Need non-rubber keyboard for CF-29

We are small rural fire district. We just recently purchased twenty used CF-29 ToughBooks. The membrane keyboards are too hard to type on. We do not have spill problems. We want to change out to "regular" keyboards. I bought two to try out (number N2ABZY000035) from an ebay seller claiming compatibility.

Uh, no. After grinding off the rivets on the back it STILL does not fit due to the size/shape of the keyboard and its "ears" on the top edge.

I just got the number CF-WKB293AM from the chat line at Panasonic. After a quick search, I am finding these at like $250, which is way too high for us.

Any ideas / suggestions / experiences?

TIA
Greg

 

Fire suppression and "no spill problems"? Well, if you say so.

Nevertheless, check out NEW US keyboard PANASONIC CF-29/28/30 772-007C5-698; More than 10 available -Price: US $48.00

 

The keyboards you have will work but the problem is the keyboard bezel is different on the rubber keyboard model and will not work on the standard keyboard. You just need to get the proper bezel for the std. keyboard you are trying to use.

 

the N2ABZY000035 is the correct keyboard for the cf-28/29/30/and alot of other units.

I believe you are talking about the back of the keyboard where it has black tape and posts on it, that bracket is for the CF-30, you need to remove that and it will fit perfect in there.

 

You can get emissive backlit ones HERE

 

I had the same problem and had to replace the Keyboard Bezel . I would email Heartlandsi ( [email protected] ) to see what it would cost since you need 20 of them and pickup the keyboards on fleabay. Shipping is very high ...starting @ $25.00 next day and you will need the part number too.
# DFGE0076YA-0 Keyboard Cover

 

I've done a little firefighting myself. 32 years or so mostly wildland. I wish I had been lucky enough to have a Toughbook. I was lucky to have a ration box and an pencil stub. I figured acreage on a fire one time with a spearmint wrapper.
All that aside I would have coveted a lighted keyboard. Budgets being what they are you do what you have to do though.
Welcome to the forum and you and your troops be sure to stick around and share with us.

Jeff