"Custom-Toughbooks" GPS kits

So.. while waiting for Toughbook parts to arrive for my new-to-me unit, I read through the "Official CF-30 thread" along with the first 100 pages of Panasonic threads (keeping mostly to the CF-30 content), over a couple of evenings. I didn't find what I was looking for, but I sure learned a lot.

Anyways, my CF-30FCDAXAM does not have a GPS. From reading, it seems to me like the Ublox engine is the way to go (vs OEM). I was looking at the Custom-Toughbooks kits, and he has two, but I don't know which one I'd need.

GPS module only or the DIY kit.

From reading the installation instructions, it seems like the "GPS module only" just needs an antenna, and that's the way I'd want to go if it's that simple. Just bolts to the Bluetooth bracket and plugs into the motherboard.

So what's the "interface board" for in the DIY kit? Do I need it because my unit didn't come with a factory GPS?

I did also consider the TechTuff kit, but I have a WWAN antenna where his replacement corner would go.

For the antenna, I think I want the Taoglas AP.10F.07.0039B active patch, which I know is only single-frequency (no GLONASS) but it's small and I'm hoping to mount it in the top of the lid like the way Teo does (nice work!). Unless somebody knows of a dual-freq antenna that's the same size and with a similar gain. All of Taoglas' dual-freq antennas are larger than 10x10mm. Can I order the antenna with a longer cable? Or is it "easier" to just buy an extension (and from where)? I'm not worried about loss through the connectors with a 25dB gain.

Advice from more-knowledgeable members would be greatly appreciated!

 

Welcome to the forum. You have another option due to your location. Our ultimate aftermarket GPS guru Teo, who goes by the name 'ohlip' here, happens to live in Richmond. When you have a few more posts you can PM him. I believe TechTuff's antennas go on the opposite side of your display from the WWAN antenna so that should not enter into your evaluation.
CAP

 

12 inch extension cables are available here.

JEFA Tech: Pigtail: U.FL Male to U.FL Female - 12 inches

instruction page for custom toughbook.

CF-19/CF-30 GPS module - Installation instructions : Custom Toughbooks, -Aftermarket solutions for Panasonic Toughbooks

You will not need the interface board. that's if you are installing the gps in the wwan slot.

this is what you want. The 10mm Taoglas fits nicely under the wifi antenna... You will have to dremel about a 1/2 millimeter off each side of the inside of the wifi antenna cover. This way it will fit over the 10mm gps antenna.

http://www.custom-toughbooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=68&products_id=186

 

I have installed the "Kit" with interface board before on a Mk1 I had. If you have any kind of sled that may interfere with the antenna placement for the antenna that come in the kit (you said you have wwan so the placement intended for the antenna won't work.. I have installed these in a CF-29 and a CF-30.

 

Thanks for the responses, and Shawn thanks for the link to the extension cables.

Sounds like what I want to do is the right thing to do. I just have to open up the computer to see if the Bluetooth bracket is present.

 

If not, we can dig up a bracket for you....

 

Thank you; I appreciate that. I will attempt to check tomorrow. I already have a magnetic parts tray ready for the screws. lol

 

I didn't open up the computer, but my build parts arrived, so I installed Windows 7 Enterprise. In the Device Manager, under Bluetooth Radios, it tells me that there's a Generic Bluetooth Adapter and a Microsoft Bluetooth Enumerator, and that the drivers are working fine. And my BIOS tells me that Bluetooth is enabled. So I am assuming I have a Bluetooth board and the required bracket. Even though my model# tells me I have no "integrated options".

 

Model Number:CF-30FCDAXAM
Status: DISCONTINUED
MSRP: $4,749
Description: WinXP (Vista COA),
Intel Core 2 Duo L7500 1.60GHz (Centrino),
13.3" XGA Touch,
80GB, 2GB,
Intel 802.11a/b/g,
TPM1.2,
Bluetooth,
Dual Pass (Upper:WWAN/Lower:WLAN),
Emissive Backlit Keyboard,
No Drive,
Wireless Ready


Yes you have the needed bracket...

 

Okay, so now that my computer is up and running, I've been looking into the various GPS options other than the plug-and-play "kits". All I need to do to add an engine to the Toughbook is attach the 4 wires from the engine's board to the motherboard's 12-pin FFC connector, plus an antenna?

Ublox has discontinued the 6-series engines. The newer Neo-7 series has a 56-channel GNSS engine (and a 10 Hz update rate), and the Max M8-series has a 72-ch engine (and an 18 Hz update rate).

The 6-series engines are very inexpensive now. I think the Max M8 is way overkill, although it's still around half the price of a plug-and-play kit.

I know that the Taoglas 10mm x 10mm antenna will only receive GPS and none of the other GNSS, so in reality having the extra features doesn't really matter. I just hate to limit myself for future projects, ie. if somebody comes out with a multi-frequency active antenna sized 10mm x 10mm.

Hmm, what to do.

I am thinking about picking up this Neo-7M board. It's only $10 more than a 6M board. The power consumption is about half (17mA at 3V continuous vs 111mW at 3V continuous (=37mA if I figured it out right) The ads says "Built-in Data Memory", and the Ublox site mentions it uses a ROM, but the specs .pdf states the backup supply is 1.4-3.6V so I still think it needs a battery. I like the features of the 7N, but didn't see a suitable board with it.

 

The battery is already mounted on the 7M board in your fleabay link.

here is the aftermarket gps thread for a cf30.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/648936-adding-aftermarket-internal-gps-cf-30-a.html

 

Thanks, Shawn. I've read that thread several times now, and will likely read it again.

 

here's a pic of a 6m but the 7m is the same