Searching for different kinds of keyboards

I have a standard keyboard on my cf-30 and its great. Its also great to know that there are backlit keyboards as well that I can just plop it in.

My question is, from my understanding, there are 2 kinds of backlit keyboards. I think one is called emissive backlit and not sure about the other one.

What is the difference between the two?

Can anyone provide some links to some web sites that sell these? I like the option to change if I do decide to.

 

One is "emissive backlit" and the other one is "rubber backlit"

many sites give the possibility to customize a ToughBook with optional keyboards but I don't know if those sites can sell only keyboards

example:
https://www.toughonline.com/addtocart.asp?item=1014
http://www.portablecomputersystems.com/store/configure.aspx?iid=22

Those keyboards are expensive
Here's a picture of an emissive: http://www.emperorlinux.com/images/keyboards/cf-30_keys.png
and I think this is a rubber backlit:
http://www.trustedreviews.com/images/article/inline/4046-BacklitKeyboardFullyWate.jpg

I'm not sure but according to this site: http://www.trustedreviews.com/notebooks/review/2007/02/06/Zen-And-The-Art-Of-ToughBooks/p3
it seems that the difference woule be about the capacity to resist to spilling...

"there are a number of keyboard options on offer. Some are built to be completely waterproof, made of rubber with no gaps between the keys. Some are semi-waterproof with a slightly more traditional feel, while others are like standard notebook keyboards with ergonomics being the prime focus"

 

There are actually 3 types of illuminated keyboards that I have seen. There is the emissive black, the rubber "chicklet" style and the hard plastic "chicklet" style. I know that the rubber one is waterproof. The plastic chicklet type looks to be waterproof too. The others are water resistant.

I'm not sure what types the CF-30 can accept. It might be a two connector or three. It also may depend on what version your BIOS is. I have one CF-28 that will take an emissive keyboard and another that is the exact same model but has a different BIOS and it doesn't work... It types but does not illuminate.

 

Interesting.

I have opened up the keyboard area and it is the 2 connector type. I was just inquiring about the types of keyboards out there. As of right now, the cheapest I can find is $150 for either the rubber backlit or the emissive backlit which is as of no use to me. Just trying to find out about my options.

 

I've only see what I would consider two types, the rubber keyboard and the full-stroke emissive type. However, I've seen at least two distinct revisions of the rubber keyboards. One style is nearly a membrane-type keyboard (reminds me the most of by beloved Atari 400 but still has a soft rubber surface. The other, which I presently have in the 28 I use, is very similar but the keys are raised up from the substrate about 1/4". Both use simple LEDs behind the keys and use the same 2-cable connection scheme as the regular keyboard.

the emissive full-stroke keyboard, that's a different beast altogether. The backlight, whatever it is, (cold-cathode flourescent?) needs a little power supply board (that they mounted in the most bizarre and awkward location) and has a sensor that mounts just above the keyboard itself. This keyboard uses all four of the connectors in the keyboard-connector pocket.

To each their own, but the emissive keyboard seems like a Rube Goldberg solution compared to the simple, functional rubber one. I'm sure many people prefer the full-travel keyboard, but for my money I'd accept the inconvenience of typing on rubber to get the waterproofing. I wouldn't want to see what would happen if water got into the (presumably high voltage) circuitry of the emissive backlight!

 

Tip for other nubes like myself: The wider keyboard connection on the motherboard likes to break it's little hinge door off. DO NOT BREAK THIS OFF!! makes for a real hassel, and i'm thinking a new motherboard.

 

You are correct sir! (Ask me how I know!)

 

lol! same connector? you shoulda warned me! i'm making do with electrical tape and a toothpick right now, untill i can find a replacment mobo...

 

LOL... That cracks me up... Necessity is the mother of invention. I didn't realize how it came out at first as it was taped down as Panasonic likes to do. I pulled a little too hard and my tensioner bar went flying! I tried to figure out how it went back together and then finally figured it out. I still have the broken Mobo in my shop. I'll get around to fixing it one day.

Electrical tape and a toothpick... Too funny!