CF-18 Backlit Vs Regular Keyboard

How does the backlit rubberised keyboard compare with the regular one?

There is only one country spec it seems so I'm free to get one from anywhere.
I have seen some at decent prices, but I'm wondering what people who have swapped theirs think.

Was it worth it? Would you do it again? I have seen other recommendations saying avoid the rubber keyboards, but you could get the emmisive back lit version, but with the CF-18 and 19, the backlit ones are all rubber so does the rubber make a big difference to use?

Currently, it's not going to cost me much more to get a backlit KB compared to a UK regular.

Thanks

 

I installed an emmisive keyboard for low light conditions, I'd never go back to a standard one now. The rubber ones are supposed to be slower to type with due to the pressure required to register the key stroke, if you can find an emmisive keyboard go for it.

 

Where did you get an emmisive back-lit keyboard for a CF-19? They are so new that I thought they are impossible to find now...

 

Doesn't the cf 18 one work with it?
i was under the impression the regular keyboards can be swapped between them, but the emmisive KB has an extra little connector for the lighting.
How does the lighting work? is it a key combination to get it running, or is it on all the time?

 

Function F12 is to adjust the keyboard light... It has like 4 brightness settings and completely off too...

 

Are you talking about a Cf-18/19 or a CF-29/30. Why I ask is that some time ago we had a Panasonic Toughbook seller on here that said that they only make the rubber ones for the CF-18/19 that light up. If you are a fast typer then you do not want the rubber one.... you must put a lot of pressure on the keys for it to work. I have one and the only reason why I have one is because I use it on my 4X4 ATV with GPS. Works great at night.

 

CF-18 = Standard or rubber... NO Emissive keyboard.

It's not that you have to put a lot of pressure on each key so much as striking the key directly instead of the corner of a key as with most keyboards. You either learn to get used to it (Or it is a MUST have for your environment) or you swap it out for a standard keyboard and a USB flashlight!

 

Rick and Blair, you are BOTH wrong... Panasonic makes the emmisive ones for the 19 now!

Toughbook 19 Rugged Tablet PC - Panasonic Toughbook 19 Convertible Laptop

"Integrated options include a 2MP camera, backlit keyboard (emissive or rubber)"

 

The emmisive must not be available yet. While it is listed as an option in the specs, when you go to the configurator it only lists the rubber backlit.

 

For once I am glad I was wrong

 

OK, so backlit and emissive can be different then?
CF18 has regular, and a rubber backlit keyboard, but "emmisive" usually means regular keyboard without rubber, but lit up?
Well, anyway, I've found someone in the UK with a regular UK kb, just waiting to find out the price, also a cheap R.O.W international US type one cheap, and a backlit which is still expensive, but cheaper than usual.

 

YES. Did you read the FAQ about the keyboards????? It's all in there...

 

Is there enough information to know yet if these new emissive keyboards are backwards-compatible with existing CF-18/19 keyboards, or does the aforementioned CF-19 mark change things up a bit?

 

Not until a minute ago,
via ultimate toughbook resource>CF-29 FAQ>Rubber, Illuminated KB, CF-29

 

:yes: :yes: Break out the JD....we have a reader of the FAQ :laugh: :laugh:
I would hate to know what Heartlands would want for one ($400.00 +) or if they even have one. I just placed an order with them and ordered a couple of things for a CF-19 MK3 and they asked me if it was a panasonic part # that I gave them . I was told they did not have the new MK3 service manual so I had to wait untill they got one from panasonic.

 

LMFAO!!!!!!

 

This is the mystery... We don't know

 

So I assume with the statement being a clear Rubber OR Emissive, that there is a non rubber backlit KB waiting in the wings, which could possibly be backward compatible with the CF-18.

If anyone has a CF-19, and has a look inside, if there is the same little 3 pin power plug next to the KB ribbon socket, it looks like it's ready to use the existing rubber CF18 backlit KB, and hopefully, us CF-18 owners might get a backlit plastic Keyboard too.
Although these days, you'd be able to buy a used CF-18 completely for the price of a just released CF-19 emissive.