CF-18 GPS Options

So i was going to buy one of those GPS kits from custom toughbooks on ebay and then got to reading the various opinions floating around the forums and am having second thoughts.

Ultimately I'd prefer an internal solution but if those custom-toughbook kits aren't very accurate or reliable than I'd do something like a bu-353 and be done with it.

What kind of custom gps builds have others done here?

 

I'm using a slightly modded Globalsat BT-359. While internal solutions are preferable, an gps external works well too. If its a decent unit of course. My last one was crap.

Its nothing fancy really, i picked it up used for roughly 3€. Made it as water resistant as I could. It works well enough to not warrant a 200$ internal solution. At least for now.

BTW, I'm using a CF-29 MK4.

 

Right on, I'd like to use a wireless receiver if i had to go external but alas i have no bluetooth on my CF-18 MK4.

I see that one of the more recommended internal units is the EM408 receiver. Is this the unit here?


It appears to have a patch antenna already but provisions for an external antenna... Is there a good antenna that will fit the bump-out of my cf-18?

 

^ Yup, im pretty sure that's it.

FYI: Just get one of those mini bluetooth dongles from ebay for 2-3 quid. Thats what I did since the twonk who designed it decided not to make the bloody hole big enough to fit any usb drives. Tried over twenty different models. None worked. I had to remove the case and just use the PCB.

 

Does the CF-18 have an internal USB port?

 

Not an actual port. But the pin-outs are there. You'll need the schematics and some damn steady hands. Motherboard soldering isn't exactly the easiest mod.

 

Heh, I've been doing things like this for a while.... Wrecked my fair share of things in the learning process.

I just finished lifting and re-balling a GPU from a HP laptop with a dead display

 

Well then, it shouldn't be an issue for you. Good luck.

 

Yeah I'm just trying to figure out if i care enough ro do it or not

 

^ Toughbooks MUST be modded. Remember the commandments. "Thee shall not leave thy Toughbook unmodded."

I've had mine for barely five days and I've already modded the optical drive, added an external gps, installed a mic, and i'm currently working on the SATA mod.

 

Well crap...

Apparently i setup an ebay snipe that i forgot about and ended up winning the auction for that GPS module last night.

Oh well, We'll see how this goes.

 

Which module have you purchased ?

 

This one, but i got it for less than the BIN price

GPS & bluetooth kit for Panasonic Toughbook CF-18 | eBay

 

This is also a nice solution as it adds a PCI slot to the CF-18. If you look closely at the board you will see a spot for a mini usb connector also.

eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

And its about half the price of the CT model. Those ublox pci GPS cards work great I use them from time to time.

 

I'm planing the installtion of an internal USB GPS modul (NL-532EUSB) to my CF-18 MK2.
Therefore i need an internal USB Port, I could use one of the external,
but i read something about an internal USB 1.1 allocated on CN16.

Can somebody tell me, if this is true and which pins i could use?

It's a CF-18DHBZBKG with factory bluetooth, so it has already this "interconnection board".

 

Member ohlip knows all about that. Using the internal USB should not be too hard, but you'll need a good external antenna for weak GPS signals and these Toughbooks have a magnesium shell = Faraday cage = no signals get inside.

 

You may want to try the CF-19 WWAN board. There is a USB plug built-in that you can easily mod. My MK-4 CF-18 recognized that board in the bios and I'm using it as a 3G modem.

here's some pictures
http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/633807-so-i-want-finally-mount-cf-18-into-my-boat-2.html

 

Thanks for the replies

I found a complete GPS modul (with antenna) that should just fit perfectly under one of the side antenna covers.

The only thing i now need is an internal USB.
The CF-19 daugther card looks good.
Where did you get yours and for what price?
I want to keep the costs low, because i need the gps just for a few weeks.

Is the factory CF-18 Bluetooth card compatible with this CF-19 daugther card?

 

I think I just found what i was looking for:
The pinout for CN 16


I also inspected my daugther card and RF_USB+ an - aren't in use for something else.

 

Here is 2 on ebay

Panasonic Toughbook CF-19 USB/Card Reader Board DFUP1550ZA(8) w/Bluetooth Board | eBay

CF-19 MK2 GOBI board assy. | eBay

 

Thanks for the links.
The mini pci option would be really nice and 60$ is a fair price,
but there are two thinks i don't like:
-the bluetooth doesn't work in the CF-18
-no shipping to germany

The gps modul should arrive next week, then i will try to solder it to the internal usb. I will inform you how it ends.