docking stations, etc. for mobile use with CF28 (or similar)

Ok this is mostly relating to CF28's as that's what I have at the moment. I have come across at least two places that make (or made) car mounts and docking stations, etc. for CF28's - named RAM and Ledco.

And now and then have seen them show up on the Evil Bay. Can anyone here shed light on them and similar products and make some recommendations? My car is a Saab classic 900 (RHD!) so I was considering something that could be mounted to the sliding passenger seat frame as I don't want to compromise the car body's integrity by drilling holes into the body to mount stuff. The big bar supporting the dash which ties the two a-pillars together would be the ideal place to use for another attachment point if required.

I guess there isn't much civilian-style call for this sort of thing as it's probably a mostly law-enforcement and mining and military style subject... so lets here your views...

Craig.

 

Add Panasonic to your list and Gamber-Johnson

I have used them all except the Ram units

I rate the Gamber-Johnson on top as it’s a great looking, well engineered unit

The Panasonic looks not bad ,they have rounded edges and are cheaper

The ledco to me looks less refined , squarer shaped

I have used some of the ram items, for instance ram has a gooseneck attachment designed to hold the display firmly in place that works great

There is lots of used docking stations around especially for the cf-27 and cf-28
I think I have a Panasonic and a ledco model around somewhere


For your personal vehicle you will have to weigh price/looks to make an informed decision


Alex

 

I work for a gas utility and we used the Panasonic mounts before we swapped out to the new ruggedized Dell Latitudes with FirstDock mounts. (A decision I regret more and more each day.) The Panasonic mounts may not be as pretty as the Gamber Johnson's, but I can tell you that they were rock solid. I don't think we had more than one or two go bad out of 200+ units in six years and they were not treated gently I assure you. In short, they live up to the ToughBook name as expected.

 

WYRM,
And your company is doing what with the old Panasonic mounts?
CAP

 

I have the Gamber mount and I'll echo Tomcats statement, it's stout and well designed. However it's also 11.5 pounds, so once you attach a CF-28 you've got right on 20 pounds (9kg) that you need to secure in your car.

I'm waiting on one of the RAM mobile pedestals to mount the setup in my Jeep, but I'm still a bit concerned that it will not be able to deal with the weight well.

nine

 

Yeah the weight could be an issue but that's probably leaning towards being a 3-point mount instead of a pedestal mount solution.

I've come across a few places selling used Ledco CF28 docking stations on the Evil Bay and may give one of them a go.

Craig.

 

Craig,
LEDco is a good product and they have a great attitude toward secondary market owners, see here.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=253375&highlight=ledco+break+out+box
If you see one with good pictures check out the interface. solid machined bronze, not a stamping!
CAP

 

I've a RAM mount in my Subaru, with a CF-M34 on it..Hold just fine.. I did have a CF-27 on it with a mount and it was ok too...


73
Semper Fi
Ed

 

Do you have the plastic or the metal version of the RAM mount? Seem some of the plastic CF-28 RAM mounts on Ebay a while back, but I am not sure that a plastic one is really going to last the distance especially when it gets exposed to a degree of sun and UV degradation affects the plastic.

Craig.

 

updating this a bit... I missed out on some brand new style Ledco's on Ebay due to financial issues (ie. gotta pay my mortgage and feed my family!), but I've found another place selling the older version so might get one of them instead.

Craig.

 

If your concerned about wieght, I would seriously look at the Gamber/Johnson Mag Dock. It's made out of Magnesium, like the toughbook. It is very light, and of course very strong. I have my CF-30 hooked to a G/J dock coming all the way up from the floor in my full size van. I can barely wiggle it with both arms. They supply you with ways to eithet thru bolt it thru the floor, or simply use your pass seats mounting holes. It amazes me how little this whole thing shakes while driving. Only on the roughest, non paved roads will it move at all. They have a video comparing thier competition, once you see it you wont go with anybody else. 99% of your police, fire departments use this setup for a reason.

http://concept.gamberjohnson.com/HTML/484360411/item_master/links/7160-0119-01.pdf

 

Toyo... Did you buy yours new or used?

 

I am using a Kodiak Mobile mount and a Ram pedestal. It mounts to the front seat frame bolts on the right side. It works good and if needed it can be removed in less than 2 minutes.The dock is a modified CF-27 mount. The Ram mount is cheep and not to secure, thats why I am using the Kodiak mount.

 

Well the plan is to come up with a way to use the two front passenger seat base mounting bolts and a securing point on the main dash support bar (which joines the a-pillars of the car together and supports the dash) which just happens to be in the right place, and create a tripod-style mounting platform.

My cars are Saab C900's (RHD being in Aussie-land). The passenger side seat frame has two M8 bolts holding it in place at the front. I would like to keep the seat in place if possible (since then I can still put stuff on it!). It seems that there is a fair bit of 'interconnectivity' with the various mount manufacturers so that would definitely help to adapt items to suit, though I suspect I'll be creating the mount frame myself since I'm not a fan of pedestal-style mounts and my car doesn't have any way to use that sort of mount unless I was to actually remove the passenger side seat.

Craig.

 

I'm using a Gamber Johnson NP-PANDOCK (no RF). My company has a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid coming my way with a Havis Shields console. Luckily they also make a Gamber Johnson adapter!! Should get all that in in a few months, I'll post some pictures then.

Like Toyo said, there's a reason why public safety uses this stuff... it's rock solid. However, you'll pay top dollar for them to if you're looking to buy new or can't find them used. The RAM mounts certainly work and they're cheaper, but you get what you pay for. They work very well for lighter laptops, but to hold a 8+lb laptop, you need a better mount.

FWIW, since it's related... I have these available:
DS- CLEVIS: http://concept.gamberjohnson.com/ca...chments/standard_motion_attachments/DS-CLEVIS
DS-UPPER-M : http://concept.gamberjohnson.com/catalog/item/mount_poles/DS-UPPER-M
DS-LOWER 9: http://concept.gamberjohnson.com/catalog/item/mount_poles/DS-LOWER-9
DS-120 no-drill mount: http://concept.gamberjohnson.com/catalog/item/S-10_Blazer_Vehicle_Bases_95_04/DS-120

And of course, this stuff is heavy.