Need Info on OEM GPS in CF-29

Sorry if this has been answered before, but I searched the threads and came up with lots about aftermarket GPS installation, and not much about the OEM unit, and I'm new to toughbooks - so here are my questions:

My CF-29 Mk2 (CF-29FTTGZKM) does not have a screen mounted extendable antenna - does the OEM GPS require it, or it that just for the WWAN module ?

I've seen ads for the WWAN/GPS module, and the GPS module alone - are these actually different units or are they the same with either one or both chipsets installed ?

I currently have a smartcard reader in the slot above the battery, which seems to be where the OEM GPS mounts. Any issues with removing the smartcard unit and installing the GPS module there?

What is the difference btwn the GPS module and the GPS sled ?

Are there any pics available of the installation of the OEM GPS into a CF-29 ? I checked earlier threads, incl one by Toughbook that said it had pics, but they seem to have been deleted from the posts. From the looks of the kits being sold on E-bay, it would be helpful to have an idea of what mounts to what internally...

Any other issues / comments / suggestions regarding retrofitting an OEM GPS module into my CF-29?

TIA for the assistance

 

The screen mounted axtendable antena is for WWAN. The OEM gps antena is located along with the sled on Plastic piece a bet bump on the left side of the palmrest above the battery compartment.

The gps module is a like the heart of the system while the Sled is like the host on which the module mounted on it.


ohlip

 

You can't have the Smart Card reader and the GPS is the reader is installed above the battery. Now... You COULD install an aftermarket GPS because you have a little latitude as to where you want to mount things.

 

I want to remove the smartcard reader - I have no use for it.

My question is can I install the OEM GPS after removing the smartcard reader, or is there other stuff missing internally that would prevent that from working ?

 

Yes you can install the OEM gps kit without a problem as long as you rid out of the smart card reader on it. Here is the items that you needed for complete setup of OEM gps. Item no. 350145404750. I hope this guy can give me 10% of the purchased value for advertising his product. LOL


ohlip

 

No problem, but if you re-read the thread on the Aftermarket GPS on the 29 it does have some info on the OEM version as well.

No. We were using that spot for the aftermarket GPS antenna mount as it provided the most desirable results at the time. It originally was just for the WWAN antenna, nothing to do with the GPS.

They are different sled builds. They both take the same sled, however, if you just have the GPS sled, it has a skinnier top PCB that connects the sled to your laptop. The combo sled has a much larger top PCB that has room for the WWAN modem to plug into. There are 5 main components: GPS unit(modem), GPS PCB, Top PCB (large or skinny), the GPS antenna, and the sled hardware itself.

That is indeed where the sled mounts. The OEM GPS or WWAN/GPS setups install in THAT sled. You should have the sled unit, just need the guts for the GPS or WWAN/GPS unit.

As Ohlip said, the GPS unit is the actual module that processes the information. The GPS sled is just the name of the setup you are using (GPS Sled; WWAN/GPS sled; SmartCard Reader Sled), it just identifies the components the sled unit is carrying.

You can look at this writeup to give you a better feel for it, but it does not specifically address the GPS unit. On the first page, first picture, you can see the "space" on the bottom of the sled that the GPS unit would mount to. On page 6, second picture (top-right) you can see the skinny GPS PCB (so named because this is the board that the GPS unit would plug into); and the third picture (bottom-left); on page 7, second picture (top-right) you can see the WWAN installed with the skinny PCB for the GPS unit. Now some sleds have these two as all one big PCB, some are divided into two boards as you see in the picture. On picture #3 (bottom-left) you can see the "bump out" on the sled cover where the GPS antenna would mount.

Go slow, and remember where the screws go, loosely follow the guide and you should be fine. It really only goes together one way.

Hope this answers your questions and helps.

 

Teo,

I know him... You won't... Most likely anyway.

I just took out a Stock GPS that worked great if you are interested... I installed the EM-408 in its place.

 

Doobi, I appreciate your answers to all my newbie questions - yes, it helps.
And I've already installed the internal wireless module, replaced the usb/power/ethernet gasket, added memory, and switched keyboards, so I'm getting to know my way around the inside of the CF-29 - I hope to get all the screws back in place

I am definitely interested; Just need to know if it is the entire unit w/sled and mounting hardware, or if it only the module as I only have the smartcard sled in my unit (trying to keep this info straight ). Feel free to pm me with the details...and if there is any reason / easier to use the em408 you've mentioned....

Thanks again for all the assistance...

 

PM sent!