Toughbook wireless display

Looking for your advice as to capabilities of Toughbook Wireless Display, model CF-VDW07. I have the opportunity to buy hardly used CF-VDW07. It comes from health clinic and mostly sat on the shelf. It's basically in "new" condition. No pocket computer, just the display. I can have it for $150.00. My intention is to use it on a sailboat. Computer (old CF-29 running charting software) in the cabin, wireless display in the cockpit. Is the display really sunlight-readable? Will it work with CF-29? Any input is greatly appreciated before I blow the money, thanks.

 

$150 sounds like a steal. Not sure if these are transflective, but they are made to do the kind of thing you're talking about, displaying navigation on a boat etc.

Bet user "mnementh" will have much more to say here soon ...

 

boomtown.... Check the searches... As I recall... Capt.Dogfish has one and went throught the setups for it and how he uses his. It is a VERY popular option for boaters I hear.

Check it out or maybe PM him directly.

 

boom -

My CF-VDW07 is DEFINITELY transflective display. You'll need an appropriate 802.11B WiFi for it to connect to, (I think the Cisco Aeronet 350 and Lucent PC24-E are known to work) as well as the MeiWDS application.

The sum total of MY knowledge on the subject is HERE:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=340232

I puttered on the thing for a while, but had to back-burner the project when my spare car got t-boned while bro-in-law was borrowing it... I never did lay my hands on the right WiFi card for the EASY configuration, plus battery was an issue...

mnem
CF-VZSU21, WHERE ARE YOU?

 

I was just doing a little web search. Not much info. Screen is of low resolution, only 800x600, 8bit color (256 colors). Will the sending computer have to be set at the same for the remote to work?

 

Will I need a dedicated wireless B adapter, like the Cisco 350? My intention is to use CF-29EWPGZKM as sending computer. I don't know what brand, but B,G wireless is built in. Never Moded, original. Regards,Voytek.

 

I have not been able to get mine connected to my CF-28 using any of the WiFi adapters I have available. It appears the BIOS in the CF-VDW07 looks for something in the approved WiFi adapter on the laptop; possibly the ProdIDString, or perhaps the BIOS of the card itself was chosen for some feature I don't know about.

I do not know about the CF-29; but under any circumstances, you'll want a dedicated WiFi card in most cases so you don't lose WiFi networking capability. Remember, your WiFi adapter can only handle one connection at a time.

The CF-VDW07 only has a 802.11B connection; I'm sure that's the reason for the 8-bit color - to reduce bandwidth requirements to a reasonable level for that connection. I've seen it in use - the MeiWDS application converts your desktop to fit on the display; it seems to do a decent job, though with the transflective display, you really can't see the difference between 8-bit color & 16-bit anyways.

mnem
Waves to the WiFi and back again...

 

Thanks. I'm new to Toughbooks. Just graduated to CF-29 from CF-28. Is there a hidden slot in CF-29 to put dedicated, short WIFI card? CF-28 had one. I looked at so called Panasonic Interface Kit. CF-VWLS071. It looks just like odinary wireless adapter card for PCMCIA slot. Seller is asking $160.00 for used one. Cisco LM350 is going for 10-20.00$ Help. regards, Voytek.

 

boomtown, et. al.
The VDW07 is a truly recalcitrant beast. I'm at work now but will post up some of my adventures when I get home this evening. Forum user Moxie has gotten his to work with his CF-29. For myself and a couple of others across the pond in the UK it got put on the back burner as it was just too difficult to get it to connect. I have reams of correspondence between Toughbook support and myself, they aren't even too sure how to do it. I do have a couple of the correct Cisco cards which I would be happy to loan/give to a serious experimenter who will figure them out and share the information with the group.
More to follow...
CAP

 

Hello Cap. Thank you for your input. Just don't know what to do. Buy the display or just stay away. If it would work as described and if the screen is really sunlight-readable, this would be a total answer to my needs. You used it before is the screen better than CF-28 12" transflective screen? I was desapointed in readability outside. Thanks in advance, regards, Voytek.

 

The price is too good to pass up Voytek. Buy the display, correspond with Mnem and Capt. If for some reason the 3 of you cannot get it to work, you should easily be able to recoup your $150 for the display. As I see it, you have nothing to lose but time to try.

 

Thanks Doobi. Any idea how this little "brick" Panasonic computer, part of CF-VDW07 works? This could be the answer if it would run Windows XP and if I would be able to connect to it GPS receiver. Anyway, this is another idea. Regards, Voytek.

 

An open sailboat cockpit is so bright at times it’s very hard to see any normal display
This area is all white gelcoat reflecting and intensifying sunlight that will wash out most displays
A cover or hood over the display helps , and that would be your only option if you want to use this wireless display
It has to be extend at least 4” or 5” min to work
It’s a very good price so that might be worth a try
I have not seen the wireless display first hand but it is newer technology that the cf-28 screen so it would be better
The Panasonic 12.1”PDRC display if it is protected from water will work ok as it has 1250nit brightness
The marine electronics manufacturers like Raymarine make good bright water resistant displays that I have installed in these situations
Expect to spend about $3000 for a good 12”combination chart plotter/display
Or lesser quality brands $1000 to $1500 for a 10” model
On the more expensive boats I have installed $8000 monitors that are water-resistant and have 1700 nit brightness but that is out of the price range for most people
The displays in these are superior to any Toughbook in this application


Alex

 

boomtown,
There is absolutely no comparison between the "daylight readable " CF-28 screen and the VDW07. Panasonic doesn't say but I'm guessing the 07 is about a 500nit screen. The CF-07 "Brick" was shipped with a 20gb hard drive and XP at the end of its run, I've got one and it performs fine with a BU353 USB GPS. I got Moxie a 20gb Hitachi HDD for his but I don't remember if he put XP on it or not. I still have a couple of the 20gb drives left. It's not that you can't get it to work, its just trying to match the firmware (there seem to be way too many versions) to the operating system and getting the right WLAN card. The cards in the CF-07 are on the mother board and don't seem to be changeable. As I said, I have all the cards that are supposed to work, tons of emails and special manuals from Panasonic, etc that I will be glad to share. I'm sure you can get it to work, you just need to be patient and put in the time. $150 is cheap for this display if it is in really good shape. I'll post more later , I just don't have much time except for on the weekends.
CAP
Mrs. Dogfish just put a pork chop on my keyboard, later.

 

WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA......


We got Capt.Dogfish back.....

<pays Boomtown a C note under the table>

Welcome back Cap!

We sure do miss you!

 

Huh?

My CF-VDW07M is TRANSFLECTIVE... the more sunlight, the better in that mode. I'd be surprised if mine was as good as 500 nit... LOL

mnem
*Squinty*

 

Hello, thanks Guys, I'm learning. A little difference of opinions. Alex thinks, that I will have to keep the display in the "box" to see anything in a bright sailboat cocpit. You Mr. Mnementh are telling me, that the brighter it gets, the better the display gets. I'm confused now. Too bad Teo is not familiar with this gizmo. Hi is the best. Regards, Voytek.

 

I think the difference will be on where and how the sun strikes it. The transflective screen works best with the sun directly behind you. However... On a sunny day... No screen I have ever seen works with the sun glancing off the screen as it creates glare. This is why we are here.... Set it up and let us know!

 

Have you ever seen one of the new laptop or desktop shinny reflective screens?
Now I know its not the same thing as a transflective screen , but at certain angles they reflect back objects
A cell phone/ pda display uses the same technology
I can not think of a worse case scenario than a sailboat cockpit, and I install over 20 marine computers annually
Voytek ,if you buy it and it does not work for the application you can easily get back your purchase price
As Cap has reported there is issues with setting up communication, and it is a networking /compatible wi-fi card issue
There is a couple of forum members here with the same unit and can comment here if they have it working
The brick computer that you mentioned is designed to work with the display and depending on the series it would most likely be the easiest option

Alex

 

OK Rick..

I'll take you up on that... I have to go out on WOs today; but I'm gonna take mine with and give it the test in the good ol' TEJAS SUN. I'll report back with a rundown on it's performance in bright daylight...

mnem
Oooooooh... SHINY...

 

mnem it sounds like you were trying to set up an AdHoc wireless connection to use it? I saw one of these before and I thought it said that it connected to the router to work through the network.

Is it similar to the tf-08? Looks to me it connects to the WAP and then uses remote desktop on the other computer. Just use the internal IP of the other computer.

 

Hello Cap. How do you use The "brick" with a USB GPS? There is no USB port on the computer. Keep it in the port replicator? Regards, Voytek.

 

The VDW07 connects to the host computer via an ad hoc network network. It does not function as a second monitor in the sense that you would switch the host computer to use an external monitor.
CAP

 

Alright Yea I found the actual 07 instructions but I cant upload its too big. But They are the crappiest instructions I have ever seen. About 15 pages of warnings and a paragraph of how to use it.

edit: found some instructions ALOT better than the other ones.

http://www.nobeltec.com/products/pdf/WND_Manual.pdf

Looks like you need the software for it.

 

Thanks, that's really helpfull. Just wandering what Nobeltec is doing with Panasonic. Nobeltec used to be in navgational/charting software business.
Regards, Voytek.

 

Nobeltec sells the panasonic remote display as an accessory

Alex

 

OK -

First off -

Of course, 15 minutes after I made that post, the sky clouded up and it rained bats & frogs all day.

2nd -

shack - Yes, the VDW07 does have both AD-HOC and Infrastructure modes; however when I try Infrastructure mode, it tells me what I have to name the SSID of my AP and what I have to name my server. I have not found a means of changing those settings YET. As I have no interest in dismantling the configuration of my WiFi router or renaming any of my PCs to suit one irritating piece of equipment, I did not pursue that option further.
Thanks for the link to the manual, BTW - it's not the same as those I already have; maybe it has some nugget of info I haven't already figured out yet.

3rd -

Cap'n -

Yes - The VDW07 uses a WiFi connection as a thin client to another machine; I believe it in fact uses the same protocol stack as Windows Remote Desktop. I just wish it weren't so d@mned efficient; it would be easier to dissect...

mnem
Ahhh... memory chips & guacamole. Got any salsa?

 

So What's the vedict? Is it visible in sunligt or not? Will it work with CF-29EWPGZKM or do I need this special (EXPENSIVE) Display Interface Kit (PCMCIA card)? I looks, that we have here a lot of differente opinions. Thanks, Voytek.

 

Pizza does not float.

This is the best answer I have right now...

Mnem
Toes are for nibbli g!

 

I hope, that the sun will shine in The Yellow Rose Country over the weekend.
A little walk with FC-VDW07 ?

 

If the stars should align, it shall be so. Otherwise, sponge skiing.

mnem
More aardvarks for the fire, please!

 

Okay -

Took a walk with the handheld in the afternoon sun; yes, it's true, like I said - the brighter the light on the screen, the better the contrast, BUT... glare, as always, is the greatest enemy.

It takes a bit of juggling to find just the right angle where the sunlight is over your shoulder but NOT reflecting off the screen and blinding you. This is pretty easy to do while walking around with it; I would say that unless you have it mounted on a gooseneck in your boat it would not be as easy to keep at the right angle.

I don't know about the "Daylight readable" screens; even the 1000 nit screen on my HP washes out in direct sunlight, and of course if the sun is reflecting right in your eyes you still can't see the keyboard much less the display.

One thing I DID notice - the sun makes VERY CLEAR every little imperfection in the surface of the touchscreen; tiny scratches I didn't even know existed glare at me in full sunlight.

I'm still working on the connectivity thing; I've upgraded the firmware in my handheld and now I can get it to associate with my Atheros WiFi card; but it still will NOT initiate a session with meiWDS. It will connect, I can see the connection at both ends, but no remote desktop.

I can ONLY get the "Non-Panasonic" version of meiWDS to install on my machine; I think that may be my issue; or it may simply be they won't use but a few models of WiFi card for whatever reason and my Atheros card isn't one of them.

mnem
Bleeeargh. Sick dwagon make blarffff.

 

Voytek, et. al.,
First, I have a bunch of manuals which are really quite extensive, especially one on setting up the wireless in XP. They are, for some reason, quite large for PDF's, I'll try to shrink them tomorrow. Failing that, I'll have to get back up on Rob's FTP site so I can get them out to anyone who wants them.
Second, I have a Cisco Aironet PCM350 Series PCMCIA (full size, not the one that fits in the secret slot), and a couple of Lucent PC24E-H-FC (gold) PCMCIA's, both of which have been alleged to work with the WLAN card in the VDW07. I believe the Lucent cards are the ones which come with the Panasonic Display Interface Kit(although under a different brand name). All of these cards were bought for short money off eBay(which completely sucks now) with a little dedicated searching. I got side tracked on this project and with the acquisition of a couple of CF-18's the need to get my display working has dropped drastically in importance. It's supposed to be blowing like a hooker at a VFW convention tomorrow so maybe I'll dig into this some more while trapped indoors. My experience with my CF-29 to date has been similar to mnem, they see each other but no desktop. Moxie definitely got his to work with a CF-29 with the stock Intel internal card.
CAP

 

This is great, thanks again everyone. At my wifes medical clinic full inventory is in progress. They are getting rid of all the junk. I talk to a fellow who remembers that when they trying CF-VDW07 if it was sutable for them, the "brick" was there and a docking station with the CD-ROM. Hi also remember that attemps were made to connect to another laptop. I suspect, that this "special" PCMCIA card is also there. They are looking for it. I got the display, if I get the rest we will know for shure what card works. Regards, Voytek.

 

Voytek,
Be sure you get the dock, they are worth more than the brick usually, and you will want it if you are looking to make a "carputer" with the remote display. You can run a USB GPS and an air card in the dock. The "special card" is hard wired into the brick, you won't have any problem getting the display to connect to it. A special note if you upgrade your OS. I upgraded XP to SP2 in one of my CF-07's so it would read an external DVD to load maps. Bang, no connection! I suspect Mnem's solution is now required at least in part.
CAP