Rugged USB cameras that are a good match for a Toughbook?

Can anyone suggest some to check out? As it seems the CF31 factory camera is pretty lame, USB external cameras are the way to go! Been a very long time since I investigated cameras of any sort for a computer.

Thanks for your suggestions.

craig,

 

Microsoft NX-6000

 

Did you check this one it for the CF-31. ..built in, high quality 8 megapixels webcam with auto-focus lens and microphone,
http://www.tecrotech.com/

 

Wow looks interesting. Anyone here have that camera setup to give some real-world feedback on it?

 

Since whois shows the creation date for that website being July 08, 2018 (the same date of DigitZoom's original post with link to that site), I would also like to see if anyone can vouch for that site. If legit, I wouldn't mind trying it, but that creation date for site makes me nervous.


Original thread:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/is-cf-31-webcam-really-that-bad.807495/

DigitZoom's post is last one.

 

Little confused here...DigitZoom made SATA adapter's about 4-5 years ago and there web site is dead. Tecrotech makes the web cam and there web site works. Not sure if they are the same company or not but as you can see they are using digitZoom NBR name ????

 

Have you bought from digitzoom in the past? Having a long-known member here vouch for them would make me more likely to try them.

 

I have not purchased from Digitzoom. However they did send me a free sample of the SATA adapter to test and report on.
That product was a quality product that worked very well.

 

links

http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...toughbook-cf-18-with-ide-sata-adapter.769706/

youtube video


http://forum.notebookreview.com/members/digitzoom.653966/

There is one thing that "bothers" me.
I checked out the http://www.tecrotech.com/index.php site.
I could not find any info on a contact phone number or an actual brick and mortar location. That is something I always look for.

Someone could send Digitzoom a message and see how they respond. Wonder if they have an ebay or amazon presence?

 

Sent me one too and worked very good for me. Never heard from them after that.

 

That is reassuring. I've been bitten before by buying from someone with no real track record. There are also reputable businesses that are simply too new to have a track record. I usually don't buy anything expensive from new businesses, just to be safe.

 

Hi everyone, thank you for your interest.

TecroTech folks work in a close cooperation with us and the webcam kit for CF31 was already tested, compatible with all MK models and OS versions. They offer a real product and all pictures and videos that you can find on the website are taken with the webcam.

If you have questions, you can use the contact form on the website www.tecrotech.com.

Thank you.

 

Can you post a real postal address for them?

 

They are based in Denver CO, it is the same facility that the SATA adapter for CF18 Toughbook was shipped from in the past.

Every transaction is carried by PayPal regardless if you pay with credit card, debit card, PayPal etc., so you have that protection in case you still have doubts.

Thanks.

 

thanks for the location.

 

I've just ordered one to try out. Internal cam that's a quality product is better than an external one.

 

Anyone who has bought one, please post back here your thoughts and experiences with this interesting webcam.

 

As requested.
1. Straight forward ordering/ 24 hour shipping/ 3 day USPS delivery. (Signature required)
2. Good communication.
3. Good video.
4. 1 hour install. (I've pulled the lid on quite a few Toughbooks so I know the procedure)

I watched the video a month ago. Installed camera in a military surplus CF-31 MK2 yesterday without watching the video.

Tested it on Windows 7 32 bit and MX 17 Linux.

$ inxi
CPU: Dual Core Intel Core i5-2520M (-MT MCP-) speed/min/max: 2495/800/3200 MHz
Kernel: 4.15.0-1-amd64 x86_64 Up: 2h 23m Mem: 1458.7/5850.7 MiB (24.9%)
HDD: 74.53 GiB (11.3% used) Procs: 207 Shell: bash 4.4.12 inxi: 3.0.06


Jeff

 

compared to FZ G1 mk1

 

Needs some more testing before any further recommendations.
Waiting to hear from seller.

 

UPDATE:
Having a hardware issue with i5 tspcb's.

i3 works.

Go slow until we get this sorted.

Thanks,

Jeff

 

Totally my fault. The digital camera found a bent pin.

Nothing wrong with the camera kit or installation.....

Just use caution when installing plugs into tspcb. Maybe use magnification to ensure pins are straight.

Actually I'm glad of the out-come. This is too good a bit of kit to cause problems.

At least my "work" is repeatable. The second install has a bent pin also.

I straightened the pin and installed tspcb from install one into install two. Wanna see it?

Jeff

Pin 1.

 

Thank you for the update and your feedback.

We are glad to hear that everything works, all kits are tested and should work in all MK submodel.

Your comparison of the FZ G1 webcam and the TecroTech webcam is very interesting, shows the difference in the quality.

Thank you.

 

Shawn may have more on that. It's late in Penn.

He sent another from a FZ Q1 to my email. Better color and sound......you have competition. TecroTech Webcam still wins. IMHO

 

One of the best installation videos I think I have ever seen! Kudos!

 

Talking about Bob Johnson's install video?

EDIT: never mind. I see tecrotech has their own video

EDIT #2: Very nice detail and resolution in that video!

 

Thank you for your comments.

It will be great if someone that has a CF-31 Toughbook with built in OEM webcam can post some pictures so we can compare the quality with the our webcam.

In addition, maybe Shawn can confirm if the FZ G1 webcam has an auto-focus feature as the TecroTech webcam does. It can show great detail on close objects, for example if you want to show to someone a text to read and put it close to the camera or any other item. The OS driver allows you to control the focus automatically (default and recommended setting) or manually.

Thanks

 

I think the G1 is fixed focus, but it does focus very close.
The G1 does not have the resolution that the Q1 or the aftermarket one has.
I will check the Q1 later on.
Maybe even fire up the 31 with a factory cam for comparison.
Here are some stills from the WEBCAM on the FZ G1 mk1.

 

Confirmed online that a G1 has 720p and a Q1 has 1080p.
Maybe I will just keep the 10hr Q1 I have and use it for web chat n stuff.
That or else mod a Q1 webcam into my mk5 CF 52.

 

Thank you for the pictures Shawn.

Yes, it is going to be interesting to see pictures from an OEM CF31 webcam and to compare them with the ones from G1, Q1 and the T

You can check the link bellow for the video where it shows how the auto-focus works on the webcam- FULL HD 1080p at 30 frame per seconds, wait for the scene at 0:49 and later for the one with the ants, very busy and the one at 3:18 min



Make sure to adjust the quality to 1080p in the left bottom corner of the video.

Thanks

 

Wow! Very nice picture quality. I will be ordering this kit in a few weeks after my 9 month old grand-daughter goes home.