Which keyboard?

I have a CF 19 and as much as the original keyboard is good I would like to install a backlit one.
Why? Because it's cool and why not.

I'm after a some advice as to which one people have got and use, pro's and con's. I believe there are two types, a rubber backlit and an emissive original type.

Thanks in advance.

 

An emissive will cost around $225, but it is the best of the bunch.

 

Do not ever buy emissive keyboard for CF-19. It's life is too short
If you type much you will kill it in months. Or till the first water, even without pressure.
Emissive keyboard for CF-19 is the biggest Toughbook fail. After touchscreen, of course )
Rubber is super, but not that fast to type.

 

The rubber is the only one that is "waterproof", but they are harder to type on.

I have had good luck with all the emissive keyboards I have had. I have one on my CF 52 that I have used for 3,500 hours in the past year and it still works great.

There are members who don't like them, but I have had great success with the emissive's. I like the typing feel better than a standard keyboard also.

 

Not every one has had problems with them. My emissive keyboard is 2 years old and I have had it installed is 3 CF-19...MK1, 2 and now in my MK5 and its still going strong. I also have a rubber one to installed in a MK1 which I use on my ATV. It works great but it is very hard to type with.

 

It's good. But not rugged at all. It transforms your Toughbook to chinese brand.
My first emissive kb has died after the first wash. Second kb - again (I had to test it before real rain etc.)
So it's a very expensive piece of... non-quality equipment )

Standard plastic keyboard is waterproof. But I prefer rubber one because of backlight. I can type very fast on it

 

I'd only recommend the rubber keyboard if you think you'll be using your CF-19 in a wet environment. I haven't seen too many issues with the emissive keyboard, but they aren't really made to be "washed." I think BaRRmaley may be unique in actually preferring to type on the rubber keyboard.

 

The emissive KBs are nicer to type on than the rubber, but the rubber KB is not that bad. The upside is that the KB is then as rugged as the rest of the unit. As I am not a 100 word/minute touch typist, I prefer the rubber. Changing out the KB for a rubber backlit KB is the first thing I do with a new unit I plan on keeping. As the rubber KB gets used, and the rubber becomes more subtle, it becomes easier to type on.
I have had a couple of the emissive KBs start to cause problems such as keys quit working, or working intermittently, but never had that problem with the rubber KB.
My $0.02

 

I will hypothesize that this is a key factor (no pun intended). My frustrations with the rubber KB are largely due to difficulty touch typing on it.

 

Thanks for the replies.
I'm leaning more towards the rubber backlit keyboard as my 19 will be installed in my Range Rover and also dragged around underground in mines, so really need it to be as rugged as possible.

 

as you did not mention the type of mines you will be going into or the areas within ...
the rubber (25 cent word = elastomeric) is a good idea in these cases , even if the life expectancy is lower than a *conventional* keyboard .

 

Wet,dirty and cold. At least all the mines I have personally been in as they need to keep the dust in check. I would agree on rubber in that case.

 

"Wet,dirty and cold."

that sounds like a couple of blind dates i've had .

 

Yer a bad boy:thumbsup:

Got a 2-3" micrometer on the bay last night I'll be sending your way,merry Christmas and all that. It was so cheap I had to grab it,Enco model 605-03. Figured you could use it or donate it to the school.

 

cool ...
i know a young man that will greatly appreciate the micrometer .
thanks a bunch man .