custom toughbooks cf-18 gps module

I purchased one of the gps+bluetooth modules from custom toughbooks on ebay and figured that i'd write a little something about it since what i found on them wasn't all that flattering.

Install was a breeze, there's instructions posted on his website but to be honest i didn't really follow them since i work on computers & electronics all the time, Toughbooks are dead simple to service (at least my cf-18 anyways).

Only issue i had with installation was the bluetooth module that came with it didn't seem to want to go into the usb port on the gps PCB. After looking at it, the manufacturing on the bluetooth module wasn't that great. The little piece of plastic that has the pins on it was sitting in the middle of the interface slot. A little fiddling got it to where it should be and then it slid right in.

Powered on the laptop, downloaded the ucentre software from ublox and i locked up 9 satellites instantly while sitting indoors (screen capture attached).

Used the ucenter software to change the baud rate to 4800 and installed ms streets and trips. Drove around in my car using the software to navigate and it worked great.

Custom toughbooks is a stand up guy too, i messaged him saying that i couldn't get the bluetooth module to interface with the PCB and right away he offered to send me a new one at no cost.

Overall I'm very happy with the purchase and service from custom toughbooks.

 

I agree I buy from then often and have yet to have a bad experience.

 

And were you actually on Mill St in Tottenham?
CAP

 

Well... He must have improved... I was not impressed at all with the quality or the signal from the one kit I did get that worked... That later died.

I can't believe the amount of sellers who buy his stuff, install it on Toughbooks and then pass themselves off as experts on ebay when they resell. If you are an expert... You don't need a kit!

 

lol, yes i thought about removing my lat-long but figured it didn't much matter... Come get me

Well this is in part the reason i posted this. A lot of what i found on NBR were posts from you and your adamant dislike for these units. Before purchasing i spoke with customtoughbooks about the quality issues you experienced. The explanations i got were satisfying enough (he did admit to a problem with the first production run), and felt that he would stand behind the product.

Overall I'm very happy with this unit.

 

I've ordered the kit for the cf-29 the other day. Turns out he didn't have any Ubox 5 modules in stock so i decided to wait (approx 2 weeks) for the Ublox 6 version.

Me mate bought one for his CF-19 a while back. Said it worked great. So I got one too for me 29. Jury's still out on my GPS though, I'll probably get one of the first Ublox 6 based ones ever manufactured, so if they bugger something up, I'll be the first to know...

 

I like the one I got from him for my CF-29, but haven't really used it much yet. I am thinking of trying something a little different in my CF-19 (GPS wise) when I get home.

 

Well I want two GPS units for my CF-19 one external with a cable to the roof of my 4X4 and the other an internal one, I will need and use both so they have to be good, I may have made my decision on the external one, I will keep an eye on this thread.

many thanks

Tranquillo

 

And why you need two while you can use only one, . Thats the problem with other setup while it can be setup for use with an internal and external antena thru the docking station. All my setup for Gps can use those option.

It is very simple. Rewire your antena inside the unit by just pluging the antena thru the passthru connector and then make a jumper wire from passthru connector to your Gps module.



ohlip

 

OK ohlip I just read your post and it said to me: aiygf agr flagrffc yuffviywbrvfybivb afowiyfb iysdfbiy swydif ibbivcdsibvds ........module!

OK perhaps I will explain what I plan to use it for and then you may be able to explain your post in layman's terms? If in the middle of nowhere in my car (happens a lot) and perhaps I had a GPS unit plugged in, in the event the car fails and cannot be repaired I may have to 'walk out' carrying the TB with the internal GPS as a guide. If (and it's a big if) I understand your post you are linking the ariel/antenna inside the unit to the docking port, and the GPS unit uses both? I thought there would be signal issues in the same way that having double car antennas on the the same radio can cause problems?

I am a newbie to all this and would appreciate you allowing for my lack of knowledge in this area.

Thank you

Tranquillo

 

Not a "big if", that's exactly what it does! Teo uses a special code known only to ex-patriot Filipino fish cutters working in Canada. His knowledge of Toughbooks makes learning to decipher this code a valuable asset to anyone using this forum.
CAP

 

Here's what I did on a cf29.

Pass thru.


onirakkiss has a photo of the outside of this mod.

Antenna pass thru connector

 

.............

 

Sorry, guys! for the confusion. I am not really an english speaking person. Sometimes only the Capt'n understand me. Hows life there, Cap! I'll be in New York for the Holiday. New Jersey to be exact.

Anyway, lets go to the topic. The passthru connector is not just only a connector. It has builtin spring( mechanical switch) that when you dock your unit into the docking station. It will push the inner pin and dinconnect the internal antena and activate the external antena and when undock. It will release and activate again the internal antena. It will not use two antena at the same time. I posted a picture of an sketch somewhere here on the forum how it wired up on the passthru connector.


ohlip

 

GOT IT!! Thanks for that guys and sorry for the minor thread hyjack

Muchisimo Gracias!

Tranquillo

 

I guess this is well known but i can't find it - how does this work with a 18 that has OEM bluetooth installed?

Does it take it's place so i'd need to use the included new module?

If i can keep the OEM BT Does the software switch for this GPS turn both off/on so to use my BT i'd have to power up GPS and vice versa?

If the 18 has OEM BT does that mean i have a BT antennae which i could use if i installed a fancier BT USB module than the one supplied with the kit?

If i can keep the original BT do i then have a spare internal USB and if so what good thing can i install there

What's custom toughbooks name on here?

 

I guess this is well known but i can't find it - how does this work with a 18 that has OEM bluetooth installed?

THE BLUETOOTH, GPS AND WWAN ALL COEXIST ON THE SAME DAUGHTER CARD FROM THE FACTORY, HIS BOARD REPLACES THE FACTORY DAUGHTER BOARD.

Does it take it's place so i'd need to use the included new module?

THE KIT OF HIS TAKES THE PLACE OF THE FACTORY DAUGHTER CARD.

If the 18 has OEM BT does that mean i have a BT antennae which i could use if i installed a fancier BT USB module than the one supplied with the kit?

ALL CF-18'S THAT I HAVE WORKED ON HAVE THE BT ANTENNAE INSTALLED FROM THE FACTORY BT OR NO BT.

 

Thanks ADOR

Shame to have an antenna and not use it, i'll have to dust off my soldering iron. Anyone found the ideal BT dongle for this or just break the plastic off the one in the kit and solder a link to the antenna?

Also any idea on the software switch issue, is there a simple way of switching them on and off independently? I suppose i'll just have to live with what ever anyway so i can wait to find out when i do it