SIRF-4 GPS kit for CF-19

Well not sure about maximum performance and accuracy but I have been using this for years and its cheap Microsoft Streets & Trips 2008 New in Retail Box Fast Shipping! | eBay

 

+1 for Streets and Trips. The maps are reasonably accurate and it will keep up at 500 knots which is adequate for my needs. One caveat, every turn by turn program I have tried will pick strange routes from time to time and if you are in the boonies show long abandoned logging roads as usable.
CAP

 

Never put in "Fastest Route" I made the 400 mile trip to Loudon, New Hampshire for the NASCAR race last year and glad I had my 4X4...first 390 miles were fine but them last 10 miles

 

Streets and Trips is good for planning, not that great for navigation/mapping on the go. For example, you can't scroll around and have the program snap back to your GPS position. You'll need to uncheck the "center map on position" checkbox in the GPS pane, move, then recheck the box to have the map move with your position.

ALK CoPilot is great for mapping on the go, not as good for planning IMO. The map is similar to the great-but-now-defunct iGuidance (even Mapopolis) in that it's lines and text. Great for driving. The Streets & Trips map is fancy like Google Maps but information overload is bad while driving.

 

I am still rocking Delorme topo 7.0, got it for testing a while back and have just stuck with it.

 

Navigator 11 Free is very good as well. It uses maps from Open Streets Maps project, they are overhere very accurate and updated regular. If you want door to door navigation, you can buy the full version and have door to door. But so far the free version is nice.

 

Are the OEM GPS antennas for CF-30 active or passive? How about CF-19 or CF-31?

 

Its also a matter If your installation will be secured and watertight and also one important thing or question is. Is it tough or not, coz you may end up your antena or the module turn into pieces when hit or bump. It is not only you made your installation working. It must be durable. Thats how this toughbook made of.



ohlip

 

Apologies for borrowing this thread, but I have a question for techtuff and my newbie rating post rating won't let me PM him or see his contact details on his profile
If he doesn't respond in a few days, if one of the mods could poke him for me, towards this thread.

Techtuff, I just received and fitted your SIRF IV kit for the CF-30. Very nice, very happy with it. Seek times excellent and that corner moulding fits the CF-30 really nicely.

I've been playing about with NMEA & SIRF commands and I wonder, is the GPS chip on all the time in full power mode?
It seems to be sending out NMEA messages all the time when I connect to the COM port.

I'm wondering if I could write a windows application to switch the SIRF device between trickle mode and full-on mode, in order to reduce power consumption when I don't need the device.
But if your doing something on the device itself to impliment power saving, it would be kinda pointless.

Can you provide any details as to how it operates please?

 

I ordered a few of these from Andre.... They are AWESOME units! (CF-30 Type) They fit extremely well and I was worried that they would drain the battery as others do. Andre said they shut off when the CF-30 shuts off. This bears out as I have a CF-30 unit with an EM-408 unit installed and it will drain the battery (if left turned off and not charged) in about 7-10 days. I have had 2 CF-30s that I charged when I installed the TechTuff units. That was over a month ago... Probably more like two months ago. I just started one of them and it was at 91%!!! I have had this unit on several times after charging but it has been off for at least the past 1-2 months.

So I would say without a doubt that the GPS units do not draw much, if anything, when the laptop is off. You have absolutely nothing to worry about. Turn your display down 5% and you will save more battery life than this GPS uses.

 

It depends on what you want to use it for... Street level navigation... Not sure in the Ukraine. You may want to ask someone who lives in your area... A local forum. For testing you can download VisualGPS for free.

 

and for testing or using as (street level) navigation try this one here Navigator Free | mapFactor, s.r.o. it has Ukraine, and other countries, using OpenStreetMap Wiki (also free).

 

I use Navigator Free as well and I like it a lot. West-Europe is pretty well mapped on the open source maps and as long as you have internet (3G or wifi) you can get a door-to-door routing. If 3G of Wifi is not available, it will take a random point at the street you selected, so if you want door-to-door without internet, you need to buy the full version. IIRC it's not overly expensive.
It's not as refined as Tomtom on my iphone, but my toughbook can be used for hours on end, without getting rediculous hot! And i like the big, big screen on my 19. Well, big when compared to a tomtom or iphone..

 

iGo.
10chars

 

There you go, no need for a local forum, is there anything we don't know around here?
(Well, beside the secret new kit menu password... )

 

We don't know why people buy Dulls

 

Off topic but does anyone know a source for these engines would like to replace the em-408 unit in my cf-28 if it could be done.

 

you want to replace it with an EM-408 or Andre's type?

 

preferably an em-408 type as it would be easier, but not a deal breaker.

 

You have PM

 

I need a bit of help, please:
after I finally have 3G in Windows (thanks to that Fujitsu Gobi2000), I tried to setup Internet Search (Google/Yahoo) in Navigator Free. But it asks me for a User Key, I pasted the one on the product (that with the -XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXX at the end) but it doesn't seem to show more detailed street info.
However, searching for a POI, or address on the net works.
Am I missing something ?

 

I experimented briefly with the free navigation software. I found them all lacking in detail. Open source maps don't have enough info for me. Maps are one thing that I won't accept a cheap product. Paid mapping software updates the maps yearly to correct any errors or changes. I ended up buying Garmin MobilePC. It's discontinued, but I found one on fleabay for $10.00..

 

It could be that you dont start navigator free, but navigator? It installs both shortcuts to you desktop. There is one other feature every other navsoftware misses besides tomtom afaik: "kronkelwegen" this is a planning mode where highways are avoided in favor of the more scenic routes. I really love that for when I have some spare time and want a more relaxed drive through the countryside.

@ador the detail in navigator is pretty good. What I often miss is the possibility to have overlapping satellite/areal images to see how the terrain really is. Like google that offer streets as well satellites. But google doesn't integrate with GPS receivers.
On a site note, I'm looking into buying a GPS puck, sofar the best I found seems to be a u-blox 6 based receiver e.g. The navilock nl602u. I'm just wondering how good this will be and if there is anything better/more stable/more durable.

 

@ Alecgold

Google Earth, if that's what you mean, can work with GPS - Goops/GE was OK with x86, not so clever with x64 if I remember correctly. Sorry if you meant something different, too busy today to read older posts.
There is even a PC-based marine GPS navigation system that overlays (UK) charts on GE with user-variable transparency, ie you can fade from one to the other & back.
I have it somewhere but don't use it. VisiCharts I think it's called.

 

But google earth doesn't have a navigation/direction feature AFAIK?

 

Yeah but when the Google Armies' march to conquer the actual world begins they won't want to keep getting lost will they? So GoogleNav has to come... soon. Probably.

 

they plan to build an Airport (GGL designation prbly), so that would be the first step.

 

If you really want the best, buy a NVS NV08C-CSM, this one can receive GPS and Glonas simultaneous.
U-blox NEA / LEA 6 and the latest generation 7 can receive both but NOT simultaneous.
If you want PPP (Precision Point Positioning) you need RAW output, both can provide you with this.

The latest Toughbook CF-31 has a NVS NV08C GPS receiver on board, I never saw that performance in such a small pakage.
I Used to work with Novatel, Leica and Trimble in the past.

Also read: NVS Technologies AG Selected by Panasonic

 

thanks, this is good info! I'll digg deeper in this. I'm not really looking for Glosnas, as it is less accurate and usually a bit slower, but it's good to have extra satelites and a backup!

EDIT: Just one question: I can only find developers kits and no external USB pucks? I couldn't find any drivers either, but Panasonic CF-31's driver might work in my 19mkV

 

... if it doesn't check for model number, that is.

 

There are some sellers who sell the NVS GPS as a usb-dongle, but until now not with integrated antenna.
Also NVS sells a rather expensive evaluation usb NV08C-MCM kit, and they have a Mini PCI Express (PCIe) Module which is used in the CF-31. I think it is a matter of time, than we can find the drivers on the web.

So you need to attach a seperate antenna which makes sense because an integrated ceramic micro dot antenna never gives such good precision and performance like an high end stand alone antenna.

Glonas is exactly responsive and available as GPS, slower I don't understand; either I receive a signal or not. At a specified dB thresshold your receiver decides actually to work or not with a received satelite.

Big advantage of Glonas (and Galileo in the near future) are that you will receive many more satelites, so this will provide you with a much fast fix and precision.

Here are two sellers who sell the NVS usb module for a really reasonable price: OneTalent Gnss and https://www.optimalsystem.de/

When you search for a good and cheap external antenna, try: Huber and Suhner in ebay, sometimes they go for around 50€ , they are small and very performant.

 

Good suggestions here! Thanks a lot guys!
The NVS modules are more for testing, if I'm right, than for actual (outdoor/car) use?
Huber & Suhner have some nice antennae indeed. But nice prices as well at this time.
found this one that looks the world to me; GPS & GSM. Just the price isn't right yet.
Huber Suhner GPS/GSM Omni Antenna 1850-1990 MHz Type 1399.17.0090 | eBay
I was looking into a external GPS, the one inside my ericsson f5521gw isn't bad, but not very good either.
Perhaps adding a good external antena would do the trick and make it faster/more accurate?!

 

it would have better reception, stronger signal (more dBm), but it won't change the limited number of channels it has, or the sensitivity. It should definitely help, though.
The one in the link seems a bit lacking in GSM/UMTS freqs, i.e. 900Mhz, 1800Mhz (2100) the mose widely used ones, are out of it's (designed) range. Seems to be built for US/Canada GSM (1900mhz).

Alec, did you receive the F5521gw as a builtin OEM option in you mk5, or purchased separately ?. I'm asking because, I have a HP branded one, and didn't manage to make it work in Windows (Linux works). I can't seem to find a Panasonic OEM F5521gw to buy. How is it called in EU ? Gobi3000 ?

 

Here is a Huber & Suhner for a really nice price, I bought already other stuff from this seller, everything went really ok.
The antenna he sells is the same as the one you show only with a specialized mounting and GSM reception.
HUBER SUHNER GPS ANTENNA SPA 1500/110/5/0/RCP_RX45_C1 1575MHZ 1315.17.0013 | eBay

Limited available channels can be augmented by receiving GPS & Glonas simultaniously, at this moment in the low budget segment only sold by NVS. On the other hand 4 perfect received channels are already enough for <50cm. precision, so a good antenna serves really much.

The NVS gps modulle I told you is really ready to go, not only for testing. They are rather new on the market and have a lot of extra features such as RAW output that can be used for RTK. Create a virtual serial port, plug in, and use it with any GPS software you like.

 

F5521GW was OEM option for Europe, so also had the oem driver. It has a 20 channel receiver, so it's not that bad. It doesn't receive Galileo (if that ever pulls through, the politicians are discussing it, and rarely ever helps a technical project when politicians are involved...) or Glosnas.
the GSM/UMTS frequencies are kind of a big thing for me, thanks for the headsup!

The H&S you've linked looks good, but I think this one is easier to install on a car:
Antenne Bus,Bahn Auto SWA 0859/360/4/0/DFRX30 Huber+Suhner Dachantenne | eBay

perhaps a little extra explanation is handy.
What I'm looking for is an upgrade of my F5521GW. It takes for ever (sometimes 5-10, mostly 2-3 minutes) to get a cold fix, even with AGPS on, and I had two or three times that it stoped working which is annoying on a highway. Booting the pc would resolve the problem. I was looking into a simple USB puck, but you two have got me heavily interested.
What i'm really looking for is a super stable, durable and fast (first/cold) fixes, accuracy of 1m is good, 0,5m is perfect. I'm bluiding a dock in my car with RAM mounts, but i want it to be easily removeable, if my wife and kid come along, I most likely remove the whole ram mount. That is why i was looking for a USB-puck, I can easily put it in the dock and throw the puck behind the front window.
The NVS module looks really good, but a complete package costs €350, which is a lot more than the budget I had in mind (€50-€100).
If it can boost GSM/UMTS, thats a nice bonus.

The way I look at it right now:
NVS, gives me superb navigation, costs a lot and has no Gsm/umts benefits.
Huber + Suhner boosts reception, possibly speeding cold fixes, can be gotten a little over budget and boosts GSM 900 1800 1900,UMTS, 2.4, 3.5, 5.3 and 5.8 GHz Bands reception

So, the question is: will an antenna be enough, or is an external GPS better/more stable?

 

just stumbled upon this on Pannys FB page: Test Confirms EGNOS + Galileo = Safer Skies | GPS World
there's a CF52 and a CF18 (mk ?) used for testing/proving simultaneous use of Galileo and EGNOS, in autumn last year (the article is recent).
So it seems that Galileo has already 4 satellites in orbit, with more to follow soon.

 

Yeah but currently politicians are discussing the eu financing and funding and several of them have called gallileo a money pit that has already cost a tenfold to put 4 satellites up, lasted three times as long and that's it's useless as long as we can use the GPS, Glosnas and possibly the Japanese system. If its just for a tactical non-dependability, it's blolloks because we are so dependent on the USA at least in military perspective, and Galileo is t going to change that much. So with all the budget cuts in the eu, this one might axed as well. Although it wouldn't surprise me if this project would magically survive...

I have ordered the huber + suhner train antenna. The thing is huge btw! 10"x4"x3,8"! Weights in at 1,9kg. Now that's some puck!

 

quick update: I just hooked up the Huber + Suhner and GPS was quicker but not that much, but the signal strenght was much much better. Better accuracy as well!
I hooked up 3G as well, but that didn't do too wel... :$ I need to look into it a bit more

 

I wish I knew techtuff was a member on here (my fault for not visiting very often...) since I just bought a Toughbook from him on eBay. Especially if better deals could be had!! ;-)

 

So I have a couple questions...

How do I know the GPS I have is for a CF-19?

Are the install directions the same for a CF-19 as it is for a CF-30?

I have a 9 day 4x4 trip that I leave for this Saturday morning. Things happened during a purchase and the wrong GPS was in my Toughbook than advertised in the auction. New GPS sent out with instructions for a CF-30 and I have a CF-19 MK3. I need to get this up and running before I leave and the Toughbook will not arrive until tomorrow. Leaves me very little time to prepare and I do not want to waste time on the install.

Your help is appreciated.

 

Do you know what kind of GPS is in the 19 now and do you know if it works. If it works I would leave it be until you get back from your trip. You don't have much time...

 

I get the unit today and it has the OEM in it. Assuming the GPS I was sent is the correct one for a CF-19 I will put it in (does not take much time) and see if I can prepare the unit with Ozi Explorer software.

I was hoping for information on how to tell the difference between a GPS for a CF-19 and one for a CF-30 to make sure I have the right one before I start tearing this apart.

 

Since I really don't have a clue what type of GPS you have coming in you can check these one's out CF-30 : Custom Toughbooks, -Aftermarket solutions for Panasonic Toughbooks

 

Apologies, it is a SIRF-4 GPS

 

Hello everybody,

I am new to Toughbooks (just got my used CF-19 mk4 unit today), and have a few questions.

The first and ost important one is about GPS: How can I tell whether my unit has GPS or not?

If there is none, it appears that techtuff's SIRF IV kit is a decent solution that many people here recommend. Is this still state of the art or is there anything new worth looking at?

Regards

Horst

 

Welcome to the Toughbook forum.
Yes that is one of the ones we use. Did you look in the bios to see if one is listed in there and also do you have a bump out on the right hand side of your 19

 

Welcome hyman! there are two GPS options. One is build in in the WWAN (Gobi or Ericsson) that one works but is a bit less reliable and a bit slower as a dedicated GPS. If you have dedicated GPS there is a bump on the side of your 19 sticking out.
Post the full number your machine!

 

Here is a picture of the 19 GPS bump out

 

Wow, that was quick. Thanks for the answers so far.

There is no bump as on the picture above, and the full number of the machine is: CF-19RHRAX2M.

As per my googling and this document, this appears to be a very basic model without any options installed. Also in the BIOS, I don't see GPS mentioned anywhere.

So it appears I am in the market looking for a decent GPS receiver. Is the SIRF-IV based thingy from techtuff what people would recommend these days?