Lighweight toughbook for cycle touring?

I am looking for all kind of possible options for the next summer. I started long distance biking last summer and now I am already looking for an option of rugged laptop to handle rough situations by bike like dust, vibrations and possible shocks and raining.

I already have CF-19 which is fantastic and meets all the requirements but it feels a bit too heavy at 2.3kg when it's important to have everything lightweight on bike. I mean, it's not overly weight and I can use it if there's nothing else, but I still would like to know if there's any possible options for less weight.

The main uses would be usual internet surfing, checking emails but perhaps most importantly GPS navigating on the tour. I have been thinking of Sonim rugged mobiles because they contain GPS and are dust and waterproof, but I still really dislike the idea of navigating with such small screen. One important criteria is that it makes me feeling much safer when I know that even in the middle of heavy raining, if I am going to lose the track, I can still navigate with GPS at anytime when necessary.



P.S. As a funny offtopic: Panasonic Toughbook on bike - YouTube

That's not exactly the way I would use it on bike

 

CF-U1 would be your best bet!

I have HUNDREDS in stock and can meet any requirements you need.

Give me a call (281)-305-5018 and I can help you further

Thanks!

 

I'm going to be sneered at, but...

... perhaps a Toughbook wouldn't be your best solution. What about a tablet in an Otterbox Defender case?

 

Well the one on the bike is CF-M34. ~Toughbook Talk~ Toughbook Discussion • View topic - TBT CF-M34 FAQ Older but good unit, would be harder to find good long lasting batteries for it.

Well the best travel one is going to be the CF-19 if you want at least a 10" screen, but I would upgrade it to a SSD drive. The CF-U1 only comes with SSD drive but you have to live with under 6" screen and thub keyboard unless you are docking it. Now with a CF-U1 you may beable to sync the CF-07 or CF-08 portable remote screen.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-m_oCO--X4&feature=related

CF-U1, one tough little bugger.

 

I have a 7" Asus Nexus I think would be great for cycle touring with a waterproof soft case - but I'd also consider buying one of the dirt-cheap ones so that my holiday wouldn't be ruined if it were stolen, lost or broken.

 

I bought several CF-M34s last month from a German company. The batteries all last 3 hours. They are very cheap. (45-55 euros/piece)

 

Large screen smartphone (I'm using Motorola Razr Maxx) with case.
Or without case - it's easy to hide it when it's raining and use when you really need it. It's not that easy to kill good modern smartphone.

CF-U1 is too thick, heavy, small screen, large AC adapter, complicated Too old. I think Rob will have them for some more years ))

 

Perhaps you didn't read my text? I said that I would need to use it even if it's raining so I can't just hide it in the middle of rain. Is it water resistive?

I know it's complicated but life is complicated! Toughbooks makes life easier because I won't need to worry about the weather or temperature!

I already noticed the CF-U1 as a nice alternative. I am not sure yet if the screen is too small.

 

If the CF-U1 comes from outside of EU, I can't buy one unless you can sell it with serious discount because of the 23% tax.

 

Panasonic Eluga (waterproof), Motorola Defy (water-resistant)... or any smartphone you like (iPhone) in a waterproof case.
And you can write "Toughbook" on it's back by permanent marker if you are Toughbook fan ))

 

Yeah, we're talking in like the $250 - $400 range dude... CHEAP...

 

I use a Samsung Galaxy Note cell phone, which I think might suit your needs quite well. The Note II has a 5.5" screen, makes a great GPS, and is easily usable for both email and web access. Perhaps more importantly, it should be easy to (re)charge by means of something you could carry on your bike.

Good luck,
Dave

 

Wouldn't the H1 be an option here ?
or even better, the Toughpad A1 (10") or B1 (7"), even tough they're rather pricey...

 

I start to think the only option is CF-27 )
Toughbike, no questions

 

Hmm, a CF-19 on the handle bars... nice! It's a pity that I don't bike that often anymore.

But seriously, the smartphone screens are really small, 4" usually and even the tougher ones are really waterproof afaik. The panasonic had reviews that weren't exactly raving. And smartphones suck at GPS-tasks. usually an hour, two tops, and the battery is drained. You're biking, so if the software allows, you could set it to update every 5 or 10 seconds instead of every other second, that would save some batteries. How long would it need to last?

I considered an U1 for the car, but I don't know, it's not that big a screen with 6".
Advantage of an U1 is that it's really though, I wouldn't be surprised if it would be even tougher than a CF-19 and you can hot-swap the dual batteries. Can be an advantage as well when you're traveling.
Typing long mails would be very unconvenient, but a short mail is oke. A lot of them have a HSDPA modem built in (the modem has GPS built in) and some of them even have a dedicated GPS. With the 3G modem you would have internet connectivity as well (as long as you have cellular signal available).

When you need to track you route, a GPS tracker puck would be good, but you described the use of finding your way back when you're lost. That's not possible with a puck.

The more I think about it you have two good options. One is a Garmin GPS device, loaded with maps and all just to find your way back when you get lost. These are usually good waterproof have decent screen brightness. The topmodel from Garmin cost 650 euro's, comes with topo maps of Europe and has an alkaline battery life of 22 hours. If it's cold, you turn up the brightness and use it, I should have 10-12 hours I guestimate. That's nice. You can buy them much cheaper also, Oregon models start at 350 MRSP but last 16 hours on 2AA's, so that's much less. Screen size is 3"-4", so that is small.
The other option is your CF-19. You could add a second battery so you have more use when you need it. And when you want to charge when you're away, you can charge the second battery and not need to have your laptop close to a power-outlet.


I think I would choose the CF-19 (hey, I've got one myself and prefer to use it over my Garmin GPS as it has much, much more functions and I can use it to write lenghty posts on NBR ) but it really depends on your needs and whishes.

 

And his name is Lance Armstrong. +-2.5kgs = nothing of course )))

Alecgold, I know a secret. Chinese GPS devices work same as Garmin's and cost less than USD 100 shipped.
My friends (motobikers) use chinese waterproof devices (USD 160) very effectively.

 

yeah, the weight is a bummer, yet on a bike not as bad as when walking and having it in a backpack, like I do all the time. Advantage is that you get a lot of functionality in a decent package. But the weight is a problem. And it gets worse when you use an AC adapter, adapter to charge batteries outside the CF-19 and have an extra battery.

Chinese GPS devices... pity my chinese is so rusty

Do you have any links/examples of the Chinese GPS devices?

I know the Garmins are most likely made in china as well, but the problem in the Netherlands is finding good maps. More specific route-able cards that are suited for bikers. Or topographic maps. They are available, but at serious costs, one of the handicaps of living in a small country: the market is small and the costs are pretty high. The solution is to download them from binaries or torrents (legally in the Netherlands, but illegally in most other countries) and then install them yourself. But that gives a whole lot of trouble, unless you use a Garmin device. There is plenty of good software available for/from Garmin. The €350 I mentioned are MRSP's and I'm sure a bit of searching would get you a nice discount. Combined with good working software that I can get "for free" it might be not too expensive.

 

Well, this utube video in British Columbia seems very happy with their solution:
Panasonic Toughbook on bike - YouTube

 

Yep, and you won't have to worry about those cheap one that have popped up on ebay with all the "good stuff" ripped out of them.

I have three CF-U1's. One has factory GPS and I am going to add GPS to second unit that is going to stay in my truck to replace my outdated dedicated GPS.

Here are some shots of a CF-U1 with a CF-19 so you can compare sizes.

 

I think it's a good example of.. bribe (I have more correct words in russian) to her chief. Of course it's a very good idea to sell these very expensive laptops to police and pay 10% to the chief of police. "Otkat" in russian )
CF-M34's screen is almost unusable outdoors. Heavy laptop, heavy battery pack. Every 100g are very significant for the bike.

For example.

But smartphone is preferable, because it's more comfortable to have/charge one device - low weight, phone functionality, mobile internet, GPS, software...

 

Well, I have read that some people have brought Macbook pro for bike trips as well (2kg) plus soft case, so it's relative. Some people are extremely minimalistic and carry much much less stuff that I couldn't be without and some others are very happy with heavy weight load.

 

How about a photo with a tape measure or a dollar bill to give me a idea of the size of the cf U1? I have never seen a cf19 in real life so I can't get a real idea of the size.
I like the idea of replacing my dedicated gps. As long as it's small in size. I don't want to have a "full size" laptop as my gps. Even a 10" cf 19 screen is too big for me as a gps.
Not to mention I want portability. I never know what company vehicle I might have to jump in. Dumb question but, is the laptop gps software comparable or better for real time driving directions than a Garm*n?
Can you setup the CF U1 and/or the cf 19 for voice phone calls? Or just internet phone? If it works as a phone then it would replace the cell phone also on the bike. That helps even out the weight issues.

 

~Toughbook Talk~ Toughbook Discussion • View topic - CF-18 / CF-29 compare picture

Here are a few shots of the 18 (exact same size of the 19) with a CF-29 and a CF-30.

 

In that case having a CF-19 will add several advantages when compared to a MBP. the MBP's up until the previous generation where of the same weight as the 19 (2.3kg) and a whole lot bigger and more vunerable. Add to that a display that won't work in bright daylight/outdoor situations and an enclosure on the 19 that is much better at resisting the elements (temperature differences, rain, dirt) and my choise would be simple

The U1 is really a lot smaller when compared to a 19. think about half the size.
In the USA there are other programs to run, but in Europe Navigator 12 FREE is a reasonable good choise. There is some software from Microsoft as well, but I can't get used to that. Best you can have is still Tomtom, (at least here in Europe) and TomTom doesn't work in a pc without a whole lot of tinkering.
Both the U1 and the 19 can be used with softphones/skype. You would need to use a headset. So voice calls are possible.
If portability is the key, a U1 is hard to beat. But on a CF-19 I'm much better able to edit a document, answer some emails, watch a movie etc. etc.

 

can you give us the link for the Navigator 12 ? I tried the MS Street & Trips 2013 trial, but it only has maps for USA.

 

take a look here: Navigator Free | mapFactor, s.r.o.
It's not perfect, but for a free program, it works really well.

 

I got the CF T7 cause i also wanted something lighter than a CF 30 and its really light and has great battery life with a new battery

Its so amazingly light

 

Thanks for the link to the Navigator program. I was searching such a program for years. Its free. cool. And it also works on my CF-M34 mk2.

 

Thanks Alecgold, just installed it. Finally a free program that does the job. and with frequent updates, that you can contribute to, also.

 

Good to read you enjoy it!
There is one function that I miss: scenic/tourist routes. I like driving local roads when I don't have to hurry. TomTom has recently added such a feature and I like it a lot. Just driving through country lanes instead of highway/interstates gives me some quiet time to think and reflect. To avoid using the same roads, I take a small portion of my route (e.g. some 25km of a 125km trip back home) and drive that through qiuet lanes. Then I get back to the highway and drive with a relaxed speed (often 86km/h, that is the speed of big trucks) the remainder of the route on the highway, so i get home at a reasonable time. With previous navigation software I would change the settings to avoid highways, but that would often result in the most ridiculous route that avoid highways at all cost.

 

Cheap Android tablet in an Otterbox-oid. All over AliExpress. I'm drooling over this one, m'self, but it's a little more...

Amazon.com: Ployer Momo8 IPS Tablet PC - 8 Inch Android 4.1.1 (Jelly Bean), IPS SCREEN; BLUETOOTH; WIFI; ROCKCHIP RK3066 DUAL CORE - 2 X CORTEX A9; QUAD GPU - IPS 1024 x 768 Capacitive 5 Point Touch Screen, 16GB Storage, 1GB DDR3 Memory, Ultra Thin 8

I'm pretty sure the OtterBox for iPad Mini will fit it; these guys deliberately make their stuff THAT close to the original in dimension for a reason.


mnem
Take 2 tablets and call me in the morning.

 

Only problem I have had with the "no name or odd name" android tablets is battery life. They use no-name china cells. I have had 4 different ones. First was 10", Bought the last three at the same time two 10" and on 7". The 7" was a semi known name a MID. The 7" is still alive but after daily use (about a year) the internal power port finally got loose. It wasn't dropped, just used. The two 10" are still going strong. Battery life when new was just a tad over 2 hrs, now it's about an hour and 10 minutes on each one.

 

I've had it with tablets. I assume I don't consume enough media, although I read a lot of papers and news every day, to fully enjoy the benefits. It's just that I always mis the physical keys and you can't run any "normal" programs like acrobat or office on them.
And I can't use my ironkey in them so I can't do any work with them.
Ill just keep my 19.

 

The main thing I did on mine was light internet surfing, few movies or music (from sd card) it was my secondary unit. I like to have movie playing on one why doing something else on the other one. I tried them out when I was working in Dubai. I paid around 160 for one of the 10" it was very good specs at the time. Even had dedicated GPS chip in them.