an Ericsson job.

What are your views on the best 3g/4g WAN setup for a CF31? It needs to be something that works in Australia with our Telco's here (Telstra, Optus and Vodafone tier-1 mobile network operators).

BTW I popped into the BIOS today and saw the unit has logged just over 2000 hrs. The condition is basically like new. ;-)

back to topic. I see there's a thing called Gobi 2000 which appears to have been an original OEM option, and the other one that pops up a lot is the Ericsson F5521GW but I read in another thread it has to have vendor-specific firmware (!). Does a Cf31 by default have antenna cabling for a WAN (3g and/or 4g) like it probably has for wi-fi?

 

Be very careful in searching and selecting a GOBI or other WWAN device. Here in NA, there are basically 3 providers, Sprint, AT&T, and Verizon. A lot of these cards are branded and locked. You have to find the one that fits your Telco service. As far as firmware, the Telco that provides the card, should have firmware updates specific to your model. Personally, GOBI 2000 works great and is super fast on my CF-19 MK IV.

By the way, GOBI 2000 is one of the old ones. They have GOBI 3000 and 4000 out now, but these will not probably work on older model CF's......

Hope this helps a bit......

 

Just a follow up on your inquiry...

Your CF number gives you the basic installed components. If you have your full CF-31 number, others may be able to tell you if it is WWAN cabled. Agan, double check those cards that people sell, I had to buy 3 until I got the Verizon one, albeit not expensive because 3g cards are older, just annoying!

 

My CF31 is a CF-31SFLAX1M.

 

Type: Fully Rugged
Status: Discontinued
Model Number: CF-31SFLAX1M
UPC Code: 885170093652
MSRP, $: 4279
Operating System: Windows 7 Pro
CPU: Core i5-3320M 2.60GHz
Touchscreen : Yes
Display: 13.1" XGA Touch (1000 nit)
Memory (RAM): 4GB
Hard Drive: 500GB HDD (7200RPM)
Wi-Fi: yes
Keyboard: Standard
GPS: No
Bluetooth: Yes
Wireless Broadband (WWAN): None
Serial Port: Yes

So, with this, you will have to find a kit to install the antenna's on the right and left of the Screen/cover. I would check to see which telco is the best and then look for a GOBI 2000 full field upgrade. You also need to make sure your BIOS is set for WWAN. If not, you will need to find a BIOS FLASH for this model like I did for the CF19.

 

Well maybe..I would check first to see if they are there first. I know with the older models Toughbooks the antenna's were there, lines were run but just had tape on the ends. Do they still do this now I can't you. Don't own a 31.....yet

 

Person who sold me the CF31 called me up during the week to say he might have located a new source of Panasonic-firmware equipped 3g/3.5g cards. What does Panasonic itself support/supply for adding 3g/4g into CF31's?

 

The new Panasonic website just went active! Argh!!!!

 

Ebay has a flood of Ericsson 5521gw cards ex Germany that are apparently for or removed from CF53's. Do or will these go straight into a CF31?

Would fitting one interfere with or prevent the fitting of an aftermarket GPS kit like a Custom Toughbooks one?

 

Anyone know any more about this? I've left it alone as I figured it was too difficult to sort out but as I don't think I can justify getting a new Toughpad FZ-A2 it's probably worth getting a 3g/4g card for the CF-31 and sticking the SIM out of my old (and basically useless) FZ-A1 into the CF-31.

 

What mark of CF53?
The OEM CF31 GPS is totally separate from the WWAN (4G-3G) cards.
Custom Toughbooks GPS connects the same as OEM. GPS.

Take the 3G-4G card out of your FZ-A1! It's free to you.

 

Do any of the Sierra MC series cards work in a Mk 3 and give support for Australian 3g/4g bands? Is it better to try and get an Ericsson 5521gw instead and go with that (though it might only do 3g not 4g)?