CF-29 and internal GPS, need answers...

So my 29 is slowly coming together. For some reason I feel more like I am working on a car than a computer. Despite my many years of computer experience this tough book in many respects is bold new ground for me.

I first want to thank everyone who's given me help so far, but I am FAR from finished. with port covers and a ruggedized keyboard on the way, my attention is now turned back towards the electronics.

Now I have an external GPS, and the option to tether data from a cell phone, and only one usb port. On top of that, I would not want the usb port exposed durring adverse conditions, nor the clunkiness of the setup.

With the ever changing cellphone world, and the manufacturer specific cards, I think GPS takes precidence over CDMA as far as internal workings.

With that said, I need internal GPS for my CF-29E.

I've read this:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=189644

and this

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=206533

Does this work on the CF-29?? and can I get away without drilling any holes in the case?

edit: "factory" gps is around $275, and I need options...

 

Your best bet for a stock GPS is, in fact, a stock GPS... I just paid a little over $350 for mine and it works almost as well as the modded GPS on the CF-28 that we do. I am in the process of playing around with doing my own GPS in the 29... But it will take me some time. I am in the process of figuring out what stock parts I want to incorporate into the mix as that would definitely be the easiest and most likely the most cost effective. They do sell the kits piece-meal too for those that have the existing sleds. (For those that have Sprint, Verizon, Cingular, etc.)

In the 28 there is more than enough room for mods... For the most part. The 29 is a bit more compact and very well thought out in design. Not a whole lot of space to play around with.

 

Maybe just being able to add a Geohelix antenna to the stock 29 GPS? Is that even possible? Haven't seen the antenna connection on the stock yet...

 

I got the sled for the CDMA modem. I think its a better bet to use a PCIMA slot for cell access though..

edit: I'm gonna hold off for a while, simply cause the factory kit is $275 from heartland

 

I think you can get it cheaper if you already have the sled... Then all you need is the GPS, the antenna and the small ribbon cable to attach the engine to the pc board. I should be below $275... I'll have to cal to find out... I have the same setup.

By the way... The antenna fits into the left side palmrest above the battery. If you look on the side there are two screws holding on a cover. On a plain 29 this is just a cover. If it has Sprint, etc. it is a sled that pulls out of a rail like cavity. You fit the GPS to that and then it slides in to make all the connections... Just enable it in the BIOS and you are god to go. Oh... You also have to add the two registry entries available on the panny website.

 

I pulled the sled out before, panasonic ran the serial no for me and its a sprint modem, and it has a CDMA option in BIOS.

So do I just tell heartland that I got the sled and just need the chip? will they sell it to me like that?

 

I called panasonic today, the new quote is $325. I know the sleds are diffrent, but would a GPS pulled out of a CF-28 work in the sled of a 29...

Someone who can try this please get back to me, its pretty important. I'd like this working before the end of the month

 

The 28 GPS will not work in a 29 at all. They are completely different beasts.

 

I need to call Heartland tomorrow. I will post tomorrow, noonish, the parts, prices and part numbers you need IF you already have the Sprint sled. If you have the sled... You only need the GPS engine, the small white ribon connector and the antenna. The rest is already there. Kara started to give me the info and realized she didn't one of the part numbers. I told her I'd cal her back then my Mom went into the hospital. I've been backlogged ever since.

(Mom is home and doing well, thankyouverymuch!)

I'll let you know. Oh... and it is easy to put in.

 

If I call heartland what will i need to tell them (part#'s etc.)if i want to add stock gps?

My toughbook m# is: CF-29CTPGZKM


Thanks,
James

 

Hi! why don't you try the aftermarket gps for CF-29? It is less than $150.00 but you have to work by yourself.



Ohlip

 

James,

I can't find the part number for the GPS kit but if you Google it you will find it. Also... I have posted the part number here before. The kit sells for around $360 plus their $20 shipping fee. Aftermarket gives a slightly better signal plus it is less than half the cost.

 

On my 29; the part # was CF-WGP292. Be sure to tell the person you talk too your exact model #.

 

So you guys think that the aftermarket one is better huh? I dont have the sled but i was reading that it can be done without it pretty easy.

Hey toughbook when do you think that you will have your pics or the pdf posted there are alot of your mods etc that i am really interested in doing and would love to see the pics.

I am a new toughbook owner and I love working on computers. I have build many desktops and worked on a few laptops. How does the cf-29 compare to other laptops as far as disassembly.

How hard is it to get to the 40 pin connector you have to use for the gps. Should i just order the cn18 ribbon cable and tap into that? or just get an aftermarket cable?

I have seen a few toughbooks with an ant. where the original wwan ant. was. Is that a better location then in the pocket?


Sorry so many questions I am new and reading all this info and some of it is a little confusing. You guys seem really good at this I am glad I found this forum and some helpful people.

-James

 

James... Welcome to the forum. I'm not sure when I will have the time now. I am starting a full-time job on Monday running a car dealership in Annapolis, MD. I know it will be a lot of hours to start... But once I get some things under control and train a few people... And hire a few people.... And... Well... I'm not sure when I'll have the time. I WILL be taking my little CF-30 along with me however. I'll keep you posted.

The antenna location depends on two things.... What type of antenna you have and what the Toughbook comes equipped with. Both locations work but the best reception, bar none, comes with the Sarantel GPS antenna mounted on the LCD where the WWAN antenna typically goes. The stock GPS kit is expensive but I would take it any day if I could get it for the same price as the EM-408 + the Sarantel GPS antenna. The stock kit is MUCH easier to install... Once you have done a few.

 

Hi! if you read the the entire portion of the aftermarket gps for cf-29 you will understand the step by step instruction that I have initially written with matching photo. You don't really need 40 pin cable ribbon( how many times that i posted this words of mine) 16 conductor flat cable ribbon is enough as long as you have the same pitch as the cn(18).


ohlip

 

Rick,
Hmmm... Used Toughbook salesman to used car salesman! Will all the new cars come with G-J or LEDco mounts and Ultimate Toughbooks?
Cap

 

Maybe he could incorporate built in gps, wi-fi, and loads of cool software.