Looking for a TB for automotive scanning and tuning.. tips?

Hey guys,

Haven't ever really owned a toughbook before, but used a cf18 years ago at work and at my current job we use dell xps projectile proof something or others, And I'm looking to get a personal toughbook for automotive code scanning using vcds ross tech software, hydra nemesis ecu tuning software, and peterbuilt\cummins insite software.

The laptop will see various use. I throw them in my bag to bring to a jobsite and do reads on trucks, I throw it in my cars passenger seat to log my ecu and perform tweaks after a logging run (hydra nemesis) and I use it in my garage\shop where I work on audi\vw products. I am hoping for something durable, but I don't need it to take a bullet or anything. Surviving bumps and not minding dirt helps. And a touch screen would be usefull as well as a carrying handle. I feel most issues can be solved with a good carrying case and other than that the lappy will sit in the passenger seat of a truck\car and do scans. These kinda makes me prefer the 73 or 51 possibly with bigger screen though it lacks touch and a handle, or the 73 with smaller screen, tough, handle.

Kinda thinking cf 29 or 73\74 but not sure. These programs are fine on xp or 7 and I mayh do a dual boot linux option too. I am kind of leaning towards a model with sata and more modern 800+fsb cpu but I don't really need anything crazy. My lenovo x61 is perfectly specd and something like that would probably do it.

As well I found a few 74 and 73s without caddys or batteries or adapters or variations of those, how hard are these to rocure in good condition? I can't find much for listings on 73 caddies.

Original thread I started here, figured id move it here too.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/what-notebook-should-i-buy/637075-used-toughbook-shop-use-get.html

 

For SATA, you're going to need to get into a CF-30 or one of the business-rugged models; the 29s all use PATA. You can still get a new 320GB PATA HDD though; should be more than enough for your needs.

I'd recommend a few things:

Windows XP. Many of the apps STILL in use out there are NOT Windows Aero-Friendly; even with the OS in Classic Mode they don't work right or even crash the machine. Some still in use everyday are merely ported over from Win2K or even Win'98; when they were written, USB was still a new idea. You CAN run a WoW/VM in Win7 to get around that; in my mind, you may as well go dual-boot if that's your plan.

Touchscreen. Just handier than a pocket on a shirt for this kind of work; saves a LOT of time. Many programs I've used feel like they were MADE for TouchScreen use. Of course it's not ESSENTIAL; but once you use your diag software with it, you'll FEEL like it is and NEVER want to go back.

MUST-HAVE: Serial Port. No matter how modern your primary diagnostic suite is, EVENTUALLY you're going to want to be able to run some interface/adapter that requires Serial RS-232. Suck it up and build it in from the start rather than looking for a USB-Serial adapter later on down the road. They invariably use a Com Port that IS NOT available in your software.

I love my new CF-29 for this kind of work (I ALSO use it for Network Analysis/Packet Sniffing/WiFi Surveys); with the optical drive removed, there's JUST enough room for my ELM-324 OBDII dongle in the MediaBay. I've already been toying with the idea of hacking it all into a MB module.

The CF-29 is plenty light, plus it'll survive a tumble onto the floor when you snag the interface cable on your foot getting out for something. I'm not that confident in the Business-Rugged models.

Food for Thought,

mnem
Thought from Food.

 

My ross tech stuff and peterbuilt stuff is all built to be usb but my hydra prefers serial for sure. I use a usb adapter and in xp I can define the right com port and then match that in the software. When I went to replace my vaio it got code scanning duty and I tell you, chunks are missing from the plastic case. It is not made for this, which izs sad its pretty simple stuff.

So 29 is fully rugged right? Also processors are soldered in then? Ithe 73 a buisness rugged or I read it is a slightly sturdier class than the buisness 50 models?

The program I really like is the hydra program, I could see the touchscreen being very usefull. Basically it has a 32 by 32 grid you navigate through and adjust fuel mapping to runthe ecu for very unique applications such as nitrous,methanol, and etc in conjuction with turbos. Its quite fun. That and I haven't found an obd program for all makes yet, just my vws and such. What about the 18 by chance? Too little functionality or would it cfover it? Would need external cd drive to get all my programs uploaded....

 

A 29 would be the way to go, IMHO.

Fully rugged, water resistant, and dust proof. You know how dirty the shop(s) can be.....ground particles in the air, exhaust funk coating everything in site.
Oil covered, grease encrusted, brake fluid covered hands rinsed off in radiator fluid=bad for most laptops.

You may also want to look at M34, CF27, or CF28. They are also excellent units, rugged/fully rugged, and can be a bit cheaper than a full out 29.

 

The older toughbooks are good, BUT if you depend on it for a living it would be best to step up some. The CF-30 and CF-19 Mk1's have really dropped in price lately. It was a world of difference going from my 29 to a 30. If you want to use it for other stuff than just code reading the dual core really wakes up the toughbook, not that I am getting rid of my CF-29. It's a keeper.

If i wasn't going fully rugged you may want to look into a CF-73, CF-74, CF-52
The 73 is the single core model. I have a few at home and one is my middle boys main pc. The caddy's and batteries are a pain to find for a good price on them though.

 

What is a good price on a battery/caddy/ac adapter? I'm finding some interesting stuff so far, such as an aftermarket made in usa Cf-29 caddy for around $60-70 which seems complete except that it uses foam vice I think originally it was a silicon gel padding? It kind of sucks the CPUs are soldered that's a new one for me. The core 2 is what I have in my lenovo, and this laptop is perfect for any application I have ever needed so far. If I can hunt a 30 down for 500 or so I think I'll do that.

Can anyone point me in the right direction for MK info by hardware spec for the 29/30? All i have is the letter designations for 29s and not much for 30s and I don't have the most free time in the world, I work 90-100hrs a week typically. I read the whole cf51 cpu thread and the 29 faq and a good bit of the 29 thread in the stickies thus far.

 

CF-29 - ToughWiki

CF-30 - ToughWiki

 

I would go with the CF-19. I sell a ton of those to customers that use them
for diagnostic work. They are small and the tablet mode is really great for the automotive work. The older Toughbooks would work also but the 19 or 30 will give you more bang for the buck in the long run.

Put an SSD in a 19 or 30 and you will have a fast bullet proof machine that will easily do all the work you throw at it.

 

I really did like the 18 I used ages ago, we used it for its GPS feature, as a navigation tool aboard a submarine. It was quite nice. I believe it actually hooked into ships gps though, not just ran off its own internal unit as it was pretty deep in the boat.

Either way, yes I was sort of imagining in my head the tablet+touchscreen w/a bigger stylus would be significantly useful. The only thing that kind of worried me about it is the center pivot possibly being a weak point. Its been a while since I have touched one I don't recall how sturdy it is.

I'm just trying to see what exactly would fit best, i may purchase a few and try them out and resell the ones I don't like.

*edit* answered my own question here, yes touchscreen swap on cf-29, 30?
Is it possible to convert a non-touch to touchscreen, btw? Such as is it simply swap a touchscreen in and the connector will be on the MOBO or is that not the case? Obviously as well drivers will have to be added, but is it even possible or is there a mobo or other hardware difference restricting this?

 

I think I am going to get ahold of a CF-29 Mk anything w/touch screen, set it up and try it out and go from there. If I like the way it works out, I may stick w/it or go to a newer mk4/5, or go to the 30. I think for about 200-300 bucks with the cf-29 I won't really care if it is a total waste, I can always resell it. Should be a good starting point and I'll go from there, its not as if though it pigeon holes me in anyway. I'm thinking perhaps w/ 1.5-2gbs of memory and a SSD a 1.6ghz unit might actually perform just fine, we shall see how it feels out of the box first.

~Nick

 

I currently have two CF-29's running as scanners in my shop. Running a Volvo Vida with a DICE unit. They work very well. For this application I needed a laptop with 2GB RAM. So a MK4 or MK5 with 256MB onboard will recognize the 2GB stick but ignore the onboard. I have a MK5 with 512MB on board and its a no go with a 2GB DDR2 stick. Note MK1-3 are just DDR memory and limited to 1.25GB total. Just look for a 1.6GHz machine and that will be a MK4 or 5

These will no doubt run VCDS as I have that on a PIII 1GHz laptop and it runs very fast.

Just so you know the CF-29's use a PATA Hard Drive interface or IDE. SSD's are SATA and not compatible with the . I've read about some using an adapter but the adapters coming from CHINA are a hit or miss.

I'm going to be in Anaheim CA later this week for Worldpacs Training. If you wan to check out a CF-29 I can bring you one. I have a few spares.

 

Only the 256MB base RAM models; the 512MB models come up as 1.5GB RAM with the 1GB 200-pin DDR SODIMM installed:

Crucial® Memory Advisor results for the Panasonic Toughbook 29 Series Laptop/Notebook.
Memory: DDR PC2700
Memory Type: DDR PC2700, DDR (non-ECC)
Maximum Memory: 1280 or 1536MB
Slots: 1
Each memory slot can hold DDR PC2700 with a maximum of 1GB per slot.*
*Not to exceed manufacturer supported memory.

There are also PATA SSD units; I just put a 32GB unit into a CF-28 (they make larger ones; but were out of the price range I set for this project).

 

Yea I was looking at a PATA SSD for main os with either an external or cd-mounted drive for storage, if needed.

I actually live and work in North Dakota now, i should probably update that. I haven't lived in San Diego for a few years.

I'm now looking at mk4/5 systems that are bare and I'm going to update with my own parts. In a sort of -backwards approach I bought a caddy/battery already.

Will an IBM/Lenovo thinkpad charger work on these? I noticed some IBM chargers work. I have an x61 as per my sig. 65w 20v 3.25amp unit for the charger.

Just a thought...

 

While numerous of us Toughbook owners use certain IBM power adapters, the one you have is too hot for the Toughbook (20V -vs- 16V for the Panasonic).