Simplifed GPS installation options for the cf-29

I'd like to install a aftermarket gps to my cf-29 myself and I can't figure out from the f.a.q what is the best way to do it. Some of the questions I have are.

- What is the best gps engine to date ?
a lot of ebay sellers are selling stuff other than em408. holux gr-87,quectel etc, I want the best

- Is there any advantage to a external antenna vs internal
I was thinking a internal antenna is more rugged ?

- Where is the best place to install the engine ?
How is the sarentel antenna installed ??

- How is the whole installation done ?

- Is there anyone here selling the best stuff here ?

...I wish the details in the "f.a.q's gps" were condensed as I'm totally lost. http://forum.notebookreview.com/images/smilies/confused.gif

 

It does take some poking around to find all the info you want. I still use the EM-408 mounted on the interior. The antenna I use depends on the application and customer. Sometimes the Sarantel... Sometimes the JDG antenna.

Read more threads... You need to read how it's done and with that you will gain knowledge... and discover choices!

 

I'VE EDITED THIS POST WHEN THREAD IS ON PAGE 2 SO KEEP THAT IN MIND WITH THE NEXT POSTS

Ok so i've gone through 38 pages of the forum and I took a few notes on what seems to be the best way of doing things from the way you were talking

Gps engine:
em408 SiRFIII GPS engine this is still used and is still in 2011 the prefered choice by the best on this forum. There are more advanced looking gps modules with higher spec but none work as reliably as the em408

Antennas, a brief discription...(Quick answer: the best is the Taoglas)
Sarantel antenna will give the best signal. It needs to be mounted on top of the screen assembly and it sticks out this may be a bad idea in a rugged notebook as it could break off. This is not worth it ??

JGD or Jim Grey Active Patch GPS antenna
Its a high gain 27db gain antenna and only when used WITH A COPPER GROUND PLANE is it a good alternative to the Sarantel
and receives very good signals with out having to mess about cutting up wwan antenna bumps (top left plastic bit on back of screen) pieces to fit the sarantel helix out of. The problem with this antenna is when you pass your and over the sled area it might cut off the gps signal

Taoglas Active patch antenna.
Is a high gain active patch antenna. This antenna will fit into the wwan bump and does not protrude out of it. This provides the best of both worlds. It provides excellent gps lock 99.99% of the Sarantel signal quaility (200% more than is needed!) and the signal cannot be cut off by your hand passing over the keyboard. So a comprimise between ruggedness and signal is not needed therefore the Taoglas is the best option (as recommended by Ohlip)

Integration : The easiest way to integrate the gps into the cf-29 is to buy a already designed pcb from custom toughbooks. This is designed
to connect into connection cn(18) of the cf-29 and with a slight change to the wiring, it will work with the em408. This is because custom toughbooks use gps modules other than the em408 in their kits. This pcb will enable power switching unlike other common techniques. So the gps will not stay on even when the computer is off, it is trigged to come on when the computer comes on and go off when the computer is turned off. This is extremely important

There are some that used the wwan sled. This uses connection cn(3). However using a sled is not nessasary and preferable not to in-fact

Positioning:
See the pictures below Ohlip left. You can see the EM408 gps engine.
This area is just under the keyboard

Another area to put the gps engine and connection pcb is under the palm rest, just about where the sled would be. They should be affixed
using double sided tape.

Power Problem:
The cf-29 provides 5v on cn(18) but the Em408 needs 3.3v.
There was mention of "low-dropout 3.3V regulator" http://www.national.com/mpf/LM/LM3940.html

But then Ohlip said...
"I came up of eliminating the regulator coz I found out that using the pin enable/disable of em408 this 5Vdc drop down to 3.3Vdc at load and it maintain its current"

So I'm not really too sure whats going on ??

Parts List (complete ?)
- Gps Module:
http://www.starlite-intl.com/Detail.asp?++USA++=USA&pid=1885&sid=&area=&sar=&action=

- Antenna:
http://parts.digikey.com/1/parts/1937585-antenna-25db-embedded-gps-ap-10b-07-0050b.html

- Kapton tape (see through yellow stuff)
http://www.kaptontape.com/1_Mil_Kapton_tape.php
10mm is the most common size ?

- One "16C" flexible flat cable (FFC)

- Antenna coax : type and connector ?

- Pcb from custom toughbooks
http://www.customtoughbooks.com/

- 5 pin jst to 5 pin jst cable: provided with EM408 ??

 

Maybe you need more research to find out which is the most durable setup for CF-29 with out compromising its ability to pick up signal instantly. I don't want to adverise here but I will show a couple of photo.


ohlip

 

Ohilp, that definately looks like a superior solution. Is the antenna as good as the JGD one / works out better because of its position, then there's no reason to comprimise and I'll go for that instead. Can it be waterproofed around the antenna ?

Is it possible to turn off the gps system entirely, even when the computer is on ?

 

Its up to you to make it switcheable and yes! its fully sealed.

If Sarantel is rated 100%, this one is 99.9%


ohlip

 

So I'll just have to put a switch in there somewhere. Are you selling the gps in a kit format as you've discribed ?

 

Those are from sometimes Forum contributor `Custom Toughbooks'.

 

Here is his web page Custom Toughbooks, -Aftermarket solutions for Panasonic Toughbooks This seller is from Arendal, Norway. Check out his web page /documents. He has a step by step pictures on how it is put together

 

Do they sell the em408 + taoglas antenna as Ohlip discribed ?

 

Sorry, man! I am not a full time seller. I do the mod only when I have spare time coz like most of us here work everyday from M-F.

The only delicate part on the process is making an interface cable for gps module but it is only a piece of cake If you are a skilled indivdual. After that the antena is staight forward that only need a back to back U.fl male connector.

The taoglas antena is available at digikey. Buy more to save a bit and the module is at globalsat.

To tell you the truth with regards to EM408. I've tested morethan 30 gps module with a different manufacturer from 12 channel to 65 but nothing can beat the em408 eventhough it is not the latest one now. In terms of how fast it fixed the signal. This bug can fix signal instantly specially when your antena was tuned up properly while other module takes a bit of time on which you will be p..s off and sometime take forever.

Till to date I haven't change the EM408 gps module coz it is the most reliable to what I have tested from the fast. I still have the collection of different module on my possesion.

ohlip

 

Sorry toughasnails, I'm a bit confused now, I need to ask this question.

Do any of the kits on Custom Toughbooks, -Aftermarket solutions for Panasonic Toughbooks have the taoglas antenna and the em408 together ? As I havent found anything that looks like the em408, I'm unsure if the antenna is taoglas. Can you confirm ? http://forum.notebookreview.com/images/smilies/confused.gif

 

I would email Vincent at custom toughbooks. I have been following his posts/threads and if you check here ~Toughbook Talk~ Toughbook Discussion • View topic - CF-29 GPS kit this is when he started making them. He would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have
custom-toughbooks | eBay

 

I've emailed him but no reply yet, meanwhile would it be possible for you Ohlip to put together a parts list of what I'd need to do it including all cables and the suppliers etc..?

I'm also wondering if it would be possible to use the pcb from custom toughbooks even if ??? he doesnt sell the em408 ?

 

Yup! you can use his board to install the em408 but you must ask him the pinout of the board. If you do that i can help you out to where the pin from EM408 will go.

As I mentioned above the taoglas antena is available at digikey: ANTENNA 25DB EMBEDDED GPS - AP.10B.07.0050B

And the EM408 is here; GPS Best Source: Garmin GPS, USglobalSat GPS, Pharos GPS. Cobra, Uniden, Midland, Motorola and brand name manufacturers of communication and electronic products. Hand tools

good luck


ohlip

 

I've been in contact with Vincent and he doesn't sell the em408 or the taoglas.
But I've asked him about the pcb so we'll see about that.

Ohlip are there any other nik naks : tapes, cables, connectors etc.. ?

How about the antenna bump do you know the part number ?

Do you know on what page are there installation instructions/pictures of the em408 + taoglas in the "original gps threads" in the faq.

Thanks very much for your help by the way http://forum.notebookreview.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

 

Just wondering but have your read this yet http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/241494-adding-aftermarket-internal-gps-cf-29-a.html . If not you should sit down some day and read all 38+ pages. Many of your questions will be answered . I have seen many GPS antenna's made by members in that thread and some show you how its done and some members have there own "trade secrets"....they have spent a lot of time and money building it.
To buy the antenna parts from Heartlands + shipping charge (USA SHIPPING ONLY) is about $100.00 and you still need to figure out how its put together. This job is not for everyone...just hate to see you spend $$$$ in parts and still no farther ahead.
If you look at custom-toughbooks GPS setup will give you a good idea what your going to need in extra parts. My guess it looks like your going to have at least $200.00+ in parts

 

Hi Toughasnails, yes I've gone through it all, regards the parts I was refering to like cables, tape etc usually inexpensive that can be bought elsewhere than heartlands. This setup is what I want as it meets the criteria I think is most important. i.e antenna is high point, antenna is high gain, antenna is not in a dangerous position. The module is tried and tested and locks on fast etc. If theres a better solution I'll consider it but generally I think this looks like the best setup of the lot. I just need a list of the rest of the stuff I need for this specific setup only.

Vincent (custom toughbooks) will sell me the PCB which is great !
One thing he mentioned actually is that the em408 is rated for 3.3v supply but its 5v that is available from the cf-29 and this could be bad. I dunno maybe reduce the life of the module after sometime maybe. So I'd like to know your opinion on that Ohlip and that of my previous post too. Thanks
I'll be updating my first post in this thread when the parts list and instructions are completed

 

Just wondering is the low-dropout 3.3V regulator needed for the em408

I read Ohlip's post...
"I came up of eliminating the regulator coz I found out that using the pin enable/disable of em408 this 5Vdc drop down to 3.3Vdc at load and it maintain its current"

So what does that mean ?

 

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