CF-29, 30 docking station compatability?

Does anyone know if the CF-WEB301MB docking station with dual pass through for a CF-30 is backwards compatabile with the CF-29? I believe that someone with Gamber Johnson told me that they make a dock that will work with Cf-28 - Cf-30 but I do not know if this is that unit or not. Thanks

 

I believe the port replicators on these machines are pretty much the same and should work the same too, I noticed that there are few parts and accessories that interchangeable between these 2 units. So in short yes the CF-WEB301MB docking station should work on both units.

 

No it is not. I think it will actually fit but as far as I know it will NOT work (even though it fits)... the CF-29 docs work with the 29's and 28's but the 30 doc will only work with a 30.

 

I thought there was a mod to satisfy this? Or was that a mod of a 29 doc to fit a 28? Man I am getting old, I just can't remember...

 

According to Gamber Johnson they will work. They show there mounts will fit the 27,28,29,30. Now has G/J done something different to make them compatible? Don't know, but I doubt they can change how the pin outs work.

 

Glad toyo said that because I was beginning to doubt my ability to read. lol

 

The later of what you said is true as well... That was a mod of a 29 doc to fit a 28.

 

Thanks everyone for the responses. I am having a tough time getting a definitive answer on this one. I did call Panasonic tech support today and they are checking with the engineers to see what the differences may be. I should have an answer tomorrow. I was told that the proper dock for a CF-29 mk.4/5 is a CF-WEB2912. Kind of hard to find one for less than $500 bucks. On a side note I started thinking (dangerous) what interface or option that could be replicated does a CF-30 have that a 29 does not and the only thing I can come up with is firewire.

 

IIRC the CF-WEB301MB does not have a Firewire (errr... IEEE 1394) port on it.

Is there a specific reason you're looking at an OEM dock, or is something like a Gamber Johnson ok? The Gamber Johnson PANDOCK I have is compatible with both the 29 and 30. Only a single USB port on it however unlike the OEM's 4 with a built-in hub.

 

Just get this one. http://concept.gamberjohnson.com/catalog/item/docking/7160-0144-02

This is very similar to mine, except mine is for the 30 series only. This one was not out when I got mine. Not sure what the differences are. There is a company in my town that sells and installs these for a most of the Law Enforcment Agencies around here, I am going to stop by and see if I can compare them.

I simply love mine. It is over a year old and not a scratch on it, still looks and performs like day 1. They are on the higher end in price, but the quality is second to none, especially if you compare it to the competition.

 

Well, just got off the phone with panasonic tech support and their answer is NO! the CF-WEB301 MB docking station will not work with a CF-29. I tried to get details about why not, explaining that their partner suppliers (Gamber Johnson and Ledco) offer backwards compatible docking stations. They were not able to share any details. Hey Canuckcam, I was only considering the Panasonic dock because I can get a good deal on one new in the box but I have no loyalty one way or the other. It would be nice to have more than 1 usb port though I am guessing I could just plug a hub into the single. Oh well, the saga continues. I even checked into having a single pass through retro-fitted with the dual but that will run about $200.00.

 

I can say from experience that the CF-30 will work on the older docking stations such as the CF-VEB271, CF-WEB273 so it should stand to reason the the CF-29 should also work on the CF-WEB301 you just may not get the additional USB ports and ethernet port available on the CF-WEB301.

 

If you are not married to one brand then at least give G/J a look. They have models for all price points. Mine specically has 4 USB Ports.