CF-19 emissive keyboard? CF-WKB193VM

Hey guys, I read on here that the MK4 CF-19's are now available with the emissive keyboard. These are the back-lit, chiclet, plastic ones, right? I did some searching and looks like CF-WKB193VM is the part number.

Do you know if the emissive keyboard will be compatible with a MK3 CF-19? Would the keys be just as easy to type on as the standard keyboard?
And finally, does anyone here have this in stock?

Thanks!

 

I don't have one in stock and if I did I would not sell it as I would be using on my cf-19 rather than the rubber backlite lol

Here is a link to the company where I buy new Toughbooks
They show it as an option on the mk-4 and I would think that it is compatible with others


M Rugged Mobile Technology - Contact Us

Other options are of course Hearlandservices

Alex

 

Thanks for the heads up, Alex. This keyboard looks like the answer for those who want the ease of typing on plastic keys and the benefits of having a backlight.

If you do get one, please post pictures...they're about as hard to find as Megan Fox's bedroom tape.

I guess prices of these also won't be coming down for quite a while. Maybe a year or so before a couple find their way into the "used" market, eh?

 

Yes
The prices will not be cheap for a while

I would consider the keyboard but I am planning to replace my cf-19 with a netbook that has a backlite keyboard


Alex

 

I can't imagine that it wouldn't work with a previous mark only because the 3'rd ribbon connector has to be the same I would imagine...

PROVANTAGE: CF-WKB193VM Emissive Backlit Keyboard By Panasonic (Overview)

Only $213.54! Let me take 2 please!

 

This is RenewPC Inc... Mark is the guy in charge over there. They are located pretty close to me over here in Arlington Heights, IL. I bought my Sprint EVDO revA card from him for like $450 many years ago!

 

I'll find out if it is compatible with the MK 3 and get back shortly with an answer.
It is the plastic one and typing on it is real nice.
I'll take pictures of just the keyboard. We haven't integrated a unit with the new keyboard yet because the keyboards are in short supply right now and in high demand.

 

That would be SWEEEEEET! I'm dieing to see what it looks like! I wanna get one for my fiance's Mk1 CF-19 too...

 

Ok, I was told that this new keyboard is compatible with the MK 3. I'm still not 100% sure about that. I'm not a believer yet because I haven't tried it.

Attached is the picture of the keyboard by itself. Sorry it's kind of crppy. I took it with my phone.

 

SWEEEEEET! I wanna try to snag one of these! Let us know how it goes installing it

 

I figured I'd take the plunge. no reason why it shouldn't work. I bought one from Prov@nt@ge. It arrived today and 20 minutes later I had a backlit emissive KB in my 19 Mk2. Woohoo, it works. After using emissive KB's in CF-29's and CF-30's, I don't see how anybody does without. This is what Panasonic should have offered all along. Now, let's just hope the aren't any quality problems with these.

Glen

LINK: http://www.provantage.com/panasonic-cf-wkb193vm~7PSTV1KL.htm

 

Now all we need is a link to it.... www .com Please

 

would a cf-19fhXXXxX qualify as an MK2 model. If I recall correctly there were 2 strips instead of the big one shown in the pic

 

Yes, that's a Mk2. There are 2 flat cables on the emissive keyboard. The large one is for the keyboard function. The other 4 connector cable is for the backlight. It is not visible in the photo.

Glen

 

You are correct. There are (2) cables. I will upload a better photo of the front view as well as the rear view so that you could see the "flat" cables.

 

Any indication if this compatibility extends back to CF-18 models?

 

Thanks for the pics and info, guys! For those of you who have it, how does it compare to the standard keys? Easier/more difficult to hit? I'm still getting used to the smaller keys on the -19 compared to the nice, large, ones on the CF-29.

 

In my opinion, I think I like the Standard keys a little better. For some reason, it is taking me awhile to get used to the new Emissive keyboard. I do agree, the keys are pretty small.

See below for a couple more pictures. I also took the new CF-19 keyboard and laid it next to my CF-52 as a size comparison. I am more used to typing on bigger keys. The quality of the pictures are still pretty bad. I don't want my co-workers seeing me take pictures of product...they make think I'm more weird than I already am.

 

It seems that it will also fit on CF-18 model coz there are no difference on the rubber keyboard cable ribbon. It is exactly the same.


ohlip

 

In that case, I may be in the market for one for the wife's 18. It would be better for her to just learn where the keys were though.

 

OHH NOW YOU'RE GETTING PICKY!

 

Hey Rob ......
Is this your new keyboard?

 

Rugged Depot has these on eBay and they indicate that this KB is compatible with CF-19 and CF-18.

 

Yes, that is correct. Someone mentioned later on another thread that it was backwards compatible with the CF-18, and I can confirm that this is indeed compatible all the way back to a CF-18 mk1. An online source or two for the keyboard were also mentioned in that thread. Unfortunately, I don't have that handy at the moment....

 

Okay, I looked at Pro*&$v#nTa*e and it list for $2139.33....That half a new Toughbook.... Ouch......

 

Thats for a 10 pack.

 

Just got myself one of these for my Mk1 CF-18 (cheers Jason!) and can also confirm it works, only problem is there is no "off" state for the illumination as everyone else seems to have with 3 levels of brightness. I do have the bonus of 4 different levels but would prefer to be able to turn it off. Any idea if it's a Mk1 thing for some reason or anything i can do about it?! Anyone else have this problem? The illumination comes on direct from pushing the power switch so i'm really puzzled how it can be anything other than the KB itself.

Other than that i'm disappointed there is no AltGr key and Ctrl+Alt doesn't work as an alternative so i'm still trying to work out how to type a £ sign (i'm in the UK)

But still i can live with both these problems if i have to, it types great, i always tended to catch neighbouring keys with the standard KB but it's just not happening at all on this one, i think because of the shorter travel and the gap between keys. much better format for this size KB imo.

 

Figured out how to get the £ sign and all the AltGr key combos back so for anyone else from the UK who upgrades to one of these (don't know how obvious this is to everyone else).

In XP -

Control panel >
Regional and Language Options (You can leave everything as UK) >
Languages tab >
Text Services and Input languages click "Details" >
Click "Add" under Installed Services, you can leave input language as it is, tick the "Keyboard layout/IME" box and choose "US", click ok, then go back in and add "United States-International".
In the "default input language" drop down you should now have the option "English (United Kingdom) - US" which will set your PC to start with the US KB when you restart.

After restart you now have the @ and " the right way around and the few other different keys sorted. A KB symbol is now added to the Taskbar. For the pound symbol change to "United Kingdom" and type Shift+3. For the AltGr functions choose "United States-International" and the right Alt button functions as AltGr for € etc. It doesn't really work to leave it as US-international because of the "dead keys" - explained well here US-International Keyboard All new to me until just now.

HTH

 

one more offer - USD 225

 

This is buy.com VERY reputable. I've bought this from them before. PERFECT

Just an FYI: MY cost from Rugged Depot is $190/each on these... There isn't much margin on these damn things. So buy.com's price is GOOD!

 

yeah just picked one up from Pro vantage for 213 or so shipped. gotta pick the single pack not the ten I would have gone from Rugged Depot but checking their ebay showed none in stock. Should have called I prefer supporting my local vendors. Might pick up another for spare as soon as I sell some minor stuff.

 

one more "I don't know what I'm selling"
rubber or plastic - not sure

 

I installed this keyboard a week ago and never looked back. It's really nice for typing fast and accurate, even more accurate as the standard non-backlit keyboard as the keys are separated a little bit. which makes it easier with my chubby fat fingers
And the backlit feature is really nice. It's not blinding, but enough to read them in low/no light situations. And I like the red F-11 key a lot
It looks to me as a "press here to initiate self-destruct sequence in 5....4....3....2....1"

 

He updated his picture to show a RUBBER one now.

 

yes, and now it's not for CF-18/19

 

Ahh, good catch! yeah, it isn't for a CF-18/19... it's for a 29/30/31...

Not a good deal!

 

Does someone know where to get one now?
Need a place where it's possible to pay by Paypal.

 

I can still get you one. $270 + shipping is the BEST I can do for you.

Thanks

 

Thats not a bad price, I paid 245+shipping.
The emissive backlit chicklet is really the best keyboard for typing IMHO.

Rob thinks the cf19 is way to small for typing anyway, but I think he'll agrees that the emissive is the least annoying one

 

Yes and Yes

 

Rob; Do you ship to Germany and do you accept Paypal.
I need one very badly !

 

Bank wire only for international shipping. Sorry!

 

219,36 + free shipping
bought one

 

Does he ship to Europe ?, don't think so....
Need one badly, looking already a long time for this fine keyboard.

I think searching for the fingerprintreader is even worst.

Rob, maybe I'm stuppid, but could you explain me how bank wire does work.

 

You can use Shipito etc.

 

*many bad words here*

 

it was too hard (pun intended) for that seller to mention that on the product page... I guess if it said 'usually ships in 3-4 weeks' then few would order it....

 

FYI, Be very careful when installing these, if they are not spaced right, the cable will get damaged and cause the kb not to fully function.

 

Anyone see this one...Beach Audio (ebay) $219.83 free shipping Panasonic CF-WKB193VM-SINGLE Emissive Backlit Kybd Cf-19 Accs For Cf-19mk4 Mk5 | eBay

 

This offer is even better, but they've refunded once already )
Will try again with expedited shipping option