GPS on the CF-29, and some other things

Well some good news first. The transplant of the rubber keyboard into my CF-29 went smoothly, and its a total success, all keys work. I wouldn't say it was "easy", but I didn't have any trouble(except for bending up the old keyboard), and the whole "bevel" problem seems to be a tad over exaggerated, the keyboard cables where a little bit of a pain, and the shorter cable made working with it a little more challenging, but still doable.
edit: I just found out it IS backlit, and it does adjust either base on light or the function+f12 key

a quick wipe down with an alcohol swap, and except for an old screen protector, this old CF-29 looks almost new!

The problem:

1.Still trying to find internal GPS at a decent price. It think toughbook said something about being able to buy the engine without the rest of the kit, since I already have the CDMA sled. I can't find this though. need help

2. How is batteryrefill.com? I hear the name being tossed around, and I'd love to have a new 6.6AH battery instead of the blue tabbed and old 5.4AH I have.

edit: I'm also thinking about painting it, I got a can of tan camo krylon fusion.

 

Batteryrefill.com is great. Their batteries work as advertised. They have great customer service.... BUT, you are going to wait!!!! They are incredibly slow! As far as I can tell from those of us that have used them, the average wait time seems to be 3-4 WEEKS!!! If it wasn't for their quality and CS, I would look elsewhere, but they do offer a good product if you're not in a hurry.

 

I thought the CF-29's all came with 6.6Ah batteries...

If you still want one though, I might have a line on a cheap one...

 

only the ones with green tabs apparently...

if you got a relatively new green tabbed battery for the 29, I'd definitely be intrested

 

I can't find a 5.4Ah battery anywhere for that thing... All the CF-29 batteries are blue tabbed and rated at 6.6Ah that I can find...

 

For the CF-29 you want the yellow tab battery which is 7.65ah the part number is CF-VZSU29A

 

ok...

so where can I get one, and how much does one run?

edit: a second battery seems nice right about now

will a second battery for a 28 work on a 29? Ebay doesn't have much 29 parts...

 

I just got a green tab from this guy...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=250224034570&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=015
As well as the second MP slot battery.
While not a Steal, still reasonable and the shipping and service is excellent.
While you can not tell it from the picture, after blowing it up and a little gamma correction, I could tell it was a green tab 6.6.
I know its for my 28 but he is bound to have some for the 29 as well.
Again, his communications, shipping and follow up are tops.
If you are looking for the after market GPS....
Here is the link
http://www.globalsat.com.tw/eng/product_detail_00000056.htm
And all of a sudden I am having a brain fart where I bought it. Around 59 bucks + shipping.
You'll need the antenna pig tail and external antenna.
Rick H...

 

Ebay unless you want to pay an arm and two legs for one.

 

Yes, the second battery packs fit 27/28/29's universally.

I haven't seen many 7.65Ah 29 batteries for sale though.

For the secondary battery though, grab one from the guy that Rickh linked... he has great prices on 28 stuff, and he's got new batteries. I also got a secondary from him, and it's top notch.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/PANASONIC-CF-VZ...ryZ11169QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

That'll work in your 29. He has another one on auction with a few days left if you want to try that.

 

would someone confirm the after market GPS works with the 29?

 

Mega dittos to Modly's post. I just got mine and it works great. Sure does pump up the battery run time.

I just wish someone would tell me if the media bay battery is supposed to charge while installed in the computer with the A/C charger attached.

 

The aftermarket GPS that Heartlandsi.com sells work GREAT on the CF-29. It's actually not aftermarket per se since it is the same GPS that would have been installed in the factory if your laptop would have been odered that way.

I spoke with Kara at Heartland. It turns out that the GPS kit that they sell is cheaper than buying just the GPS engine, GPS antenna and white ribbon cable. We had a little chuckle about it... But that's the way it goes sometimes. So... I ordered the kit for my CF-29 with the Sprint sled in it. I will have several things left over after I use the parts I need. The main thing will be the motherboard ribbon cable. I think If I can get that ribbon cable seperately that I can put the EM-408 (or variant) into the CF-29. The cable has a part number on it and I will verify with Kara that I cab purchase that seperately. If I can... I don't think it would cost more than $5. (It will probably cost $75 now that I said that!)

I'll let you know...

 

Pappy... Yes... The media bay battery WILL charge in the CF-29 when in the media bay... Why wouldn't it? It also charges when in the CF-28.

 

If you can get the cable at a reasonable price, will the 408 use the factory antenna in the plastic bump out above the battery like the factory unit?

 

how much is what?

edit: also is it feasible to install an external antenna where the CDMA stock attenna is on the top of the screen, something rattles around in the screen, and I am pretty sure its a broken attenna, I am going to open it up and look at it the earliest possible convience

 

If I do it... I'd probably find a GPS engine without the antenna soldered to it... Either that or unsolder the antenna and then use it in the stock location. I'll have to play around with it. The mobo ribbon cable would make it a lot easier though... If it is reasonably priced and available.

Yes... It is feasable to install a wifi antenna there... Look for mnem's post on the subject!