Down and Dirty CF-73 Caddy

I have seen more interest in the CF-73 pop up here lately. I have several units I was going to upgrade my kids too from the CF-28 Mk2/Mk3 they were using. My main deciding point was ATI 9000 video card that was available on the CF-73N/Q (Mk3) model. After getting a few units I did a big DOH! the caddy was very hard to find and expensive. This is what I came up with after doing some brain storming. I have done one previously but ordered enough stuff to do more, just didn't get around to it yet so I decided I would do one more and do pictures.

You will need.
Caddy Cable
NEW Original Panasonic Toughbook CF-73 FPC ide cable | eBay

Hard Drive

Gel pack/ protector / silicone case (what ever you want to call it)
3.5" Silicone HDD Hard Drive Skin Case and Protector | eBay

Remove the two screws holding the handle on. That will allow you to remove the palm rest cover on this model allowing you easier access to guide the caddy cable and harddrive into this model.

Now install the cable onto the harddrive, then slide the protector sleeve on to the harddrive. It has large bumps on all 4 corners. You will need to trim the two ends down nearly flat on the end where the caddy goes for it to slide in correctly.

Pushing the caddy in you will have to stop some and shove the harddrive back into the sleeve some ever so often. The bumps on the end will help hold it into place, it is a very tight fit and won't just fall out.

Enjoy your CF-73!

 

I think I have 3 CF-73s in the shop. I bought them because I got a good deal on them... All 2GHz models I think... The batteries aren't that good and I think one is missing the HD (But the caddy is there)... If anyone is interested. I think I paid $175-$200 for them several months back...

 

That was a good mod. the 73 i am looking at works has hd and i guess cable as he says it is like new and working. that would make his a very good buy. Additional question as you have and use the CF-73 would these work outside in a boat for an external screen attached to a sonar unit for underwater viewing? I know it would work in my Jeep for the normal K-9 search programs. Thanks . Toughbook can you check the specs on yours and see if you have at least 1gb memory and 40 gb hard dr with touch screen, if they will work in the boat as well as jeep? I checked and he says these are the specs. Like new condition 2ghz ,1.5 gb ram,60 gb hard drive,ac adapter ,docking station, reinstall disk. Needs hard drive caddy. Works I think i need to buy it.

 

Toughbook is a good guy to deal with. If I didn't already have several CF-73's I would talk to him about one.

 

The specs i posted was for one here in NC, haven't heard from Toughbook yet. so will it work outside for boat?

 

If you want to use it on a boat, out in the weather and any spray, go with a CF-29 or 30. What software are you using for your sonar that will run on a PC, and what are you using for a transducer?
CAP

 

Hummingbird sonar and Serial cable to computer with hummingbird viewer as software, basically an external monitor for the sonar more and better detail of what we are searching for, we use this to locate drowned victims and sometimes the bodies are close to pilings or other obstructions. hummingbird down and side imaging sonar, with hummingbird transducer attached to the hummingbird in the normal fashion. So the 73 is not water proof enough to use. it will not stay in the boat, but will be moved from my jeep to the boat as needed. i do water with sonar and hrd k-9, but mostly land searches with Bloodhounds.

 

The CF-30 for outdoor use would be my choice. They have a great OEM GPS and the 1,000 nit screen for better view-ability.
I only posted this because I love your dog. What a face. Handsome.

Jeff

 

The main thing is how much overspray and stuff like that will you be dealing with? The fully rugged toughbooks are more water resistant.

The pcmcia ports, cooling fan, ram slot, cd/dvd drive, dock connector, battery, harddrive caddy don't have any seals around there or total open.

A fully rugged toughbook like CF-30/19 the battery, caddy, optical drive are behind sealed doors, your have better fitting, more water resistant covers for the ram slots, pcmcia ports are behind a door.

The guys just don't want you see it get built up then get water damaged.

 

OK CF-73 out. I could get it for $75.00 was reason checking, great specs,good price. Looking for CF-29 now.CF-30 way out of my budget.

 

Jeff, Thanks he is 2 yr old Bloodhound raised and trained from a puppy for man trailing and land and water HRD. Still has a lot of puppy in him but great tracker. That was after a 4 mile 24 hr old track, we both were tired.

 

Bobby... What are you looking to spend for a CF-29 and what model do you need? Can you make do with a 1.2 or 1.3GHz? Or do you need a 1.6GHz?

 

Thanks computer will have to wait, blown intake gasket in wife car got computer. but this will work when,
Toughbook,

Processor: 1.3 or 1.6 ghz
Harddrive: 40 or 60 gb
Memory: 1 gb or more, more better
Operating system: Xp
iluminated key board
serial port
touchscreen
wifi

 

That's a sexy bit of work. Have you noticed any heat?

 

It has more airflow like this than with the standard caddy. The rubber has breathing holes all in it and one side is almost totally exposed.

 

Has anyone tried this on a CF-29? Is the cable for a CF-29 available on ebay?

 

Others have and had sucess with it, but that was back when the caddy's for the 29's were 100 to 150 each. On the bay right now they have them for around 50 bucks shipped.

(the aftermarket caddy's will work but if you intend to swap out your caddy a lot get an original one.)

New Panasonic Toughbook CF-18 CF-29 CF-1 Laptop Hard Drive HDD Connector Cable | eBay

New Hard Drive CADDY Panasonic Toughbook CF-29 laptop + HEATER CABLE + GUARANTEE | eBay

 

I don't plan to remove it often. How much are the third party ones?

 

The second link was to the aftermarket one. It is on sale for 35.99 and 9.99 shipping. It is even from techtuff who is a board member here. His has a heater included.

 

Has anyone tried this on a CF-29?

 

Yes and No. Someone on NBR before has made there own caddy by using a cable and then using some foam. They had to take the bottom off the unit to hook everything up. But the 29 caddy is a lot thicker, so you can't just use that gel pack sleeve. Make sure the foam isn't completely covering the hard drive either or you HD may have some overheat problems. The best cheaper solution at least is to use the aftermarket caddy's. They aren't really hot swap friendly as they don't have some of the guide pins, but if you plan on plugging it in and leaving it in they do work fine. If you made your own the cable you need is about 12 bucks for the cheap one. Then you have to come up with something to hold it in place, shock, etc. The aftermarket one ready to go is about 40 bucks shipped.