New here looking at toughbooks

I have been looking at toughbooks for a while and I am interested in picking one up finally. I am an automotive tech so I want to set it up for diagnostics. I have been looking around on ebay and Ive found a few and these ones seem to be the best so far.
http://stores.shop.ebay.com/laptope...6014QQ_sidZ6278344QQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em322

Has anyone dealt with them before? And if those arent so great where would be a good place to pick one up with similar options in the 300-400 dollar range.

I know a bit about computers and I plan of modding it a bit when I get one. I plan on installing internal wifi, hopefully with a 400-600mw card and an external antenna. Which brings up another question, can you install the sma connector on a laptop with factory gps? Maybe on the other side?

Oh and yea I know its a painted one but when it gets all scratched up I have access to 2 part auto epoxy paint.

 

How about this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200321798465&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

I've dealt with them several times. (My link, not yours) Their laptops are a little dirty but when cleaned up look pretty new! They take a credit card over the phone instead of paypal but they sell great stuff at a great price. Plus you'd move up to a CF-29 instead of a painted CF-28 where the wear history has been erased. If you want to paint it later that would be your choice... But I would not start out with a painted laptop.

The CF-29 has a MUCH brighter touchscreen than the CF-28... By at least twice over. SMA connections can be installed but I think you'd like the twin antenna system on the CF-29... The only need for a SMA connection would be for a long range cantenna as the twin antenna system is awesome...

By the way... Welcome to the forum...

EDIT: One thought.... The link you posted goes to a company that say they specialize in Toughbooks.... Yet they don't know how to get the GPS system working in the CF-28? They say they don't know where to locate the software! Does THAT tell you anthing? They spray it, wrap it and ship it out.... In Bulk! I'd steer clear for no other reason than that.

 

Not to defend them or anything but I took it as they didnt want to deal with everyones questions about it. They were probably getting too many emails about what sofware to use and I cant get it to work.

but anyway The one you linked is nice but without a cd drive It might be a little over budget to find one. And also It says cellular capability does that mean that it would have the daughter board needed for gps? The gps is a big thing I would like to have I am also into offroading and I cant seem to find a gps that can do both topo maps and road driving. There are some but they cost as much as one of these toughbooks.

 

The CF-29 needs no daughterboard... For the link I listed... You can either buy a $200 OEM GPS and simply slide it into the side slot... Or spend $90 and install your own. The only pain really is soldering the ribbon cable. Since you are a hard working student... I'm sure we can help you out.

The CD modules are going for $30 on ebay now. That shouldn't be an issue. I think you'd be WAY ahead of the game by going with the CF-29... Even if you don't get everything you want right now and need to wait a month or two to get what you want.

One thing the 29 in the link I gave you DOES have is the $150 emissive keyboard! So basically you'd be paying $250 for the CF-29! (Yes... I rationalize EVERYTHING! Just ask my wife!)

I have never been a proponent of buying a prepainted laptop. There is nobody that I have seen selling them that prepares them properly. Regardless of what they advertise... It comes out of a spray can. A good autobody job would cost just a little less that what they want for the whole laptop. If it is done right! To me a painted laptop just shows that they had a really beat up laptop and they are covering it up. Some of them also paint the rest with matte black paint to hide the wear and then use "Tire Shine" to make the rest look like new. I've seen just about every trick. I don't like painted laptops... But that is just me.

If you want to save every cent... Buy a basket case and rebuild it yourself. There are a lot of different ways to look at it! Good luck!

 

ok your expertise has got me sold. If they still have one next friday when I get paid I will be purchasing one. I will probably hold out on the mods for a little bit but when I am ready I will definately come here.

I have a few quick questions about the gps. I have looked around alot on here and read a few things but I am having some trouble wrapping my brain around wit without some pictures. Are they somewhere else or are they gopne forevor? It mostly seems to be your pictures. Also for an "aftermarket" cf-29 gps install where does the antenna go? Without the pictures or the computer sitting here I cant tell. do you guys put them in the lid like the cf-28s? or do they jsut sit under the hand rest?

Thanks

 

You have several option for GPS on the CF-29. You can opt for factory GPS at about $250 - $275 for a full kit. It is a fair GPS and would work great for regular street navigation. It takes a little longer to get a lock and doesn't receive as many satellite signals as some of the custom setups... But it works well enough.

Then there is the custom GPS. With this you basically solder (micro solder) the 5 pin wire connector onto the end of the ribbon cable that plugs into the motherboard. You can then either route an antenna to the top of the GPS or place it in the palmrest. Unless you are very proficient at soldering and working on complex electronics... I would not take this route.

The stock GPS setup is by far easier to install. It takes about 10 minutes if you've done it before or maybe 30-45 for the first time. If this is something you are interested in doing and have the skills... Let me/us know and we'll be glad to help.

 

Ive soldered a few things and a custom setup seems right for me I just wanted to know where the antenna goes. Dont you just use a passive antenna in that little plastic box on the left palm rest?

http://www.custom-toughbooks.com/index.php?main_page=products_all&disp_order=3

What about that setup. Would that work for me? I like the internal USB with BT and it having a ground plane. I dont really want to take the easy way out but I like how neat and presentable that setup is.

Thanks for dealin with the questions.

 

The antenna for that and other models are located in the left-side palmrest. (Unless you opt for an LCD mounted Sarantel antenna. I personally build my own GPS systems based upon the work that was pioneered on this site and I prefer it that way. I have used the components for a long time and have never had an issue. The kit you linked to is another option. I think a few people here have tried it. Perhaps they will chime in and give a review. The USB BT used on the kit is buried inside the laptop and the range isn't close to stock BT. Unless you take it apart and solder on an external antenna.

 

I think only one has Rick
marconi


Alex

 

I just read the whole cf-29 gps thread and the kit I posted looks like it was made after the one made by the member Fstick1. Could it be he who is making these. and if they are his then I think that would be fine for me since he said the sarantel was only marginally better.

Also with gps antennas can I splice more than one antenna on the same line? With that mod I would also like to make the pass through connector useable for the GPS. I would like to someday use an external antenna for my offroad truck and use a dock that would hold the notebook on the roof like a flip down LCD for hands free nav. With the patch antenna facing down I would need a secondary external one to make up for the lost signal.

 

It is similar but no the kits are made by Vincent

Alex

 

I just want ad on it. The gps kit for cf-18 wiil be available soon.




ohlip