Batboard

Its been a while since I've had time to work on the burb install. Finally here are some pics of the Panasonic TOUGHBOOK PDRC (portable display, remote computer) setup.

The mount itself is Gamber-Johson PED-4 new style for the PDRC. It allows more range of motion than the older PED-3 did. Shown here the PDRC is in the stowed position. I can pull out the keyboard in a multitude of directions and raise, lower and swivel the display itself.

PDRC display is 10inch touchcreen with backlight function buttons. Keyboard is also backlight.

Nifty thing is I can use the PDRC with the right drivers loaded on a variety of laptops not just the toughbook.

Right now its mated to a CF-27.





Note: not all of the interconnecting cables were routed and dressed after the photos were taken.

i liek the little brush there

well, it keeps the dust away....

would you by any chance, be able to post up all those picture you had before of your whole install? I saved them but somehow I guess it disappered lol..... that and I cant find it no more on the board.....

Nice looking set up!

What are you using the terminal for?
Mapping?
Scanning?

That's just too damn sexy... My god... Nice job my friend, nice job....


Now gent's (and ladies) if you excuse me, I need to go get a towel.

I use it for various mapping packages and mobile data (APRS, 802.11B and wireless internet).

I'm getting ready to swap out the remote docking station for a Kodiak Mobile model under the seat instead of the LEDCO mount I have now.

I also want to move the keyboard mouting arm off to the side of the console to get more radio room and lower the display itself so its below the dash and EOM stereo position.

My next problem is WHERE to mount the pentax pocketJett II printer.

I may just leave that in the briefcase.... we'll see.

Mount it in the glove compartment.

I did this slick little install once with a CD-Changer I installed it in the glove compartment and put servo motors with stops on instead of the pistons. When you pressed a button the glove compartment came down.

One word....superbitchin.

Ok, picture update time:
Since these pics were taken I've done several things. I've adjusted the way the mount is set resulting in lowerin the over all profile of the screen (which was a goal) to be below the dash level now. The keyboard is now slightly higher to allow better access to the radios.

I've removed the LEDCO dock and replaced with with a Kodiak Mobile full docking/power station under the right side passenger seat.

With the new dock in I finally found a place to mount the TNC and SM50 data radio ( they were just sitting on the floor)


As you can see everything fits nicely and makes for one very tidy install





















Crap, I must have had the camera settings on low as the resolution isn't the best with these.

Apco,

How much did that computer cost you with the external screen/keyboard?

Whats the typical street cost?

The PDRC itself is around $2500-3000, but you have to add in the cost of the mount ($300), docking station ($700) and the laptop itself (anywhere from $3,000-5,550 for a toughbook)

It aint cheap!

Very nice......

apco25 wrote:The PDRC itself is around $2500-3000, but you have to add in the cost of the mount ($300), docking station ($700) and the laptop itself (anywhere from $3,000-5,550 for a toughbook)

It aint cheap!

From this day on apco25 will be known as "Moneybags".

Are you looking to adopt?

apco25 wrote:The PDRC itself is around $2500-3000, but you have to add in the cost of the mount ($300), docking station ($700) and the laptop itself (anywhere from $3,000-5,550 for a toughbook)

It aint cheap!

Watch eBay for CF27's there are a bunch of them on there right now. All under $500.00. I have been wanting to get one to replace my aging CF-25. My CF-25 is a 166mhz proccesor. It will run just about anything I've need but I want a little faster one. a 300-500mhz CF27 can be had any day on eBay for under $1000.00. The newer and faster CF28 is usually over a grand. Watch eBay for the docks also. The kodiak Mobiles show up very rarely on the bay, I think I've seen one in the last year and it was way too expensive.. But there are used ones around. Just have to watch. The small 10.25 inch screen on APCO25's Toughbook makes me guess it is a 266mhz. I have'nt seen may of the 300 or 500mhz Toughbooks with the 10 inch screen..

oops

That's not the normal toughbook I use with the PDRC - just the one I stuck in there for testing purposes.

The screen sizes really have nothing to do with what processor was spec when ordered. The 10inch screens were cheaper when sold new.

That's specific toughbook is my spare its a PIII 300

I have a very late CF-27 here that is really a CF-28 (case looks like more like a 28 than a 27) with rare 13.3 screen and is a PIII 500 that normally goes with the PDRC. It also has the backlit keyboard option.

I'm hardly a moneybags - I just buy very carefully

apco25 wrote:
The screen sizes really have nothing to do with what processor was spec when ordered. The 10inch screens were cheaper when sold new.

I stand corrected.

APCO25 what did you say that you did with the Bose guts?

The bose amp is mounted inside the gamber-johnson console. The subwoofer itself is to be mounted in front of the console below the dash (where is was in the OEM console) in a custom speaker box.

I recently got a chance to look at the newly available 8.4 inch 1200 NIT screen for the MW800, or docked ML900/950. It's extremley nice, as it has both an in-dash, single unit DIN mount, as well as a ball mount configuration. It's really a perfect size, and it's touch screen. You can also use it with the ML900 (and the new ML950) in their docked configuration (e.g., MODS configuration). However, Motorola said they are not coming out with a smaller backlit keyboard to "match" this new mini screen (you have to use the existing full size keyboard that goes with the full size 12.1 inch 2000 NIT screen). This really sucks, IMHO, and I asked them as to please explain their logic. They said that for most customers using the 8.4 inch mini screen (such as Fire Dept. Supervisors and the like), they assume these sorts of customers will typically lay the full size keyboard alongside the transmission hump, pulling it out only when actually needed.

Seems dumb to me, as I'd think an in-dash, single DIN unit mini screen set-up would cry out for a small keyboard. Then again, the Moto guys pointed out that no one else has a small keyboard, other than a variety of 3rd party, after market junk (which I think is probably true).

Larry

You can also mount the printer where the passenger headrest is located and run your wires inside the seat cover. If you have a passenger it only takes about 4 sec. to remove and replace the headrest back. Go to lemsoultions.com and you will see pictures there of what I am talking about.

Sorry, that is lemsolutions.com

Had to post to this one because i am looking at doing something similar hardware wise.

I have a CF-27 toughbook and will be getting in a Kodiak KDCF27 docking station, got it on the super cheap.

One question, the Kodiak documentation that i went through on the website doesn't seem to touch on how the computer is powered on or off, if at all.

So, how do you boot up the computer with that setup? Do you have to go around to the passenger side flip up the seat and power up the laptop, or does the Kodiak boot up and power down the laptop? I noticed that the Kodiak has an ignition sense wired to it.

ASTROMODAT wrote:Seems dumb to me, as I'd think an in-dash, single DIN unit mini screen set-up would cry out for a small keyboard. Then again, the Moto guys pointed out that no one else has a small keyboard, other than a variety of 3rd party, after market junk (which I think is probably true).

Larry,
I have used IKEY http://www.ikey.com aftermarket keyboards for several projects. They make small foot print units that are backlit, have a dedicated emergency button, and be ordered with PS/2 or USB cables

BTW, I personally use an Ikey DP-860, Unit has a small foot print, integeral pointing device and has a NEMA 4X rating. Definately not offshore junk.

Martin

Thanks for the tip, Martin---I'll check them out. Sounds like it might be just what I've been looking for.

The various police forces with MDTs here (.au) keep the keyboard in the glovebox when they're not using it. There are quite a few very nice non-/\/\ keyboards around for MDT use.

PM with regards to the Kodiak dock. They are configurable in several ways some of which is firmware specific.

Are you going to use a PDRC or some other touch screen and keyboard combo?

I'll have to post new pics. I've since added a 2 port Trimble GPS box, edgport serial expansion and replaced the toughbook with a newer model.

For right now i will be using the Kodiak dock up front with the laptop. Eventually i plan on getting a touch screen and keyboard. Just no budget for any more toys this year!

I use it primarily for navigation and i figure its about time i get the laptop off the passenger seat and into a mount.

I have been looking at a few websites that sell remote touch screens for car computers. And i'm open to suggestions, online sellers, models, etc. So i can start planning something for when i have the spare cash to do it.

But theres really no big hurry to that, it will most likely be next spring, tax return time

Which firmware version is your dock.

The dock is dip switch programmable. Can be wired for constant on, ignition sense or TIMED with or without ignition sense.

Mine is wired for ignition sense with the timer set to power down the dock after 4 hours.

The dock can be set to keep power for 30 minutes to as long as 8 hours based on the dip switch settings and also has a low voltage sense so it will power down if the vehicle voltage drops too low to start. The timer can also be disabled but is discouraged unless you have a FD application with a shore line plug in to prevent battery drain.

The power and reset buttons only control power of the dock. You still need to power up the toughbook as normal either before or after inserted.

I use a boot up hardware menu to decide if the laptop is docked or undocked with Win2k.

When docked I have disabled all power management options like hibernation, har disk power down, suspend etc. By doing this in conjunction with the docks timer settings all I need to do it boot up once and go.

When undocked power management options are enabled to save on battery life as normal.

It will be mid week before i have the unit in my possession. So i will check it then.

How do you find out which version of firmware it has, open it up or?

I have also notice on the Kodiak website that they make an integrated GPS unit for this dock. Do you happen to use that? I was curious as to which port it uses to connect to the laptop. The website doesn't have any detailed info on the GPS unit, so i can't find the specifics on the connections to the unit, including antenna.

It would have also been helpful if they had prices listed for stuff on the site. But that's the way all these companies seem to operate now, ask for price.

There should be a tag on the bottom cover that will give the firmware version.

If you open the dock you'll find an additional USB port inside as well as +12 and 5v available.

I have an external Trimble ACE III GPS with dual ports which allows for independent and simultaneous use for mapping and APRS.

I had contemplated purchasing their internal board, but with the APRS application I needed an additional NMEA feed that the internal board could not suuply.

Any of the small motorola, rockwell, trimble type GPS boards could be easily mounted inside the dock and connected via the internal USB port.

Be aware that if you use the internal USB on the Kodiak dock, the external USB is disabled.

Also, only the Rev. E docks had the firmware version on the tag on the bottom plate. The easiest way to tell what revision dock one has is this - Rev. D had rocker switches, while Rev. E has touchpad membrane switches.

As far as the PM chip revisions - Rev.3 had an undependable low voltage cut-off (supposed to be 11.8VDC, but many times was really over 12VDC - what this meant was the dock would shut off even with the vehicle running!) Rev. 4 was much more dependable and had a 10.5VDC low cutoff. Rev.5 reassigned one dip-switch to become a low voltage cutoff disable (which can always be accomplished by wiring the ignition and battery input wires together regardless on the revision version)

Also, if you have a CF-29 and want a Kodiak dock for it, make sure you get the right dock. The CF-27/28 docks will not hold the CF-29. They can be easily identified by the 2 large tabs to hold the front of the older laptops. For a CF-29, the dock has a single small tab front and center and no side guides. There is a retrofit kit available which allows the use of a CF-29 in an older dock. It can be installed in about 15 mins and sells for about $155.

I have been working with Kodiak since they were based above a residential garage in Berthoud, CO ten years ago. If you need info or parts, I'll be glad to share what I know and can provide repair parts and accessories if you need them.
We are a Panasonic Toughbook Premiere Partner as well as an Authorized Kodiak Mobile Distributor and Service Depot.

One last item - seeing the interest in the PDRC in this thread, I wanted to mention I have about 4 used 10.4" PDRC displays in good condition as well as cable sets and various mounts for them. I also keep used Kodiak KDCF dock parts and accessories on hand.

Mike
[email protected]

I will certainly stash your email address somewhere then in case i need any parts Mike!

I just ordered some keys for the dock from Kodiak, they were fast and easy to deal with. Though you probably had used keys cheaper, but i didn't know of your existence before then! They only charged $9 and some change plus shipping for a set of keys, so still not that bad overall.

Just curious, since i know my budget won't allow it anytime soon, how much do one of those used PDRC setups go for? Is it the screen and keyboard like Apco's?

I got word back from Kodiak on the GPS unit, it was way over my budget $250+ and i would have to ship the entire dock to them for installation. Don't see what would be so hard about installing it, but that was what they said.

I will just stick with my Delorme USB Earthmate. By the way, if anyone needs to share a GPS for multiple applications, like apco25 mentioned, Delorme offers a free software that should work with any USB or Serial GPS unit and gives you three virtual com ports to use. It's an emulator, you just tell it the incoming port for the GPS, in my case the USB port, and then i output Raw date or NMEA to three virtual com ports. This way i can run Street Atlas, APRS, and whatever else i may choose and have all three programs receiving GPS data. Works great and i have tested it on a few roadtrips without a single hickup.

http://www.delorme.com/support/gps/lt20001.asp

I have tested it with other than Delorme GPS units and it works. There is other GPS emulators out there also, some that are free also. So no need to buy a dual port GPS if you plan on using it connected to the computer. Though i can see why Apco25 used the dual port unit, then the APRS can run unattended without having the computer relaying the data.

As far as the PDRCs go, I believe I only have the displays. Since they are in good working condition, I'll sell them for $250 ea. with the appropriate cables (used). I may have some keyboards (original version w/o touchpad), but I'll have to sift around for those.

Ok, i was just curious. Maybe some day i will be able to do that and put the laptop and docking station in the back. For now the docking station is going on a mounting pole up front.

Kodiak shipped me my keys for free

Really? Under waranty or how?

I won't complain too much though, $9 plus shipping for two keys when i got the mount for nearly nothing is still a good deal.

That is a pretty clean install.
I for one can't stand a messy install, glad to see someone that feels the same way.

County government customer

Thanks for the comments on the clean install. Some stuff has changed since those pics last year, I'll have to post updates.

Post them updates, always fun to see others installs!